Developer: Frostwood Interactive, Frostwood Interactive (opc) Private Limited
Nintendo Switch 2 Review
*Disclaimer: I was sent the code for this game on Nintendo Switch in return for a review; all opinions are mine and mine alone.
Unwording is a short puzzle game with a story of self-doubt and depression. Both of these have plagued me in life; they come and go, but still lurk in the back of my mind. Within the game, these feelings are openly visible to the player; it's a very negative vibe that takes you on a journey into the character's mind. With the use of letter dice puzzles, we are taken through the mind of the protagonist. He starts off life as a 2D line drawing whose mood is very low. he is never given a name, which feels like we are disconnected from who he is.
Walking through his home feels very empty, life is bland, and he is struggling. Each time you interact with something like your phone, workspace or even a car, you're given a phrase which is then jumbled up to make a new phrase to fit his thoughts and feelings. For example, when you click on the car that he thinks is a cool car, it changes to I am poor, which shows how unhappy he is with his financial situation because he doesn't seem to be able to afford or own a car. He is even mad at this pretty little bird, whose presence is shown throughout the whole game; nothing gives him joy.
It feels like this all takes place all in one day, time moves slow, the more you explore, the more your point of view changes, it goes from 2D, 2.5D plain to 3D, and what's interesting about this is more of the background focus of his life is coming into view, colour ans reality are visible and he is starting to see the world in a different light. When life starts out in 2D, the word puzzles are easier, you click on single or paired letters and rotate them left, right, up or down to find the letter that fits. Once you've found the letter then turns purple and from then on it gets easier to piece the word/words together.
As the world starts to change from 2D, the puzzles change; you're given bigger word blocks that you need to rotate and line up letters to form words. This was one of the more tricky puzzles, but when the scene gives a dark red hint, you know you're going in the right direction. The last type of puzzle requires you to type out a word to encourage the protagonist to do as you say. After a few guesses, I got the hang of things and grasped it pretty fast. There are hints involved, and you can choose from an easy or a medium setting. I obviously went for easy mode as I suck at puzzles.
The puzzles for me weren't the main focus in Unwording; it would actually have to be how making a small change in your thought process and appreciating the small things in life can change your whole outlook on life. I always say there doesn't need to be more awareness when it comes to mental health, we are all aware of it, instead, there needs to be more care, compassion and understanding. Some people don't even realise their negative thoughts are making them spiral, which is what you can see clearly in this game; changing small things helped the protagonist in more ways than one.
I spent over an hour playing Unwording, as someone who has been struggling more than I like to admit, playing this has put me back on track. I highly recommend this game, but please, if you're struggling badly, it may be best to avoid it triggering you.
Have a cosy day
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