On this edition of Play It, we take a look at a game that turns a frustrating but beautiful paper art into a relaxing yet challenging game. Folds is an online puzzle game where you fold origami. You have a limited number of moves to match your blank sheet to the dotted outline of the finished origami shape. These can be as simple as a triangle or as elaborate as...well...actual origami figures.
You use the mouse to fold and manipulate the paper. Each click counts as a move but you can keep moving the paper as long as you hold the mouse button. The paper moves and bends like real origami paper, giving you the best chance possible to get every detail just right.
You're scored on your accuracy. You have to reach at least 80% to move on and can score as high as 100%. To score high, your folded paper has to line up evenly with the dotted lines. No paper can appear outside the form and no empty spaces can appear inside the form.
Folds' biggest advantage is its soundtrack. The music is very relaxing. This could easily turn into a puzzle game that causes rage quits five minutes in; it doesn't. The entire act of carefully lining up the paper becomes a meditation on art because of the music. It sets the tone for the Japanese art form and is interesting enough in its use of instruments to keep you focused.
This is a good thing because some of these stages are very hard. It took me far longer than I care to admit to turn a large square into a small square--about 1/9 of 1/4 of the paper. I never felt frustrated or bored. I just wanted to keep trying until I got 100% perfection.
Folds is not the flashiest game in the world. It has a very simple look--a pair of inked dragons sit on either side of the folding area on a background of parchment--that helps to focus you on the pastel paper. In an interesting touch of design, the paper darkens every time you fold it over itself. One fold is darker than no folds and two folds in the same spot are way darker than one fold.
This game is filled with surprisingly little flourishes that really elevate the experience. From the ruffling of the paper to the intricate puzzle design, Folds delivers. You can play it at Newgrounds.