Most Popular Word Games

One tip you’ll commonly hear when people discover that you want to improve your English is to “read more books.” But not everyone can find joy in reading, so what now? Well luckily, there has been a rise in the popularity of word games. People take advantage of the exciting gimmicks that developers come up with, not to only have fun and pass the time but also to broaden their vocabulary.

If you ever find yourself looking to learn a new word or two, then give these popular word games of 2022 a try!

1. Wordle

Of course, you can’t talk about the rising popularity of word games without mentioning the one game that took 2022 by storm– Wordle.

Created by software engineer Josh Wardle for his beloved wife, Wordle is a free online game and has quickly become a worldwide trend with more or less 300,000 people playing this game daily. Its entire premise is for the players to guess what the five-letter “word of the day” is. But while most guessing games out there provide their players with a theme or a hint, Wordle does none of that. You’re left to your own devices.

It’s a great starter game to get into since the instructions are easy, there are no difficulty levels, and you only get one word per day– fewer words, less stress, usually. This game definitely provides its players with a sense of excitement, suspense, and sometimes even frustration as you’re left to think: “That word exists?!”

If you like playing this game, also check out some tips on playing wordle or use an online wordle solver if you want to cheat a little.

2. Crossword

Going as far back as 1913, Crossword still remains a crowd favorite. It’s a great way to improve your critical thinking skills while learning a thing or two about different terminologies and trivial facts.

With the many variations that exist today, there’s always going to be something new for you to try. Such variations can range from solving two at a time with only one set of clues to solving anagrams and even number-coded ones. With these many choices, there’s definitely something for everyone.

And because this game has retained so much popularity since its launch, there are various different apps and sources where you can enjoy this game, making it accessible to nearly everyone.

3. Pictoword

Providing players with two seemingly unrelated photos, and a random mix of letters, Pictoword challenges its players to guess the word based on the hints alone. It’s a very straightforward game and can be a great way to pass the time.

In addition, the app is free and is downloadable regardless of what mobile device you use. There are also many free alternatives with the same concept, so you’re free to choose which one suits your taste more.

4. Wordscapes

Now here’s a game that you might’ve seen on the internet before.

Wordscapes is a free downloadable mobile game that’s reminiscent of Crossword. In the game, players are shown a Crossword-like setup minus the clues; instead, they’re given a mix of letters and are expected to look for word combinations and fill out all the blank spaces. The number of letters given could range anywhere from four, to even six, which really ramps up the difficulty.

It’s perfect for learning new words and really racking up your brain, especially when you’re down to the last blank space and every combination just doesn’t seem to work! The app also offers players aesthetically pleasing backgrounds, dynamic gameplay, and multiple levels with varying degrees of difficulty– truly a game worth your time.

Also check out our recent blog explaining some basic rules and tips about Wordscapes.

5. Spelltower

It’s like the love child between Tetris and word search. In Zach Gage’s SpellTower, players find themselves face to face with a word bank that first starts off as few in number, but soon enough, it begins filling up with more and more letters. Your goal is to quickly locate words hidden within the mix and prevent the word bank from reaching the top.

One challenging thing players need to get ready for is that it isn’t like your typical word search. Normally, the words are arranged either horizontally or vertically, read forwards or backward. In SpellTower however, there’s no guarantee on what pattern they’ll follow. It’s up to your keen eye to spot them.

This game definitely needs a quick eye since time is of the essence. It’s thrilling, fast-paced, and adrenaline-inducing– especially when you’re just a little ways away from the top, and you can’t seem to find any more words.

6. Scrabble Go

No word game list would be complete without some form of Scrabble thrown into the mix. But did you know that the game of Scrabble actually has close relations to Crossword and even anagrams? Created in 1931, a few decades after Crossword, architect Alfred M. Butts thought to combine the two aforementioned games; hence, the birth of Scrabble.

Since then, the game of Scrabble has come a long way, and with the rise of technology, numerous different apps and websites have been created which allow players to enjoy this game no matter where they are. Scrabble Go is one such variation that allows its users to play against whoever they want, be it their friends and family, strangers from across the globe, or even AI computers.

There are so many possibilities with this app. With everything from access to the official Scrabble dictionary to even customization options. Here, you have full control over your gaming experience.

7. Typeshift

In another word game by Zach Gage, players are tasked with figuring out a specific word from a set of columns lined with letters that you can slide up or down. You can think of it as a combination lock of sorts, where finding the right word gets you the win.

Typeshift definitely offers a new style for word games and deviates from the typical word search or word bank type of gameplay. With its simply styled format, multiple levels, and even clues to help you out, Typeshift is sure to give you a one-of-a-kind experience.

By now, it’s evident that reading isn’t the only way to widen your vocabulary. Through exploring the many word games available on the market, not only do you get to pass the time and have some fun, but you could also use it as a means to learn new words and practice new skills.

It can be quite riveting to challenge yourself through word games. Sometimes, you’ll feel the time pressure while frantically searching for a word combination from a word bank, and other times you could just be enjoying a laid-back game of Scrabble with your friends. No matter the word game that piques your interest, you’re sure to get the best of both worlds: entertainment, and learning.

Now, who said learning can’t be fun?