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.
Reviews
- The game features a beautiful hand-drawn art style and a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- It effectively tackles themes of mental health and negative self-talk, providing a relatable and heartwarming narrative.
- The puzzles, while sometimes confusing, offer a creative approach to problem-solving that aligns with the game's message of changing perspectives.
- Gameplay mechanics are clunky, with issues such as janky character movement and frustrating puzzle designs that can lead to confusion.
- The transition from engaging word puzzles to less intuitive fill-in-the-blank mechanics in later levels detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- Technical issues, including bugs and poor camera angles, hinder the user experience and can disrupt gameplay.
- story20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a heartwarming and beautifully written journey that explores themes of personal struggle and transformation, particularly through the lens of a depressed protagonist finding positivity. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and visual storytelling, others note that the narrative can feel linear and open to interpretation, lacking a clear message. Overall, it offers a soothing experience with engaging gameplay that complements the storyline, making it a pleasant, if not groundbreaking, adventure.
“Beautifully written story that speaks to real-world struggle, amazing game.”
“Goes through a story of a depressed man who slowly changes to being positive.”
“A touching storyline that makes you reflect on your own life.”
“The game lacks any decent story.”
“While the story is linear and has a clear sequence of events, 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.”
“So yeah, buy it if you want to chill for an hour, just don't expect a life-changing story or mind-bending puzzles.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their charming hand-drawn art style and vibrant color transitions, effectively complementing the gameplay and narrative. While some users noted bugs following an art style change, the overall visuals are described as clean, minimalistic, and artistically appealing, enhancing the game's atmosphere and experience. The evolving art style and soundtrack contribute positively to the game's thematic depth and player engagement.
“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.”
“The game's visuals are clean and minimalistic, with a pleasant color scheme and easy-to-read text.”
“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.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with players noting significant issues such as janky character movement, clunky mechanics, and frustrating puzzles that can feel overly complex or poorly designed. While the initial word scramble puzzles are praised for their creativity, the overall experience tends to decline in polish and engagement as the game progresses. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the thematic connection between gameplay and narrative, highlighting the game's innovative ideas and emotional depth.
“But great game and innovative gameplay.”
“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 is progressing the story.”
“One of the most magical things I like about the story, though, is how intimately connected to the gameplay it is.”
“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.”
“I liked the idea of the game, but it is pretty rough in both game mechanics and overall user experience.”
“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.”
- music12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the atmospheric and immersive soundtrack, which complements the gameplay and art style, making it a significant aspect of the experience. Additionally, some players appreciate the evolving nature of the music alongside the game's perspective changes, further enriching the immersion.
“The soundtrack is absolutely lovely and the game is quite relaxing to play.”
“The music in Unworded is atmospheric and immersive.”
“The background music is soothing, filling in the silence in the game (there are no spoken words) comfortably.”
“The music in the game is atmospheric and immersive.”
“I really love the game concept, storyline, design, and soothing music with a calming atmosphere.”
- emotional7 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 evokes laughter and tears, prompting players to reflect on their own lives. While it offers a wholesome and contemplative journey, some find it slightly lacking in excitement, making it a niche recommendation for those seeking a short, emotional narrative.
“I cried and laughed while playing this game.”
“A touching storyline that makes you reflect on your own life.”
“The story takes place over the course of an hour or so, and offers quite a heartwarming experience that I was really glad to experience.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and calming, enhanced by soothing music and sound effects that create a zen-like experience. Players appreciate how the artwork and overall design contribute to a positive and reflective environment, encouraging a shift in perspective. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging puzzles with a relaxing ambiance.
“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.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the interesting premise, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The game tries to create a tense atmosphere, but it often falls short, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a mix of funny and cute scenes, highlighted by a humorous bird character and charming small details that enhance the overall comedic experience.
“Some funny and cute scenes.”
“There is a quite funny bird and nice small details here and there.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that the game experiences occasional bugs, which can detract from its overall stability.
“The downside to this is that it's quick, but somewhat buggy at times.”
