Kind Words is one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played – beautiful in its intent. It’s a game about helping other people, about writing encouraging letters to each other and sharing worries.
It’s very simple (and cheap: £4). You’re a cartoony character in a warmly coloured little bedroom, adrift in a sort of dreamspace, and you sit at a desk, sending and receiving letters. They’re not long letters, more like memos, and they’re delivered via an adorable postal deer. Yes, a deer.
Kind WordsDeveloper: PopcannibalPublisher: PopcannibalPlatform played: PCAvailability: Released 12th September on Steam
I browsed other people’s letters to begin with. They’re anonymous so all you know of the other person is an initial of their name (which is probably made up), and then it’s up to you whether to reply. You might not have anything to say, but some problems might be exactly what you’ve been through, so maybe you have advice to share.
In the letters I read, one person was struggling with a long-distance relationship, and someone else was really concerned about their bad behaviour. Another person didn’t like going outside in big crowds, and someone just wanted to hear a joke.
I replied to a few and projected positivity their way. “Hang in there!” I beamed. “Good luck!” And some of that positivity rubbed off on me in return. I shared some advice, I hope it helped, and again, some of it rubbed off on me in return.