Paper Mario seems to be going downhill. Where are the badges? The partners? The parts of the game that made it what we know and love? Paper Mario used to be my reason for upgrading my Nintendo system, and since the Wii I haven't really been motivated to do so. 

Add your thoughts, I'm interested in hearing what you guys have to say on this.

Link to preview is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh16YgtySJI

Frankly, I feel the new Paper Mario series direction is better for children. It encourages experimentation and learning in fun, diverse ways. But for those of us who grew up on classic Paper Mario, and even Super Paper Mario, it can be hard to stomach. I grew up on those, and I didn't enjoy Sticker Star nearly as much...until I stopped listening to the complaints and accepted Sticker Star for what it was. Then I started to enjoy it a lot. I still prefer classic Paper Mario and Super Paper Mario to Sticker Star, but I still found a lot to like about SS. I know I'll find a lot to enjoy about Color Splash. I do miss the former directions the series took, though.

plasticinsanity :
The original Paper mario games and even Super Paper Mario were absolutely epic. They had great stories, they tied everything up nicely at the end and you were required to skill and level up. Finding badges was a treat, and learning to use what partners when made the original games awesome. Super Paper Mario has one of the most epic and intense storylines. Why you even ascend to the heights of heaven and descend into the depths of hell. When you finished the game, it was acknowledged. When you did various things in the game that you were told not to do, they carried consequences. I feel like this new string (or sheet) of paper mario abandons all of that, and turns it into a mere linear game that can no longer be called an rpg. I think the closest thing that we are going to get is Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam. I was so disappointed in Paper Mario Sticker star. Yes, it had some very interesting moments, but you never grow, you just find better weapons. The story is pretty lame with little back layer story that the others made you come to expect. Still, I will be trying this new one, though its going to be a sticker star clone.

I actually have a review copy of Color Splash and I'm not *too* far yet, but I am enjoying it. But yes, it's not the same as the first two Paper Mario games, so if that's what Paper Mario means to you, you're better off thinking of it as a different game with the Paper Mario art style. It does seem to fix much of the issues that Sticker Star had though.

It's more focused on overworld exploration, puzzle solving, and dialogue than RPG-style battles. Whether you like it or not will probably come down to personal taste. The soundtrack and graphics are fantastic though, and the writing is quite funny.

There's a limit to what I'm allowed to upload and reveal, but my videos for it will be here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCWQXbmG5BhK0TM5psNUNtPRZOa8Myrns

And I also was able to stream 20 minutes of gameplay last night, which you can watch here:
https://www.twitch.tv/linkums/v/91426691

I'm looking forward to playing more today and this week since I'll have more free time. I'm trying to hurry to finish with plenty of time to write/record a review by the time that's allowed.

I know some people who were bold enough to stream the whole thing they were  no name you tubers (by that i mean they arent well known)
but Chunchii has potential to be a big star
The game is significantly improved for sticker star. 
And I wont lie the game does have that satisfaction of a journey completed in its ending
just like the first PM and TTYD have in their endings

I've never played Paper Mario games but from this gameplay it looks really fun. I think the little ones will enjoy this game. I am guessing the old school one was a lot more different in the gameplay of how this one is. I would actually buy the game and give it a shot. Considering it actually doesn't look that bad.

It hadn't been the same since the Wii version. Maybe they should go back to doing the game in that style.

It baffles me how idiotic producers of games can get. "Gee, Sticker Star wasn't really well recieved. Let's make a game exactly like it hyuk hyuk hyuk." Like really?

The producers said that if we wanted a heavy story/proper Mario RPG we have the Mario and Luigi series. Excuse me? No. Sorry, that's not how it works. I want my Paper Mario back, but it's probably not going to happen. Dumb dumb dumb.

Personally, I love the Wii U game, and I really enjoyed Sticker Star too. So what if it isn't like the N64 game? I can accept change. It's fun, unique, good gameplay, humorous moments, interesting battle system and such.

So yeah, I enjoy this.