"Paper Cut Mansion" is a is a roguelite horror game set in a papercraft world from developer Space Lizard Studio and publisher Thunderful Publishing that stands out for its unique concept and charming aesthetic. The game's art style is one of its most striking features. The mansion is made entirely of paper, and the characters and enemies are all paper cutouts. Whilst I usually wouldn't choose to play a roguelite genre game, the uniqueness of the papercraft style, as if Paper Mario and Resident Evil had a baby, was what drew me towards the game.
Story wise, the game begins with Toby, a police detective, arriving at a mysterious old mansion to investigate a series of murders. The mansion is said to be haunted, and Toby is warned not to go inside. However, he is determined to solve the case, and he enters the mansion alone. The mansion is a labyrinth of paper rooms, each one filled with puzzles, enemies, and secrets. Toby must use his wits and skills to survive, and he must also piece together the clues to solve the mystery of the murders.
As Toby explores the mansion, he learns more about its history. The mansion was once owned by a wealthy family, but it was abandoned after a series of tragic events. The family's children all died under mysterious circumstances, and the mansion itself is said to be cursed.
Toby eventually learns that the murders are connected to the curse, and he must find a way to break the curse and save the mansion. Whilst the story of Paper Cut Mansion is relatively light, it is still enjoyable. There are also a number of hidden secrets to discover, and the game's ending (which i wont spoil here) is pretty satisfying. The game's plot is also somewhat open-ended, and there are a few different ways to reach the ending.
The game features:
Game mechanics designed for high replayability
Perma-death
The more you fail and start over, the more you learn about the mechanics
Unique AI for each enemy type - unexpected behaviours - makes enemies creepier and more fearsome
Logical puzzles are designed to make the player think
Collectible Upgrades
Customize your equipment before each run to shape your own play style
The gameplay in Paper Cut Mansion is a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. You will need to explore the mansion to find clues, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies.
Paper Cut Mansion is a relatively short game, but it is packed with content. There are six floors to explore, each with its own unique challenges. There are also a variety of enemies to defeat, and a number of secrets to discover. I really liked the portals that lead through to alternate dimension versions of the areas you were in, definitely reminded me of the way the world changes in the Silent Hill games.
The game's roguelike elements are what add some much needed replay value. Each time you die, you start over from the beginning, but you will keep some of your progress, such as the cards you have collected. This allows you to gradually improve your character and make it further into the mansion. The game itself isn't a long one, so giving you a reason to replay over and over is always welcomed. Each decision you make during a run will affect the end of the game and give you one of 27 different endings!
Overall, Paper Cut Mansion is a well-made and enjoyable game. It has a unique art style, challenging gameplay, and a satisfying sense of progression through multiple runs. If you are a fan of roguelites or horror games, then you should definitely check it out.
Pros:
Unique and charming papercraft art style
challenging gameplay
a variety of enemies and puzzles
replay value
Cons:
Can be repetitive
Lacks depth
Some of the puzzles are too difficult
Overall, Paper Cut Mansion is a solid game with a lot to offer. If you are looking for a unique and challenging horror game, then you should definitely check it out. The game's difficulty can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the puzzles are quite difficult, and it can be frustrating to die and have to start over. However, the game does give you a number of tools to help you succeed, such as the cards you can collect. The game's performance on Xbox is generally good. There are a few minor bugs, but they do not detract from the overall experience.
Overall, I would recommend Paper Cut Mansion to fans of roguelites, horror games, and papercraft. It is a well-made and enjoyable game with a lot to offer. TOTAL SCORE: 7/10
Paper Cut Mansion was released on the 27th October 2022. It is playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles and is priced at £16.99. The game can purchased HERE.
A copy of the game was provided for this review. A big thanks for that!
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