Paper Mario is kind of the only RPG games I’ve enjoyed, and I’m happy to say Escape From Ever After lives up to its legacy! It’s got all the same personality, fun exploration, and engaging combat - but with a fun 4th-wall-breaking corporate style.

You play as a stereotypical hero (think Mario) who ends up teaming with the equivalent Bowser to take down a real world corporate giant that has put storybook characters to work - pillaging and exploiting everything in its path. It’s a fun story that has an almost Shrek type of vibe, as you will see tons of infamous characters - three blind mice, red riding hood, etc.

The exploration and secrets are done well and scratch a Metroidvania type of itch. Combat is the same type of thing OG paper Mario did. The only real complaint I had is a couple sections here and there that tended to drag down the pacing (especially the pirate chapter).

Overall, this is the first game I’ve played since Thousand Year Door to actually nail that OG Paper Mario style - unlike both Bug Fables and every other attempt Nintendo has put out there. It’s not my FAVORITE genre or type of game, I don’t love silly light hearted kid-friendly games, but there is definitely some room in my heart for a Paper Mario clone.