Design Statement
The first thing we noticed in the theme track was the winding sound. When the melody started, it immediately made us think of a music box. As we kept listening, the gentle melody, bright glockenspiel tones, and faint chirping of cicadas made us picture a quiet forest. We want to build music into the gameplay and give players a chance to create their own melodies as they played. Then we asked how players could take part in making the music? A paper strip music box gave us the answer: In Paper Song, players can punch holes in a paper strip to build platforms for a little spirit, then guide it through a forest of strange plants. As the spirit runs and jumps, the holes sound one by one and the path the players built becomes a piece of music of their own.

Game Instructions (launch steps, controls, and gameplay overview)
Download and extract PaperSong-Windows.zip, then double-click PaperSong.exe to launch the game.

Unlock paper strips in order. Left-click to punch holes and right-click to erase them. Arrange the holes to make a path, then click the Start button to enter the level. (You can also click the Preview button to hear your own melody!)

The little spirit runs forward automatically. Press Space or ↑ to jump between the platforms you made and avoid the plants. Press Esc to pause.

Gameplay walkthrough video
https://youtu.be/-YjY7eU_tMk

Trailer / Other Additional Video Material (Optional)
https://youtu.be/rxZw2UhtVXs

Did your project use any AI tools or assets? If yes, please specify.
We used AI tools to generate some of the in-game art assets and sond effects, and help with coding and troubleshooting.