History YMMV / PaperMarioTheOrigamiKing

* BrokenBase: The "ring system" used in battles is a major point of contention. Some say it brings back a level of strategy in battles and allows for improvements over past battle systems, but others say that in reality it actually ''dumbs down'' the combat because of how similar the attack options are. The puzzles themselves are either satisfying to finish or a tedious chore that has no place in turn-based combat, and the [[AntiFrustrationFeatures Cheer mechanic]] is either useful to bypass annoying or difficult puzzles or evidence that the system was flawed from the start. The boss battles are similarly divisive, either being an engaging strategic challenge due to placing more emphasis on planning a path to approach and deal with the boss, or a more frustrating slog that's closer to TrialAndErrorGameplay if you make a mistake.

* ItsTheSameNowItSucks: Again the lack of partners main characters which was cited to be one of the negatives of the game and has fans still exasperated with Nintendo's stubborn resistance to allow them once again. While at the least you do get temporary partners now and then, you can't control them and it's a random chance if they even do an attack that'll connect.

* TaintedByThePreview: In the week leading up to ''Origami King's'' official release, early previews of the game confirmed that just like ''Sticker Star'', battles do not give experience points. This caused many fans who were previously optimistic about the game to decry it, even after various sources stated that coins acted as a sort of replacement. Many fans have also been ''pre-tainted'' for all future games by [[https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/interviews/paper-mario-origami-king/ this interview]] that has implied that future games won't return to their RPG roots as long as the restrictions are in place. From the same interview, many fans have also been pre-tainted to future games at the reveal that no past ''Paper Mario'' characters can return if they were based on enemy types. Considering that many characters who fall into that pitfall were past partners (many of which are {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s), this change has caused many fans to lose hope of seeing the creative designs from the first three games.

** The game's partner system is underused by the end, as you don't have a lot of partners, they can fail to attack enemies at times, and they are completely absent during boss battles. Due to the combat's focus on defeating enemies in one turn, and the partners' lack of control, they feel more like bonus damage if you fail a puzzle than actual party members. Despite the engine being able to support four partners at maximum, you can only have one at a time (two in very specific circumstances, often lasting only a single battle).

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[AwesomeMusic/PaperMario As always, the soundtrack is absolutely stellar.]]
* [[Awesome/VideoGameLevels Awesome Video Game Levels]]:

** The Green Streamer arc has Mario exploring the gorgeous Shangri-Spa alongside Kamek and Bowser Jr. for help. This leads to Bowser's Castle, which has been well-received for the BossBonanza surrounding it, the all-out war between paper minions and Folded Soldiers, Luigi at his funniest, and Bowser finally reappearing after disappearing for a majority of the game. The arc also features a [[EvilIsCool memorable villain]] in the form of [[MagnificentBastard Scissors]], who brings an atmosphere of actual [[KnightOfCerebus dread]] and worry.
** [[spoiler:[[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon The Origami Castle]]]] has been praised for being a major step up compared to the final levels from the previous 2 games thanks to its interesting aesthetics, plentiful traps and puzzles to solve, decent length, [[spoiler:the fight with Stapler]], and the [[AwesomeMusic/PaperMario incredible score that plays]] as you storm the castle.

* CharacterRerailment: In ''Sticker Star'' and ''Color Splash'', Kamek was...not quite himself. He acted more like a FauxAffablyEvil sorcerer who failed to notice twice that Bowser was also not himself, despite raising Bowser from birth. While some people did like this portrayal, it had the unfortunate effect of making Kamek look [[OutOfCharacterMoment unusually dumb and uncaring of Bowser]]. In this game, Kamek acts more like the loyal and attentive BeleagueredAssistant he's portrayed as in most spinoffs, with his doubts on the respect he gets for his loyalty even being explored a little. Some wangst aside, the rerailment seemed to have worked, as even fans who would have preferred Kammy to return or the restriction-compliant and underused [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy Kamella]] to take his place found this version of Kamek more likeable than his previous portrayal.
* ContestedSequel: While critically the game was received well, fan opinions are much more divided. Some think that it continues to do the same things they disliked the previous two games for or that, where it makes changes, these are too little and tentative to make much of a difference. Others instead feel that it successfully addresses these same issues or, at least, manages to be a well-made and enjoyable game in its own right.

* MoralEventHorizon: If he didn't cross it by turning numbers of Bowser's Minions and Toads into helpless origami, [[spoiler:causing Bobby to [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices himself to save Olivia]]]] or having Scissors turn Bowser Jr and the remaining minions into confetti, then King Oliy definitely cross it by [[spoiler:turning Peach into a decorations for the Origami Castle]]. Because of this, many players considering his AlasPoorVillain sendoff to be [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic unacceptable.]]

*** Dangit Bobby... (Spoilers) [[labelnote:Explanation]]Another reaction to Bobby's death.[[/labelnote]]

** Despite the inherent tragedy of Bobby's character, him outright refusing to fight [[spoiler:Macho Gooper Blooper]] severely undermines whatever effect his arc was supposed to have, especially as [[spoiler:his Bobombrades implicitly died fighting it, something he remembers at this point.]] In addition, the retcon to Bob-omb physiology often overshadows the discussion of [[spoiler:his sacrifice]]. Combined with Bobby sitting out every other major event [[spoiler:pre-sacrifice]], it makes the whole thing come across as [[spoiler:a shallow and greatly underthought shock death for a coward who didn't truly earn it.]] Having Bobby actually fight [[spoiler:Macho Gooper Blooper]] in the present would have made him more authenticly brave. Meanwhile, changing Bobby's species to another explosive mainline ''Mario'' species not seen in ''Paper Mario'' before, such as Kab-bomb or the ''Super Mario Sunshine'' version of Bob-ombs, would have kept the focus more on [[spoiler:his sacrifice]]. There are also players, fans or critics alike, who believe that Bobby's [[spoiler:sacrifice]] should have been held off until closer to the end of the game, to give him more screentime and not rush his plot.

* EvilIsCool: While reactions to the Legion of Stationery as a whole are mixed, [[ShearMenace Scissors]] is generally well-regarded for how [[KnightOfcerebus surprisingly serious]] and [[ManOfKryptonite powerful]] they are, on top of having some memorable {{Badass Boast}}s and a [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic boss theme]] that goes ''ridiculously''hard.

* MagnificentBastard: [[ShearMenace Scissors]] is one of King Olly's Lieutenants and the main guard for the final streamer. Having taken over Bowser's Castle, Scissors is first introduced cutting Bowser Jr. to pieces. After Mario and company fix Bowser Jr. and subsequently invade Bowser's Castle, Scissors ends up creating Handaconda to kidnap most of Mario's allies, and later a Paper Mistake Buzzy Beetle to impede him further. Finally battling Mario head on, Scissors sheathes its scissor blades and only [[BloodKnight unsheathes once Mario proves a challenge]]. A literal [[ManOfKryptonite pair of scissors in a world of paper]], they are [[KnightOfCerebus dead serious]] in their mission to destroy Mario and help Olly conquer the Mushroom Kingdom.