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0 PaperKlay, out now on Steam, developed and published by the one-dev studio WhyKev, is precisely the sort of passion project that aims to showcase its creativity. It is a 3D platformer collect-a-thon where the world is stitched together from cardboard, paper, clay and the kind of materials you might find in a Year 3 art cupboard after a particularly chaotic lesson. And we mean that in the most loving way.
Here to stay or one for the shredder?
It is fantastic to see games like PaperKlay embracing bold, unconventional art styles. They might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they make the gaming landscape far more colourful and creative. So, we want to hear from you. What is the most unique-looking game you have ever played? Drop it in the comments below and let us celebrate those visual gems together.
Gameplay
In PaperKlay, you join the chirpy chick-and-nugget duo, conveniently named Chick and Nugget, on a quest to save lost eggs by dashing, gliding and puzzle-solving through rotating levels built out of recycled classroom materials. The central mechanic of rotating, unfolding and navigating the world in 3D space is charming and adds a creative twist to standard platforming. There are side quests and hidden gems to track down, too, though you will get enough collectables from the main quests alone to continue without much backtracking.
One area where PaperKlay could benefit from some polish is the lack of a tutorial. You are thrown into the adventure with no instruction on what to press or where to go, which is a bold design choice but may leave a few players scratching their cardboard heads. It does recommend using a controller, and quite frankly, please do. It can be played with keyboard and mouse, but expect your fingers to stage a quiet protest by level three.
Storytime
The story exists, but that is about it. There is an evil fox, but you will not find much in the way of emotional stakes. Most of the conflict comes from sentient scissors and books with teeth that want to end your cardboard life for no apparent reason. It is nonsensical, chaotic and weirdly endearing, like an art project gone slightly wrong in the best possible way.
Where the game shines is the dialogue between Chick and Nugget. They’re funny, friendly, and genuinely likeable. Their banter brings charm to every level and helps make up for the slightly vague narrative. You also have Nuggets’ levels in which he can’t jump, and you have to navigate, basically a 3-D Rubik’s Cube, to find the egg. It’s very similar to Captain Toad Treasure Tracker.
Graphics and Audio
Visually, PaperKlay is an arts-and-crafts fever dream in the best possible way. Paper tears, cardboard creases, everything feels tactile. Some characters, like Maw Maw, look more crocheted than papercraft, but that inconsistency adds to the handmade charm. Environments are colourful and playful. It feels like a stop-motion world come to life with texture in every corner. There’s a sense of genuine care in how each object is placed, folded or stuck together. You could almost believe someone built this with a glue stick and a dream.
Then there’s the music; nostalgic for sure. Kirkhope’s influence is unmistakable. Melodies bounce with joy and mischief, often evoking Banjo-Kazooie vibes in the best way. Melin’s contributions help round it out, giving the score more variety and polish than you’d expect from an indie title. Perhaps most surprising of all is the voice acting. It’s not only present, it’s excellent. There’s genuine emotional delivery, especially in Chick and Nugget’s exchanges. Performances sound natural, warm and occasionally quite touching, no flat lines or throwaway voices here.
Longevity
You’ll find a decent amount of content in PaperKlay, especially if you’re the type who likes to tick every box. There are plenty of gems, eggs and buttons to find, and optional side quests offer a bit more replay value if you missed anything on your first run.
That said, once you’ve collected everything, there’s not a strong reason to revisit levels beyond enjoying the scenery. The game doesn’t punish you for skipping side content, as you’ll likely collect enough to finish the main quest without full completion. Combat is sparse, so if you crave intense platforming or complex battles, this won’t be your jam. But if you enjoy wandering through weird little worlds and collecting shiny things with a bird and a nugget, then this is absolutely for you.
Final Thoughts
Set in a whimsical world full of flippable levels, sentient craft supplies and chirpy companions, PaperKlay wears its inspirations proudly. With music composed by Banjo-Kazooie’s Grant Kirkhope and a distinctly Paper Mario-meets-crochet-dollhouse art style, it’s a game that will tug at the nostalgia strings for anyone who grew up with platformers or enjoys games bursting with charm.
PaperKlay is not a perfect platformer, and it’s not trying to be. It’s charming, heartfelt and full of personality. The lack of a tutorial and the soft-focus story might throw some players off, but the humour, visual creativity and brilliant soundtrack more than make up for it.
What truly sets PaperKlay apart is its dedication to a distinctive visual identity. In a sea of photorealistic AAA titles, it is refreshing, even brilliant, to play something that looks like it was made by a particularly artistic goblin on a crafting binge. There’s something special about games that feel like someone truly enjoyed making them, and this feels like one of those. It’s silly, warm and just the right amount of strange. If you’re after something relaxing, with soul and silliness, PaperKlay is well worth unfolding.
PaperKlay gets the Thumb Culture Silver Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
If you enjoyed this review and are looking for more platformer recommendations, why not check out our review of Croc
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