Prose & Codes
- May 25, 2021
- Hero Game Co LLC
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam"Prose & Codes" is a game that supports Project Gutenberg and encourages the mastery of substitution ciphers. Players can decode over 400 excerpts from classic literature across various genres, with the option to donate a portion of sales to Project Gutenberg. The game features a soothing piano soundtrack and adjustable difficulty settings, making it a unique and educational experience for players.
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Reviews
- The game features a large collection of over 400 cryptograms from classic literature, providing a satisfying and engaging puzzle experience.
- It supports Project Gutenberg, allowing players to access and read the original works for free, enhancing the literary experience.
- The game offers adjustable difficulty levels, a relaxing soundtrack, and a user-friendly interface, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
- Some players may find the game too easy if they are experienced with cryptograms, as many quotes are recognizable and can be solved quickly.
- The game lacks a narrative or deeper mechanics beyond solving ciphers, which may not appeal to those looking for a more complex gaming experience.
- A few users noted that the price might be considered high for a puzzle game, especially when compared to other similar offerings.
- music40 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its calming and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a peaceful ambiance that complements the gameplay. Reviewers appreciate the thoughtful selection of tracks and sound effects, which create a cozy atmosphere, making it easy to immerse oneself in the puzzles. The soundtrack, along with the game's visuals and interface, contributes to a delightful and engaging environment for players.
“This game is an absolute labour of love and it shows in all the fine details and the gorgeous soundtrack.”
“With the relaxing piano music, classic illustrations and design, and intriguing quotes it immerses you into the world of these stories.”
“The only minor thing was the music.”
“The music is very calm and relaxing, and there are a large variety of literary styles to choose from.”
“There's a good range of difficulty with the ciphers, the music is relaxing and the sound effects are all really pleasant.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around engaging puzzle mechanics that offer a fun challenge, with a smooth and intuitive interface that enhances the experience. While some players appreciate the thought-provoking rewards for solving puzzles, others express frustration with the mechanics and desire more depth in terms of story and progression. Overall, the game provides a relaxing atmosphere, though technical improvements could further enhance playability.
“Puzzling mechanics that are a lot of fun to suss out.”
“Getting into gameplay; it's really smooth, and intuitive!”
“The mechanics are simple and the music fosters the relaxing atmosphere.”
“Improve not only the gameplay but the technical side of things to make the game smoother and easier to play.”
“I'm not sure why I expected more out of it - more mechanics, a story, progression.”
“The problem is that I deeply loathe the mechanics of solving them.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are beautifully executed, featuring an old-world aesthetic with typewriter lettering and cursive writing on aged parchment, which creates a cozy and serene atmosphere. The design enhances the overall experience, making it easy for players to immerse themselves in the puzzles, while also offering customizable text and graphical settings. Additionally, solving puzzles reveals themed artwork, further enriching the visual appeal.
“Beautifully presented gathering of 400 quotes, with the graphic appeal of an old world aesthetic featuring typewriter lettering and cursive writing on aged, brown parchment paper.”
“Prose & Codes has a wonderful classical book style to the graphics, which really makes it a nice serene experience.”
“The design and aesthetic is just beautiful, and the selected quotes for decoding are excellent, whether iconic or unusual.”
“Beautifully presented gathering of 400 quotes, with the graphic appeal of an old world aesthetic with typewriter lettering and cursive writing on aged, brown parchment paper.”
“Once the puzzle is solved it reveals themed artwork associated with the phrase or idea represented in the novel.”
“It really gives off such a cozy vibe with the vintage aesthetic, and very relaxing tune & ambience.”
- story12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Prose & Codes" primarily serves as a gateway to classic literature, linking each puzzle to its source material on Project Gutenberg. Players can read synopses and access full texts for free, but some reviewers express disappointment in the lack of a cohesive narrative or progression within the game itself, expecting a more integrated storytelling experience. Overall, while the educational component is appreciated, it may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional or immersive story-driven game.
“After you have completed a puzzle, you are then able to see the name of the book it came from, read a synopsis of the story, and should it sound interesting to you, you can 'check it out' from the Project Gutenberg website.”
“If you are intrigued by the story passage, then you can click a button and read the whole story - at no cost.”
“Not very long ago I played 'Inkslinger', which was a kind of educational tool, but it was packaged as a unique story, which is what I expect from these games.”
“I'm not sure why I expected more out of it - more mechanics, a story, progression.”
“Each solution leads you to a catalogue card that includes a comprehensive synopsis of the story you just received an excerpt for, and a link to Project Gutenberg.”
“Hence why pretty much every story in Prose & Codes has a link to its own book on Project Gutenberg's digital library.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability through its four difficulty settings, allowing players to revisit content with varying challenges. While some players may not find immediate replay value, many suggest that returning after some time can still provide enjoyment, especially at higher difficulty levels. However, the addition of a random mode could enhance replayability further by introducing more variety.
“The ease of changing the difficulty level enhances the replayability; I can't tell you how many times I've played through the theatre section. It's all a 10/10 for me.”
“It features 4 difficulty settings, from easy to progressive, allowing for great replayability.”
“While there isn't any immediate replay value, I think you could play again some months later and enjoy it, especially if you increase the difficulty level.”
“It took me a bit under 17 hours of playtime to complete all the ciphers, which might or might not be an accurate estimate for other players. While there isn't any immediate replay value as such, I think you could play again some months later and get some enjoyment out of it, especially if you up the difficulty level. However, you're still likely to recognize the patterns far faster than you did the first time around.”
“Highly recommend, with the above caveat about replay value.”
“It features 4 difficulty settings, from easy to progressive, allowing for replayability.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a relaxing ambiance enhanced by soothing music and custom art, creating an enjoyable experience despite its simple mechanics. Reviewers appreciate the well-crafted environment and user-friendly interface, which contribute to its overall charm.
“The mechanics are simple and the music fosters a relaxing atmosphere.”
“Normally I would not recommend a simple cipher game because they don't have much to offer, but this game is put together very well with what I assume is custom art, an enjoyable atmosphere, and a very friendly UI.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is likened to the light-hearted content found in traditional newspapers, such as funny pages and horoscopes, suggesting a nostalgic and playful tone. However, the reviewer implies that the game's humor may not be as engaging or memorable as those classic elements, as they would typically overlook similar puzzles in favor of more entertaining sections.
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's emotional depth, highlighting its successful blend of puzzles and literary classics, which resonates particularly well with book lovers. This combination evokes a heartfelt response, leading to positive reviews.
“A fine combination of puzzles and literary classics; as a book lover, I must give this game a heartfelt positive review.”
