Overview

WordsWorth offers two game modes: classic and timed. In the classic mode, you create words on the fly with an unlimited amount of time. In timed mode, you create words the same way but are forced to compete against the clock. For each level you master in timed mode, you receive an additional 30 seconds on the game clock. For example, the game begins with 1:30 on the clock on level one. After you beat level one, level two begins with 2:00 on the clock, level three is 2:30 and so forth.

Gameplay can be fast and furious in timed mode or much more leisurely in classic mode. It depends on how you want to play the game. If you take time hunting for larger words, you are rewarded with more points. If you want to find as many words as possible and use mostly shorter words, you can do that, too.

WordsWorth isn't just about putting words together but also utilizing the game board and wildcard pieces to maximum effect. Some letters, typically more difficult letters to use like the letters Z and the only two-letter piece in the game, "Qu," carry an added bonus if used. For example, the letter Z is worth three points. These bonus letters each have a tiny number on their tile indicating the bonus.

Other bonuses available in WordsWorth include green and gold colored tiles, which both offer points bonuses; blue tiles, which act as wild cards, and shuffle tiles, which are gray and beige and shuffle the game board when used.

The game will also offer a buzzword in each round. This buzzword will almost always include letters on the board separated from each other. If you places these letters together to form the buzzword, you receive bonus points.

Even if you play the game in classic mode, you'll encounter timed pieces which explode and end the game if you don't use them in the allotted time. These pieces are red in color and feature a clock face which counts down until the piece explodes and the game ends.

If you become stuck while playing WordsWorth, you can use one of the shuffle "hats" that "Mr. WordsWords," that fellow at the bottom of the screen, gives you at the end of each level. Shuffling the board makes continuing the game easier but also adds an extra timed tile each time you shuffle the board. Learning when to shuffle the game board and when to use wildcard pieces is part of the fun of the game.

WordsWorth offers plays a choice of three different word databases. The available databases include two different Tournament Scrabble lists and a third list which WordsWorth calls "the most thoroughly researched wordlist for word game usage." The list you choose will probably depend on where you live--one Scrabble list is for the USA, Canada, Thailand and Israel and the other is for all other English speaking countries.

Aside from the word list, WordsWorth also allows you to edit the game rules and options, too. You can change the minimum word size from the default three letters all the way up to five letters, the playing grid from small to large and the number of free scrambles per level.

WordsWorth is a very polished game with few flaws. One minor frustration I encountered while playing is the fact that the game does not recognize some words, especially three letter words or common abbreviations. While this can be frustrating, the game accepts plenty of three letter "words" that really aren't words used in everyday conversation. Still, WordsWorth is a strategy game and part of that strategy is utilizing the letters on the board to gain the most points possible.

Summary

WordsWorth by 99Games Online is a fun game. Gameplay is straightforward at first but requires good strategy to advance to the higher levels. If you enjoy linguistic games or a good puzzle, try WordsWorth for the iPhone. It comes in two flavors a free version with only 3 levels and the full paid version with 30 levels, a global score card and other features, which costs $1.99.

This review was written by Brendan Wilhide

Author: Brendan Wilhide