Spelltower is my newest iOS gaming obsession, and it should be yours too. It is a great take on the spell-out-words category of games and includes a very addicting multiplayer mode. It is also now in the Mac App Store for $3.99 (the iOS game will run you $1.99).
Android users do not have to envy their iOS friends for long; Spelltower developer Zach Gage told me he hopes to have Spelltower for Android ready “substantially before the holidays.”
For me it is the perfect kind of game for mobile – playable in short bursts while waiting for a train or in line at a grocery store. It also can occupy longer periods of time, especially if challenging someone to the multiplayer mode. It has a beautiful, minimalist interface that belongs in a multitouch environment.
Playing Spelltower involves stringing letters together to clear a tower of tiles. Your word must have at least three letters, though you can compile them by drawing through letters linked vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. In Tower Mode, you can take your time and rack up points by choosing words with high-value letters or long spellings.
Spelltower can be paused and also smartly suspends itself when clicking the power button. It will then resume when turning the device back on.
Puzzle Mode is where the action really is. The tower slowly grows until one column reaches the top of the screen, ending the game. A word requires at least three letter, except for the high-value ones that require four. You also score extra points for knocking out longer words or including hard-to-use letters, like X or Q. Also, you can not use the same word twice.
The Rush Mode moves exceptionally fast, which makes for a great challenge. After playing solo for a while you may be ready for the multiplayer mode, which can be done face-to-face with someone else who has an iOS device. Both will race against the growing tower to accumulate the highest score. Game Center integration is present, as well.
Some minor customization touches are present: the difficulty level in Debate mode can be cranked up from zero to four. Also, the color scheme can be changed to night colors and the volume can be turned down in order to not annoy a nearby partner.
The Mac version does not have the same kind of tactile feel as touching the letters, but beyond that it plays very well. It serves as a great productivity killer by teasing you with increasing your score.
Hopefully when Spelltower for Android arrives, my Galaxy Nexus will stop growling at my iPad. Until then, it is back to trying for an even better score.
Download Spelltower from the App Store ($1.99)
Download Spelltower from the Mac App Store ($3.99)
Download Spelltower for Android (coming soon)
