SplatWord – new & challenging twist for word gamers
by Paul Wilks
Jun 22, 2012 8:06 AM –
Install
SplatWord, by Happixie, is a challenging and fun word game with a distinct twist. Like loads of other word games available in the Google Play Store, the aim of the game is to find words using the assembled letters. However, with SplatWord, the letters themselves move around in the form of dark bubbles. To select them you have to press (and splat) them. This makes for unique and genuinely challenging gameplay that I’m sure word gamers will love.
Price: $1.50
Tested on: HTC One X, HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Slick graphics!
- Challenging, original yet familiar gameplay!
- Superb sound!
Cons
- Might benefit in the future from global scoring, levels, additional modes, etc.
Features:
SplatWord is a brilliant little word puzzle game that is notably different from others you might have enjoyed. While the aim of the game is the same- create words for points- unlike other titles the letters are not stationary. Instead they float about as dark globules on the play screen. To create a word, simply splat each letter and it assembles in the grid at the top of the screen. Once you create a word touch the tick tab to submit.
This essentially adds a whole dimension of skill required to play the game. Analysing letters is one thing, but while they’re moving around? It makes the game more challenging and certainly unique. You obviously score more points the longer the words and your scores are recorded in the High Scores section in the menu. The more words you create the more time you have, so the length of a game depends on how good you are!
SplatWord is very new, but it’s the kind of game that should be very successful in the Google Play Store. Going forward I think there’s room for improvement in terms of, perhaps, inclusion of different modes or the introduction of levels. Global scoring and achievements, perhaps through something like Openfeint or Scoreloop, might develop its longevity further.
As it is, the game is hugely addictive and lots of fun to play. You genuinely feel like your capacity for creating words is being challenged in a new way and this is very refreshing. One small word of warning however is that, due to problems with the devices firmware, the game freezes on the HTC One X. For the purpose of this review, testing was carried out on both a HTC One X (which encountered the problem) and a HTC Desire HD which played the game perfectly. Obviously this kind of issue might be rectified by a future firmware updates as and when HTC delivers them.
-
-
SplatWord – In game 1
-
-
SplatWord – In game 2
-
-
SplatWord – In game 3
-
-
SplatWord – In game 4
-
-
SplatWord – Word created
-
-
SplatWord – Word created 2
-
-
SplatWord – Quite game?
-
-
SplatWord – Game over
-
-
SplatWord – Menu
-
-
SplatWord – Instructions
-
-
SplatWord – Accelerometer Calibration
-
-
SplatWord – Settings
Fun Factor:
SplatWord is loads of fun and thoroughly entertaining. It offers a new challenge for word game fans and it’s stand-out feature- the way the letters bump, bobble and collide with one another, constantly moving and bouncing- is just excellent.
Addictive:
Most definitely! If you like word games, it’s easy to be sucked in by this kind of simple-yet- challenging gameplay. This could be expanded upon too; like the the inclusion of global scoring or different modes of play.
Graphics:
The graphics are incredibly slick and detailed. OK, so as a word game the visuals are not going to be ground-breaking, but they look really good and are superbly themed here. I like the way letters splat when you press them, and the way they move around bumping into each other while you play. I also thought the screen transitions were smooth and really polished.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
The sound is brilliant; superbly funky music that you don’t get annoyed with and small notification sounds when you select a letter and submit a word. It just all works extremely well with the game. You can, if you wish, turn these off, but you’ll miss out on some pretty cool guitar riffs if you do!