Spell Dash Review
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Spell Dash Review

Our Review by Jennifer Allen on June 29th, 2012
Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: WORDY
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Owing much to other word games, Spell Dash still has a certain fun quality about it.

Developer: Francisco Dalina
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPad 2

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Game Controls Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Replay Value Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar


With any new iPad based word game, there's a crucial and predictable question to ask: is it better than SpellTower? In the case of Spell Dash, the answer is "not quite".

As the new kid on the app store, Spell Dash does benefit from the fact that everyone likes trying something a little different after having spent much of the year playing through SpellTower. It's also half the price.

Playing Spell Dash is very similar to other word games. Players must work their way through tiles upon tiles, using a finger to swipe connections together to create words. It's simple yet enjoyable enough. Three different game modes offer some variety but ultimately, it is all about clearing words quickly.

Arcade mode gives players a strict time limit to adhere to as they attempt to find as many words as possible. Words must consist of at least three letters then it's just a matter of being restricted solely by one's vocabulary. Combos are awarded for finding a 4-letter word or more with 3 letter words being seen as the most basic. Like in a game of Scrabble, different letters are awarded different values depending on the difficulty involved in forming a word out of them. This proves a marked difference from how SpellTower deals with things.

Besides Arcade mode, there's a Timeless mode for players to enjoy at their own pace. It's not quite as serene as it sounds as new letters still continue to drop each time a player finds a word. Blitz mode is a more frantic interpretation of Arcade mode with the potential for numerous bonuses and power-ups to acquire.

Fundamentally, gameplay is consistent throughout but the variety proves fun nonetheless. Certain tiles clear surrounding areas while others clear entire lines so it's important to concentrate on these letters in particular, when faced with an ever filling screen of letters.

Spell Dash doesn't quite usurp SpellTower from its throne but it is a worthy alternative. One that proves fun in its own right. It's enjoyable to see high scores gained from one word, much like in Scrabble which will keep word fans keen to play for a while to come.

iPhone Screenshots

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Spell Dash screenshot 1 Spell Dash screenshot 2 Spell Dash screenshot 3 Spell Dash screenshot 4

iPad Screenshots

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Spell Dash screenshot 5 Spell Dash screenshot 6 Spell Dash screenshot 7 Spell Dash screenshot 8
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