Now it’s time for a break from our Not-E3 coverage for news that isn’t from an E3 replacement… although if Nintendo had its usual Nintendo Direct this year, it very well could have been.

Today, Nintendo dropped an almost 6-minute overview trailer for Paper Mario: The Origami King.

After the initial trailer left people cautiously optimistic, we were all waiting for a better look at the game to answer the numerous questions the reveal left us with.

I figured a solid look at the game would help me make up my mind, but instead I’m more conflicted than ever.

The main questions after the reveal trailer were:

1. Is Origami King an RPG?
2. Are partners really back and will they fight in combat?
3. Are attacks consumable items?
4. Is “paper” still a major focus of the game?
5. Will it have a good story?

So let’s take a look at the trailer and see which of these questions we can answer now.

It begins with a summary of the game’s premise, then gets into more specific details. Seeing Mario patch a hole with confetti right ahead of the narrator saying this game takes place in “the paper-crafted universe of the Paper Mario series” is a good sign that yep, they’re still obsessed with paper.

The environments look interesting, although I hope you can interact with NPCs in that oasis town.

About a minute and a half into the trailer, it gets into the question of Origami King’s partners. After Olivia, who appears to be the primary partner a la Tippi/Kersti/Huey, it introduces some others. The Bob-omb, who had everyone curious due to him appearing in multiple environments yet not having a name, is revealed to have amnesia. I suppose that’s why he introduces himself as Bob-omb. The trailer calls him Bobby.

Then there’s a Toad professor named, uh… Professor Toad. Really? They couldn’t give him a name?

And of course, Kamek, since Mario seems to be teaming up with some of Bowser’s allies.

So, will partners fight in combat? According to the trailer, “some of them” will.

The combat system itself looks like it could be okay. It’s not a traditional turn-based combat system, but instead has a puzzle component where you rotate rings to line enemies up. Unfortunately, we see the conclusion of a battle this time, and it shows Mario getting rewarded with coins, so I think there’s a very good chance Origami King does not have experience or leveling up.

Then… we have the bosses.

When I heard the words “Legion of Stationary,” I had a moment of excitement. Had they really introduced not only a new villain, but an entire cast of new villains? Then I saw that the colored pencils shown a moment ago were one of them, and my excitement plummeted into dismay.

Colored Pencils, Rubber Band, and Tape are our villains.

Yes, the bosses include a set of colored pencils and a tape dispenser.

I… I just don’t get it. They’re tripling down on the paper obsession! Remember when the paper aspect of Paper Mario was largely an aesthetic that only came into play from time to time? Now it’s like it’s the whole point! Why are we fighting tape?!

Ahem. Boss battles themselves sound interesting, since they seems to transform the battle into a mini board game puzzle where you have to get Mario close to the boss in order to fight.

Then the trailer shows how you’ll need to find lost, folded Toads and unfold them, because Toad-finding has become another obsession for some reason. Even the narrator lampshades it with the “This is a Toad” speech. Hopefully they’ll at least have funny personalities.

Some more gameplay elements are shown in a Japanese video, including Professor Toad using an ability in the environment and Olivia transforming into a giant turtle for a super attack.

The exploration, mini-games, and other gameplay elements seem like they could be fun, but there’s still so much about Origami King that has me shaking my head.

But wait, there’s more! In addition to the trailers, Nintendo UK’s website has been updated with more Origami King details.

It describes it as a “tear-able” comedic adventure, so I think we know what tone this game is going for.

Now, the story section introduces the main characters, with a paragraph devoted to Mario, Olivia, Olly, Peach, Bowser, Luigi, the Folded Soldiers, and the Toads. A second section talks about the partners, saying “they’ll join you for a time.” This probably means they aren’t permanent companions like in past Paper Mario games, although Bobby might be an exception to that since he’s been consistently shown in multiple areas.

The gameplay section introduces the confetti feature (which is basically a confetti version of painting stuff in Color Splash), mentions that Toad Town will gain new shops and features as you rescue more Toads (and that sounds cool; I like the idea of Toad Town as a hub area), the combat system and boss fights, and then… equipment.

So, are attacks consumable items or not? Judging by the website, it’s a mix.

Your basic Boots and Hammer sound like normal attacks you will always have. Special attacks such as Shiny Boots, however, are separate and must be equipped. They “break after a while,” so it doesn’t sound like they’re one-time consumable items so much as breakable weapons with durability.

You can also equip Accessories to “boost Mario’s skills both in battle and on the overworld.” Does this mean badges are back in Origami King?

That was my first thought when I saw them, but I’m not quite sure. It looks like accessories are split into multiple categories with different tiered accessories in each one, although the last group might be miscellaneous accessories. So I don’t think they’re badges, but a simpler version of that system.

Chances are good those health accessories are why Mario had different amounts of HP in different trailers, rather than any sort of leveling system.

And of course, there’s the “1000 Fold Arms” technique to interact with the paper world at special Magic Circles.

So to revisit our questions again…

1. Origami King does not appear to be an RPG. There is no sign of experience or leveling.
2. Partners are back, although most might be temporary, and at least some fight alongside you in battle.
3. Basic attacks are not consumables, and special attacks are breakable weapons.
4. The game is obsessed with paper and papercraft. The world is paper! Paper! Fight your nemesis, the mighty tape dispenser! (There’s gotta be a Scissors boss, right?)
5. I don’t know if the story will be good, but it looks like it’ll be focused on humor and possibly character-focused stories like Bobby’s amnesia. I expect it to be closest to Color Splash when it comes to story progression.

These are my thoughts on the latest Origami King trailers and details, but what about you? What do you think of Paper Mario: The Origami King?