Hirogami Brings Origami Action to PS5 and PC – Why This Stylish Platformer Deserves Your Attention

This State of Play I was hunting for genuine surprises, and Hirogami actually stopped me in my tracks. Not because of raw graphical horsepower or familiar mascot faces, but because here was a platformer daring to do something visually and mechanically distinct: an origami-inspired world, transformations with purpose, and a subtle undercurrent of commentary on fragility and digital decay. We get a lot of “unique” pitches in gaming, but Hirogami, from Kakehashi Games and Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, looks like it might live up to the promise.

Hirogami: Origami Platforming Gets a Digital Edge on PS5 and PC

• Hirogami launches September 3 on PS5 and PC, promising 3D action-platforming with a creative origami twist.
• Players transform into various paper animals to traverse environments, solve puzzles, and combat a digital invasion threatening a fragile world.
• The visually striking world is backed by a Japanese instrument-heavy soundtrack-distinct from the typical synth or orchestral fare in platformers.
• Developers Kakehashi Games and Bandai Namco Studios Singapore aim for genuine mechanical inventiveness, not just paper-thin aesthetics.

Let’s be honest: origami-themed games have been done before (Tearaway, anyone?), but Hirogami’s approach already feels less gimmicky and more like a deliberate core mechanic. The transformation system isn’t just about looking cute-turning into different paper animals directly impacts how you fight, solve puzzles, and navigate the world. From smashing through barriers as a rhino to gliding over gaps as a crane, these aren’t just cosmetic. I’ve seen plenty of platformers slap on new “abilities” that amount to little more than keycards, but Hirogami seems to actually leverage form and function, which is rare.

That said, I’m not 100% sold yet. “Inspired by origami” can easily become a marketing skin rather than real gameplay depth. But the trailer-the one shown at State of Play—hints at some genuinely clever puzzle design and environmental interaction. You can sense the influence of classic Japanese platformers, but filtered through a fragile, almost meditative lens. The backdrop of a digital invasion (“the Blight”) corrupting the papercraft world is a nice metaphor for the clash between tradition and technology. It’s a theme that resonates if you grew up with both classic gaming and the current always-online era.

Developer Kakehashi Games might not be a household name, but with Bandai Namco Studios Singapore involved, there’s reason to believe the production values will be solid. Bandai Namco’s track record in platformers is uneven—some bangers, some forgettable filler—but if Hirogami leans hard into unique mechanics rather than a safe mascot platformer formula, it could break through the noise. The Japanese instrument-heavy soundtrack is another smart move, setting the mood apart from the typical orchestral or chiptune fare. Honestly, I’m just glad to see a publisher let a weird, calm, and artistic platformer take center stage at a big showcase.

For players, Hirogami’s key draw is that blend of tactile transformation, creative puzzle-solving, and a world that looks both serene and on the edge of collapse. It’s a break from the samey 3D action platformers whose only innovation is a gimmicky new weapon or a photo mode. If you loved the physical puzzle feel of Tearaway or the genre-bending of Paper Mario, but want something more focused on action and traversal, this could scratch that itch. My only real concern is whether the difficulty curve and level variety will keep up with the initial promise. Too many indie platformers start strong and then get repetitive—let’s hope Hirogami’s transformations keep shaking things up through to the finale.

Bottom line: Hirogami is shaping up as one of those games that doesn’t just rest on art direction but tries to wrap its mechanics, themes, and atmosphere into an actual experience. With a September 3 launch not far off, it won’t be long before we see if it folds under pressure or soars. For now, it’s absolutely worth keeping on your radar if you want a platformer that’s more than just another Mario clone in disguise.

TL;DR: Hirogami looks like a rare fusion of style and substance for platformer fans, with origami transformations delivering both visual flair and mechanical depth. Cautiously optimistic—it could be the sleeper hit of the fall if it avoids the usual genre pitfalls.

Source: Bandai Namco Studios Singapore via GamesPress