word game Archives

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Steam Next Fest challenged me with a word game that also contained fractions

Balatro has set a precedent in the roguelike genre by transforming playing cards into an engaging gaming experience. Cursed Words is a new roguelike game that focuses on forming words from a randomized grid of letters, with players earning points based on their creations. The game includes various items that influence the letters on the board, allowing for strategic gameplay. A notable strategy involves manipulating negative Void tiles to earn points. The game introduces numbers as wildcards that can represent letters when placed correctly. An item that transforms numbers into fractions adds complexity, allowing for multiple uses of these tiles. Cursed Words promises a rich experience within a familiar framework, with a demo available ahead of its anticipated release in 2026.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I’m just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words

Renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak have created a spelling game called Beyond Words, which features innovative gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from other word game roguelikes. Players navigate a Scrabble-like board aiming for a target score within a limited number of moves, with progressively challenging rounds and a boss round introducing unique gameplay modifiers. Between rounds, players can acquire cards that activate bonuses to enhance scoring potential. The game boasts an expansive dictionary that includes a wide array of terms, adding humor and enjoyment. It includes wildcard tiles for creative word formation and features uniquely shaped maps for each run, enhancing strategic depth. However, the visual presentation has been criticized for lacking a cohesive style. The demo is currently available for free during Steam NextFest.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

This new roguelike from Goldeneye 007 and Timesplitters devs is the last thing you’d expect from two FPS legends

The creators of the roguelike game Balatro are developing a new game called Beyond Words, which reinvents Scrabble by introducing multipliers and modifiers. The game will feature familiar mechanics, such as forming words with letter tiles, but will reward players for using obscure letters and longer words. It will have unconventional board layouts and over 300 gameplay modifiers. Beyond Words is set to be released in early 2026 on Steam and consoles, and a demo is currently available on Steam. The game is being developed by MindFuel Games, founded by David Doak and Stephen Ellis, known for their work on FPS games like Timesplitters and GoldenEye.

BetaBeacon

November 14, 2025

Netflix is turning its biggest shows into daily puzzle games

Netflix is launching a new daily puzzle games app called Netflix Puzzled, featuring puzzles themed around popular Netflix franchises like Stranger Things and Bridgerton.

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

I played 10 free Steam demos this week: here are the 5 games that made it onto my wishlist

The author explored various free game demos on Steam after playing Dune: Awakening. They highlighted several games: 1. Star Birds: A resource management game where players explore asteroids, establish factories, and unlock technologies. The demo impressed the author enough to add it to their wishlist. 2. Watchword: A wordplay and strategy game where players connect words on a grid and use magical tomes. The author found it captivating and recommended it for word game enthusiasts. 3. Discounty: A life simulation game where players run a discount grocery store and uncover town mysteries. The author expressed eagerness to explore it further. 4. Herdling: A game where players guide large creatures across a countryside, featuring minimalistic instructions and an immersive atmosphere. 5. Ball X Pit: A mashup of Vampire Survivors and Super Breakout, combining base-building and farming mechanics with monster-fighting gameplay. Additionally, the author mentioned other games that caught their attention, including: - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: A management sim in a zombie apocalypse with engaging scanning mechanics but lackluster base management. - City of Voices: A narrative-driven adventure from a developer known for The Rise of The Golden Idol. - Morsels: A creature-collecting roguelite with a challenging color palette. - Scale the Depths: A casual fishing game lacking complexity. - Half Sword: A physics-based medieval brawler more entertaining to watch than to play.

BetaBeacon

April 26, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: NYT launches new multi-game leaderboard that lets users share scores

NYT Games has introduced a multi-game leaderboard where players can showcase their skills in Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and The Mini Crossword. Players can track the scores of celebrity puzzle solvers and connect with other word game enthusiasts. The feature is available on the New York Times Games app and website, with a rollout expected across all devices in the coming weeks.

AppWizard

February 27, 2025

You’ve got to try these 5 brilliant free roguelike deckbuilder game demos before Steam NextFest ends on March 3

Steam Next Fest features numerous deckbuilder demos available for free until March 3rd. Five standout demos include: - Aliosso: A dice rolling and deckbuilding game where players manage water resources to craft armor or use in other ways, set in charming pixel art desert landscapes. - Castle Clash: Players take on the roles of a knight, witch, and builder, aiming to destroy opposing castles while managing resources and making strategic choices. - Haunted House Deckbuilder: Players control a haunted house, defending against visitors by eliminating them or driving them mad to upgrade their home, with a humorous twist on classic simulation games. - Ballardo: A chaotic billiards game where players create mayhem by bouncing balls off each other, with a deckbuilding element that allows for strategic enhancements. - Word Migration: A word game where players help a bird migrate by forming words from letter tiles, generating 'flaps' for movement and utilizing special feathers for bonuses. Honourable mentions include Kindfolx, Inkborn, and A la Card.

BetaBeacon

February 4, 2025

Lok Digital is a surreal puzzle game full of made-up words

- Lok Digital is a word game with a surreal setup where players create words with special powers to progress through levels in a black-and-white fantasy realm. - The game features a dictionary of gibberish words that players must use creatively to solve puzzles. - Lok is a puzzle game that challenges players to use existing words in clever ways to clear out every square on the board. - The game offers a helpful hint system and a list of uncovered words to assist players in progressing through the levels. - Lok Digital is available on iOS, Android, and PC platforms.

BetaBeacon

December 3, 2024

Wordfest with Friends is a quick, exciting take on the word game format

Wordfest with Friends is a new word puzzle game where players drag, drop, and merge letters to form words. The game includes an endless mode and a trivia mode where players create words based on prompts. Players can compete against up to five other players and can continue playing offline. The game is praised for its simple controls and engaging gameplay.

BetaBeacon

September 9, 2024

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – September 2024 round-up

Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival is a game available on iOS and Android for £2.99. Players control a four-legged mech under the sea, defeating attackers in a twin-stick shooter style game. In between waves, players can pillage undersea caves to upgrade their mech's weapons and skills. The game has touchscreen controls and an addictive upgrade path, scoring 8/10.