Prose & Codes
Released Feb 2022
Explore the wonderful world of books through deceptively simple cryptograms. 10% of every purchase benefits Project Gutenberg, an online library of over 60,000 free ebooks.
98% positive · 342 reviews
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Where to buy
Steam $9.99 Green Man Gaming Steam key $9.99
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Evaluation
Prose & Codes launched on February 11, 2022 with 350 ciphers and has received a steady stream of free content updates since then. A major "Great Thinkers" genre update added 50 ciphers in August 2022, and free batches of 16 new ciphers were added in January 2024 and February 2025. The developer has been consistently engaged with the game throughout its life.
Most importantly, in a May 24, 2026 post — just a month before today — the developer explicitly stated that "another Prose & Codes announcement is coming later this year." This is a clear, recent signal that additional content for the game is on the horizon, even though the specific nature of that content hasn't been revealed yet. The developer is actively communicating and has a track record of delivering on their announced plans.
Evidence
Developer explicitly teases 'another Prose & Codes announcement coming later this year,' confirming future content is in the works.
Free 'Great Thinkers' update added a new genre with 50 ciphers and new quality-of-life features.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Hero Game Co LLC
Achievements
4
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
In support of Project Gutenberg, a volunteer effort to digitize, archive, and distribute works of literature
Content note: This game features excerpts from classic works of literature. Certain excerpts and synopses contain non-graphic references to sex, violence, and alcohol.
- Master one of the oldest forms of encryption: the substitution cipher
- Decode over 400 hand-selected excerpts from literary classics both well-known and obscure
- Get a taste of 8 beloved genres, from nostalgic children's stories to bone-chilling tales of horror
- Like what you decoded? Every book is free to read and download online--and only one click away!
- Share the joy of reading--10% of every sale is donated to Project Gutenberg, an online library of over 60,000 free ebooks
- Enjoy a soothing, contemplative piano soundtrack
- Rest your eyes with dark mode and optional enlarged cipher text
- Choose between four difficulty settings
"In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." - Mortimer Adler
Content note: This game features excerpts from classic works of literature. Certain excerpts and synopses contain non-graphic references to sex, violence, and alcohol.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 22, 2026
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