Kind Words 2

Play it on: PC
Current goal: Make connections

Kind Words 2 is something I’ve been checking in on between all the big games coming out this month. Thankfully, it only really requires a brief check-in to get the most out of it. Kind Words 2, like its predecessor, is about connecting positively with other people. You write letters and then send them to the void—but sometimes when you shout into the void, it shouts back. That comes in the form of responses from other players who all try to encourage each other through the hard times. I’ve seen letters from people who are dealing with breakups, job insecurity, and general hopelessness about the state of the world.

Even if words aren’t enough to fix these problems, they can at least make them lighter to carry. Given how fraught the internet is right now, I’m surprised at how positive Kind Words 2 has been so far. Perhaps it’s just that good people are the ones who need something like it, and even the shittiest person probably won’t pay $20 just to troll people looking for connection. It’s a nice thing to check in on over the weekend. Maybe I’ll send a letter or two this weekend. — Kenneth Shepard