Name: Li’l Cutout Soldier
Debut: Paper Mario: The Origami King
Today’s subject is a little guys, and I do mean that to be singular and plural at the same time! Li’l Cutout Soldier is, I think, one of the most charming and clever ideas ever implemented in a Paper Mario game, and you will soon see why!
As Mario travels alone through Bowser’s Scissors-ravaged castle, he suddenly encounters… a little guy! One like none ever encountered before, just a little flat humanoid, the absolute quintessential Person. It toddles down the stairs, and it’s quite cute! It’s supposed to be a little creepy too, but I can’t see it as anything other than cute. Once it reaches Mario, however, it unfolds into an entire ring of itself, and it becomes clear what their deal is!
Li’l Cutout Soldiers are paper dolls, and they work absolutely perfectly and delightfully with Origami King’s ring battle system! By moving the rings, you fold them back up, making them just take up one space, so they are lined up to be jumped upon. It is pretty straightforward and easy compared to other late-game enemies, but it is so fun and novel! I love it!
See? There they are, politely waiting in line. probably at the ice cream truck.
You have no doubt noticed that Li’l Cutout Soldiers are not existing Mario entities, which is a welcome thing in modern Paper Mario, as well! They are a whole new threat, and are said to have no souls, no feelings, and no fear… but it does not stop them from being precious!
Ultimately, they are no more than expendable lifeless soldiers, cut out of the fabric of reality by a pair of talking scissors, and disappear when their creator is defeated… but, theoretically, what if they didn’t? They are already such blank slates. What if they could have a smile drawn on, and be nice?
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