Video Game Review - Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition

Rob reviews Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition on Nintendo Switch...

Originally released on PC back in 2016, Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition is the title's foray onto home consoles. Developed by Fat Panda Games and published by the good folks over at Ratalaika Games, Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition tasks you with saving a 2D world from a 3D threat.

Does Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition origami its way to success? Or does it leave you with a nasty paper cut? Come with me as I find out. 

Flat Kingdom sees you cast into the boots of Flat; a 2D doodle-like creature who has the power to change his shape. Flat is tasked by King Square to rescue the Kingdom's princess and recover an important missing jewel. However, this task isn't simple as the Flat Kingdom is currently under attack by some menacing 3D enemies. As such Flat will have to master his geometric changing powers to rescue the princess, recover the missing magical jewel, and defeat the 3D threat...phew! 

The gameplay to Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition is pretty straightforward. At a touch of a button, you're able to control what shape Flat transforms into. Whether it be a circle, triangle, or square, you'll need to utilise all three to beat the various enemies and puzzles that stand in your way. Switching between these three shapes is the mechanic that drives the game forward, with everything playing out like an elaborate game of paper, scissors, and rock. 

Much like the playground game, each shape is effective over the next. Square beats triangle, triangle beats circle, and circle beats square. The enemies that you fight will be one of these three shapes, so changing into the right shape to gain the advantage is how you'll defeat them. As Flat theoretically has no attacks you'll need to do to defeat the various enemies by either runing or jumping into them as the proper shape. Failing to do so will naturally result in you losing some health, but there's never any real challenge that'll result in seeing the game overscreen. The only trouble you'll have is remembering what shape beats what, however, there is a handy on-screen diagram that you can turn on in the pause menu! 

While combat is a bit of a cakewalk, each shape behaves differently from the other. The circle is your default shape and as such, you'll be able to utilise a double-jump as well as move at a moderate speed. Triangle is for when you need speed, but the downside is you can jump as far. Square on the other hand is a slow-moving tank that can just about hop, rather than jump. There are a few additional upgrades available for each shape, however, the core experience remains the same throughout. 

Away from combat and the Flat Kingdom also has quite a few puzzles to solve. Rather than introducing a different mechanic, the game relies on the same three geometric shapes. And much like combat, these puzzles are pretty straightforward. Want to break a platform in your way? Double-jump as a circle and then change into a square. Want to cross a long gap? Speed up as a triangle, and then double-jump as a circle. 

If anything the constant use of the same mechanic does make Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition quite a tedious game to play. It's a real shame as it's a gorgeous game to look at. Presented within a papercraft style, Flat Kingdom rivals Paper Mario in its 2D environments. Everything feels like you playing with a child's paper creation with everything from the background, platforms, and characters all being different layers. There are plenty of colours too, which all help make this quite an attractive title.

When it's said and done, Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition is a title that's worth playing. Sure it's a little "flat" and sluggish in parts, but it's still a charming indie platformer. The low-cost entry fee (current Switch eShop price - £6.49) also makes this an attractive title. If you can get past the tired mechanics, and slow pace then there's a hidden gem to be discovered. However, when it comes to platforming titles, Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition sits firmly pressed in the middle. 

Rating: 6/10 

Flat Kingdom: Paper's Cut Edition is available now and can be purchased via the Nintendo Switch eShop for £ 6.49* 

A code was kindly provided for this review

Liked this review and want to support the blog further? You can do so by heading over to Ko-Fi.com/GeekCultureRev and buying me a Ko-Fi. Any donations will be greatly appreciated, but more so is the fact that you took the time to read this review Thank you!

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev

*price correct at time of publishing