The Top 7 Word Game Apps For Readers

E.R. Burgess
Boardgame Babylon
Published in
4 min readFeb 28, 2023

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Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

When we readers aren’t on Kindle or nestled in a book, word games can be fun. It’s been ages since Words With Friends took the app world by storm. If you’re tired of playing it, but still want to engage your inner word nerd, here are 7 great bookish games to download right now. Whether you’re looking for a fast-paced game or a more strategic one, there’s something here for everyone.

  1. Paperback (iOS, Android, Steam) — This brilliant game has the feel of Scrabble with more strategy. The quick gameplay has you crafting words from a limited set of letters dealt from a deck of cards. Your reward is both points and credit to buy or eliminate cards from the deck to improve your future round draws. It’s a satisfying solo app experience, but it’s also fun in person. Plus, the art is amazing.
Paperback Vol. 2 brings the wordnerd fun.

2. Paperback Adventures (Steam, coming to iOS and Android) — This excellent app takes Paperback to the next level, with a campaign to play through, boss-battles using your word skills, and more literary jokes that you can shake a bookmark at. It’s getting all my game time right now because I’m loving the challenge added to Paperback’s gameplay. Currently on Steam in Early Access, and the game is also coming to iOS and Android soon. It’s a winner!

Plothook is the character here. I love all the book puns.

3. Bookdle — (Browser) — Yes, I see your Wordle updates. Bookdle from Bookworm is a twist on it with a book theme. The words are all literary: author and character names, book terms, and titles. This is free to play online, but share your results to spread the word. I look forward to seeing all those Bookdle updates soon.

Bookdle has a new quiz each day.

4. SpellTower (Android/iOS) — This word game app has players spelling words within a Tetris-like “Spell Tower”, which clears the letter tiles used. The Tower’s in motion and you lose if it reaches the top. This one is full of Boggle energy and, with three modes of play, there are options for all speeds. It’s certainly a fun way for readers to spend 5 minutes.

Like Paperback and Paperback Adventures, Spell Tower has a gorgeous look.

5. Codenames (Browser) — This excellent game uses the concept of the classic game Password, but you clue multiple words in a twenty-five word set. Your clues are a single word and the number of words you are clueing. Played in person, you split into two teams, one clue-giver per team.

Codenames Online is free and an ideal group game to enjoy with friends or colleagues. Readers are great at this game because we get contextual meanings and can clue to other readers effectively. #wordnerdpower!

From the designer’s diary on Boardgamegeek.

6. TypoMan Remastered — (Android/iOS) — Believe it or not, this is a side-scrolling adventure for word nerds. It’s Scrabble crossed with Super Mario Brothers, and it’s a hoot. The storytelling is rich and there is plenty of wordy humor to keep things interesting. The way you interact with the words here is creative — I don’t want to give too much away. Give it a try — I think you’ll love it!

Looks like a ‘dark and stormy night…’

7. Wordscapes ( Android/iOS)
This is another game with a Boggle vibe, but it uses a crossword for hints. By scratching both of those wordy itches, plus the gorgeous presentation, and this free-to-play app had me paying for the full version quickly. I love racking up bonus words (denoted by the star) to score even more points.

Wordscapes is a relaxing and light way to end this list.

Play Apps Between the Pages

There are my picks for the best bookish word games to download today. Why not try them and see which one becomes your new favorite?

Please share your favorite word game in the comments so we can get more apps to add to the fun.

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E.R. Burgess
Boardgame Babylon

CEO/Founder - Credtent.org, AI Product Leader, Data-Driven Content Marketer, Writer, Game & Gamification Designer (board & video)