Born Of Bread Review – PC

Few gaming franchises have spawned more lovingly, lavishly created homages than Nintendo’s Paper Mario series.

Despite its relatively niche nature, their unique mix of visual whimsy and whipsmart dialogue wrapped around a warm and welcoming RPG package has made the plumber’s side stories a touchstone for many a developer, longing to evoke simpler times.

The latest impressive effort – Wildarts Studio’s Born of Bread – manages to get achingly close to cooking up something that both stirs those nostalgic feelings of Mario’s halcyon days, but at the same time bakes something entirely fresh.

Players assume the role of Loaf, literally bread come to life, as he embarks on an amazing adventure packed with twists, turns, and all manner of heavy-handed puns – exactly what fans are looking for.

However, does this endearing homage rise to the occasion, or does it merely leave you with a soggy bottom? Read our review of Born of Bread to find out!

 

 

Story

Born of Bread sets off on a fantastical journey that commences with a group of explorers inadvertently resurrecting malevolent entities from an ancient empire. These beings, determined to revive their long-lost master, embark on a quest to gather the scattered Sunstones. Simultaneously, in the royal bakery, a serendipitous event leads to the creation of Loaf—a sentient pile of dough possessing the potential to become a valiant hero.

The narrative unfolds as Loaf, implicated unfairly in an assault on the queen’s castle, endeavors to clear the baker’s good name while delving into the mysteries surrounding the nefarious interlopers. The quest, imbued with humour, bread-based puns, and quirky characters, exudes a lighthearted aura.

However, the pacing, at times, feels abrupt, lacking in-depth exposition for the introduction of partner characters, resulting in a somewhat fleeting narrative that is nevertheless enjoyable as you whisk through it.

 

 

Graphics

Born of Bread adeptly blends 3D environments with 2D character models, delivering a diverse visual landscape that is incredibly crisp and vivid – truly evoking both a sense of the seminal title it’s aping, but also with an enduring charm of its own.

You traverse a good variety of reassuringly tropey locales, from your homely local bakery to verdant forests, cavernous mines and bustling towns.

Character designs, particularly the ensemble of companions, exhibit a delightful charm through their expressive yet somewhat rigid animations. While drawing inspiration from the Paper Mario style, Born of Bread manages to carve its own visual identity, offering a captivating visual experience.

 

 

Gameplay

Within Born of Bread’s gameplay lies yet more nods to the revered mechanics of Paper Mario. The journey entails exploration, combat, and unraveling story-driven subplots. However, the sprawling landscapes often teeter between being vast and desolate, at times leading to confusion due to inadequately marked paths. Yet, the thrill of discovery while uncovering hidden treasures remains a noteworthy aspect of the exploration.

Combat mechanics echo traditional RPG structures of turn-based, rhythm-infused combat, wherein Loaf and companions wield a repertoire of abilities and support actions, each demanding WP (mana) consumption. The incorporation of mini-games to augment action effectiveness injects a layer of engagement, albeit with a shallow but involved learning curve.

Furthermore, even the ‘audience participation’ concept of those lauded titles makes an appearance, manifesting as virtual reactions of fans watching the Born of Bread saga unfold
(complete with chat windows!), enriching the combat dynamics and enhancing immersion and theatrics alike.

Born of Bread’s audio landscape – bouncy ditties underpinned with strings and catchy hooks – also seamlessly intertwines with its lighthearted narrative, with Robert Kilpatrick’s score perfectly complementing the light-hearted tone and humour of the story. I am willing to bet that the Lapwing Village theme immediately becomes stuck in your head!

 

 

Verdict

Born of Bread embodies the spirit of classic Paper Mario RPGs, presenting an enchanting narrative, engaging combat system, and endearing characters.

However, the odd bug in the bake does impede the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game remains recommended for casual RPG aficionados, offering a fun – yet fulfilling – eight or so hours of dimensionally-challenged adventuring.