Poems & Codes

About This Game

In support of Project Gutenberg, a volunteer effort to digitize, archive, and distribute works of literature

• Decode a vast and varied collection of curated poetry, where each poem is encrypted using one of the world’s oldest codes: the substitution cipher
• Decrypt over 400 excerpts as you explore classic poetic themes ranging from the bliss of love to the depths of despair
• Like what you decoded? Read the entire poem in-game or download each poet’s anthology online for free, direct links included!
• Share the joy of poetry–10% of every sale is donated to Project Gutenberg, an online library of over 60,000 free ebooks
• Play at your own pace with four difficulty settings to choose from
• Relax with a soothing, contemplative soundtrack
• Choose between night or sunlight mode with optional enlarged cipher text

“Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary.” – Khalil Gibran

Content note: This game features classic works of poetry and brief biographies of poets. Certain biographies and poems contain non-graphic references to violence, drugs, sex, and suicide.