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Prose & Codes

Prose & Codes Game Cover
99%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
replayability
99% User Score Based on 372 reviews

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Prose & Codes Game Cover

About

Prose & Codes is a single player casual puzzle game with drama and historical themes. It was developed by Hero Game Co and was released on February 11, 2022. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Prose & Codes is an indie puzzle game. Decode the wit, wisdom, and wonder of literature's finest works through deceptively simple ciphers. Decode 350 hand-selected excerpts from literary classics both well-known and obscure and get a taste of 7 beloved genres, from nostalgic children's stories to bone-chilling horror.

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Prose & Codes screenshot
Prose & Codes screenshot
Prose & Codes screenshot
Prose & Codes screenshot
Prose & Codes screenshot
Prose & Codes screenshot
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99%
Audience ScoreBased on 372 reviews
music16 positive mentions
  • 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.
  • music
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • gameplay
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • graphics
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • story
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • replayability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.

  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
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19h Median play time
18h Average play time
17-19h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Prose & Codes is a casual puzzle game with drama and historical themes.

Prose & Codes is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 18 hours playing Prose & Codes.

Prose & Codes was released on February 11, 2022.

Prose & Codes was developed by Hero Game Co.

Prose & Codes has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its replayability.

Prose & Codes is a single player game.

Similar games include Glass Masquerade 2: Illusions, Paint it Back, Cryptogram - Word Puzzle Game, Hexologic, Glass Masquerade and others.