Out of Wordsis a brilliant new game about the power of words and things left unsaid. The first trailer for the title premiered at this year’sSummer Game Festpresentation, showcasing handmade models without mouths that have fallen into an unknown world. I was able to go hands-on with the game for about 20 minutes this past weekend, and even with such a short time spent with it, I’m already convinced it could be a contender for game of the year after it releases.
A collaboration between WiredFly and Kong Orange, the team behind the game is quite impressive, featuring a lineup that includes poet Morten Søndergaard and a team of animators who have worked for companies like Laika, the studio behindCoraline. The genre of co-op-only games has massively grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to the success ofgames likeIt Takes TwoandUnraveled 2, with the former even taking home GOTY at 2021’s Game Awards. I honestly believeOut of Wordscould follow suit, with my hands-on experience demonstrating dynamic gameplay, gorgeous hand-crafted graphics, and a beautiful artistic vision.
Out Of Words Quickly Left Me Speechless
A Dynamic Game Overview In A Short Time
The game stars mouthless protagonists Kurt and Karla, teenagers who have been sucked into an unknown world just as they were about to confess their feelings for one another. My journey intoOut of Wordsencompassed several different points in the game, each in different areas with new mechanics. I opted to play as Karla alongside game director Johan Oettinger as Kurt, with the first section of our journey spent searching for a city called Nounville, traveling through glowing caves as we swapped control of gravity.
This gravity switching, facilitated by a manta ray-esque creature named Aleph, is one of the core mechanics. Players will toss them back and forth to navigate the ups and downs of each environment, frequently engaging in what Oettinger calls “leaps of faith” - essentially plunging oneself into an abyss, trusting that the other player will catch you. It reminded me a lot of thecooperation required inUnraveled 2, with players not just exploring alongside each other, but actively having to help each other through each area.
Each chapter has a different core mechanic that it will center around, which requires this same sort of symbiotic gameplay. Another part of the preview, for example, put each of us in control of a single arm on a skull-like construct and had us crawling around the catacombs chasing a clay man. One of the biggest contributors to a co-op game’s success is variance in multiplayer mechanics, and though I only saw a bit of whatOut of Wordshas to offer in that regard, the idea of each chapter introducing a new cooperative element bodes well for the title.
The World Of Out Of Words Shines
Gorgeous Animations & A Promising Artistic Vision
As a huge fan of handcrafted animation, from the moment I saw theOut of Wordstrailer atSGF Opening Night LiveI needed to know more about the game and its world. The hands-on preview absolutely exceeded my expectations, taking me to several diverse locales full of characters I would lovingly describe as weird little guys. The city of Nounville and its inhabitants, which I was told are all named and aesthetically themed after different nouns, perfectly captured the feeling of being in a new city for the first time, offering a sense of both welcoming and foreboding.
This blend of vibes is a key part ofOut of Words. Players will slowly unravel a darkness that’s impacting the city, which, from what I gather, is a sort of physical manifestation of doubt. Both the city and the characters will explore darker themes over time - the aforementioned creepy skull with arms, for example, was a later-game example of their form reflecting their inner feelings of teenage angst. The handcrafted nature of the game makes all of this feel even more personal, and really brings the strong artistic vision of the project together.
That sense of vision is one of my favorite aspects of the entire project, and it’s what makes me feel like it has so much potential. Everything in thegame is so cinematicand well-thought-out thematically, and the cooperative, trust-based mechanics are meant to facilitate meaningful real-life conversations while exploring a world in which you’re unable to speak. With stunningly-unique visuals, a poetic storyline, and dynamic gameplay, everyone should be keeping an eye onOut of Wordsafter theirSummer Game Festshowing - it just might be game of the year.
