Lost Words: Beyond the Page

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 311 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • gameplay
Lost Words: Beyond the Page Game Cover
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a gorgeous, moving tale of two young girls facing an increasingly frightening world and eventually finding beauty where those less innocent might not, and that’s the kind of writing that transcends mediums.
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"Lost Words: Beyond the Page" is an emotional narrative adventure game that takes place in a young girl's diary. Players navigate 2D worlds by walking on words and solving puzzles, while experiencing a fully-voiced story crafted by renowned games writer Rhianna Pratchett. The game features a unique blend of gameplay mechanics and a striking watercolor aesthetic, resulting in a memorable journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 311 reviews
story134 positive mentions
replayability2 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautifully crafted story that explores themes of grief and loss, resonating deeply with players.
  • The art style and music are stunning, creating an immersive and emotional experience.
  • The unique gameplay mechanics, such as using words to solve puzzles and navigate the environment, add a creative twist to the narrative.
  • The gameplay can feel simplistic and may not provide enough challenge for players seeking a more action-oriented experience.
  • Some players found the pacing slow, particularly in the journal sections, which could detract from the overall engagement.
  • There are minor technical issues, such as glitches and awkward controls, that can disrupt the flow of the game.
  • story406 mentions

    The story of "Lost Words: Beyond the Page" is a poignant exploration of grief and healing, told through the dual narratives of a young girl, Izzy, as she navigates her real-life struggles with her grandmother's illness and the fantasy story she writes. While the gameplay is simple and linear, the emotional depth and beautiful storytelling, enhanced by stunning visuals and music, resonate deeply with players, making it a memorable experience for anyone who has dealt with loss. Overall, the game is celebrated for its heartfelt narrative and relatable themes, appealing to both younger audiences and adults alike.

    • “The story, the narration, the concept, the gameplay, everything is done to tell a story and makes us feel, and gosh did I feel.”
    • “Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a powerful story of overcoming loss.”
    • “A beautifully presented, incredibly moving story.”
    • “The storytelling feels authentic, too!”
    • “The story is depressing, and the trope of 'here is a nice character that is close to the main character, and now we will tell you all about them... oops, they died' is getting tiresome.”
    • “The ending of the story left me confused and ruined the otherwise simple nature of the story.”
  • emotional124 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly praised, with many players expressing that it made them cry multiple times due to its heartfelt storytelling and relatable themes of loss and grief. The combination of a touching narrative, beautiful visuals, and a moving soundtrack creates a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players on a personal level, often prompting reflections on their own experiences with loss. Overall, it is regarded as a powerful emotional journey that is both beautifully crafted and impactful.

    • “For me, it's a heart-wrenching game that brings you back to your own experience of grief no matter how long ago it was and will definitely bring you to tears.”
    • “The orchestral soundtrack, combined with the heartfelt writing, the emotional voice acting, the parallels between real-life loss and a fantasy struggle, all comes together into one beautiful narrative.”
    • “This game is about change, one of the most emotionally crushing changes you can experience as a child and one you can't see your way out of because you just don't know how to deal.”
  • gameplay119 mentions

    The gameplay in "Lost Words: Beyond the Page" is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, primarily serving as a vehicle for its emotionally resonant narrative rather than as a challenging experience. Players engage in basic platforming and puzzle-solving mechanics, often utilizing words as interactive elements, which creatively enhances the storytelling. While the game is visually stunning and features a heartfelt story, many reviewers noted that the gameplay could benefit from more depth and complexity.

    • “The gameplay is a solid foundation of basic puzzles and platforming to lend to its incredible narrative.”
    • “It's beautifully executed and clean game mechanics almost feel too good for a simple side-scrolling walking game.”
    • “The gameplay is a combination of 2D puzzle platformer and interactive novel where the words themselves literally serve as game elements like platforms and spells - in ways that continually surprise and mesh with/enhance the perfectly-paced ~5 hour story.”
    • “Gameplay could use some work (more content, more engaging), and though it is ostensibly a 'choices-matter' game, your choices don't really matter all that much (if at all).”
    • “Overall, it was a fun idea to explore, but it really didn't do enough either gameplay or story-wise to make it worthwhile.”
    • “Right now, though, we just have a well-written, intimate and sincere story that gets bogged down by extremely repetitive and boring gameplay.”
  • music67 mentions

    The music in the game has been universally praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral soundtrack as a standout feature. Players have described the music as beautiful, comforting, and perfectly aligned with the game's visuals and narrative, often evoking strong emotional responses. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a key element that elevates the game's atmosphere and storytelling, making it highly recommended for players.

    • “The music is amazing, I highly recommend getting the OST bundle if you get the game.”
    • “The orchestral soundtrack, combined with the heartfelt writing, the emotional voice acting, the parallels between real life loss and a fantasy struggle, all comes together into one beautiful narrative.”
    • “The artwork is gorgeous, the music hits all the emotional points, the story is wonderfully crafted, and the game mechanics are clever and interesting.”
    • “The volume of the voices in some places was very low, even though it was turned to maximum, and it was not because of the music.”
    • “But sometimes there are some parts that feel empty with the absence of the music, so it could've done better.”
    • “Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a game that I've waited long for until it got released; it's more storytelling than playing, yet it's a heart-touching game with very cozy music and soundtracks.”
  • graphics54 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and artistic style, with many reviewers highlighting the immersive and emotional visuals that complement the storytelling. The artwork, often described as stunning and unique, enhances the overall experience, although some critiques mention occasional graphical glitches and a lack of challenge in gameplay. Overall, the combination of gorgeous visuals, effective narration, and a touching story creates a captivating atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “The art style is beautiful and immersive; I enjoyed the narration and the use of words in the environment.”
    • “Absolutely stunning graphics and gameplay.”
    • “The artwork is gorgeous, the music hits all the emotional points, the story is wonderfully crafted, and the game mechanics are clever and interesting.”
    • “The graphics in the fairytale land are simply put, awful; the main character has a cute design, but this really looks like something from several decades ago, especially since all it does is repeat the same few movements ad nauseam.”
    • “Not flattering in terms of gameplay and graphics.”
    • “There are some graphical glitches here and there with the main character getting stuck on walls or floating during a cutscene, but nothing that was game breaking.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game effectively blends humor with emotional depth, eliciting both laughter and tears from players. While some puzzles may feel overly simplistic, the storytelling is praised for its raw and funny moments, complemented by minor, amusing bugs that add to the overall experience without hindering gameplay.

    • “This is an absolutely gorgeous game that made me laugh and cry.”
    • “The story feels raw and real (and sometimes very funny); it might have been just me, but yeah, it *will* make you cry.”
    • “It is sad as well as hilariously funny.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its lovely voice acting and emotive music, creating a rich and engaging experience. While it is generally story-driven and suitable for younger audiences, some players noted moments of tension and hecticness, enhancing the overall immersive quality.

    • “Lovely voice acting accompanied by emotive music makes this a great atmospheric experience.”
    • “If you like story-rich atmospheric games, you should give it a shot.”
    • “Absolutely loved the story, the atmosphere, and the voiceover.”
    • “I found the atmosphere rather tense and hectic at times, though it still seemed to be made with kids and teens in mind. Thankfully, there's no combat, and you don't actively harm anyone, if I remember correctly.”
    • “The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion or engagement.”
    • “Despite the colorful visuals, the atmosphere was surprisingly dull and failed to evoke any real emotions.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Reviewers praise the game's character development for its stunning 3D design and unique character aesthetics, which enhance the overall beauty of the game. The combination of captivating visuals and a well-crafted story contributes to a rich and immersive experience.

    • “The gameplay isn't too rough, and the character design and art are gorgeous.”
    • “When I first added this to my wish list, I thought they were going to make it a more traditional 2D animation, but the 3D looks beautiful. The character designs are so unique, and the background is so amazing that I sometimes just stared at it.”
    • “From the soundtrack to the character design to the story plot, the entire game is beautiful.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game is praised for its narrative quality and experience, though it is not considered highly replayable. While some players find value in revisiting the story, the overall consensus suggests limited replayability due to its simplicity and short length.

    • “Highly recommended, not necessarily as a replayable game, but as an experience which I am proud to own as a piece of narrative art.”
    • “The game is relatively short, but has some replay value, I believe.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game is generally stable, with only minor bugs and graphical glitches reported, such as the main character getting stuck or floating during cutscenes. While these issues can be slightly annoying, they do not significantly impact the overall gameplay experience.

    • “Charming, emotional, and sweet, even if a little buggy at times and very simple mechanically.”
    • “There are some graphical glitches here and there with the main character getting stuck on walls or floating during a cutscene, but nothing that was game-breaking.”
    • “Other than a few slightly annoying bugs and glitches, a near-perfect game.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort that can lead to tedium.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding becomes tedious after a while.”
    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of games like Mirror's Edge, Tomb Raider, and the 2014 reboot of Thief has received criticism, with users expressing disappointment in the performance of these titles.

    • “I can't really estimate all of her works, but as for Mirror's Edge, Tomb Raider, and especially the Thief reboot (2014), I can't really praise her performance.”
    • “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
    • “Despite the potential, the game's optimization issues make it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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