Escape from Ever After
January 23, 2026
A genre-bending RPG inspired by the classic Paper Mario games! When a greedy megacorp from the real world starts taking over fairytales for their cheap labor, a newly-hired storybook hero must climb the corporate ladder, rally together other disgruntled employees, and fight back!
Critic Score
81.9
25 critic reviews
User Score
No ratings
0 user ratings
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Critic Reviews (25)
Graphics
70.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
85.0
"Fans of Paper Mario can look forward to this turn-based adventure RPG. Developed by Sleepy Castle Studio and Wing-It! Creative, Escape from Ever After is inspired by the aforementioned Mario game. It combines fairy tale whimsy with corporate espionage and …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
75.0
"The characters and areas are charming, the puzzles are fun, but the combat is slacking by comparison and there’s not really any music that’s quite as memorable. Still though, this is well worth playing if you get the chance. It’s …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
90.0
"Escape From Ever After takes great pleasure in subverting Fairy Tale expectations while skewering corporate culture and blind capitalism. And it does so with some wonderful characters and even more wonderful writing that manages to tug on the heartstrings while …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
70.0
"Escape from Ever After establishes its lighthearted fairy tale world wonderfully with its endearing visuals, characters, and music and it plays superbly to boot thanks to its impressively strategic party setup and battle mechanics. What an absolute delight! 📖"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
90.0
"The best Paper Mario game since The Thousand Year Door just so happens to be missing the Paper Mario nametag. Escape From Ever After spins an entertaining fairy-tale yarn, backed by likeable characters, smartly designed combat, and a clear affection …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
78.0
Story
80.0
"Escape Ever After pairs a clever satirical premise with charming storybook visuals, delivering a creative RPG experience that doesn’t always maintain its momentum."
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
60.0
"Since the release of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door in 2004, developers—including Nintendo—have searched for the next big hit, and with Escape from Ever After, Sleepy Castle Studio delivers a charming yet deep RPG that lovingly honors its inspiration while …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
90.0
"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in an actual fairytale? To approach the castle of your archnemesis, knock down the door and…find it converted into an office space? That’s the premise behind Escape From Ever …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
70.0
"Escape from Ever After is a great game, and considering how people took to last year’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, part of me wonders if this Paper Mario-inspired game will have the same effect. It’s really wonderful to see a …"
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
88.0
Story
92.0
"Escape from Ever After is much more than a turn-based RPG with increasing numbers; it&s;s a narrative and playful experience with its own personality."
Read original reviewGraphics
45.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
85.0
"Don&s;t judge a book by its cover. Escape From Ever After hides a depth that many “adult” games would love to have."
Read original reviewGraphics
78.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
64.0
"Escape from Ever After is truly a delightful game, and a worthy successor to the Paper Mario franchise, at least until Nintendo hopefully brings the series back to its original RPG roots. While I had complaints with aspects of the …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
75.0
"Escape from Ever After feels like a game that knows what it’s trying to do and sticks the landing. It takes familiar turn-based RPG ideas and gives them a fun twist, with a story that’s self-aware without trying too hard …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
70.0
"Escape from Ever After is one of those indie games that takes you by surprise and stays with you. It&s;s very original and full of humor, the combat system is challenging but fair, and the design makes the most of …"
Read original review"In many ways this feels like a creative, and often funny, alternative take on the Paper Mario formula, but it isn’t quite as polished"
Read original reviewGraphics
60.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
85.0
"Escape from Ever After is the Paper Mario style game I&s;ve been waiting for since the GameCube, with a seriously charming fairytale setting."
Read original reviewGraphics
72.0
Gameplay
68.0
Story
82.0
"Just like its literary inspirations, Escape from Ever After has found ways to not only make them lived-in but flesh them out with unique enemies and bosses."
Read original reviewGraphics
75.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
85.0
"If you’re at all a fan of the more RPG-focused Mario RPGs, you owe it to yourself to play Escape from Ever After. It may be over a bit too quickly, but the writing, charm, and gameplay mechanics all come …"
Read original reviewGraphics
60.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
85.0
"Escape from Ever After is a refreshing surprise in this year’s lineup of games and therefore a strong candidate for my personal Game of the Year list. Its whimsical premise, satirical tone, and overall humorous writing – combined with quirky …"
Read original reviewGraphics
60.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
85.0
"While I wish the puzzles and platforming were more refined, I can also see the follow-through and how others may not have had the same issues as I did. What I won’t deny is that Sleep Castle Studio has created …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
90.0
"Escape from Ever After is a charming and witty RPG with Paper Mario-style combat and a vibrant, genre-blending soundtrack. It delivers a familiar flavor while carving out its own identity, making it a worthy pickup for RPG fans. Even though …"
Read original reviewGraphics
50.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
90.0
"For players looking for an action adventure/RPG that blends style, substance, and a healthy sense of humor, this is an easy recommendation. It may wear a fairy tale costume, but underneath that bright cloak is a sharp, confident experience that …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
65.0
Story
80.0
"Escape from Ever After surpasses its inspiration with a captivating story, fun protagonists, and varied gameplay, including moves and accessories , plus extra modes that increase duration and challenge. However, the pacing of some stages makes the fights repetitive quickly."
Read original review