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Lost Words: Beyond the Page – A Moving Narrative Journey
A touching narrative platformer penned by Rhianna Pratchett that uniquely blends diary-writing with gameplay. Rated 8.0/10 for its emotional storytelling.
Game Info
Verdict
A short but incredibly impactful narrative adventure that turns words into gameplay in a beautiful way.
Pros
- Beautiful watercolor art style
- Unique word-based puzzle mechanics
- Emotionally resonant story by Rhianna Pratchett
- Superb voice acting performance
- Great soundtrack
Cons
- Gameplay is very simple and lacks challenge
- Short playtime (around 4 hours)
- Some platforming sections feel floaty
Performance Notes
A lightweight title that runs perfectly on Steam Deck (Verified). PS5 and Xbox Series X run the PS4/One versions effortlessly at 60fps via backward compatibility. Switch holds a steady 30fps.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a narrative-driven atmospheric puzzler that takes place inside the diary of a young girl named Izzy. Written by Rhianna Pratchett, the game uniquely integrates word mechanics into its platforming, allowing players to use written words to alter the environment. It stands out in the genre for its emotional weight, dealing with themes of grief and memory through a child’s perspective, offering a touching experience that resonates long after the credits roll.
How to Play Lost Words: Beyond the Page
Players navigate 2D watercolor environments, interacting with words to solve light puzzles and traverse obstacles.
- Controls – Move Izzy with standard platforming controls; use a cursor to interact with text.
- Progression – Linear chapters alternate between diary pages and a fantasy world.
- Combat/Mechanics – No combat; gameplay focuses on using words (e.g., “rise”, “break”) as tools.
- Tips – Pay attention to the narration; the story is the primary reward here.
Who Should Play Lost Words: Beyond the Page
Ideal for players who prioritize story and emotional impact over twitch reflexes or difficulty.
- Narrative Fans – If you loved What Remains of Edith Finch, this is for you.
- Casual Gamers – Zero-stress gameplay makes it accessible to everyone.
- Parents – A beautiful, albeit sad, story about processing emotions.
- Skip if – You are looking for challenging platforming or action.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page Platform Performance
The game is not demanding and performs well across all modern consoles with its stylized art.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (High) | 4K | 60+ | Excellent optimization |
| PS5 (BC) | 4K | 60 | Via backward compatibility |
| Xbox Series X | 4K | 60 | Auto HDR support |
| Switch | 720p | 30 | Handheld mode looks crisp |
Lost Words: Beyond the Page System Requirements
Extremely accessible requirements mean almost any functional modern laptop can run this game.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7+ | Windows 10 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3 | Intel Core i5 |
| GPU | GTX 650 or equiv | GTX 960 or better |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 3 GB | SSD Recommended |
Similar Games to Lost Words: Beyond the Page
Titles that share the same DNA of emotional storytelling and artistic presentation.
- Gris – A similar journey through grief with stunning watercolor visuals.
- Child of Light – Shares the poetic tone and 2D artistic direction.
- What Remains of Edith Finch – The gold standard for narrative-first gaming.
- Spiritfarer – Another touching game about loss and moving on.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page vs Competitors
Comparing the value proposition against other narrative-heavy indie titles.
| Feature | Lost Words | Gris | Child of Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $16.99 | $14.99 |
| Playtime | 4-5 Hours | 3-4 Hours | 10-12 Hours |
| Multiplayer | No | No | Yes (Local) |
| Metacritic | 80 | 83 | 82 |
Lost Words: Beyond the Page Story & World
The narrative is split between the real world—told through Izzy’s diary as she copes with her grandmother’s illness—and the fantasy world of Estoria she writes about. The transition between walking on the diary’s sentences and exploring the vibrant world of Estoria is seamless. Rhianna Pratchett’s writing delivers a poignant exploration of how children process trauma, using the fantasy elements as a clever allegory for real-world emotions.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page Multiplayer & Online
This is a strictly single-player experience designed for personal immersion.
- Single Player – Focused entirely on Izzy’s personal journey.
- No Co-op – Unlike other platformers, this is a solo adventure.
- Leaderboards – No competitive elements or scoring systems.
- Cross-Play – Not applicable.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page DLC & Expansions
The game is a complete, standalone package with no paid post-launch content.
- Base Game – Includes the full story from start to finish.
- Soundtrack – Often sold separately or in deluxe editions.
- No DLC – No story expansions are planned or needed.
- Patches – Occasional updates for bug fixes and stability.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page Community & Support
A smaller but appreciative community surrounds this hidden gem.
- Discord – Publisher Modus Games maintains a community server.
- Speedrunning – A niche community exists for optimizing runs.
- Steam Reviews – Highly positive user rating citing the emotional story.
- Updates – Development is largely complete with the game in a stable state.