Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 80 | 51 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 481 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 87 | 5 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 13 reviews sampled · 14 total reviews in window · weighted 9.9 up / 0.8 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (34)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“In Paper Trails, you help a girl, Page, follow her dream of attending university awaits. The player helps Page avoid obstacles by folding papers into paths on which she can travel. It's a fun, challenging mechanic that provides hours of clever gameplay for puzzle enthusiasts.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you like games with zen vibes and a charming story that is rich with puzzles, Paper Trail is likely a game for you. Don’t let its difficulty level scare you away, as there are resources to help you succeed. With this being Newfangled Games’ first game, I’m thrilled to see what they produce next.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Paper Trail is one of the finest puzzle games you can buy for the Switch right now. The storybook narrative, compelling visuals, and cleverly designed conundrums, all come together to make for a chill and enjoyable experience that you shouldn't miss, and you'd do well to keep an eye on what Newfangled Games does next. We'd give this one a high recommendation to anyone looking for a low-stakes yet sufficiently challenging new addition to their puzzle library.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Honestly, it would be a shame to miss out on such a delightfully frustrating game, even if you aren't into puzzle games. I have to say though, if you are looking for a game to destress with, [Paper Trail] isn't the one.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It's hard to imagine anything else Paper Trail could offer. It's a tidy little cosy puzzle package with enough oomph to satisfy puzzle game veterans and newbies alike. The charming story and visuals make it stand out and the level of love and care for the title is evident in the gameplay feel, making this a game to recommend. It would also make a fantastic game to sit back and enjoy on a Steam Deck!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Paper Trail is a charming game with an interesting and unique puzzle mechanic. The story doesn’t quite reach the emotional highs that we were expecting but it’s still a sweet coming-of-age tale set in a gorgeous world complemented by a beautifully atmospheric soundtrack.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Paper Trail is a series of gratifying problem solving that challenges the player to think differently by bending their brain with every page turn. It isn't often I run across a game that's so thematically cohesive, but between the puzzle structure, storytelling, and crisp and colorful world, this is an experience that feels like every detail was considered in its development, especially for those who get regularly stymied by thought exercises. Paper Trail is a present that's just as much fun to unwrap as it is to play with, and ranks in some of the better gaming experiences I've had this year.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Paper Trail will enchant you with a charming world drawn on pieces of paper where reality is folded and twisted all the time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Paper Trail is a pretty game that, while not too difficult, is definitely worth checking out for fans of puzzle games.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With interesting choices behind each fold, Paper Trail is a fantastic puzzle game worthy of your time. Crisp and clean like all paper games should be.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A charmingly illustrated, perspective-shifting puzzle game about paper folding, that has just enough intricacy to keep you engaged without ever making you feel stumped.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Paper Trail is an absolutely enchanting game that is bursting at the seams with charm and whimsy. While the concept may not be entirely new, the gameplay and delightful characters truly steal the show in Paper Trail. The innovative use of origami to manipulate the environment and unlock hidden pathways is simply genius. I have never experienced a game quite like Paper Trail, and I have a feeling that any future game attempting to emulate its unique mechanics will have an exceedingly tough act to follow. I am beyond impressed with this stellar gem of a game and cannot wait to see what other delightful surprises it has in store for me.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
The Punished Backlog
Nintendo Life
Kakuchopurei
Cubed3
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
AltChar
The Escapist
GameLuster
Metro GameCentral
LadiesGamers.com…and 22 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Paper Trail First Patch!Jun 3, 2024
- Paper Trail - June / July 2023 Development UpdateJul 25, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Paper Trail - May 2023 Development UpdateJun 7, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- The Paper Trail April Community Development Update!May 5, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- To the Treetops and beyond! - Paper Trail Community Update March 2023Mar 31, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Folding our way into 2023 - Paper Trail Community UpdateFeb 23, 2023significant · resets scoring window