Game Review – Lost Words: Beyond the Page (Xbox Series X)

Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a puzzle-platform video game developed by Sketchbook. It released in 2020 exclusively for Stadia before coming to other platforms in 2021. Isabelle is a young, aspiring writer who keeps a personal journal. The game takes place in Estoria, a fantasy world which emerges from the diary entries that Izzy keeps.

Lost Words is split into two separate gameplay modes, one of which takes place in the fantasy world of Estoria and the other in Izzy’s journal. Within the journal, words are used as platforms, which can be used to navigate through Izzy’s diary. Asterisks allow the player to read additional text and both words and sketches are used to move to further pages. Words are used by the player to interact with the world by casting spells and solving puzzles. Each level also has 20 fireflies, which can be collected throughout the game. Collecting all fireflies will unlock the game’s true ending.

Another day, another review, another game on Game Pass that deserves to be played. Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a unique experience. The gameplay mechanics during the storybook segments are definitely the strongest parts of the game. If the entire thing had been just that, I wouldn’t have complained. This is mainly because the other sections of the game are a bit weak by comparison. The controls during them feel stiff and the platforming, while serviceable feels clunky. The game has little in the way of puzzles. There’s some obstacles to overcome here and there but it’s all extremely straightforward. Hoping for some sort of combat? Look elsewhere. Want to feel repercussions for failing to make a jump? Not here. Still, it’s a fun idea being able to use select words to interact with certain parts of the world. I would have liked some more in-depth usages though.

Anyway, the gameplay is fine. This game is all about the story and it’s there which it truly shines. Through the impeccable voice work of Isabelle, you get an insight into her thoughts and feelings. The primary focus is a very touching story about the loss of a loved one. You get to witness it unfold through the words in her journal, drawings and pictures. It’s a very sombre tale, one that most will relate to and can draw an emotional response from.

Izzy is just a young child so seeing the ways in which she processes everything makes it even more heart breaking. She desperately escapes back into her fantasy world but even there she cannot prevent the inevitable. I liked that you do get to make some choices to personalise proceedings but they’re inconsequential. I couldn’t help but thinking how cool it would have been to make genuine choices on how the story would go.

Visually, the game could look better. The storybook sections are nice but the areas within Estoria look kind of rough. Also, the game reuses many of the same locations which I found noticeable. All the way through, you’re accompanied by a really good soundtrack.

Lost Words: Beyond the Page is a flawed and yet beautiful, memorable experience.