文字遊戯第零章(日本語版) (2023)

Developer: Team9, ESQUADRA,inc.
Publisher: Flyhigh Works
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Genres: Adventure, Indie, RPG
Rating: 4.9 of 5, 78 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 46 minutes
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A minimalist metafictional puzzle game where you manipulate words themselves to literally rewrite reality and solve cryptic challenges.

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What players say

Players praise this demo for turning kanji manipulation into puzzles, comparing it to Baba Is You. The localization from Chinese is considered a near-remake, yet plays smoothly. The demo lasts about an hour and includes a helpful hint system, some find it challenging, especially in Japanese compared to the original Chinese. Players look forward to the full 2024 release.

Screenshots

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More by Team9

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.

文字遊戯 第零章(日本語版) (2023)