Kind Words
- September 13, 2019
- Popcannibal
- 10h median play time
Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) has the one major goal of making the world less lonely, and it manages that exceedingly well.
Get on Steam"Kind Words" is a cozy, introspective game where players write and receive supportive letters to help navigate personal struggles. The game features a soothing lo-fi soundtrack and a calming atmosphere, encouraging players to share their feelings and experiences in a safe, anonymous space. By offering and receiving kind words, players can find comfort, connection, and a sense of community.
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Reviews
- Kind Words fosters a supportive and kind community where players can anonymously share their feelings and receive encouragement.
- The game provides a calming atmosphere with relaxing lo-fi music, making it a great space for self-reflection and emotional support.
- Players can help others by offering advice and kind words, creating a sense of connection and purpose.
- The character limits on requests and responses can hinder meaningful conversations and may lead to misunderstandings.
- Some users may encounter heavy or distressing topics that could be triggering, making it important to approach the game with caution.
- The lack of ongoing communication between users can feel limiting, as players cannot build deeper connections with those they help or seek help from.
- emotional1,127 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Kind Words" is overwhelmingly positive, with players frequently describing it as a deeply heartwarming and wholesome experience. Many users report feeling uplifted and comforted by the supportive community, often leading to tears of joy from the kindness expressed in the letters exchanged. While some acknowledge the emotional weight of reading others' struggles, the overall sentiment is that the game provides a safe space for connection and healing, making it a valuable tool for those seeking emotional support.
“This game has given me hope in my darkest times, given me confidence when I needed it, made me feel valid and heard and seen.”
“It's heartwarming to get stickers from people you encouraged.”
“The heartfelt responses people send out, and the little airplane notes of kindness randomly fluttering by, are truly lovely.”
- music978 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Kind Words" is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, primarily featuring a lo-fi soundtrack that enhances the game's relaxing atmosphere. Many players enjoy leaving the game running in the background while they engage in other activities, as the gentle tunes create a cozy environment for writing and receiving supportive messages. However, some users express a desire for a broader selection of tracks, noting that the limited music library can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game's appeal, contributing to its therapeutic and comforting experience.
“The peaceful music and gentle aesthetic made me feel like I was in a safe cocoon, protected from the weight of the outside world.”
“The music is lovely and the vibes of the game feel like you're floating.”
“The soundtrack for the game is beautiful and you never get tired of it.”
“The official music is also very generic and boring to listen to.”
“The music gets really boring and repetitive after listening to it so many times to the point that I ended up muting it.”
“The music is very calming, but it lacks variety and can get repetitive.”
- graphics209 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute, cozy aesthetic, featuring simple yet charming visuals that create a calming atmosphere. Players appreciate the soothing art style and relaxing music, which together enhance the overall experience of connecting with others in a supportive community. While some note limitations in graphical variety, the overall presentation is considered beautiful and effective in fostering a warm, inviting environment.
“The visuals are very cozy, and I love that they give you a small room you can decorate, and there’s even a little paper airplane that flies around delivering letters.”
“The soothing lo-fi beats and charming isometric art style create a calming atmosphere that makes connecting with others a comforting experience.”
“The graphics are gorgeous and the music is very calming; personally, I've spent time with the game open just to listen to the songs.”
“It is nothing revolutionary; there are no amazing graphics, no unique gameplay, and even the variation of music is extremely limited.”
“It's a single room with little big adventure graphics and virtually no movement yet it taxes my GPU to 100% at low settings.”
“However, as of 2024, this game has a very niche demographic.”
- atmosphere99 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is universally praised for its calming and cozy qualities, enhanced by soothing lo-fi music and charming visuals. Players appreciate the supportive community and the safe space it creates for sharing thoughts and emotions, making it a unique and heartwarming experience. Overall, the game's aesthetic and ambiance foster relaxation and connection, making it a standout choice for those seeking a peaceful gaming environment.
“The atmosphere is insanely relaxing, with warm lo-fi tunes, and an adorable lil' deer.”
“Its serene atmosphere, coupled with its focus on empathy and compassion, makes it a standout experience in the gaming world.”
“The soothing lo-fi beats and charming isometric art style create a calming atmosphere that makes connecting with others a comforting experience.”
“The atmosphere of the game is also really soothing; it creates a calm and warm space for the player.”
“The lo-fi atmosphere of the game, achieved through both its stylized visuals and its soundtrack, is also an integral aspect of the relaxing nature of the game.”
“It's an anonymous pen pal community where sweetness and mutual support are encouraged by hazy lo-fi synth and a comfortingly dozy atmosphere.”
- gameplay84 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Kind Words" is characterized by its simplicity and focus on social interaction rather than traditional gaming mechanics. Players engage by sending and receiving supportive messages, collecting stickers, and unlocking new songs, creating a chill and wholesome experience. However, many reviewers note the lack of depth and conventional objectives, suggesting that while the game fosters kindness and community, it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
“The gameplay mechanics were simple yet surprisingly addictive.”
“There are enough mechanics to keep the game interesting -- each day you send a letter out, you unlock a new song; there are paper airplanes you can send into the air, and you can read others' planes; you can both send and receive letters; and you can collect stickers and room decorations -- and of course the highlight is the letter-sending and receiving part.”
“The primary gameplay loop is either sending messages in a bottle that people will respond anonymously to (hopefully to boost your mood, help you through some hard times, etc)... or being on the other end of the transaction; where you see someone's problem and try to boost them with some words of encouragement or help.”
“It's hard to call this a game, considering there's no story, or gameplay, or clear objective.”
“To be honest, this isn’t much of a game at all - and if you go in expecting traditional gameplay, you’ll be disappointed.”
“There is no story (as far as I’m aware anyway), there is no big bad to defeat... there is not even gameplay in the sense you might be used to.”
- story54 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's narrative is largely defined by the personal stories shared by players, creating a unique and comforting experience rather than a traditional storyline. While some users express a desire for more structured storytelling, many appreciate the emotional connection fostered through shared experiences and supportive interactions. Overall, the game serves as a platform for empathy and connection, rather than a conventional narrative-driven experience.
“Each story is new and unique.”
“A real-time story compiled of thoughts and emotions of real strangers, in the most beautiful setting.”
“This game has the best story: it is only the second game to make me cry.”
“It's hard to call this a game, considering there's no story, or gameplay, or clear objective.”
“There is no story (as far as I’m aware anyway), there is no big bad to defeat... there is not even gameplay in the sense you might be used to.”
“There's no story or world, no controls beyond clicking, and no overarching goal.”
- humor28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as wholesome and uplifting, with players sharing funny stories, heartwarming messages, and light-hearted interactions that foster a supportive community. Many users appreciate the blend of humor and sincerity, noting that the game encourages laughter and connection through its unique features, like sending paper planes with messages. Overall, the experience is characterized by a mix of funny moments and touching anecdotes, making it a refreshing and enjoyable space for players.
“The funny strangers in my computer give me life advice.”
“There is a funny irony in this being listed as online PvP when you consider the fact that it's really just a bunch of people being nice to each other!”
“I personally love opening random planes because they are always heartwarming and a few have even made me laugh out loud!”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of in-game purchases, providing a refreshing experience in an era dominated by microtransactions and loot boxes. Players appreciate the wholesome nature of the game and the positive community atmosphere, free from aggressive monetization tactics.
“It's super nice to see a simple, wholesome game during this dark period of microtransactions and loot boxes.”
“In-game purchases: none.”
“It's super nice to see a simple wholesome game during this dark period of microtransactions and loot boxes.”
“From the Steam store, I have pointed out the following points to avoid false/inaccurate advertisement/information.”
“We have barricaded ourselves in walls of social media, TV, advertisements, and even porn that we lose our touch with what makes us who we are.”
- stability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly on various systems, particularly on iMac with Big Sur OS. However, there are mentions of minor to moderate bugs and glitches, indicating that while stability is generally good, some issues persist.
“The community is nice and the game runs great.”
“It runs great on my iMac with Big Sur OS.”
“The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs and glitches.”
“There are a few bugs and glitches that disrupt the experience.”
“There are minor bugs and glitches that can be frustrating.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment, with some humorously suggesting it feels like needing a "second life" to keep up. While some acknowledge it can be a bit grindy at times, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a major commitment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
“It feels a bit grindy.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is considered high, particularly for those seeking a fulfilling experience or a way to pass the time. Players find it to be a small yet rewarding game that offers excellent value for repeated playthroughs.
“Small game, excellent replay value!”
“Its replayability depends on whether you need such a game to fill a gap within you or to pass the time.”
“Endlessly rewarding, and probably the most 'replay value' I've gotten for the price.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users note that the removal of performance elements in internet communication enhances intimacy and safety, suggesting that this change could lead to improved system optimization.
“This removal of the performance element from internet communication makes for exchanges that are very intimate, while at the same time safe.”
“Should improve system optimization.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for more character customization options, such as design and stickers, to enhance personal expression within the game. Despite this wish, they appreciate the game's overall message and quality, indicating that character development, while lacking in visual customization, still contributes positively to the experience.
“I do wish there were more customization options; from character design, stickers (add more please!), and possibly connecting your own music playlists; but overall, it's a great game with a great message behind it!”
“Secondly, I wish we could have a bit of character design, though that is very unimportant to the mood of the game.”
