Hirogami Review – Failing to Take Shape

Hirogami Review
There’s something inherently appealing about a handcrafted world in video games. Whether it’s the distinct visual identity or the sense of stepping into a carefully made creation, games built with this ethos tend to resonate with players. Following in the beloved footsteps of Tearaway, Yoshi’s Crafted World, and LittleBigPlanet, Hirogami is a 3D action-adventure that centers around the art of origami. But will each crease fold into a whimsical, zen-like experience or will the journey fall flat?

Set in a vibrant world, constructed of paper, you play as Hiro, the master of folding. After a digital entity named The Blight infects the lush environment, you must fight through regions to protect natural life and free each territory from the threat. While there is a clear message within the narrative, the game never pushes the societal concern to the forefront, instead leaving it to simmer in the background. Although there is some character development and specks of lore, the developers ensure this is sparsely sprinkled so that your main focus never shifts from the gameplay.

Building a World
Split over ten chapters, you venture through unique areas on a simple and quaint adventure. As you progress, Hiro evolves, being able to transform into different origami characters that are required to navigate the level. The armadillo can roll into enemies and bash through walls. The frog allows you to leap to new heights and slow down contraptions, while the gorilla lets you climb and swing across vines. Each transformation is assigned a button that allows you to quickly jump from one to another. This is particularly helpful in the latter levels, which require you to combine the individual skills that you have learned on your journey to progress through the world.

In addition to transformation, Hiro can also use his fan to fend off enemies and unfold into a sheet of paper to float on the wind and squeeze through small gaps. The game uses an array of skills in fun and creative ways to make levels enjoyable. While there’s a distinct lack of challenge, each area is a breezy escapade that will keep you smiling throughout. Although the game shines when using the varied mechanics, the lack of attention to some of its more basic features is what hinders the experience. The forced perspective can make it difficult to determine the position of objects, which can result in repeatedly failing a platform segment.

Doesn’t Pack a Punch
Combat is its weakest link. Unresponsive and lacking impact, each encounter quickly devolves into a sluggish chore. While switching between characters and using their unique abilities adds variety on paper, in practice, the labored attacks make every option feel unsatisfying. It’s disappointing that the game’s creativity doesn’t extend to combat or enemy design, as most foes are indistinct blobs with basic attacks, while corrupted animals are little more than palette swaps. They serve their purpose, but they lack the imagination that defines the rest of the game.

Levels include two sets of challenges, giving an incentive to replay areas. These include objectives such as completing without taking damage, within a particular time limit and more. Unfortunately, progress is locked behind the completion of these, which means you’ll have to redo levels with the objective in mind to continue your journey. As the level design is quite basic, without much to discover, revisiting levels can be a little irritating.

Grand Design
The art direction is superb, with richly detailed environments that evoke a handcrafted aesthetic. Each area feels distinct yet still part of a cohesive world. The choppy, stop-motion-inspired animation style reinforces this crafted look, giving the game a unique identity. While undeniably impressive, the presentation never evolves beyond that initial charm. It builds a strong world but doesn’t push the premise far enough, leaving the experience a little underwhelming.

Hirogami is a pleasant adventure with innovative ideas that don’t quite land. The ability to transform into different creatures is engaging, especially in later levels where switching between forms is essential to progress. Unfortunately, the lackluster encounters, basic level design, and the need to revisit earlier stages to move forward create frustration. While Hirogami brims with creativity, it never quite comes together into a truly memorable experience.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***

The Good

Strong Design
Transformation Mechanic
Later Levels

65

The Bad

Combat is Dull
Forced to Replay Levels
Simple Level Design