Paper Lanterns review: a two-hour co-op game you will remember for years
A wordless puzzle adventure built for one sofa and two controllers. Short, exact and close to perfect.
9.5What it gets right
The opening hours make a promise that the rest of the game keeps. Systems are introduced one at a time, each with enough room to breathe, and the game rarely stops to explain something you could work out by playing. On a current-generation console in performance mode we measured a steady 60 frames per second outside of two crowded hub areas.
Combat rewards attention more than reflexes. Enemy tells are readable, the dodge window is generous without being free, and difficulty options adjust damage and timing separately. That last detail matters more than any marketing bullet point.
It respects your evening. Sessions end at natural stopping points, and the autosave never cost us more than a minute.
Where it stumbles
Inventory management is the weak point. Sorting options are limited, and comparing two pieces of gear takes three button presses too many. A day-one patch improved text size, but the map legend is still hard to read from a sofa.
Performance and options
- Performance mode: 60fps target, dynamic resolution
- Quality mode: 30fps with higher-detail shadows and draw distance
- Full button remapping, subtitle sizing and a high-contrast mode
Essential
Cassia Fenwick
Cassia Fenwick writes about all gaming topics, from new games to old favorites. Her posts include news, guides, reviews, gear, and the stories around gaming. She likes to show why a small detail matters. She explains each idea without expecting readers to know every game. Her writing is thoughtful but easy to read. Cassia enjoys colorful postcards, making books, and looking at how everyday things are designed. She often notices shapes, colors, and small touches others might miss. She uses clear examples to bring her ideas to life. She hopes readers leave with useful answers and something new to explore.
