Hirogami [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Some games draw you in at first glance, and believe me, Hirogami’s gorgeous visuals definitely caught my attention when revealed earlier this year. With its origami-inspired world and striking papercraft aesthetic, it has an immediate charm that makes it stand out from the crowd, and whilst its does have some imperfections, there’s enough creativity and personality here to make Hirogami worth unfolding.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Hirogami casts players in the role of Hiro, a ritual dancer whose peaceful role is interrupted when a purple corruption known as the Blight spreads across the land. Stripped of his abilities, Hiro must restore shrines, push back the spreading darkness, and regain the power to fold into different origami animals in order to protect the world. The narrative itself isn’t particularly deep and is somewhat undercut by simplistic character interactions and a lack of voice acting, with scenes that could have felt dramatic reading more like illustrated storyboards. Still, it’s clear that the narrative isn’t what takes centre stage in Hirogami, and it still adds a decent sense of context to the journey.

At its heart, Hirogami is your typical level-based platformer, with each level giving players a variety of challenges to overcome, hazards to face, and fresh abilities to utilise. The platforming is where the game is strongest: Hiro’s basic moveset includes running, double-jumping, flattening into paper to pass through obstacles in your path, and using a fan to attack, though as you recover new transformations, the possibilities expand further.

The armadillo is quick and satisfying, letting you smash through obstacles or roll into enemies, the frog can leap to high platforms and spit venom to break defences, whilst the gorilla is slower but powerful, smashing blocks and swinging across gaps – switching between these forms creates a nice variety of movement, and when a level is designed to flow between them seamlessly, it can feel exhilarating. Add to that the various set pieces where the game’s origami-setup is utilised in more clever and dynamic ways and it becomes clear that Hirogami offers an experience that thrives within its creative platforming.

“Hirogami is a charming experience that’ll wins players over with its stunning papercraft visuals and inventive platforming action – even if its clunky combat and somewhat dated design hold it back from greatness.”

However, combat is a little less impressive and can slow down the satisfying pace of the adventure a bit too much. In theory, each form has unique abilities that suit different enemies, but in practice, switching often feels clumsy, and encounters can devolve into juggling forms rather than engaging fights. The controls don’t always feel as responsive as they should either, which makes precise attacks and transformations frustrating during tougher encounters. It lacks that tactile sense of pizzazz to make encounters exciting, and whilst there are moments where it can shine, it’s never as consistent as the platforming action.

But hey, at least the boss battles offer a welcome change of pace, with each structured to showcase the next ability you’ll unlock. They aren’t particularly difficult (Hirogami as a whole isn’t too tough), but they tie the game’s mechanics together in a more cohesive way that gives the gameplay a satisfying sense of progression.

Hirogami feels deliberately old-school in design with its fixed camera angles and straightforward structure, and for some, this will undoubtedly spark a warm sense of nostalgia. I know I appreciated it, and whilst not having camera control did admittedly feel jarring to begin with, it didn’t take long to get used to and appreciate. It is worth noting that whilst the old-school vibe can be seen as a strength, it can make Hirogami feel outdated and somewhat when compared to similar releases. But honestly? There’s a charm in its simplicity, whilst the game’s more creative edge ensures that it always feels enjoyable to play. Unlike many modern platformers that sprawl into open-world collect-a-thons that often feel like busywork, Hirogami keeps things tight and refined, and if you’re looking for something that recalls a classic style of 3D platformer but with a fresh feel, Hirogami certainly delivers.

Check out some screenshots down below:

One thing that absolutely needs mentioning is how pretty the game looks. The papercraft world is consistently beautiful, with environments that feel handcrafted and artfully put together. Characters and enemies are equally well realised, each with a distinct folded style that gives them an endearing sense of personality… almost like you could’ve folded them yourself (I’m awful at origami but hey, I’d give it a go). The animation deserves special mention too: Hiro moves with a slightly stop-motion quality that makes him feel like a paper figure come to life, while transformations between forms are smooth and satisfying to watch. It all adds to the illusion that this is a living, breathing origami world, and honestly, it’s always wonderful to see in motion.

It’ll take players around six-hours or so to beat Hirogami, though you can expect a few more hours of gameplay if you want to complete all optional objectives. If I’m being honest, I felt done with it after hitting the credits – the game walks a fine line between the joyful creativity of its platforming and frustration with its combat, so I felt I got everything I wanted from it by the end. It’s bursting with ideas and it looks consistently gorgeous, but the rough edges stop it from being as polished as it could be.

Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Singapore
Publisher: Kakehashi Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PC
Website: https://www.kakehashigames.com/hirogami_en.html