I really should be getting stuck into the next book we’re looking at on the Podcast but, instead I find myself drawn to my iPhone to check on my Words With Friends games. I only intend to take a minute or two to check, but then I find myself trying to puzzle out a word that will fit on the board for maximum points and far more than two minutes have passed.
Words With Friends is a Scrabble-like game app for the iPhone by Zynga. I currently have 7 games on the go. I’d rate my skill level as average, as I win slightly more than I lose, but there is one person I’ve never beaten (and am currently being thrashed by more than 100 points!), and one I beat only rarely.
It’s funny how I seem to get great scoring words in the games with the people who are closer to my playing level, and not so much with those who are far more advanced. For example in some of the games against the more advanced players I’ll be stuck with all vowels or all consonants. But maybe I just notice that more because I’m losing.
The game does let you have some bizarre words. I have been thrashed by words I have never heard of before, and I’m sure aren’t able to be used in a sentence. Still, it’s fun and gives an added dimension to the game if you know you may be able to fluke a cool high scoring word.
The game does have a tendency to freeze very occasionally. It usually repairs itself, however on one memorable occasion I was just about to beat one of my tougher opponents when the game chucked a wobbly and crashed only for us to lose our game completely! The funny thing is a few days later the game appeared in our game over list saying that my opponent had resigned (he hadn’t) and where there usually is a grey tile this one has a bright red tile with a NO symbol on it!
Overall I give Words with Friends 4 Lukes
