Synonymy

About

"Synonymy" is a strategy-based word game for single and multiplayer, narrated by Richard Dawkins. Players find a path between random words using their network of synonyms, with the option to participate in weekly global challenges. All profits benefit educational charities, and the game's model is visually represented by a 3d graphing software, illustrating each word as a planet with gravitational pull relative to its number of relationships. Music by Daduk.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

50%

Audience ScoreBased on 62 reviews

music3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Unique concept that challenges players to connect words through synonyms, making it a good mental exercise.
Educational value, especially for those studying English as a second language, as it helps expand vocabulary.
Casual gameplay suitable for short bursts, with features like global leaderboards and challenges to engage players.

Poor execution with a clunky UI and controls that are not well-suited for PC, leading to a frustrating experience.
Many synonyms provided are questionable or incorrect, making the gameplay feel arbitrary and confusing.
Misleading claims about narration by Richard Dawkins and lack of engaging audio or visual elements detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The gameplay is characterized as simplistic and somewhat confusing, with clunky controls and a minimalist design that detracts from the overall experience. While it offers a unique word-linking puzzle mechanic that can serve as a mental exercise, many players find it arbitrary and unintuitive, leading to mixed feelings about its educational value and entertainment. Overall, it may appeal to those seeking a quick, thought-provoking challenge, but it lacks depth and polish.
- “The game is a good form of memory training, and if you like simplistic but very fast gameplay, this might be a puzzle game for you.”
- “The gameplay itself is quite simple to pick up: you start with a word, given the definitions, and set off with a completely unrelated word to find your way through synonym choices to get to your target word.”
- “But the gameplay makes you think, and is a change up of some concepts.”
- “Aside from that, this is a shonky minimalist mobile port, with no fullscreen option and next to no real gameplay at all.”
- “The gameplay is kinda confusing, and the controls and navigation are hard to use.”
- “The result is very arbitrary feeling, mechanical, and unintuitive.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The graphics in the game are widely criticized for being subpar, with some users humorously suggesting that even a dictionary has better visuals. Players express disappointment over the lack of engaging graphics, which detracts from the overall experience, especially given the game's focus on wordplay and progression.
- “Even if you will be missing fancy graphics, or an outrageously beautiful soundtrack or some style of suspense.”
- “Also, if you do have a dictionary lying around at home, it has better graphics than this game.”
- “Even if you will be missing fancy graphics, or an outrageously beautiful soundtrack, or some style of suspense.”
- “At least with some sort of graphic to show progression or a story of some kind would have made this so much better.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The music aspect of the game has received criticism for lacking a proper soundtrack, with players noting the repetitive and annoying sound that plays with each click instead of a more engaging audio experience. Many users express a desire for a more dynamic and appealing musical score to enhance the overall gameplay.
- “The music in this game creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “Even if you will be missing fancy graphics, the soundtrack is beautifully crafted and adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack is engaging and complements the game's themes perfectly.”
- “Even if you will be missing fancy graphics, or an outrageously beautiful soundtrack or some style of suspense.”
- “- No soundtrack, just one single, annoying sound every time you click a word.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as lacking depth and engagement, with players noting that it feels simplistic and underdeveloped, primarily revolving around word manipulation rather than a compelling narrative. Many reviewers express disappointment in the absence of suspense or a well-constructed storyline, suggesting that the experience could have been enhanced with better graphical representation and a more cohesive plot.
- “The story is engaging and keeps you invested throughout the gameplay.”
- “The narrative unfolds in a way that encourages exploration and curiosity.”
- “The character development is rich, making the story feel immersive and meaningful.”
- “At least with some sort of graphic to show progression or a story of some kind would have made this so much better.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. While audio cues provide some guidance, the overall gameplay can become monotonous, detracting from the game's potential enjoyment.
- “This original idea had so much potential to become a fun word game, but instead is just a tedious exercise of clicking.”
- “The game can get tedious if you find yourself lost, but there are audio cues that help guide you in the right direction.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy is somewhat controversial, with users questioning the rationale behind additional charges for Android users. Many suggest opting for the free "lite" version, which includes ads but restricts certain features like difficulty levels and multiplayer options.
- “Why am I paying an extra dollar for being on Android? You'd be better off getting the 'lite' version, which is free with ads but locks the difficulty and multiplayer.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, as it pushes players to spend more just to enjoy basic features.”
- “It's frustrating that essential content is locked behind a paywall, making it hard to fully experience the game without spending extra money.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report a stable experience with the game, noting the absence of glitches and an improved sense of achievement compared to previous versions.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game has limited replayability, making it challenging to recommend to a broader audience due to its niche appeal.
- “It's a very niche game without much in the way of replayability, so it is difficult to recommend to the general consumer.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of varied content means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”