Apps We Love: Word Monster

Review by Joseph Broda
Word Monster by OtherWise Games is a challenging word puzzle game for older kids. It's fun, easy-to-learn and you can't beat the price — it's free. The interface and graphics are geared to kids but adults will enjoy playing this game, too. I did!

Play begins by selecting a Monster "World" with a selection of word puzzles. Each puzzle consists of clue words on the left and a letter grid (4 x 4 or 5 x 5) on the right. To solve the puzzle, you find the words in the letter grid that will fill in the blanks to form common words and phrases. Select words by clicking or dragging letters in a path, with each letter connecting to the next either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally (similar to tic-tac-toe). Once a word has been selected, press "Submit Word" to enter it as an answer, or press "X" to clear the word. When a correct answer is submitted, the answer phrase will be filled in and the used letters will be removed from the grid. When all of the letters have been removed, the puzzle is solved. The "Options & Info" button allows you to make the puzzles more challenging and/or to give hints if you're stumped.

Once you've solved all the puzzles in a "world", you will unlock the bigger Monster Puzzle, which has a 6 x 6 letter grid. Solve that puzzle and capture a monster! Word Monster will challenge and entertain your child (and you) for hours on end. It's great for long car rides or just game time at home.

The initial app is free and comes with the Frost-Biter World, which includes 40 puzzles and 1 Monster Puzzle. Nine other "worlds" are available as in-app purchases for $0.99 each, and each one comes with 50 new puzzles and 1 Monster Puzzle. Forest Grump and Dune Bugger are two new puzzle worlds available in Version 1.8. I found the user experience more satisfying on the iPad's larger screen, but this app is no less fun and performs equally well on the iPhone.

The Word Monster home screen also has a Facebook button that takes you to the OtherWise Games Facebook page (internet connection required) and a "More Games" button which takes you to the App Store where you can purchase more OtherWise games like MovieCat! and FilmWise Invisibles.

REVIEW SUMMARY:
App Name: Word Monster
Category: Games
Age Level: 10+
Updated: April 30, 2013
Requirements: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later
Price: FREE; in-app purchases available for $0.99 each
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Bottom Line: Fun, challenging and free! The in-app purchases are a bargain at 99 cents each.

Joseph Broda is an all-around techie, freelance graphic designer, and writer from Hoboken, N.J. For more information: www.bojoda.com