The final week of January on Steam was a curious mix of hits and misses. While the demo for 'Nioh 3' received high praise, 'Code Vein 2' stumbled with optimisation issues, landing a 'Mixed' reception. The much-anticipated 'Half Sword' similarly suffered from performance woes, also earning a 'Mixed' tag, whereas the mountaineering simulator 'Cairn' climbed to 'Very Positive' acclaim. Amidst this, one title stood out: 'Escape from Ever After', a turn-based RPG that wears its 'Paper Mario' inspiration proudly on its sleeve.

The title 'Escape from Ever After' is a clever play on the classic fairy tale sign-off, but here it doubles as the name of the malevolent corporation running the show. It is a neat little narrative device that hints at the game's whimsical yet corporate-satirical tone.

You play as Flint Buckler, a shield-tossing hero who has spent his entire existence training to slay the dragon 'Tinder'. However, upon breaching the dragon's lair for the final showdown, he discovers something unexpected: the castle has been repurposed into 'Escape from Ever After', and the monsters are busy clocking in for their shift.

Flint, naturally, storms the CEO's office to demand his boss battle back. Predictably, he gets trounced and tossed into the dungeon, where he encounters his lifelong nemesis, Tinder. With the castle now under corporate management, the unlikely duo teams up to make a break for it.

They don't get far, though. The CEO, wielding some rather bizarre powers, recaptures them and forces them into the company's workforce. The corporation has its eyes on the 'Fairy Tale' market—an untapped resource of cheap labour and endless content. Flint and his crew—including the tone-deaf wolf musician Wolfgang and the skeletal mage Ava—must climb the corporate ladder, 'solve' (or exploit) fairy tale endings, and plot a cheeky rebellion against their corporate overlords.

The game takes you through various fairy tales, starting with a subversion of the 'Three Little Pigs' and 'Little Red Riding Hood'. The narrative isn't limited to dusty folklore either; it even weaves in modern myths like those of Cthulhu. It is all wrapped in a paper-craft aesthetic that balances black comedy with genuine charm.

The gameplay mirrors the 'Paper Mario' style, relying heavily on timed button presses for both offensive strikes and defensive manoeuvres. If the combat proves too taxing, there is a handy auto-assist feature that handles the timing for you. Just keep an eye on the enemies' weapon directions, as some attacks simply won't land.

Exploration requires you to leverage your party's unique abilities. Tinder can breathe fire to ignite puzzles, Wolfgang uses music to interact with the world, and Flint’s shield-tossing skills are essential for reaching distant items or directing fire to solve environmental riddles.

As you explore, you will collect gems and coins, which are used to customise your living space and Flint himself, or to stock up on consumables. You will also hunt for 'Ink', a special item used to upgrade character skills.

As of the 2nd, 'Escape from Ever After' holds a 'Very Positive (97% positive)' rating on Steam. Players are calling it the best game in the 'Paper Mario' vein, praising its solid narrative progression, the charm of its cast—from the villains to the annoying side characters—and its consistently sharp humour.