The way that Paper Mario: The Origami King splits up players’ time between the slower-paced overworld investigation and the more frenetic turn-based combat is, even more than its beautiful visuals and eclectic score, its most satisfying feature. His side story is a highlight, though, so I won’t elaborate save to say that he will surely prove a new fan-favorite for most players. Bowser, though creased and folded himself, helps out early on, and much of the game’s lengthy middle section finds Mario paired with an amnesiac Bob-omb. Not only can these Toads be easily rescued-usually by whacking them with your trusty hammer to unfold them-they can fulfill helpful roles as shopkeepers and cheer you on during turn-based battles from the surrounding stands.Įven old enemies prove helpful allies in The Origami King. image: NOAĪlso of great import are the title’s scores of Toads, displaced residents of Toad Town found folded, crumbled, and stuffed in practically every nook and cranny of the game’s vast overworld. While Olivia primarily provides assistance in the form of direction and moral support (she’ll even give you hints to help you navigate some of the game’s tougher puzzles), she more than proves her worth by helping Mario to use his own new origami powers, like the 1,000-Fold Arms, and occasionally gets in on the action herself by employing fierce elemental attacks, acquired by defeating the game’s Vellumental bosses, akin to Final Fantasy-style Summons. Though brother Luigi is generally MIA-it’s a recurring theme that the game regularly accentuates with its trademark comedy-the role Mario’s all-important second banana is fulfilled by Olivia, sister of the diabolical Olly. This time around, though, expect both new faces and striking new roles for some old favorites. In typical RPG fashion, Mario is nothing without his party of allies and fellow adventurers. Further, he has wrapped the world in five giant streamers, cementing his control and giving Mario and company some overarching structure to their mission of paper liberation. King Olly, ruler of the Origami Kingdom, has invaded this paper cutout Mushroom Kingdom, folding Princess Peach and Bowser’s army into his own mindless origami minions. Unsurprisingly, Paper Mario: The Origami King adds new dimensions to the franchise using the ancient art of paper folding. Peach is looking rather… angular these days.

Sticker Star, for example, included collectible decals that both aided in the turn-based combat and could be used to manipulate the overworld environment, whereas Color Splash featured both a card mechanic and the titular use of paint. Paper Mario: The Origami King – A (W)Hole New WorldĮach Paper Mario title adds a new wrinkle-yes, that is a horrible pun and I am very, very sorry-to the original’s winning formula.

King olly puzzle solution