Lost Words, initially launched on Google Stadia is now available on new platforms. The game follows Izzy an aspiring writer who’s story is coming to life through her diary. As the game progresses players will see some light customization options for the player character. As well as interactive mechanics that can effect the world through magic.

Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a 2020 platform adventure game. It is developed by SketchGames and published by Modus. It is currently available on Stadia, PC, and console.

Editor’s Note: A Nintendo Switch review copy was provided by Modus Games in support of this review. Minor spoilers for Lost Words: Beyond the Page may be present within this review.

Light customization gives Lost Words a personal touch for players.

THE GOOD: Before I begin my review I’m going to note that I’m trying to be extremely light on spoilers due to the length of the game. With that out of the way the story starts of with aspiring writer Izzy who begins narrating an adventure tale through her diary. You get some options of customizing the story here and there such as choosing the lead’s name and certain directions of the story. This is fairly light compared to most games, but this isn’t meant to be a major component of Lost Words again due to it’s size. The player character in the story is known as the Guardian of the Fireflies. She uses word magic to manipulate the world around her such as being able to break and repair things.

The story changes locations here and there as it progresses like for example it’ll start off in a village then move to a dessert or cave. Despite being an all ages title, I was surprised by how dark the story would get. I mean it’s about a grieving lead. So some darkness was expected, but not to the extent that was presented. That honestly took me for a loop.

Lost Words. penned by game scribe Rhianna Pratchett is a personal journey on a fantasy set piece.

The story shifts perspectives between Izzy’s real-life situation and her character’s adventure. At times the two stories intertwine with one another due to Izzy’s continuously shifting emotions. I liked the use of the word magic . I mentioned earlier that it granted the character the ability to repair and break. You also gain the ability to light dark areas, silence enemies, and your own footsteps. And you can rise lowered platforms that can get you to higher locations. Throughout the story you also collect fireflies within each level that represents Izzy’s story in her journal.

Lost Words packs in a ton of character and world building in a four hour play time.

THE BAD: Lost Words: Beyond the Page is unfortunately meant to be played in a single short burst. Which kind of sucks, because just as it starts to really get good with the story and emotional connection it kind of just ends. Before you know it the story is over and you’re left wanting way more. Sometimes controls can be a bit of a pain. I’m of the belief that Switch players will especially have it rough dealing with joy-con drift.

Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a short, but sweet ride.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: For a small title Lost Words: Beyond the Page is an adventure packed full of emotion and character development. While it suffers from length and control issues it’s not enough to deter anyone from giving it at least one playthrough. Especially now that it’s available on more platforms it’s as good a time as any to give it a go if you skipped out on it last year.