A unique puzzle combining words, logic and opposites
Price: Free to download
Version: 2.0
Size: 13.2 MB
Developer: BorderLeap
Platform: iPhone & iPad
Update! This charmingly simple words-and-logic game has made some changes since our review, but are they for better or worse?
So what’s new? The core gameplay of Antitype – strategically flip letter tiles to spell matching pairs of words – hasn’t changed, but the format and pricing has. Since launch, BorderLeap has added a bunch of unlockable level packs, expanding the pairs from antonyms into synonyms and homophones too. That alone freshens things up, but there are now some seriously tricky Daily Levels (all free) to keep you coming back for more each day. The game is now free to download, with extra level packs costing $2/each, with any purchase disabling the game’s adverts. You can also snag a full bundle of all 900 extra puzzles for $13. That feels a little steep, but overall these optional additions are a nice touch and keep the core content free. If you missed this one in 2017, it’s still a good head-scratcher well worth a download.
Revised rating: Remains a solid, unique, and well-presented puzzler. ★★★★
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Our original review, written in May 2017, is presented in its entirety below.
Antitype is latest word game from the makers of the excellent Alpha Omega, and it’s a minimalist treat based around a unique combination of ideas.
The game is all about word pairings
Each level, players are presented with a pair of jumbled, nonsensical words and a simple clue hinting at how the words are linked. The challenge is twofold: figure out what the words should be, and switch up the letters to decipher them. Tapping one letter changes those around it by moving them a space ahead in the alphabet. So an ‘C’ tile becomes a ‘D’, and so on. It’s a clever mechanic, reminiscent of those old “Lights Out” logic toys from the 90s.
Tap the letters to switch them up until two matching words appear…
Words always come in opposing pairs that relate somehow to the clue word. So early on, “temperature” hints at a solution involving “HOT” and “COLD” while later puzzles require a little extra thought: “what you” hints at “REAP” and “SOW,” for example. Without spoiling any more of the 325 levels, the clues get tougher as the words get longer and eventually you’ll be contending with some real head-scratchers.
Aha! There’s the solution
One thing we particularly liked is that the jumbled letters are never more than two moves away from being correct, and often your brain can fill in the blanks and see what’s not there using some kind of subconscious understanding of the alphabet. It’s easy to reset if you mess up, but – in a stroke of genius – the exact placement of the letters is randomized each time, meaning the solution changes each time you try again. This means you can’t cheat your way through levels by trial-and-error.
Each level provides a hint in the form of a word or phrase
We have but two real complaints about Antitype. Firstly, there are a lot of levels here and it takes quite a long time before they get especially challenging. Though it’s fun working through the early stages, after a while the super short word pairs become a little tiresome. We would appreciate the ability to skip ahead to the tougher stuff rather than being forced to work linearly through the levels – as it stands there’s not even a level select menu.
Secondly, the game is frustratingly locked to a landscape orientation – no good for one-handed play or quick sessions while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil. For an uncomplicated game that isn’t particularly dependent on layout, we really craved a portrait mode. The words would have to be shrunk somewhat to fit, but to our mind that would be a minor price to pay for the flexibility it would afford.
It’s only really suitable for two-handed play
Ultimately this is a simple joy of a game, one that word game fans could easily sink a couple of solid hours into. More likely it will be a game you come back to in bursts, as you puzzle over the tougher sections later in the game. It doesn’t have enough depth to hold your attention for hours on end, but for a couple of bucks, we think it’s a worthy purchase for anyone who likes wordy logic puzzles.