- What is it? A Scrabble-inspired strategy game
- Who is it for? Word nerds and Balatro fans
- How much does it cost? Amazingly, it’s free
- What makes it special? It’s highly replayable and rewards skill
Ever since the runaway success of poker-meets-roguelike hit Balatro, we’ve noticed an influx of games trying to adapt its satisfying formula into the world of word puzzlers (see: Wordlike, Letterlike). Rogue Words is another contender in this emerging genre, but as a lifelong Scrabble fan, it’s been my favorite so far. This is a mash-up I’ve always wanted, to the point that I have multiple drafts in my Notes app covering this exact concept. But not only has this developer beaten me to the punch, they’ve really done the idea justice.
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Rogue Words takes the familiar word-building mechanics of Scrabble and infuses it with a tactical, endlessly replayable “roguelike” loop. Players craft words to advance through progressively challenging levels, earning coins based on their efficiency and skill. These coins become currency for upgrades, allowing you to enhance or swap letter tiles or purchase powerful boon – special items and potions that significantly alter the scoring rules.
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With more than 100 boons and potions, and twelve distinctive “aspects” that reshape the rules even further, each game feels genuinely unique. Picking these strategically ensures each run feels fresh and lets you tune the game to your playstyle – whether you’re obsessed with crafting lengthy words or hoarding every Z you can find. Its bite-sized rounds also make it an ideal companion for quick gaming sessions on your phone.
Rogue Words might lack the visual polish and charm of its muse, but it’s absolutely worth a look if you’re after an engaging solo Scrabble experience that will keep you returning round after round.