Bird is the word. I love word games. The most unique on my shelves is "Le cadran de Kaplan" which works a bit like Turing Machine as the game knows the word and gives you clues. The game is based on a classic magic trick. Unfortunately, it has not been promoted much and was never translated so it got forgotten.
I guess word games is a broad category, that includes any game that uses words as a mechanic. Obviously, it can be broken down into sub-groups, like word formation, or concept finding, or logical deduction.
So many different word games. Putting them in categories helped me order/sort them. I'm not sure I could do a traditional Top 10 list since I like the games in different situations with different play groups. - Melissa
Great list! I ordered Decipher after watching this video :) I just played Hooky for the first time this week. It was very good if you’re interested in a competitive logical deduction word game. My group really enjoys Letter Jam, Just one, and So Clover. One additional game in this co-op category that we enjoy is Mystic Paths. It adds a spatial element to the puzzle. Finally, in the same vein, but in digital form, my group has been enjoying comparing our performance (in addition to Wordle) in Connections, a NY Times game. It sort of has a solo Codenames feel. Like Wordle, it’s a daily puzzle. There are a couple websites that have archives of the daily puzzle if you want to get immersed in how the puzzle works. Good stuff!
Sounds like I need to try Hooky. I considered putting Mystic Paths on the list. There are just too many good word games. :) I've tried Connections a few times. Some of the puzzles are really tricky.
@@tantrumhousegames Hooky is a very good! And the proceeds go to a charity, so it's a win/win! Connections can be hit and miss sometimes if you don't see a connection. You don't really get much feedback when your guess is incorrect, but it doesn't generate more chat with my wordle text thread than wordle does :) I did watch the playthru of Message from the Stars. Looks like I'll need to grab that!
@@tantrumhousegames Alex @ boardgameco just posted a review on Hooky. He didn’t love it, so you can check out his review to see why you might not like it. Steph (who plays all the games) has a playthru video. If you print out a sheet (available on bgg), you can actually play along with her video to see if you enjoy it. An incorrect clue was given, so you can see the fragility of the game in action. But that’s a problem with a lot of deduction games.
I haven't tried Dictopia or Master Words so I don't have any opinions. I've only played Cross Clues once and it was a while ago. I'll need to play it again to remind myself. Have you played those? Do you recommend them? -- Melissa
Really enjoy Codenames, Illiterati, and Letter Tycoon. I’d also add Word Domination as one I really enjoy!
Thanks for the recommendation.
Bird is the word. I love word games. The most unique on my shelves is "Le cadran de Kaplan" which works a bit like Turing Machine as the game knows the word and gives you clues. The game is based on a classic magic trick. Unfortunately, it has not been promoted much and was never translated so it got forgotten.
That game sounds so interesting. I love Turing Machine. -- Melissa
I guess word games is a broad category, that includes any game that uses words as a mechanic. Obviously, it can be broken down into sub-groups, like word formation, or concept finding, or logical deduction.
So many different word games. Putting them in categories helped me order/sort them. I'm not sure I could do a traditional Top 10 list since I like the games in different situations with different play groups. - Melissa
Great list! I ordered Decipher after watching this video :)
I just played Hooky for the first time this week. It was very good if you’re interested in a competitive logical deduction word game.
My group really enjoys Letter Jam, Just one, and So Clover. One additional game in this co-op category that we enjoy is Mystic Paths. It adds a spatial element to the puzzle.
Finally, in the same vein, but in digital form, my group has been enjoying comparing our performance (in addition to Wordle) in Connections, a NY Times game. It sort of has a solo Codenames feel. Like Wordle, it’s a daily puzzle. There are a couple websites that have archives of the daily puzzle if you want to get immersed in how the puzzle works. Good stuff!
Sounds like I need to try Hooky. I considered putting Mystic Paths on the list. There are just too many good word games. :)
I've tried Connections a few times. Some of the puzzles are really tricky.
@@tantrumhousegames Hooky is a very good! And the proceeds go to a charity, so it's a win/win!
Connections can be hit and miss sometimes if you don't see a connection. You don't really get much feedback when your guess is incorrect, but it doesn't generate more chat with my wordle text thread than wordle does :)
I did watch the playthru of Message from the Stars. Looks like I'll need to grab that!
@@tantrumhousegames Alex @ boardgameco just posted a review on Hooky. He didn’t love it, so you can check out his review to see why you might not like it.
Steph (who plays all the games) has a playthru video. If you print out a sheet (available on bgg), you can actually play along with her video to see if you enjoy it. An incorrect clue was given, so you can see the fragility of the game in action. But that’s a problem with a lot of deduction games.
Any thoughts on dictopia, cross clues and master words ?
I haven't tried Dictopia or Master Words so I don't have any opinions. I've only played Cross Clues once and it was a while ago. I'll need to play it again to remind myself. Have you played those? Do you recommend them? -- Melissa