Scrabble For iPhone

Now fans of the best ever, classic build-a-word game Scrabble can play anytime, anywhere, with or without friends. Scrabble for iPhone or iPod Touch gives players the capability to play up to 25 games simultaneously online against friends, or to try to beat the computer in single player mode.

The graphic design of the Scrabble app is superb, and game controls are super easy to learn, so you’ll be able to download and start playing right away. The background music is kind of a funky, space-techno loop that is ok to listen to, but you do also have the option to use your iPod playlist as well. The sound of the tiles clicking into place on the board and in your rack is a nice added touch, too.

The Quick Play option allows you to play Solo, Versus the Computer, or Pass ‘n Play modes. Game Style choices are Classic, 75-point game, 150-point game, 8-round, or12-round. For multi-player mode that is not Pass ‘n Play, you can choose to connect via WiFi or on Facebook. Those players who may have tried earlier versions of Scrabble on Facebook and suffered through frozen games and disconnects, fear not. The folks at EA Sports have made improvements to that version of the game as well. Now you can start a game on Facebook or your iPhone with up to four friends, then continue your play via either interface. It’s a fantastic addition to both versions of the game.

Gameplay is the same as the traditional board game. Players are given seven tiles at the start of each turn, then commence taking turns trying to play the best combination of words for the highest points possible earned each round of play. Score is kept and the player at the end of the game who has the highest score wins. There are buttons on the play screen that allow you to recall placed tiles (if you haven’t yet pushed play), a Best Word button, and an Exchange option where you get to pick as many tiles as you would like from your rack to exchange (though that entails your entire turn).

The game controls are pretty good. Dealing with such a small screen almost guarantees accidentally placed tiles (which is why the Recall button is key), but you can zoom in and out on the board, so that helps considerably. You are able to use two fingers to hold a tile while you move or zoom the board during your turn. This is definitely a nice feature, and helps quite a bit at times, especially when the board really gets spread out towards the end of the game.

Additionally, the Messaging option, which allows players during multi-player time to chat back and forth, is available on the app version of the game as it is on the Facebook version, but it’s not as easy to use.

Overall this is a nice little app at a decent price for the game. Adding this version to their app collection definitely won’t disappoint lovers of Scrabble. For those who already use Scrabble on Facebook for free, you might have a bigger problem justifying even the nominal fee, but the ability to play anytime, anywhere is really a nice feature, especially for those Scrabble junkies out there.

Pros:

• Same familiar gameplay as the traditional board game
• Several play options in both single and multi-player modes
• Online WiFi multi-player and Facebook game connection available
• Great game for a great price

Cons:

• Facebook users may complain of having to pay for a game they use for free online

Score: 7/10

Price: $2.99

Scrabble on iTunes

 Source: http://goodiphonegames.com/