For the theme "Start With Nothing", @rose and I made letter-unlocking dating sim Nothing to Say. We felt pretty clever about our use of the theme: you both start with limited options and have to build from there, and you literally start with the letters NOTHING.

We’re not the only ones to have that idea. I love word games, so I was happy to discover there are lots of other great games about letters/spelling in LD45! Here's some recommendations, in no particular order:

• * Fairytiles * by @catie-jo and @fre

Fantasy interactive fiction where you spell words to open new branches of the story. Cute and funny, and I love the achievements!

• * You Lose. Good Day, Sir! * by @carraka, @radonkalmor, @jayy, and @sheldonzs

You start in a void with an armadillo and have to spell your way out. The game is packed with personality and is tons of fun to play.

• * Start With Nothing * by @rubyleehs

A pure spell-as-many-words-as-you-can game with a really fun twist. I found it challenging and super addictive.

• * Reader's Encounter * by @xlomid

Progress through an intriguing fantasy story by manipulating a word to spell a new word. I appreciate that it has hints!

• * Word Crush * by @lunarDust and @minamik

A clever puzzle game where you navigate letters into place to spell words (which become cute little objects!) It's short right now, but a great idea.

• * Words With Foes * by @hyperscope, @julianbeutel, @KaiClavier, @graebor, and @MattWoelk

Spell words to attack enemies and earn more letters in this super polished RPG. Fun to play and full of great touches like amusing flavor text for letters and enemies.

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I posted these recs on Twitter, too. Anyway, I just wanted to share the games I happened to find and enjoy - if I missed a fun letter-based game, let me know!