Review Conditions
Starts With WordSearch from ZingMagic was installed on a Nokia E71, an S60 3rd edition, FP1 device.
Installation
Starts with WordSearch Its available in the Ovi Store. I picked it for the 3rd edition FP1 device. The Ovi Store sends the download link to the mobile for download of the application.
First View
Starts With WordSearch is one of the many board games from ZingMagic found on Ovi Store. Lets see how it is.
Main Review
Starts With WordSearch has just one game play – locate words in a grid of letters. There are 20 categories, which means there are 20 different sets of words, starting with various alphabets. Your skill is measured by how quickly you can find all the words in the grid. There is a timer that measures time taken to complete the grid.
There are 3 levels, Hard, Medium and Easy. In the Hard level, words can be formed backwards, left to right and right or left diagonal across the board. In easier levels, words are arranged simply from top to bottom or left to right.
The grid sizes can be Small, Medium and Large. I prefer the Small grid because it fits well to my screen. The Large grid makes the letters too small and its not very easy on the eyes.
When you find a word, select the first letter and just move the D-Pad left or right for each letter in the word. For e.g. even if the word is constructed downward-right-diagonally, a right press on the D-Pad will move it down right-diagonal.
Statistics give you feedback on your progress. Basically you play against yourself and improve the time in finding all words in the grid.
Handling
It took me a while to find out that the next letter in the word should not be pressed by I should just scroll down using the D-Pad until the word is complete. There is no help to guide the player.
Weaknesses
The only problem I found was that if I made a mistake, like pressing two letters one after the other, there is no turning back. I might as well abandon the game and start over. Would have been nice to just add a minute for a mistake and let me undo the mistake and complete the game.
Conclusion
Starts With WordSearch is an engaging game and improves your vocabulary. Its free on the Ovi Store and is a teaser for similar premium games from ZingMagic like Word Search Nature, Word Search Geography, Word Search Hobbies, Word Search Food & Drink, Word Search Deluxe, Word Search Alphabet. They are all priced at 2-3 Euros and are good time pass, as they say. I’ll give it 3 of 5.
