Scrabble Game by Runecraft Ltd/Ubisoft Reviewed by Frank Ingrati fingrati@iprimus.com.au Size: 8mb Save: Battery save - 15 slots Released: 2001 Works with: GBColor and Advance **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Finally, adult gamers are given the chance to use their knowledge of the English language and maybe learn a few new words in the process. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Description: The English language is an enigma. It's an ongoing learning process that has a mysterious life of it's own. New words are discovered, old words are discarded. If we didn't have this most common form of correspondence, how would we share information in our daily lives? (And I'm not talking about codes and signals.) Either by talking or writing, words have an essential affect on our everday activities. That's where this game comes into play. Scrabble, for most intensive purposes, is an exact replica of it's big brother. If you've played Scrabble (the real board game) with friends and you've enjoyed it, expect to be entralled by this GBC version. The purpose of this game is get the highest score by matching tiles of letters with one another to form words. And let me tell you this, it succeeds extremely well. There is a choice of five difficulty settings - from Novice, Easy, Normal, Hard, right up to Expert. I would recommend beginning on the Novice setting, then if you feel confident enough, go for a harder setting. Playing the game consists of a Sinlge Game, 3 Game Match, or 5 Game Match. No worries there. The Options don't disappoint either. Music and Sound FX can be turned on and off, the Timer can be set to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, or turned off all together. The option to pick your own tile is intriuging. I suggest leaving this on, as it's one thing less to worry about. If by any chance, you enter an invalid word, you have the option to lose a turn (or play again if you're not sure the CPU will accept it). You can also challenge a Guest (human) player on the validity of a word your confuse with. The game dictionary is extensive and validates submitted words, but unfortunately, doesn't offer it's list for viewing. If you really get stuck creating a word, the game provides a hints feature which finds the best word and location for your tiles, enabling you to score the highest word possible for that turn. As well as providing a Scrabble game, this cart comes with a sort-of bonus game called Conundrum. What you have to do is build the best word from the seven tiles your given, and try to beat the CPU or a Guest player on the points you've earned from the word. This mini-game is a derivation of the main game, but provides a welcome distraction in any case. The Conundrum game has an option of showing the best word from the seven tiles. If you have the best word, you score the highest points for that round. There are fourteen rounds, and the player with the highest score after all fourteen rounds wins the game. Up to four Guest (human) players can play turn-based, or one human player and three CPU players. Multiplayer options are not necessary, because the real game itself plays only in turn-based mode. Adding to the intimate atmosphere is the Profile option. Here, you can record your Top Scores, view Games Played, view Matches Played, view your Best Single Game Word score, Highest Scoring Word, and Highest Conundrum score. Just remember to save the current game. Liked: Sticks to the basic rules of Scrabble. There's no cheating- thus creating less arguments between human players. The option to save a game (or 15) in progress. Intelligent CPU opponents. The ability to zoom in on the board. Four player turn-base action. Saved player profiles. Hints feature. Hated: Even though the game contains the Official Scrabble (TM) word list, the words are not available for viewing, making it harder for the player to decide whether to submit a word for acceptance. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Bright and colourful bonus tiles contrasts with the dark colours of the board to create a very pleasing view. The letter tiles are very easy to read, and the caricatures of the CPU opponents make for interesting expressions. Overall, the graphics look very authentic and the in-game menu is very easy to navigate. Liked: Just like the real thing, you can not get better than this. Hated: A little dark on the Advance. Play it on the GBC for best results. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Five classical themes to choose from. Plus the ever-present OFF switch. (Go for Tune #3 - it's sublime.) Tile and scoring noises abound - adds to the overall authenticity of the game. Liked: Five very good classic tunes. Hated: No in-game enunciation. (Maybe I'm expecting too much.) **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The placement of the tiles is a joy to control. Simply press A to pick up and put down, and B to go back. The zoom function lets you see 3/4 of the board instead of squinting at the letters. Rack Control resembles an icon bar on a computer. Selecting a command is instinctual, and Board Control is second nature for people familiar with using the D-pad. The game design is brilliant in it's conception. Beginners to experts are catered for, and there is no repetitive nature to the game. (Which is great.) Who wants to play the same game twice? Liked: Navigation is a dream, and exactly like the original board game. Shuffle, Exchange, Pass, Magnify, Clear, and End are all the commands you will ever need. The game has excellent pick up and play capabilities, but hardcore enthusiasts will find that it offers a fantastic extended ability as well. Hated: Unenlightened gamers will have a certain amount of frustration learning the rules of this record-breaking board game. No in-game instructions are included, but the manual does a basic job of explaining the play method. **************************************************************************** Improve: A word list where you could input new words. For example, it doesn't recognize the word "Internet", and an ability to save new words into it's databank would make it's playability almost endless. An ability to play the game in Italian, French, German, Spanish, etc. would be a welcome addition, but only if you get tired of playing with English words. RIYL: Monopoly, Uno, Othello, Battleship, Mario Picross. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Scrabble for GBC is the best made-for-GBC board game there is. Enthusiasts, as well as novices, will be very pleased they picked up this superior title. It's well suited for a short break or several enduring games of intellect and skill, and promises to last well into the future. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: **** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 24 Final Score: 96% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: If you own a Scrabble dictionary, I suggest you use it.