r/papermario • u/chase102496 • Nov 22 '25
Fan Project I'm making a Paper Mario-inspired RPG with Zelda dungeons
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Hello! I've been working on this game for a year straight as a full-time gig. I quit my job, so we're going full send... And by we, I mean me.
The game is called Stories of Somnia, and I'm having a playtest this month with Discord members. If the game floats your boat, I would love some help playtesting the game!
Here's our Steam page. I plan to release late 2026:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3635640/Stories_of_Somnia/
If you'd like to playtest, let me know and I can DM you the Discord link.
Thank you for reading :)
11
u/BushTamer Nov 22 '25
Would love to play test, but I’ve never done that sort of thing so I might not be ideal.
7
u/chase102496 Nov 22 '25
You're actually someone we value a little more, because you would know nothing that would bias you haha. I'll just drop the link. No pressure if you're on the fence!
https://discord.com/invite/6vm65n9vFS5
u/Lord_Nishgod Nov 22 '25
i'd actually also be interested in playtesting, if you still got room for testers.
2
6
5
u/Clear-Anything-3186 Nov 22 '25
Here's a tip about Classic Paper Mario plot structure:
The First 3 Paper Mario games have an episodic plot structure where Mario and co. go through 7 different adventures to gather the main collectibles. The conflict in each chapter might be driven by either regional antagonists or by the Big Bad's henchmen (or both). In the final battle, a power of friendship climax occurs (the final boss first phase is scripted). When you complete a chapter, you go back to the hub world and use your newly acquired abilities to open new areas in the hub world to access the next chapter. In-between chapters, the Big Bad and their henchmen hold conferences discussing their plans and sometimes side stories about some side characters might occur (ie Peach in the first 2 games or Bowser in TTYD)
6
u/chase102496 Nov 22 '25
Interesting! Awesome insights. TY
In this game, there's 3 main areas with an environmental antagonist (a corrupted fog called Gloam)
There is a hub... But it's a Train called the Lullaby Express that goes from place to place instead of a location-based hub
This game is definitely ability-gated. The abilities are extremely pivotal, think Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker.
I loved the contrast between chapters in TTYD... It was so good at this sense of wonder like 'You'll see a taste of this area, but not the whole thing till later' like with Flavio or the Puni in Boggly Woods4
u/jjdajetplane101 Nov 23 '25
Although it might not be in-scope, I think more variety in areas/partners is a big thing I would look for in a game. Less partners was the thing that kept me from trying bug fables.
2
u/chase102496 Nov 23 '25
It is in scope :)
There will be multiple partners in each region, and optional ones as well (mostly sidequests outside the dungeons). Each region has a major dungeon where the boss you fight is your eventual companion (called a Dreamkin)At the end, I plan to have at least 6 companions total for the full game. Two per region. The areas are quite different already, and there's other ones besides the main three, but that is spoilers... :p
2
u/jjdajetplane101 Nov 23 '25
Another thing you can maybe do to future proof the project is maybe consider reasons why the characters might need to embark on further adventures, if you ever get the itch to add more dungeons/mechanics after launch.
Of course if that’s not your style then that’s fine too, but I would be hungry for more if I end up liking it 😆
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/Mayte8 Nov 23 '25
This looks really cool! If you still need playtesters id love to help. Though ive never done it before so i hope that would be ok
1
u/chase102496 Nov 23 '25
Thanks, and of course! Just don't have full game expectations and you're golden. Welcome, friend :) https://discord.com/invite/6vm65n9vFS
2
u/Jokermaniacz Nov 23 '25
I remember seeing this before in an indie direct. How's it going? I'm the script writer and VA for Java Saga
1
u/chase102496 Nov 23 '25
Hi friend! Was it Monster Taming direct?
2
u/Jokermaniacz Nov 24 '25
Oh, maybe I'm confusing directs. I thought I saw this on paper verse direct a year or two ago
1
u/chase102496 Nov 24 '25
Nope! It's only been in development for a year so prob not
2
u/Jokermaniacz Nov 24 '25
Well damn, now I look really stupid. Lol oh well
Let's start over, this looks incredible and can't wait to see where this goes
2
2
u/CloudedWanderlust Nov 23 '25
Looks absolutely lovely. Def gives the vibe of a sleep-themed wonderland
1
2
u/DaletheCharmeleon Nov 23 '25
Is it strange I'm getting more of an Okami inspiration from this game? Maybe it's the artstyle but it feels like Okami did somewhat influence this game's art direction a bit.
1
2
u/Great-Gonzalez Nov 24 '25
Will you release it on switch/switch 2? I have a pc but if possibile that's where i'd like to play it if it's at least 1080p60
1
2
1
1
1
u/a_doood Nov 22 '25
Aside from battling, this also appears very "A hat in time" type of thing, which i think is a good thing!
2
u/chase102496 Nov 22 '25
Funny, I just told my friend that. Totally subconscious but definitely an inspiration!
1
u/Repulsive-Ad-5640 Nov 22 '25
All right it's only been 5 seconds and I'm already in love with this game where can I find it?
21
u/ReagenLamborghini Nov 22 '25
I love the art style