Paper.io 2 is a browser and mobile video game developed and published by Voodoo. It was released in 2018 for mobile devices and in 2019 for web browsers. The game is the sequel to Paper.io and belongs to the area conquest genre, where players attempt to capture territory on a shared map.
| Developer/Publisher | Voodoo |
| Original Release | August/September 2018 (Mobile) / March 2019 (Web) |
| Genre | Area Conquest, Arcade, .io |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Web browser, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC |
| Core Difference from Paper.io 1 | 360-Degree Movement |
Gameplay and New Movement System
The objective of Paper.io 2 is to capture the largest possible share of the map. Players extend their territory by moving their character outside their controlled area and reconnecting to their base, which converts the enclosed space into new territory. A player is eliminated if another competitor crosses their exposed “tail” while outside their territory, if their base is completely captured, or if they collide with their own tail line.
The most notable change from the original Paper.io is the addition of 360-degree movement. Whereas the first game limited players to four directional inputs (up, down, left, right), the sequel allows free radial control. The map design also shifted from a square grid to a circular arena, complementing the smoother movement system. Unlike the original, collisions with the outer boundary of the arena no longer result in elimination, which alters defensive and expansion strategies.
Controls
- Mouse (Web Browser): Drag to control the square’s movement.
- Touch (Mobile): Swipe or hold on the screen to direct movement.
Skins
Players can customize their avatar using one of 18 unlocked skins. Skins are cosmetic only and do not affect gameplay mechanics. Examples include:
- Basic/Default: No Skin
- Animals & Characters: Ladybug, Duck, Bat, Ghost, Freddy, Minion, Spiderman, Teletubby.
- Objects & Food: Tank, Cake, Cash, Sushi, Pizza, Watermelon.
- Special Themes: Heart, Rainbow, Nyan Cat.
To change/apply a skin, simply click the skin button next to the Play button on the main menu before starting the game.
Progression and Customization
In Paper.io 2, progression is tracked through the percentage of territory a player controls, which is displayed on the screen in real time. When a player is eliminated, either by an opponent crossing their tail, capturing their base, or colliding with their own tail, the game ends, and a performance summary is shown, including Your Score, Best Score, Time Played, and Players Killed. After this, players can start a new match using the Play Again button, but all previously captured territory is reset, and scoring begins fresh.
Matches typically include both human players and bots to ensure the game remains active and challenging, even when player numbers are low.
Strategies
Although play styles vary, strategies generally fall into three approaches:
- Safe Expansion: Small loops are considered safer for gradual growth, while larger loops can quickly claim more space but leave players exposed for longer periods.
- Aggressive Elimination: Eliminating opponents by cutting across their tail remains a common method of survival, while targeting and capturing an opponent’s base can remove them entirely from the game.
- Border Defense: Using the outer edge of the arena to reduce potential attack angles, as elimination no longer occurs upon wall contact in Paper.io 2. Players often use it to limit attack angles and reduce risk while extending territory.
Availability
Paper.io 2 is playable on Android, iOS, and web browsers, and has also been released on consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Browser versions are widely available on gaming websites, including Cool Math Games.
