Word scrambles can run the gamut from the overly simple to the frustratingly complex, with the “fun” factor usually the highest in the middle of those two poles. The Word Chase app ($1.99) is proof positive of that, as the vocabulary app manages to be a very fun app despite its relative simplicity.
Part of that is due to the fact that The Word Chase owes as much to Scrabble as it does traditional word scrambles. Rather than taking a series of letters and rearranging them to make one different word, players take three existing words: “The” “Word” and “Chase,” as well as a bank of letters, and try turn the three original words into different words, letter by letter.
So for instance, if the player had an “O” in their word bank, they could change “The” to “Toe.” From there, they’d be using their letters to rearrange “Toe” “Word” and “Chase.” The interesting thing is that the three words never reset. Even when the word bank has been emptied and the next round starts, players continue with the same mutated words they’ve been playing with.
The Word Chase also has a few other Scrabble-esque elements, like a wildcard tile that can be used if the player doesn’t like the tiles in their word bank, or can’t make any more moves with them. Players receive one new wildcard tile per round that carries over if it’s not used.
If the game is really going poorly, players also have the option of using a hint that will point out where one of the letters can be played. In this way, The Word Chase is very family friendly. Older players can avoid using the hints and just play using their own wits, while younger kids can use all the hints at their disposal.
Although it may not be the most challenging word scramble app on the market, The Word Chase is a pretty fun and affordable app that should appeal to players of all ages. It’s disappointing there isn’t a better scoreboard system in place, but for now, the scramble itself will have to be challenge enough.
