The relationship between the puppet and the puppeteer is a fascinating one. As a kid, I was always mesmerized whenever a ventriloquist or Muppeteer appeared on a talk show with their puppet. Because even when the puppeteer was perfectly visible, it was still natural to see them and their puppet as separate, equally sentient beings. I Don’t Speak French, But They Do! turns this idea into an amazing TTRPG about language and communication.
I Don’t Speak French, But They Do! is a solo TTRPG that casts the player as a puppeteer talking to their puppet. However, this conversation isn’t easy as the puppet speaks a language the puppeteer isn’t fluent in, making communication difficult.
The Simple Rules Of Puppet Talk
Thankfully, the game notes the player doesn’t need to be bilingual to play, as the puppet can speak a made-up language or only communicate through symbols or onomatopoeia and encourages the player to think of different ways the puppet can communicate non-verbally, from drawing images to writing in various sizes or styles.
When the player is ready to start, they decide how many sheets of paper they want to use for the game and divide the paper into two before picking a conversation prompt. The player starts by writing something on the left side of the page, and then they write their puppet’s response on the right side. This continues back and forth until the player reaches their page limit.
I Don’t Speak French, But They Do! is a captivating experience. While it is a simple game on paper, it becomes a transcendental experience during play. The best way I can describe it is like a more immersive, semi-gamified version of those automatic writing or freewriting exercises often employed in both writing and therapeutic circles, as I quickly found myself volleying messages back and forth and writing in the puppet’s “language” without really thinking about what I was writing.
The Game Draws You In Quickly
Even as someone who thinks about language and alternative forms of communication a lot, I was still impressed by how quickly I was able to create semi-formalized rules for the puppet’s language and how quickly I ended up understanding the general point I was trying to make, even if the language wasn’t fully developed.
Because of this, I Don’t Speak French, But They Do! despite its focus on puppets would be a great worldbuilding or character design tool, as it helps you step outside of yourself and think about people and places from a new perspective.
A Game That Feels So Much Better With Props
If this review convinces you to play I Don’t Speak French, But They Do! I suggest following the game’s suggestion and playing using a physical pen and paper. While this game could be played on a computer, the physicality helps you focus on your puppet and intensifies the experience. I also suggest finding an actual puppet to use as a prop, even if it’s just a hastily assembled sock puppet.
Having a physical puppet makes the experience more immersive. It gives you something tangible to focus on and helps enhance the feeling of talking to a being separate from yourself. Plus, a physical puppet opens up several new avenues for communication, as the puppet can try to convey information through movements and body language. If possible, I also suggest having the puppet hold the pen whenever it is its turn to write, as this will force you to get creative with your writing and create a more prominent distinction between you and the puppet.
Sometimes, a simple-looking TTRPG nails its focus so perfectly that it becomes much more than the sum of its parts, turning into an unforgettable experience that sticks with you long after you’ve finished playing the game. I Don’t Speak French, But They Do! is one such game. While it seems simple, those who give it a chance will enjoy a wonderfully memorable experience that will have you looking at communication in a whole new way.
Jonathon Greenall is a freelance writer, TTRPG designer, and visual artist. They love creating and exploring the often overlooked corners of indie media, spotlighting things that dare to be different.