Encoded War

Encoded War is a World War II-themed puzzle game where players take on the role of a Morse code operator tasked with transmitting critical messages for the German army. As the war progresses, the pressure mounts, and players must encode messages accurately under time constraints to avoid dire consequences. The game features a gripping narrative and two modes: Story Mode, which follows the protagonist’s harrowing journey, and Endless Mode, where players can practice Morse code encoding without limits.

Encoded War: Review

1. Introduction

In the saturated landscape of World War II video games, Encoded War emerges not as a bombastic shooter or grand strategy epic, but as a tense, claustrophobic tale of forced complicity and moral decay. Developed by Thailand-based studio Somnolent Team, this point-and-click puzzle game eschews conventional combat for the stark, rhythmic pressure of Morse code operations. Its legacy lies in its ingenious fusion of historical specificity with minimalist gameplay mechanics, transforming a forgotten military communication method into a crucible for wartime ethical dilemmas. This review argues that Encoded War succeeds not as a historical simulation, but as a profound psychological thriller where every mis-timed dot and dash carries the weight of life, death, and legacy.

2. Development History & Context

Origins and Vision

Encoded War began life under the constraints of Ludum Dare 51 (October 2022), where the theme “Every 10 seconds” forced Somnolent Team to distill gameplay into rhythmic precision. Co-founder KokkakNiphon revealed the concept crystallized during a brainstorm on time-pressure mechanics, leading to Morse code’s inherent cadence as the core system. The team—inspired by Papers, Please’s bureaucratic tension—deliberately chose a top-down, fixed-screen interface to evoke the isolation of a wartime telegraph station.

Technological Constraints and Iteration

Developed in Unity over three months post-jam, the game faced the dual challenge of historical authenticity and accessibility. The team’s Thai origins necessitated meticulous research on German WWII protocols, though the fixed/flip-screen visual style simplified technical demands. Early Itch.io prototypes received feedback emphasizing narrative weight, prompting the addition of weather reports and “highlighted messages” in the full version. The release date of January 21, 2023, coincided with a resurgence of indie WWII simulations, yet its focus on communication over combat carved a unique niche.

Gaming Landscape

2023’s indie scene was dominated by narrative-driven games (Return of the Obra Dinn, Citizen Sleeper), but Encoded War stood apart by centering gameplay on a dying skill. Its Steam launch capitalized on renewed interest in puzzle-sim hybrids, though its niche theme limited mainstream appeal. The absence of microtransactions or seasonal content reflected Somnolent Team’s commitment to a singular, focused experience.

3. Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Character

Set in April 1945 Germany, players assume the role of a father conscripted into the Wehrmacht. His son is held hostage, forcing him to train as a Morse operator in 20 days. The narrative unfolds day-by-day, with messages escalating from tactical orders (“HOLD POSITION”) to despair-laden pleas (“AMMUNITION DEPLETED”). The climax—May 5, 1945—finds the operator surrounded, culminating in a final, fateful choice: transmit a treasonous order to save a youth or uphold his duty.

Dialogue and Symbolism

The game’s sparse dialogue mirrors its minimalist UI. Messages are clipped, bureaucratic (“REPORT WEATHER: OVERCAST”), yet accumulate into a damning portrait of a collapsing regime. The “highlighted messages” mechanic symbolizes moral ambiguity: players must deduce intent from fragmented text, mirroring the operator’s blurred loyalties. The son’s absence is a haunting presence, with the 5-year contract serving as a recurring symbol of coercion.

Thematic Resonance

Encoded War dissects complicity and moral erosion. The penalty system—execution for errors—parallels the absurdity of wartime justice. Themes of sacrifice permeate the narrative: the father’s “selfish compassion” to save a stranger contrasts with his failure to protect his own child. The telegraph’s isolation becomes a metaphor for the individual’s insignificance within a genocidal machine. Unlike games glorifying resistance, Encoded War questions whether survival complicity is a form of resistance.

4. Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop: Morse Code Mastery

Players encode text messages into Morse using a telegraph sounder, timing each keystroke to match audio cues. The “Every 10 seconds” theme manifests as punishing time limits, demanding muscle memory over learned knowledge. A failed transmission triggers a “penalty warning,” accumulating toward execution—a direct homage to Papers, Please’s systemic cruelty.

Modes and Progression

• Story Mode: 20 days of escalating challenges. Days 1–3 focus on basic encoding; by Day 6, messages require weather reports (e.g., “ENEMY TANKS SPOTTED IN SNOW”). Later days introduce “highlighted messages” where context dictates interpretation (e.g., decoding “ATTACK” as “DEFEND” based on military collapse).
• Endless Mode: Procedurally generated messages testing pure speed. Achievements reward sub-10-second transmissions, turning gameplay into a competitive metronome.

UI and Innovations

The pixel-art interface features a stamped-logbook system (post-Day 4), where missing stamps penalize accuracy. Controls are minimalistic: spacebar for Morse, ASDF for flipping dictionary pages, backspace to delete. While accessibility is limited—no practice mode—the rhythmic feedback loop creates a state of “flow” during mastery. Flaws include ultrawide screen compatibility issues reported on Steam and the absence of controller support, which alienates players seeking tactile alternatives.

5. World-Building, Art & Sound

Atmosphere and Setting

The telegraph station is a character unto itself: dimly lit, cluttered with maps and clocks, its fixed-screen layout amplifying claustrophobia. Set in Berlin’s final days, the world-building avoids explicit violence, instead evoking dread through implied off-screen artillery and dwindling rations. The date overlays (April 15–May 5) serve as a countdown to doom.

Visual Direction

Pixel art with muted browns and grays reinforces the grim setting. Character sprites are faceless, reducing the player to a pair of hands on the telegraph. The telegraph’s mechanical details—brass fittings, clicking levers—are rendered with obsessive precision, turning the device into a symbol of inescapable duty.

Sound Design

Morse code clicks are the soundtrack, layered with distant explosions, static, and the relentless ticking of a wall clock. Audio cues are paramount: mistimed dashes produce a dissonant buzz, while correct sequences trigger satisfying clicks. The absence of traditional music heightens tension, making silence as oppressive as the messages themselves. This sonic minimalism transforms a niche skill into an immersive, high-stakes experience.

6. Reception & Legacy

Launch and Evolution

Upon release, Encoded War earned a “Mostly Positive” Steam rating (79% of 39 reviews), praised for its atmosphere and originality. Player reviews lauded its “emotional gut-punch” but criticized UI bugs and steep difficulty. Metacritic lacked critic scores, reflecting its indie status. Over time, it gained cult status among puzzle enthusiasts, featured in the Game Development World Championship 2023.

Influence and Niche Impact

While it didn’t spawn clones, Encoded War influenced developers seeking historical authenticity through micro-interactions. Its Morse code mechanic inspired educational tools, and its use of Ludum Dare constraints demonstrated how limitations can breed innovation. The game’s legacy lies in its proof that profound narratives can thrive in minimalist formats, albeit within a dedicated audience.

Controversies

Steam discussions flagged UI issues (e.g., “Part of the user Interface is missing”) and questioned the game’s handling of German wartime atrocities. Somnolent Team defended its humanist focus on individual complicity over political grandstanding, a stance that remains divisive.

7. Conclusion

Encoded War is a masterclass in restraint, a game that transforms a forgotten military skill into a vessel for profound moral inquiry. Its strengths lie in its thematic depth, atmospheric tension, and ingenious gameplay loop, where every encoded message becomes an act of defiance or compliance. While technical flaws and niche appeal limit its accessibility, the game’s legacy as a “Morse code chamber drama” is secure. For players willing to embrace its rhythm, it offers not just a puzzle, but a haunting meditation on the cost of survival in a collapsing world. Verdict: A vital, unforgettable addition to WWII narratives and indie puzzle history.