Words of Yendor
- November 1, 2023
- SandorHQ
- 8h median play time
Get on Steam"Words of Yendor" is a turn-based, procedurally generated adventure game where players solve word puzzles and engage in word duels to navigate obstacles and defeat opponents. The game features detailed hero portraits, multiple types of word puzzles, and a unique combat system. With personalized endings and the ability to duel opponents with the same pool of letters, "Words of Yendor" offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
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Reviews
- Words of Yendor combines engaging word puzzles with roguelike elements, set in a beautifully crafted steampunk universe, providing a unique and enjoyable experience.
- The game features a variety of mini-games and challenges that keep gameplay fresh and rewarding, encouraging players to improve their word-building skills.
- The art style and music enhance the immersive experience, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
- The game can become repetitive after several hours, as players may notice patterns and common words that diminish replayability.
- Some mechanics and mini-games lack clarity, leading to confusion and frustration, particularly for new players trying to grasp the game's complexity.
- The difficulty can feel unbalanced at times, with certain runs becoming unwinnable due to random elements, which may discourage players from continuing.
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is initially overwhelming due to a lack of tutorials and a complex array of mechanics that can create cognitive overload. However, it features engaging word challenges that blend strategy and linguistic skill with RPG elements, offering both casual and hardcore puzzle experiences. While the learning curve is steep and some mechanics could be clearer, the rewarding nature of the gameplay compensates for its complexity.
“The gameplay revolves around engaging word challenges where players must construct x letter words from a set of letters or face hangman-style trials.”
“This unique approach adds a layer of strategy and linguistic skill to traditional RPG mechanics.”
“The learning curve is definitely steeper than your average word puzzle, and the roguelike mechanics are sometimes unforgiving, but it certainly makes winning a match more rewarding.”
“Few mechanics carry over between the mini games, and there is no tutorial to speak of.”
“Every mechanic and mini game is just tossed in from the jump, and the help button simply adds more cognitive overhead by having you follow 10-15 explanation steps.”
“A simple case of trying to create depth through needless complexity and mechanic bloat.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as lacking depth and coherence, with unclear motivations and world mechanics, despite some engaging writing and lore. While it features procedural storytelling and RPG elements, players may find the narrative repetitive over time. Overall, the story enhances the gameplay experience, particularly for fans of word games, but does not stand out as a strong narrative.
“Some of the story writing is actually rather good, although you will begin to notice familiar situations as you play more, and it is roughly the same experience on each turn although the end game keeps getting more difficult.”
“It throws in some RPG elements, has some nice story fluff.”
“It's a thoughtful blend of challenge, story, and style that's sure to captivate.”
“Fun game requiring a lot of puzzling with words, but the story is not very deep.”
“There is lore to the game and some story elements, but nothing is clear, from the player character's motivation to the way the fictional world works, including why and how some words have powers.”
“The procedural storytelling doesn't offer much of a coherent narrative, either.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Words of Yendor" feature a charming blend of hand-drawn visuals and steampunk aesthetics, enhancing the game's immersive experience. The attention to detail and stylish UI contribute to its visual appeal, making it a delightful choice for fans of word puzzles and roguelite elements. Overall, the graphics complement the game's theme and atmosphere, creating an engaging environment for players.
“The visuals and sound design complement the game's theme perfectly, creating an immersive world where players can explore diverse locations and encounter unique opponents.”
“The attention to detail in the graphics adds to the overall charm of the game, making it visually appealing and engaging.”
“Words of Yendor is a delightful blend of brain-teasing word puzzles and immersive steampunk aesthetics.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and look very generic.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, making exploration less enjoyable.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its exquisite and soothing qualities, effectively complementing the steampunk setting and enhancing the overall atmosphere. While some users find it fitting and atmospheric, others note that it adds a creepy yet enjoyable element to the experience. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's replayability and immersive qualities.
“I love the steampunk setting, and the music is exquisite.”
“Soothing music.”
“Classic word games + roguelite elements + steampunk flavor + stylish UI and visuals + fitting atmospheric music + a pinch of Ambrose Bierce's witty wisdom = a fun and immensely replayable game.”
“The music is okay, and the assassins and the ghosts sound creepy, but in a good way.”
“The music is not memorable and fails to enhance the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a decent level of replayability, with some players noting that after about 8 hours, patterns become recognizable, potentially limiting long-term engagement. However, the combination of classic word gameplay, roguelite elements, and appealing aesthetics contributes to a fun experience that many find worth revisiting.
“Replayability is also great.”
“Classic word games + roguelite elements + steampunk flavor + stylish UI and visuals + fitting atmospheric music + a pinch of Ambrose Bierce's witty wisdom = a fun and immensely replayable game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, expressing a desire for more flexibility in swapping letters or a reduction in penalties for each turn, which would alleviate the repetitive nature of the gameplay.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a unique blend of classic word game mechanics and roguelite elements, all set against a stylish steampunk backdrop. Players appreciate the visually appealing user interface, fitting atmospheric music, and the inclusion of witty quotes that enhance the overall experience, making it both fun and highly replayable.
“Classic word games combined with roguelite elements and a steampunk flavor create a stylish UI and visuals, complemented by fitting atmospheric music, resulting in a fun and immensely replayable game.”
