Adam Gryu Releases Demo of Canceled Paper RPG

Adam Gryu, known for the indie darling A Short Hike, has released a free demo of his canceled, Paper Mario–inspired RPG—Untitled Paper RPG. Although the full game was shelved, this build offers a glimpse at Gryu’s creative process and the hurdles of solo development.

Project Background

Work on Untitled Paper RPG began in 2016, driven by nostalgia for classic, character-focused RPGs. Gryu aimed to capture the pop-up art style and turn-based battles that defined early Paper Mario entries. The result: vibrant visuals, playful writing, and dynamic combat prototypes.

Demo Highlights

• Art and design: Pop-up book aesthetics and colorful characters.
• Gameplay: Quick, expressive turn-based battles with a lighthearted tone.
• Writing: Witty, self-aware dialogue in line with A Short Hike’s warmth.
• Access: Download the demo for free on itch.io, with roughly two hours of content.

Why It Was Canceled

Despite its charm, Untitled Paper RPG faced classic indie development challenges. Without a locked-in narrative or core game loop, scope creep set in. New systems and assets piled up faster than they could be tied together, ultimately leading Gryu to pause work and shift focus to other projects.

Implications for Indie Developers

Untitled Paper RPG’s journey underscores several lessons:

• Plan core pillars first: Define gameplay loops and story beats early to prevent scope from ballooning.
• Embrace transparency: Sharing prototypes and demos can build community goodwill and offer real-world feedback.
• Learn from failures: Even shelved projects contribute experience that shapes future titles and helps refine workflows.

What’s Next for Adam Gryu

Gryu hasn’t slowed down. He is exploring new ideas, from a 3D action-adventure to a claymation-style RPG and a platformer roguelike. The release of this demo shows that even unfinished projects can spark interest and pave the way for more ambitious ventures.

How to Play the Demo

Visit the Untitled Paper RPG page on itch.io, download the demo for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and dive into the world Gryu created. Whether you’re a fan of quirky RPGs or curious about behind-the-scenes development, this demo is free and open for exploration.

By sharing an unfinished, yet polished prototype, Gryu sets an example: indie developers need not let creative experiments gather dust. After all, the most compelling stories sometimes lie in the projects that almost were.