In a surprising turn of events, renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak, known for their iconic work on titles like GoldenEye and Perfect Dark, have ventured into uncharted territory with their latest project—a spelling game. While some may initially express disappointment at the absence of traditional first-person shooter elements, the real question remains: does this new endeavor hold its own merit? Based on my experience with the demo, currently available for free during Steam NextFest, the answer appears to be a resounding yes.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
Following the success of Balatro, the gaming landscape has seen a surge in word game roguelikes, many of which attempt to innovate with a Scrabble-inspired twist. Unfortunately, numerous titles in this subgenre have fallen short of expectations. However, Beyond Words distinguishes itself with a fresh approach that goes beyond the typical formula.
At its core, the game operates on a familiar premise: players navigate a Scrabble-like board, aiming to achieve a target score within a limited number of moves each round. Success leads to progressively challenging rounds, culminating in a boss round that introduces unique modifiers to the gameplay.
Between rounds, players can acquire cards that mirror the jokers found in Balatro, activating bonuses that enhance scoring potential. These bonuses range from increasing multipliers to retriggering specific letters, adding layers of strategy to the gameplay. A common pitfall for similar games is the imbalance between word formation and roguelike elements, which can lead to a focus on short, high-scoring words at the expense of genuine spelling challenges. Conversely, if the roguelike aspects lack impact, the game risks becoming a tedious vocabulary test.
Beyond Words navigates this delicate balance with impressive finesse. One standout feature is its expansive dictionary, which breaks free from the rigid constraints of traditional word games. Players can utilize a wide array of terms, including names, slang, and even the most colorful expletives. This liberating change not only enhances the gameplay experience but also injects a delightful sense of humor. Scoring with uniquely British terms like “botty” or “oik” adds an extra layer of enjoyment, while Australian players will appreciate the inclusion of words like “sook.”
Strategic Depth and Visual Appeal
The game further enriches its mechanics with a generous supply of wildcard tiles, allowing for creative word formation. These tiles, which can represent any vowel or letter, alleviate the pressure of strict spelling requirements, enabling players to enjoy the game even as the difficulty escalates.
Another noteworthy aspect is the board design. Unlike traditional Scrabble, where the board remains static, each run in Beyond Words features a uniquely shaped map with its own arrangement of special squares. These squares activate when a word is formed on them, providing various benefits, such as upgrading tiles or enhancing card effects. The strategic placement of words becomes crucial, as players must navigate the board’s layout to maximize their scoring potential.
While the gameplay mechanics shine, the visual presentation leaves room for improvement. Initially showcased with AI-generated art, the game has since transitioned to commissioned artwork. However, the resulting visuals still lack a cohesive style, resembling generic imagery more suited for a corporate presentation than an engaging gaming experience. In contrast, Balatro’s aesthetic remains superior.
Despite this visual shortcoming, my time with the demo has been thoroughly enjoyable. After an hour of exploring its content, I find myself eagerly anticipating the full release. While it may not be a new installment in the TimeSplitters franchise, Beyond Words has the potential to become a notable success for these seasoned developers.
