In a surprising twist in the indie gaming world, adamgryu, the creative mind behind the beloved title A Short Hike, has revealed plans for a project that was ultimately shelved: Untitled Paper RPG.

This enchanting RPG was inspired by the classic Paper Mario games, featuring turn-based combat coupled with quick time events and a vast overworld ripe for exploration. But here’s the kicker—instead of being released as a full-fledged game, it now exists as a short, one to two-hour demo, available for anyone eager to experience a slice of the adventure.

Why is this canceled title worth discussing? Adamgryu recently took to social media to share this demo, shedding light on the reasons behind its cancellation. In a candid blog post, he explained its origins and the challenges he faced during development. He initially began working on the game back in 2016, fueled by nostalgia after seeing the announcement for Paper Mario Color Splash. "I thought, why not create the game I want to see?" he nostalgically recounted.

After leaving his job in 2017 to dive into indie game development, he took a brief hiatus to focus on other projects, notably A Short Hike, which unexpectedly soared in popularity. This success, however, meant he found himself less inclined to return to the RPG. As he noted, returning felt daunting: "the development for the RPG had become difficult, which is why I took a break from it in the first place."

Despite the cancellation, Adamgryu remains open to a potential return to the project in the future, but for now, he’s focusing on new ventures. He mentioned other exciting projects in the pipeline, including an action-adventure title and a charming micro-RPG with a claymation aesthetic.

While it’s disheartening to see promising games fall by the wayside, the availability of the demo allows fans to appreciate a glimpse into what could have been. As with many canceled projects, there’s beauty in the incomplete—it's a reminder of creativity’s unpredictable nature. Just as the late Satoshi Kon’s unfinished manga, Opus, left a hauntingly imaginative void, so too does Untitled Paper RPG invite speculation and wonder about its potential.

So, if you’re intrigued, check out the demo and experience a taste of adamgryu’s enchanting vision before it slipped into development limbo.