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 In a different world and a different time, where discount games weren't all lumped under the banner of "shovelware" and disregarded as worthless, WordJong could easily have been one of the more popular titles on the Nintendo DS. Sadly though we don't live in this mythical utopia, and the bargain-priced WordJong seems destined to remain one of those truly hidden gems on the system.
WordJong bills itself as something of a hybrid between MahJong and Scrabble, though the more you play the more you realize it could simply have been titled "Scrabble Solitaire." While the basic rules of mahjong are in play -- only the tiles unencumbered by other tiles on two sides are in play -- the challenge lies not in making matching pairs or locating the playable pieces but in spelling the largest words possible with the letters in play. It's a simple system, but at the same time rather ingenious. By laying the letters out in mahjong formations, additional letters become available once other letters are played (ie picking up a T might reveal an H underneath, allowing for the spelling of words you hadn't considered before picking the T up).
For an economically priced title, WordJong offers a rather robust set of play modes. The single player mode comes in a number of flavors -- Challenge, Daily Puzzle, and Battle. Challenge mode is a straight up game of solitaire in which the points you earn will level up your status. Don't get too excited RPG-geeks -- this isn't like Puzzle Quest, it's simply a ranking based on how much you've played. Still -- leveling up always feels good, no matter what you're playing. The folks behind WordJong knew how to exploit our vanity -- as a species we love the illusion of progress, and that's what leveling gives us.
Daily Puzzle is similar to Challenge, but it's not an endless game. A single set of tiles is laid out before you as you attempt to beat a pre-determined score. If you're looking for a quick 10 minute puzzle to jump in and out of, it's a great mode. Definitely something that has a home on the DS. It should probably be noted that these two modes two have one frustrating twist -- if you can't clear all the letters, you can't complete the puzzle. It's a rule from mahjong that, while providing an extra level of challenge, still proves incredibly frustrating. Luckily the game allows you to undo previous moves, so if you get to the end and can't finish, you can always go back a few turns and try again.
Battle turned out to me by favorite mode, despite being slightly crippled in the main game. The issue? Removing tiles doesn't let you use the tiles underneath. A weird inclusion to be sure, but it's certainly something you can get used to. So what makes battle so great? A number of CPU opponents, all playing off the same board in turn-based gameplay, all with their own play styles and personalities. Despite my one complaint, Battle offered the most challenge with the least frustration.
As if the single player wasn't enough to get you going, WordJong offers a surprising amount in the multiplayer department. Sure, local head-to-head is a give in. But what about online play? In a budget title? Really? Yep -- online is ready and waiting. But the best part? WordJong includes a 2-player Hot Seat mode, allowing you to play multiplayer on the same DS.
The only other complaint to be had with this title is with the games occasionally limited dictionary. It only happens maybe once every hundred words or so, but you're going to spell a few words that the game just doesn't know. It'll let you spell Batman, but Monday is out of bounds. Strange to be sure, but it comes up so infrequently and gameplay moves so fast that it certainly won't hinder your play.
At 19.99, WordJong offers the complete Scrabble solitaire experience with a variety of play modes and a number of quality options for both online and offline multiplayer. Both its accessibility and price point should put it in competition with the top tier first-party Touch Generations games. If you're already hooked on Scrabulous, it's time to kick it up a notch.
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