Unwording
- April 27, 2023
- Frostwood Interactive
Get on Steam"Unwording" is a narrative-driven puzzle game where you play as Tom, a lonely man who sees the negative in everything. When a little bird enters his life, you explore three days of Tom's life through word puzzles, experiencing his changing perception and widening worldview. This game focuses on happiness, gratitude, and the power of our thoughts, allowing Tom to see the hidden dimensions of his life.
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Reviews
- Beautifully written story that speaks to real world struggles and offers a heartwarming experience.
- Charming art style that transitions from hand-drawn 2D to vibrant 3D, enhancing the emotional journey.
- Engaging puzzles that creatively reflect the theme of overcoming negative self-talk and cognitive distortions.
- Clunky gameplay and numerous bugs detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating at times.
- The puzzle mechanics become less intuitive and enjoyable as the game progresses, particularly in the final chapter.
- The simplistic approach to serious themes like depression may feel naive and lacking in depth for some players.
- story40 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is beautifully written, exploring themes of personal struggle and emotional growth through the journey of a depressed protagonist who gradually becomes more positive. While some players find the narrative heartwarming and reflective, others criticize it for being linear and lacking depth, suggesting it may not be a standout recommendation. Overall, it offers a touching experience that resonates with players, particularly those who appreciate storytelling intertwined with gameplay.
“Beautifully written story that speaks to real-world struggle; amazing game.”
“Looking at the protagonist deal with his life throughout the story gives you a sense of satisfaction as you see him get better.”
“As a language-based game, Unworded explores the theme of communication through visual storytelling, word puzzles, and metaphors.”
“The story is linear and has a clear sequence of events, but I can’t really tell you what it tries to convey: it’s up to you, as the player, to interpret the story and apply it to your life however you want.”
“There's a lack of any decent story.”
“If you're just looking for an emotional short story with some puzzles, then you'll probably enjoy the game, but it's not the first one that comes to mind for a recommendation.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game features a charming and evolving art style, starting with hand-drawn 2D graphics that transition into vibrant 3D visuals, enhancing the storytelling experience. Reviewers praise the clean, minimalistic design, pleasant color schemes, and artistic animations, all of which contribute to a relatable atmosphere that complements the gameplay. Overall, the graphics are described as fantastic, with a strong emphasis on the game's thematic elements and emotional resonance.
“The game starts with hand-drawn 2D graphics which actually look quite well and join in with the game's main topic.”
“In fact, the art style is fantastic - I’m a sucker for all the ones used in this game.”
“Bugs galore after the first art style change but you can praise the sun.”
“From bland 2D graphics to full color 3D graphics, the story is told through different types of word games that we will have to solve as we progress through the game.”
“The game's visuals are clean and minimalistic, with a pleasant color scheme and easy-to-read text.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating the thematic connection between the mechanics and the story, but criticizing the execution. Many found the initial word scramble puzzles engaging, but noted that the gameplay becomes clunky and less polished as the game progresses, with issues like janky character movement and frustrating puzzle design. Overall, while the game has innovative ideas, the rough mechanics and user experience detract from its potential enjoyment.
“Expanding 'perspective' from start to end, all the game mechanics are really on theme.”
“This game has a soul :) I really like how it is always getting another dimension - the gameplay and look of the game are changing a lot as the player progresses through the story.”
“One of the most magical things I like about the story, though, is how intimately connected it is to the gameplay.”
“I liked the idea of the game, but it is pretty rough in both game mechanics and overall user experience.”
“The problem is that the game itself isn't that good from a gameplay perspective; the character locomotion is janky and our protagonist will frequently get stuck on just about anything because of how movement and hit boxes for furniture etc. interact. The puzzles are fine in the first chapter, unwieldy in the second, and positively obtuse in the third (where you will have to type in words in response to cues from objects and people), relying almost on reading the game designer's mind to figure out exactly the one word which he wanted you to guess.”
“Had a strong start; I really liked the word scramble puzzles in the beginning, but lost interest near the end with the second puzzle mechanic because it did not feel as polished.”
- music24 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and soothing qualities, creating a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as lovely and immersive, with sound effects complementing the gameplay effectively. Additionally, the evolving nature of the music alongside the art style adds depth, making it a standout feature that keeps players engaged.
“The soundtrack is absolutely lovely and the game is quite relaxing to play.”
“The background music is soothing, filling in the silence in the game (there are no spoken words) comfortably.”
“The music in Unworded is atmospheric and immersive.”
“I really love the game concept, storyline, design, and soothing music with a calming atmosphere.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is described as a heartwarming and emotional experience, featuring a touching storyline that prompts reflection on personal life. Players report a mix of laughter and tears, highlighting its wholesome nature, though some find it slightly boring and not a top recommendation for emotional storytelling. Overall, it offers a brief yet impactful journey that resonates with many.
“I cried and laughed while playing this game.”
“A touching storyline that makes you reflect on your own life.”
“Overall, Unwording was a very touching and contemplative experience.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive and calming qualities, enhanced by soothing music and sound effects that create a zen-like experience. Players appreciate how the artwork and word puzzles contribute to a positive and reflective mindset, making the overall ambiance both thought-provoking and relaxing.
“The music in Unworded is atmospheric and immersive.”
“The sound effects and music are also a nice touch, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“I really love the game concept, storyline, design, and soothing music with a calming atmosphere.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a variety of humorous elements, including a comical bird and charming small details that contribute to its lighthearted atmosphere. Players have noted several funny and cute scenes that enhance the overall enjoyment.
“There is a quite funny bird and nice small details here and there.”
“Some funny and cute scenes.”
“Some funny and cute scenes.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that the game is generally quick but experiences occasional bugs, impacting its overall stability.
“The downside to this is that it's quick and somewhat buggy at times.”
