PopCap’s Bookworm is exactly the style of game that suits the mobile platform. While some developers will try and cram the latest heavy-budgeted console game into a cell phone (rarely with solid results), the casual style, pacing, and gameplay of Bookworm is perfect. This is a no-frills port, but this isn’t a game that needs much to keep it addictive.
Given a grid of letters that look like the wooden blocks from Scrabble, the player is challenged to make words in any direction, forwards or backwards. Once found, they disappear, dropping more letters in to fill their place. Bonuses are earned for large words (five letters and up), and losing occurs when the dreaded red block reaches the bottom.
The simple concept is executed flawlessly for mobile fans. Those with QWERTY keypads can benefit by typing the words instead of using a cursor. This makes the second game mode (out of two) far easier. Action play is time based, and requires quicker thought than the leisurely pace of classic mode, which allows for infinite time between moves.
Letters are easy to see even on the small screen, though oddly, the bottom of the screen is cut off on the VX9900. Soft key functions are off the lower part, and unless you visit the help menu, you probably wouldn’t know they were available.
A deep dictionary is appreciated to pick up even on obscure words. After hours of play, Bookworm handled everything tossed at it. That’s commendable.
Aside from letter blocks, the bookworm himself (whoever he is exactly) nicely animates to munch on cleared letters. The music and sound effects are mostly worth keeping off, though won’t get in the way of the game if left on.
Bookworm doesn’t amount to much in text, but in play, it’s the perfect time waster. You can always resume play from where you left off, so whether you need a quick fix or plan to spend time away with your phone, the $7 price is more than reasonable for the entertainment provided.
Article comments
1 - Alessandro
The team at irockgames is working hard to complete 2012 Secrets within the next few weeks and cannot wait to show it to the public