Section: iPod + iTunes, iPod touch, iTunes, iPhone, iPhone, iPhone SDK & Apps, Reviews
When it comes to gaming, the iPhone is an unusually fun platform on which to get your fix. With all sorts of games ranging from classic titles to new 3D breakout games, there is something for everyone. That said, there is a nice variety of games based around words. They all offer their own type of interface and gameplay, and each is interesting in its own way.
In this app review round up, we will be looking at iAssociate, WordSolitaire, Wordulous, and Lexulous.
iAssociate
Developer: Fredrik Wahrman
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, iPhone OS 2.0 or later
File Size: 0.2MB
Price: $1.99
Appletell Rating: 4/5
App Store Link: iAssociate
iAssociate is a word connection game that involves finding words similar to other words in order to create a large web of words. The game starts with one bold word and a few branches off to blank words with a number representing how long they are. The user is to fill in these blank words by choosing words that are commonly used with the bold word that you start with. The game will let you know if you get any of the beginning letters right until you finish the word. Then, it turns bold as well and creates even more branches in the web.
Overall, I really enjoyed this game. It was fun to try and discover some of the words that I and others relate to other words in our lives. Also, some of the words aren’t as easy as others, adding a degree of difficulty to the game which creates more fun, in my opinion. The progress screen shows users the status they’ve reached through each level so they know when they can begin a new web.
All in all, this was a pleasantly entertaining game.
WordSolitaire
Developer: Candywriter
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
File Size: 5.2MB
Price: $0.99
Appletell Rating: 3/5
App Store Link: WordSolitaire
WordSolitaire is exactly what it sounds like—a solitaire game that uses words rather than cards and numbers. Other than this detail, the gameplay is very similar to normal solitaire. The user is able to drag cards around the screen in a very easy to use interface and create words with the cards available. By creating words, the user gains points and gets closer to defeating the round.
>This game was pretty fun overall, but I also found it to be somewhat weird at times. When you get a point in the game where you know you can’t make any more moves (and the program knows, as well, I presume), the game should end and let the user know. I found myself trying to create random words to see if they worked, but the app has a surprisingly nice dictionary to know which words are right.
In summary, it was an enjoyable game.
Wordulous
Developer: 99Games Online Private Limited
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, iPhone OS 2.1 or later
File Size: 9.6MB
Price: $0.99
Appletell Rating: 3/5
App Store Link: Wordulous
Wordulous, another word game, involves starting a game with a random six letters and a chalk board with a bunch of blank words (i.e. it shows dashes in the list instead of the words). As the user, you create words using the letters you started with and check to see if they are okay. When they are, you receive points and the word shows up on the chalkboard. When they aren’t, you lose points and start the word over.
I love the idea of this game, and this developer has executed the idea very well. That said, the game itself was somewhat too thought out. During the creation of the words, I noticed that sometimes I would pick random letters (that I wasn’t sure would form a word) and then check to see if they were. Some of the time these random words were. This is sort of weird in that there were words in the game of which I’ve never heard (and some I even questioned if they were actual words). That said, the game itself was really interesting.
Lexulous
Developer: Rajar Agarwalla
Requirements: iPhone or iPod touch, iPhone OS 2.0 or later
File Size: 0.8MB
Price: $3.99
Appletell Rating: 3/5
App Store Link: Lexulous
Lexulous is a scrabble-based word game that is intertwined with Facebook. This game involves starting a game with another user over Facebook and alternating turns over the internet in a game of online scrabble. The interface consists of drag and drop game pieces as well as the ability to zoom in and out on the game board. It works much like real scrabble does.
Although I am a huge fan of Scrabble, this game didn’t really do it for me. Since it is all based online over Facebook Connect, a few things must be true for it to work: 1.) You’ll need an internet connection, 2.) You’ll need to find a game partner who plays back relatively quickly, or else you’ll find yourself staring at the screen not even knowing if that user is logged on, and 3.) You’ll need patience, since most user-based actions require something on the server end that leaves you waiting for the internet connection.
I do love the idea, but I don’t think the iPhone is right for this type of thing.
Appletell’s Word Game Winner
All of these games were fun in their own way, as I said. However, if I were to choose one that I would spend my money on, it would be iAssociate. This game offered a well-put-together interface as well as interesting and challenging gameplay. It got me thinking, and really made sense to me. That said, each game is worth the money in the end, and I would recommend you check them all out, if you want. Some of them do have lite versions available.
Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »
