I mostly use my iPad to browse the Internet and check emails, so I don’t have nearly as many apps as other people. But after reading so many terrific reviews of the Scrabble app by Electronic Arts, I decided to try it out for myself. After all, I used to love playing Scrabble, but haven’t done so in many, many years since my husband doesn’t care for it.
Anyway, it took a leap of faith to pay the $9.99 for the app. That’s a pretty steep price as far as apps go. I think prior to this, the most expensive app I purchased cost $5.99 or something. As I was buying it, I thought the app better be damned good to warrant this price. It is.
Users get several different playing modes to choose from, as well as a number of different gameplay options. For example, you can play solo against the CPU, challenge friends on Facebook, play against someone else over a WiFi connection, or use the Pass ‘n’ Play mode for multiple players on the same device. As far as gameplay goes, you can choose Classic Scrabble, or quick versions like a 75- or 150-point game or an 8- or 12-round game. You can also choose something called “Duplicate” in which you and the other player/CPU use the same rack of tiles. The person/AI that come up with the word that scores the most points gets the points for that turn. I guess it’s supposed to even out the “luck of the draw” thing as far as choosing tiles goes, but I haven’t actually tried that option yet. You can also set the difficulty level (easy, normal, hard) and use the Best Word feature for some CPU help if you get stuck (up to four assists per game).
I have to say that I absolutely LOVE this app! It is so awesome being able to play against the computer for a quick game whenever I want. At first, I tried Easy mode, but that wasn’t challenging enough. Then I moved up to Normal, and found the gameplay to be much better — though the CPU always comes up with the highest-scoring, most obscure words ever! I was hooked on the Best Word feature for a while, but then figured, what’s the point of playing if I don’t try to come up with my own words? So now I don’t use it at all. My favorite setting is a 150-point game against the CPU in Normal mode. So much fun!
Overall, Scrabble for iPad is probably the best app I’ve ever purchased. This game is totally addictive, and has caused me to waste several hours per day ever since I purchased it. Yes, it’s that good! I highly recommend this version for Scrabble fans.
I am disappointed that the dictionary only tells you whether a word is valid. Doesn’t gives definitions.
Oh yes, that is something I forgot to mention. Thanks for bringing it up!
And speaking of the dictionary, I also wish it would show nearby words to make the experience more like browsing in a real dictionary. That way, you can find other words to make with your tiles.
Please tell em how I can play scrabble on my ipad against my husbands iPad scrabble. We both have purchased the app. Any hints? We cannot figure it out.
on the ipad let him clikc on local network play and you do the same, you should see eachothers names appear
I too want definitions. When else’s would iq da learn meaning of vivid. Is the an app available for the definitions? And I too love the app
I meant learn the meaning if virid.
I really feel having access to the definitions would be a real bonus for the game. It would give the user the opportunity to learn while having fun.
The Palm app for Scrabble includes definitions of all words played (including those by the computer) and so includes that valuable learning component to the game.
Wow, that sounds great! Thanks for the info, Olive!
I am playing the CPU at the hard level of the classic game and am thoroughly annoyed that while the game specifies the M-Webster dictionary for reference ( which I haved downloaded) the CPU obviously uses a different dictionary.
I believe that this dictionary must be entitled Obsuriatum Moti. I end up googling the CPU words in order to learn if the word is real and if so, what the meaning is. I wish CPU and I were somehow on the same page! I end up spending too much time gnashing my teeth instead of having credible challenge.
At the normal level I win all the games and never have to resort to the Best Word feature. At the hard level I tried the same strategy but went down in ignomious defeat until I capitulated and decided that if ” Pee U ” could cheat I should not feel I was cheating to use Best Word but I really do not like doing this!
Does anyone else share my sentiments?
Hi Shoes,
I haven’t tried the Hard level yet, but I share your distaste for using the Best Word feature. Even on the Normal level I have (ashamedly) caved in and used Best Word a few too many times. I finally just had to turn the thing off so I could respect myself even in defeat!
[...] thing is, I’m not that impressed with it thus far. I have the Scrabble app, too, so maybe that factors into my reaction a little bit. Words with Friends is basically Scrabble [...]