Word Games To Sharpen Your Brain
Word games come in all forms and the players who love them appreciate various types. Maybe you like having it out with friends in high-scoring, turn-based play. Maybe you prefer to challenge yourself with single-player games. Or maybe still, you like story-based word puzzle games, both alone and with others. Whatever your preference, taste, or skill level, there is a word game for you.
We have searched, played, won, and lost to bring you a great list of word games. There is definitely something for everyone here. So, take a look, give them a try, and enjoy!
Challenge yourself
SpellTower
Different from Scrabble-type, turn-based sorts is a fun game to play on your own. SpellTower is great because it provides several types of game modes. Relax and try to get a high score, play a strategic game by not letting your tower reach the top, or try your hand in a fast-paced mode of rising rows of letters. The ultimate goals of all modes are to create words from a board of mixed up letters. SpellTower is universal and available for $1.99 on App Store.
Sit back and unwind
After a long day, open Tower Mode and just see how many points you can get from the 100 letters on the board. Take your time and make longer words for a higher score. This is a very relaxed mode with no rushing or time limits.
Keep your tower low
There are two different game modes that challenge you to keep your tower from reaching the top. In Puzzle Mode, a row will be added to the board with each word you make. In Rush Mode, an additional row of letters will be added every so often. Whichever you choose, just make sure to keep your tower from becoming a high-rise.
If you feel like company
If you really like SpellTower and want to challenge a friend, this option is available. Create words to drop onto your friend’s tower and see how high theirs is rising in the shadows. There are not as many puzzle options in Multiplayer mode, but it is always fun to beat your best buddy, right?
Relax and unwind
Alpha Omega
If you like those peaceful, tranquil game environments that go well with a glass of wine or brandy, then Alpha Omega is a game you should definitely try. With gorgeous game themes and calming background music, this is a unique, single-player experience. The goal is to move through the different Greek letter themed levels by solving word puzzles based on hints. Rearrange the letters correctly in the word grid to move on. Alpha Omega is universal and available for $0.99 with in-app purchases.
Soothing gameplay
The first and last letters are static, so just swap the rest to form words. If you are successful, the word will lock. If you have completely messed up, the game will stop and you will have to restart or redo your last move. Letters can only be swapped once, so plan your moves carefully and use the clue provided at the top of the screen.
Many clever levels
With many challenging levels to play, you can easily see your progress on the game board display. Continuing passing levels to unlock others and if you reach the end, you can purchase more. But, the 300 levels already in the game should keep you busy for quite a while.
Beautiful themes
As you continue through the game you will also unlock additional themes. Each has wonderful colors, from the earthy seasonal themes to those that are more playful. You can switch between them easily according to your mood.
Find the right word
WordBrain
WordBrain is another single-player word game that is both fun and challenging. Just solve the puzzles by creating the correct words to move through the levels. You will create words with the exact number of letters to fit the puzzle, but the key is to find the right words. WordBrain is available for free with in-app purchases.
Starts easy and gets harder
You might begin WordBrain by thinking it is too easy. And you are probably right in those first levels of the game. But, it will quickly become more difficult.
Connect the letters
Trace your finger through the letters to create the words and release when complete. If you have found the correct word, it will pop into its spot in the puzzle. If not, you will have to keep trying. So, although you may try “tap” and then “pat,” the correct word might actually be “apt.”
Lots of fun levels
There are a whopping 580 levels in all, each contained within packs. Each of those packs have their own sets of challenges. At the end of each level, you will receive your Brain Score, which you can show off on Facebook if you like.
Let's get bubbly
WordBubbles!
WordBubbles! also dares you to find the right word, but in a slightly different way. Pop the letter bubbles to form words that fit the puzzle. What is cool about this game is that if you solve the daily puzzle, you will be rewarded with hints. This is a single-player game, but you can certainly connect to Facebook and challenge your friends. WordBubbles! is universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Begin with short words
The first of the 400 levels starts pretty simple with three- and four-letter words. But, you will quickly move up to harder puzzles that include more than one word. Just drag your finger over the letter bubbles to create a word and see if it fits.
When you get stuck
You start the game with 10 free hints, so use them wisely. After that, you will have to earn them by completing the daily puzzle or head to the store.
Don't give up
If the word you created does not correctly fit the puzzle, you will simply have to keep trying. Although the words you are creating are valid words, they may just not be the right ones.
Enjoy a fun story
AlphaBetty Saga
For those of you who have been waiting for a story-based word game that you can play at your leisure, here it is. A bit newer to the word game scene is AlphaBetty Saga from King, the creators of Candy Crush Saga. This vibrant-looking, upbeat game has you connecting letters to create words, working your way through colorful worlds. Join Professor Alpha Betty and her friends as they collect words for the Encyclopedia of Everything. AlphaBetty Saga is universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Enjoyable, entertaining gameplay
You can connect letters in any direction to create high-scoring words, which must have at least three letters. If you cannot find one right away, you will get a little help. A hint will appear on the screen connecting letters for you. Note, it won’t be the biggest scoring word on the board, so keep looking on your own before using the hint.
Tons of fun levels
There are 100 challenging and enchanting levels. Each has its own goal, obstacles, and move limit. The beginning levels are easy with goals of reaching a particular score. But, as you progress through the game you will be challenged to move cheese, pop bubbles, or create words with specific numbers of letters.
Get some help when needed
There are a lot of little extras in AlphaBetty Saga. Connect to Facebook for a little help from your friends and earn shiny gold bars to buy boosts. Some of those handy boosts include line blasters, letter shufflers, and crowns that help you through difficult levels. You will even come across kooky characters who may give you extra moves.
In case you have never tried Candy Crush Saga from King.com, take a look.
A great puzzle combo
Languinis
For something really different in word games is Languinis. This cheerful puzzle game combines matching gems and creating words with a little story mixed in. Your job is to save the cute Languinis by pleasing the Phoenix god. Make words to hit all of your objectives and those Languinis are sure to be rescued. The game is universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Meet your objectives
Each level has a challenging set of objectives you must meet to succeed. Some levels ask you to create words with a specific number of letters. Others will ask you to eliminate certain colored gems. But most will ask you to achieve a set amount of points.
Create terrific words
You may have a move or time limit placed on you at the start of each level. Make gem matches to uncover letters and just tap to create your words. The longer the word you create, the more points you will receive.
Earn some help
You can earn boosts along the way like blank spaces for any letter, finding the longest word on the board, or blasting away a tile you do not need. Although they are not always necessary, each can come in handy if you have trouble meeting your objectives.
Build a bear
Alphabear
Who doesn’t love cuddly bears? Mix them in with a fun word game and you have Alphabear. With this amusing yet challenging game you will have your chance to build, or actually grow, your own furry, little cubs into big, strong bears by creating words. Spell long words, tiny words, and race against the clock to grow your bears as big as you can for the most points. Alphabear is universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Pleasant gameplay
Just create words using the letters surrounding the bears to score and reach the level goal. As you use the letters for great words, you will see your bears grow in different directions. Continue to play until the board is full of bears and no more words can be created.
Watch out for rocks
As you create more words, the letters will change color. Orange letters will become red letters and red letters will become rocks. Rocks cannot be played and just get in the way of your growing bears. So, try to use those orange and red letters first.
Earn helpful, lovable bears
As you continue to play, you will earn bears to add to your collection that can help you through levels. Each has its own special abilities like giving you bonuses at the end of the level or extra points for using certain letters. So, when you play Doggy Bear you will get additional points for using the letters “D,” “O,” and “G.”
A quick game fix
Four Letters
For a fast-paced, quick word game, Four Letters is an excellent choice. The goal is simple, continue creating words with the four letters displayed on the screen before time runs out. See how many you can create and how high you can score. Four Letters is universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Fast and fun
There are no right or wrong answers in Four Letters. You just have to create valid words. With each word you create, you receive a point. You will not see any levels or have any goals to achieve other than the highest score possible. You will notice, however, that the more words you continue to make, the faster your time will decrease.
Extra features
Connect to Facebook to compete with friends, check out your statistics, and even browse the dictionary for words you have created. If you have an Apple Watch, the game works great on there as well and gameplay is exactly the same.
For the crossword fans
NYTimes Crossword
If you love crossword puzzles, then you have probably either tried your hand at the NYTimes Crossword game or have heard about it. Well-known for their crossword puzzles, The New York Times brings their printed daily puzzles to challenge you on your mobile device. NYTimes Crossword is available for free with limited puzzles or you can purchase a subscription for the daily or other puzzle packs.
Can you handle the dailies?
NYTimes Crossword provides the same puzzle each day on the app as it does in The New York Times newspaper. Just type in your answers after reviewing the clues, move through those clues easily, and click anywhere on the board to move to another area.
Check out mini puzzles
If you are overwhelmed by the daily challenge, try out the mini puzzles. These are shorter due to the smaller board and available without any subscription.
Take on your pals
Words With Friends
Words With Friends became a fast favorite for turn-based word games after its release in 2009 and is still one of the most-widely played games of its kind. On a Scrabble-type of game board, players take turns making words that connect to each other in hopes of outscoring their opponent using double and triple boosts for letters and words. Words With Friends is universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Who and how you can play
Words With Friends lets you practice alone, conquer a Facebook friend, search for another player, or will find a match for you. Just create a game, pick the opposition, and put on your thinking cap. With relaxing gameplay, you can easily set the game down and go back to take your turn later.
Cool in-game features
This game has some super tools. Turn on Word Strength to see whether your word is valid and just how good it is. Swap letters that stink instead of taking your turn. Check the Tile Bag to see which letters are left in the game. There is even a dictionary for you to look up that goofy word your friend played.
How awesome are you?
Quickly and easily check out your game stats. You can see how many wins and losses you have and unique words you have played. You can even see your all-time longest and best scoring words. This is great if you just want to check out your skill level or brag to your buddies.
Be a little chummy
Word Chums
Word Chums is just like Words With Friends, but brings something lively and charming. What is that, you ask? Each player has a cute character called a Chum. Dress up your Chum in playful gear that adds more power to your character at the same time. Then head over to that Scrabble-like game board once again and beat your opponent with some high-scoring words. Play alone, against a pal, a random opponent, or on teams for some real fun. Word Chums is also universal and available for free with in-app purchases.
Pick a pal and play
There are bonus tiles for double and triple scores for letters and words. The nice thing about Word Chums is that you know immediately if you have a valid word or not because the tiles turn green.
Dig into the toolbox
If you are having trouble coming up with a word, there are a few handy tools to help you out. Choose a bomb to replace your current letters. Use a hint to show you possible word placement. And as a last resort, you can pass your turn.
Take your Chum shopping
As you play, you earn coins for winning, scoring highest for the week, or inviting friends. Then, head to the market and spend your hard-earned coins on gear to raise your Chum’s XP, boosts like hint or bomb packs, or even different game themes.
Play a classic
Scrabble
For the true Scrabble experience, the Scrabble Crossword Game is available too. With many different playing options, the game is pretty much like you remember, or even still play, with your wooden tiles and game board. Scrabble is universal as well as available for free.
Close to the game you remember
Look over your wooden tiles and do your best to use the bonuses on the board. What is different in this digital version is that you can use the dictionary to check your word. If you had tried that around the table as a kid, you would have been in trouble.
When you feel challenged
The game offers a few ways for you to escape the agony of losing. Exchange tiles if you cannot come up with any words or pass your turn if you must. If the game is really going that badly, you can resign. But of course, this should be a last result.