Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition Review (Xbox Series S)

by Jim Smale · April 5, 2022

In this Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition Review, we are introduced to a wise sorcerer created six Magical Jewels that kept the effects of the third dimension at bay, granting peace and prosperity. However, one day an evil masked thief named Hex disrupted the balance and made the chaos return. The only one who can stop the chaos is Flat, a little hero able to change into a circle, triangle, or square in order to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles and defeat giant bosses!

Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition Review Pros:

Decent graphics.
1.3GB download size.
1000 Gamerscore.
Tutorial pop-ups as you play.
Platformer gameplay.
Puzzle elements.
You play as 3 different characters each with a unique shape that allows you to do particular things like a circle can double jump, the triangle is fast and the square is slow but heavy.
Enemies are shape-based and combat works whereby one shape kills another.
Progress is shown for game completion, coins collected, playtime, and bosses killed.
World map level select.
Can replay levels.
Big boss encounters.
Hidden rooms and routes.
relaxing atmosphere.

Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition Review Cons:

Slow pace.
The whole shape-based combat is always a pain as you try to remember what does what.
Annoying boss fights.
Due to the art style, it can be an eye strain to see what is on the level and what is background.
The gameplay is just not that satisfying.
Little replay value.
Not always clear what to do.
The actual act of jumping around is a pain.

Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition Review

Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition:

Official website.

Developer: Games Starter

Publisher: Ratalaika Games

Store Links –

Xbox

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
7/10

Fun Factor - 7/10

7/10

Summary

OK, so the Flat Kingdom looks cool with its papercraft-style graphics and Cutesy characters. You play as 3 people at once, you hotswap between them and each one is a unique shape with its own actions, triangle is fast, the circle double jumps and the square does heavy slams, it makes for a rock paper scissors style combat system and injects a small number of puzzle elements to proceedings. All the ideas make for a very mediocre experience, I never felt like the game got going or felt cohesive. It’s a game that just never really gels it all together and instead makes simple tasks a pain on the ass, the combat is one that you constantly forget about so you just mash through the shapes every fight. Even if you get past that and just get going with it the boss fights are so confusing and bullet spongy that the journey generally ends up in a swear-laden fit of rage. Flat Kingdom Papers Cut Edition is an attempt at a fun unique platform romp but never sticks the landing.