"Words for Evil" is a fast-paced word game combined with fantasy RPG elements, available on PC and Mac. Battle monsters, unlock chests, defuse traps, and cheat death using word games while leveling up heroes, unlocking abilities, and purchasing equipment. With 16 heroes, nearly 100 monsters, and 6 stages, the game offers deep combat and classic word game mechanics.
The game combines word puzzles with RPG elements, making it a unique and engaging experience.
The pixel art style and music create a charming atmosphere that enhances gameplay.
It's a fun and educational game that helps improve vocabulary while being entertaining.
The game launches in a tiny, unadjustable window, making it difficult to play on larger screens.
Some words used in puzzles are obscure or archaic, which can be frustrating for players.
The gameplay can become repetitive, as it often encourages using short words rather than longer, more complex ones.
gameplay
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
12%
The gameplay of "Words for Evil" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, combining word formation with RPG elements like leveling and character management. While the real-time combat adds a layer of excitement, it can also lead to frustration due to its fast pace and the emphasis on shorter words for efficiency. Overall, players appreciate the cozy art style and relaxing soundtrack, but some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, particularly in terms of strategic word creation and RPG customization.
“Gameplay is smooth and the game can be left open and walked away from between battles, which makes this game perfect for playing in short bursts (using it as a reward between homework or as a time-filler when cooking).”
“The gameplay is fairly fast-paced and while I wouldn't say it is addictive, it's still fun and you will find yourself coming back for just one more playthrough more times than you will probably like to admit.”
“The rpg mechanics meld very well with the actual typing gameplay.”
“Gameplay is not educational or strategic; you are rewarded more for making 3-letter words than 5-letter words, which works against the general concept of word games.”
“The RPG elements are minimal and the gameplay quickly becomes tedious.”
“Unfortunately, the actual gameplay is not very satisfying in my opinion, as the game is currently.”
graphics
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming and cozy art style, vibrant character designs, and cute pixel graphics that enhance the overall atmosphere. However, some users criticize the visuals as simplistic or retro, suggesting they lack polish and can be overshadowed by gameplay elements. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered appealing, their impact on gameplay is often deemed secondary.
“Graphics are delightful: the artwork for your characters, the monsters, the attacks, magical effects, and the worlds in which the characters adventure are vibrant, evocative, and, like video of the musicians in a rock band game, completely immaterial to the gameplay.”
“The graphics are adorable and charming, as well as in some cases quite stunning.”
“1 - wonderful game design and a lovely 2D art style that brings this game to life.”
“The graphics are more for an audience of people watching you play.”
“It has terrible, ugly retro pixel graphics.”
“Some sounds in the game are too loud (even with sliding it to lowest), graphics aren't really interesting or beautiful; not like it really matters, but you can feel that something is missing.”
story
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
73%
19%
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many reviewers noting that it feels minimal and underdeveloped, often leaving players unsure of their objectives. While some appreciate the basic framework of hero selection and battles, they find it insufficient to engage players seeking a more substantial narrative. Overall, the game is seen as a casual puzzle experience rather than a story-driven RPG, with many recommending other titles like Letter Quest for a richer storytelling experience.
“Between playing games full of deep lore and convoluted storylines, picking up Words for Evil will relax you and may even teach you something.”
“I bought this game and took off on my quest, finding multiple heroes to aid me with rending the evil from this land, dragons, skeletons, hydras, undead, and trolls alike.”
“On this noble quest of mine, I traveled many miles, finding new allies as I lost the old ones in combat; they fought valiantly and they will be missed.”
“Lack of story and can't do fullscreen.”
“Despite being set in a fantasy world (and a beautiful one, at that; the pixel art here is as gorgeous and colorful as it is simplistic), there is really no story to follow or 'reason' to traverse the world other than the relaxing joy of it.”
“Wfe doesn’t have much of a story; you (the player) select a hero and slowly gather more heroes as you battle your way through a series of worlds.”
music
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The music in the game is generally described as calming and soothing, enhancing the cozy atmosphere and engaging gameplay. While some users appreciate the relaxing soundtrack, others note that the sound design can be basic and occasionally grating. Players also have the option to listen to their own music, adding flexibility to the experience.
“The music and sounds are also pretty nice and relaxing.”
“Music is calm and fits the process.”
“Fast-i-need-a-break-game and the best three bucks I've spent in a long time, Words for Evil boasts a calming soundtrack and satisfying gameplay.”
“The sound design is basic with royalty-free music that sounds like a stolen version of Planescape Torment's main theme as the main music, and the sound effects are basic but get grating.”
“Currently (2/22/15) my game has a glitch where I will turn the music and effect volume all the way down (so I can listen to my own music while playing) and the sound effects will still be on.”
“You can listen to your own music or play without music if you want.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
The game boasts significant replayability, with players highlighting the enjoyment of multiple characters, each with unique powers and levels that carry over between playthroughs. Many reviews emphasize the game's simplicity and fun factor, making it a compelling choice for repeated sessions, especially at its low price point. Overall, it is regarded as an excellent puzzle RPG with infinite replay potential.
“Seriously though, an excellent puzzle RPG that has massive replayability.”
“Lovely game with infinite replayability.”
“The basic game is simple and fun, and the addition of multiple characters, each with powers and levels, increases replayability immensely.”
“You get to keep the characters to start with them next time you play, and they keep their levels.”
“I picked it up on sale for $2.09, but it is definitely replayable many times.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting annoying bugs like audio glitches and issues with words not registering, while others find it generally functional with no major glitches. Overall, while there are a few persistent issues, many players still enjoy the experience despite these minor setbacks.
“It's not buggy or anything, it works fine.”
“Terribly buggy, do not enjoy words unclicking themselves while trying to spell.”
“A few glitches, some words that do not register, and the insane difficulty of the last stand anagrams only slightly detract from the experience.”
“A few annoying bugs, such as audio glitches when sound effects are turned to minimum, and no fullscreen.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a devious and humorous tone, with players appreciating its clever use of language and the ability to use swear words for comedic effect. While the humor is generally accessible, some players note that a familiarity with archaic English words can enhance the experience. Overall, the game is described as funny and engaging, though it may pose challenges for those less proficient in English.
“There's a devious sense of humor behind this game that I appreciate.”
“You can use swear words to deal damage to your enemies, and yes, it's hilarious.”
“Some of the words that it seems to expect you to know are humorously archaic.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its cohesive integration of old-school graphics, thematic elements, and an impressive soundtrack, creating a comfortable yet engaging environment. Despite the urgency of racing against time to combat monsters, the overall ambiance remains inviting and well-crafted.
“The old school graphics actually create a great atmosphere for the game.”
“It fits well with the atmosphere of the game and with the theme of each world.”
“It has a very comfy atmosphere even though it has you racing against time to fight off monsters with words, and the artwork and soundtrack are amazing.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unfulfilling, as it discourages the formation of longer words and offers minimal RPG elements. The repetitive nature of battling through word searches leads to a lack of engagement, making the gameplay feel monotonous. Overall, the experience is seen as a missed opportunity compared to similar titles.
“This could have been another Bookworm Adventures, but sadly it's tedious and frustrating as you're not even rewarded for making longer words on the board.”
“The RPG elements are minimal and the gameplay quickly becomes tedious.”
“For the majority of the game, you're fighting monsters through a word search, and it gets a bit tedious because the battles seem to encourage you to find the smallest words like 'dog', 'tack', 'bag', etc., containing the letters you need.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express mixed emotions regarding the game's challenges, with some feeling frustrated and inadequate due to the difficulty of certain puzzles. While the emotional impact is not fully explored yet, there is a sense of pressure and self-doubt that emerges from the gameplay experience.
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of "Words for Evil" has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users describing it as a poorly executed mobile app that lacks effort and quality on the Steam platform.
“Words for Evil is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a cheap, lazy cash grab.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Users highlight that character development is primarily focused on the acquisition of more skills and powers, suggesting a desire for deeper progression and customization in gameplay. This emphasis on expanding abilities indicates that players value a dynamic growth system that enhances their gaming experience.
“The character development is incredibly rewarding, as you gain new skills and powers that truly enhance gameplay.”
“I love how the character development allows for a diverse range of skills and powers, making each playthrough feel unique.”
“The depth of character development in this game is impressive, with a variety of skills and powers that evolve as you progress.”
“The character development feels shallow, lacking meaningful skills or powers that truly enhance gameplay.”
“I was disappointed with the character development; it offers very few skills and powers to make the characters feel unique.”
“The lack of depth in character development makes it hard to invest in the characters, as there are limited skills and powers to explore.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game is reported to run smoothly, indicating effective optimization that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
“The game runs smoothly, providing a seamless experience.”
“The optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay.”
“I appreciate how well the game runs; everything feels fluid and responsive.”