BOGGLE for iPad. Still Good but No Extra Value from the iPhone Original

BOGGLE for iPad_1

BOGGLE for iPad_1

BOGGLE for iPad [rating: 3.5/5]

It was back in September of 2009 when Boggle was initially launched as an iPhone/iPod Touch application and it was received well. In our review here at touchreviews.net we loved it’s realism to the original game but felt that it was lacking in the multi-player mode and it’s use of Twitter and/or Facebook. Well there is no surprise that the price has gone up, with the original version costing $1.99 you’ll need to find an additional $3 to get th iPad version of the word game classic. So what has changed in this new version for Apple’s new toy the iPad and what do you get for your extra $3?

Well the simple answer is not much with the only obvious difference being the enhanced graphics that do look nice and shiny on the larger screen of the iPad. The game play itself though is much the same.

There are two main game modes Quick Play and then Advanced Play which in turn has a few different ways to play. Quick Play describes itself pretty well, as soon as you launch Quick Play mode and after a quick shake of your iPad the single player game is launched and you are started on your 3 minute word search. It’s easy to play for adults and children a like with a simple stroke of your finger across the letters the valid words are automatically added to your word list while invalid words will remain in play until you can either add to them to make a valid word or click the x to clear the word and start again.

BOGGLE for iPad_2

Once the game is over you can either replay the game, start a new one or challenge a friend to beat your score. This challenge option hasn’t changed from the original iPhone version and while it’s fun to see how your friends compare to you scores this email challenge is definitely lacking.

The Advanced Mode offers a few more options including the ability to play against up to 3 friends via Pass and play. This mode is the same as the others where each player will take it in turns to use their 3 minutes to find as many words as possible before passing the iPad onto the next player to for them to use the same set of letters to beat the other players scores.

Another option within Advanced Play mode is to use some power options including Panic Flips and Portal Cubes as well as editing the time limit. These two power options enable special moves in the game where the words you spell will be rotated to offer more options and also mix up all the die if you hang around too long without making a word.

Again these options are all good but still leaves me feeling wanting for more especially when you consider the multi-player and social integration options available with EA’s other titles where online multi-player options are available and offer more fun.

Throughout all of these games you can unlock achievements and keep track of your success via a long list of game stats. There is also a high-score board but it’s only local high score table to comparing your successes and high scores is limited to the previously mention Challenge Mode or local players only.

If you enjoy word games and have even played the classic board game version of Boggle before then there is no reason that you won’t enjoy EA’s latest version for the iPad. However if you are looking for a more social game or already have the iPhone/iPod Touch version there is little reason to buy Boggle for iPad and may prefer EA’s other word game alternative Scrabble.

Pros

  • Looks great on the iPad
  • Great interpretation of the board game classic
  • Lot’s of stats and achievements

Cons

  • No true multi-player options
  • No additional features from the iPhone/iPod Touch version

Price: $4.99 (iTunes Store)
Category: Games
Released: May 27, 2010
Reviewed Version: 1.0.1
Size: 16.2 MB
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish
Seller: Electronic Arts
© 2010 Electronic Arts Inc.
Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.2 or later.

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