An atmospheric narrative adventure written by Rhianna Pratchett. Set between the pages of a diary and a fantasy story where you run on words and use them to interact with the world around you.
In Izzy's diary, players select and place words from the written text to create platforms, activate objects, and progress the narrative. For example, choosing the word "rise" makes the text lift off the page, forming a stepping stone. This intuitive word-based interaction blends seamlessly with the unfolding story, as players' actions directly impact Izzy's personal journey.
When exploring the fantasy world of Estoria, players control Izzy's protagonist alter-ego, navigating 2D side-scrolling levels. Here, the magical words collected from the diary serve as tools to overcome obstacles. Activating the word "illuminate" lights the way forward, while "rise" lifts platforms to create new paths.
A key strength of the gameplay is its accessibility. While platforming challenges exist, they remain approachable for players of all skill levels. This design choice ensures the powerful narrative and emotional aspects take center stage, rather than gameplay serving as a barrier to entry. Furthermore, the game encourages exploration and re-playability through the collection of fireflies scattered across the levels.