The concept is simple. You're given a block filled with letter tiles, and the goal is to conquer as many as you can through color domination. With each new word you build, you take over the tiles. If you're savvy enough, you can also "lock out" certain tiles by capturing the other letters surrounding it, making them impossible for your opponent to use.
Wordly's tactics are diabolical, to the point that you'll discover words you could've built after your turn is up. Thankfully, you can even the playing field with the help of power-ups, including "wild tiles" that help you complete a word, and "word hints" that point out longer terms that take up more tiles. You receive a few for free, but will need to buy more with real cash if you get stuck.
You can play one of two ways. Multiplayer is your best bet, as it's simple, free and lots of fun. Wordly allows you to connect with friends online through Facebook as well as random players, so you never run out of competition. There's also a single player mode where you can challenge various historic characters- including William Shakespeare and Albert Einstein - to a quick round. It's fun, and a good way to earn additional Achievements, but you'll need to buy more "brain power" - or wait it out - before you can complete it. It's a cheap tactic, but hey, Scopely needed to make its money somewhere.
You'll have no problem getting into Wordly's gameplay. It's easy yet addictive, and the more you play it, the better you'll get at building words. The interface is also very clean and easy to use, with an easygoing menu system and likable character models. The only downside is the occasional pop-up ads that interrupt your search for friends.
Since its release earlier this month, Wordly - More Fun Than Your Mother's Word Game has become a colossal hit, and it's easy to see why. Despite some shortcomings with ads and needing to buy boosts for single player, it's one heck of a fun time.
