10 Other Fantastic Titles That Are Worth Checking Out!
Paper Mario excels at giving fans a deeper story involving Nintendo’s plumber mascot. Although the Paper Mario series doesn’t contain the same magic and enthusiasm as it used to, many fans love these games for their quirky dialogue, beautiful visuals, and colorful characters. This game has gone through numerous gameplay changes over the years but maintains a decent turn-based structure. It’s a game series worth checking out if you’re after a Mario-themed game with complex storytelling.
If you’ve finished playing Paper Mario and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Paper Mario.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is essentially Paper Mario with insects. Even if you’re not a fan of creepy crawlies, you’ll adore this game’s colorful world, amusing dialogue, and wonderful characters. With its stellar action command turn-based combat, exaggerated attacks, and bountiful storytelling, Bug Fables is the closest may ever get to reliving the classic Paper Mario experience.
In it, players follow the adventures of three bugs named Vi, Kabbu, and Lief. Their goal is to uncover a hidden treasure that lies deep within the Bugaria Kingdom, the Everlasting Sapling. With this, Vi, Kabbu, and Lief can achieve immortality. The game features multiple worlds for players to traverse and numerous enemies who’ll make your quest challenging.
If you’ve missed the classic Paper Mario experience, Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling is worth purchasing.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Did you find Paper Mario’s picture-book aesthetically pleasing to the eye? Then it’s best that you turn your attention to Chicory: A Colorful Tale. This is a fun top-down adventure game with a charming coloring book aesthetic. Its tale tackles themes surrounding mentorship, ambition, and friendship, all wrapped under the game’s creative lens.
In it, players control a puppy, who happens to be Chicory’s number one fan. You must help this puppy find Chicory in hopes of restoring color back into their universe. With Chicory’s magic brush, you’ll solve countless puzzles, discover unique locales, and make new friends to restore the world to its former glory.
It’s a heartwarming game with a narrative that’s on par with the Paper Mario series. The game’s coloring mechanics will remind folks of Paper Mario: Color Splash for the Nintendo Wii U. If you enjoyed that game but wanted something with more emotional weight, Chicory: A Colorful Tale won’t disappoint.
Cat Quest II
Cat Quest II is a fabulous successor to the original game and one that adopts several traits from Paper Mario. If Paper Mario made people fall in love with arts and crafts, Cat Quest will turn any dog person into a cat person. This game features magnificent action RPG gameplay, a charming fantasy world, and quirky dialogue that will make you laugh out loud.
This game takes place in a fantasy land called Felingard. This area’s inhabitants are full of cats who are at war with the dogs from the Lupus Empire. It follows each kingdom’s former rulers who make a pact to reclaim their thrones from each kingdom’s new tyrant. This game can be played alone or with a friend in a wonderful couch co-op.
With new spells, abilities, and characters to interact with, Cat Quest II is worth any gamer’s hard-earned time.
Skellboy Refractured
With the many video games that release on a daily basis, it makes sense for people to miss a few titles. Skellboy Refractured is a hidden gem not many people enjoyed due to having problems when it came out. However, most issues have been addressed, resulting in a game that’s imaginative and enjoyable to play.
In it, players must help a skeleton named Skippy to fight the undead. The game’s twist is that you’ll use your bodily organs to give Skippy new body parts and weapons. While it sounds dark in thought, the execution of it all is downright hilarious. The game’s overworld will remind folks of Link’s Awakening while its 2.5D aesthetic and its characters appear more Paper-Mario-like in form.
There are over 100+ body parts for you to swap and collect. The game provides players with 5 unique weapon types to make the hack-and-slash gameplay feel enjoyable and less tedious. The game contains some fun bosses for you to defeat and some cleverly written dialogue. If you’re in need of a game that blends 2D Zelda with Paper Mario, then this might be up your alley.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
South Park is one of the most controversial programs running today. Its creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker never cease to make people amused by their show’s satire. While South Park had its share of games in the past, none come close to South Park: The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole.
The latter features the contentious humor you’d expect from South Park but has stellar RPG elements to coincide with it. While both games are great, many prefer The Fractured But Whole. In it, players control the New Kid. He or she is a character you’ll create. You must help them assist Cartman in launching a superhero media franchise by locating a missing feline and receiving the 100 rewards.
Like the show, you’ll wind up in more amusing situations than you bargained for. Despite Paper Mario and The Fractured But Whole targeting different demographics, RPG fans will admire the latter’s gameplay loop, world traversal, and witty dialogue. Exploring South Park has never felt better. If you’re looking for a great adult RPG to play, check this one out.
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright is a great tabletop immersive simulator game that evokes Paper-Mario’s paper-like aesthetic. To some extent, this game captures the picture-book aesthetic better than Paper Mario. In it, you embark on an adventure literally crafted by a young aspiring game maker. This adventure will put you through many intense scenarios.
Some scenarios will have you venturing through bullet-hell moments to turn-based battles with multiple enemies. It’ll remind folks of the days when they were children playing with their toys or drawing up weird battles on sheets of notebook paper. This game will immerse players with its astonishing visuals and imaginative concepts.
With its innovative setting, engaging gameplay, and wonderful storytelling, you’re bound to enjoy this adventure this game maker has in store for you.
Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan
Rainbow Billey: The Curse of Leviathan evokes similar energy to Paper Mario’s later journies like Color Splash and Super Paper Mario. It contains some fun platforming elements, a colorful world, and fun characters. The game’s 3D design can look jarring, but beautiful at times. The characters’ 2D designs don’t look great when meshed into a 3D setting.
This aspect can ruin players’ engagement with the game’s overworld. It’s unfortunate since you’ll spend countless hours traversing the game by hopping on platforms and getting into fruitful battles. Nonetheless, the game’s combat is robust and should provide Paper Mario fans with some entertaining bouts they won’t get tired of.
The battles in this game are unique and resemble the pacifist-styled combat Undertale adopts. Instead of wailing on enemies with a hammer, the game’s protagonist chooses to help his enemies triumph over their issues through words during battle. It’s a unique route and a tough pill for the developers to swallow, but it works surprisingly well. If you can look past the game’s subpar visuals, you’re in for a satisfying time with this one.
Costume Quest
Costume Quest is a fun adventure RPG with dark undertones and amusing dialogue. Fans who enjoyed traversing through areas like Twilight Town in Paper Mario: The Thousands-Year Door will have a swell time with this one. It’s a Halloween-themed game with many spooky enemies to defeat and environments with an eerie atmosphere.
In it, players must select a hero and trick-or-treat through beautiful worlds. You’ll complete many quests and build a strong connection with your party and each town’s civilians. Like Paper Mario, this game will dig deep into players’ minds and help them relive the cherished Halloween experiences they had when they were children.
The game includes some additional DLC that might be worth picking up. It includes some new enemies and quests for you to tackle and features some neat collectibles for you to obtain. From its simple turn-based gameplay to its compelling storyline, Costume Quest is worth picking up if you’re into Paper Mario’s darker aspects.
Wildermyth
What if Paper Mario had a classic medieval setting filled with fantastical beasts? It’d probably turn out something like Worldwalker Games LLC’s Wildermyth. This is a phenomenal game with great characters, mesmerizing graphics, and a robust narrative. Wildermyth is a party-based RPG. Its tactical combat and story choices will alter how players experience its world.
The game’s graphics are astonishing and capture Paper Mario’s aesthetics brilliantly. Those who adore tactical RPGs like Fire Emblem will find the game’s combat familiar. The storyline’s entirely character-driven, so expect only the best from its cast. The game’s consequences will shape the character’s paths, allowing for great interactivity with its players.
The monsters in this game will resemble beasts from the well-known mythos. The hand-painted 2D character designs and scenery will leave players speechless. If you’re looking for a game with great character depth, fun tactical combat, and remarkable storytelling, check this one out.
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger is regarded as one of the best JRPGs of all time. Despite releasing over 20+ years ago, the game’s graphics and animations hold up well compared to titles that are released today. With its jaw-dropping animations, engaging gameplay, and beautiful storytelling, Chrono Trigger is a must-play for all RPG enthusiasts.
Like Paper Mario, Chrono Trigger utilizes a fun and unique turn-based combat system, providing strategic, methodical gameplay that requires forethought and consideration. You’ll find yourself managing resources and making thorough decisions that impact the game’s outcome. Both games also feature excellent humor with their quirky characters.
Furthermore, both games include varied casts with different personalities, abilities, and backgrounds. From Frog to Lucca, everyone carries something unique that makes them special and memorable. Although Chrono Trigger’s approach to turn-based combat and graphics differs from Paper Mario, there are a lot of similarities between the two when you take a minute to contemplate it.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Paper Mario.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!