W.E.L.D.E.R.

Review

Common Sense Media says

Strategic word game builds vocab; optional open chat.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning3
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that W.E.L.D.E.R. is a strategic word game that has optional links to social media and a mode that allows players to challenge friends or strangers. The 2-player mode includes chat features, which raises privacy and safety concerns for younger players. The game draws on the same word list as Words with Friends. Some words and definitions may include mature content. In addition, players can share the definitions or their scores on Facebook and Twitter and can also share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.

  • Ease of use4
    The rules of the game have some intricacies, but play is introduced slowly with a tutorial that can be accessed at any time. Play is fairly challenging, and difficulty gradually increases with higher levels, though the games are not timed. The game is single-player only. Games can be played locally or saved to iCloud, then accessed from any device.
  • Violence1
    The definitions of some words include descriptions of or references to violence. 
  • Sex1
    The definitions of some words include descriptions of or references to sex.
  • Language2
    Swear words that have other meanings, such as "damn," can be played, and their definitions can be viewed.
  • Consumerism4
    From the Shop link on the main menu, there are in-app purchases for Gigawatts from $2.99-$29.99. Gigawatts are are not necessary for gameplay, but the easy boost might be tempting for kids. There are also links on the main menu to rate the app or share with friends.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    The definitions of some words include descriptions of or references to drinking, drugs, or smoking.
  • Privacy & safety2
    Some privacy and safety concerns. In two-player mode, players can choose to be matched randomly with strangers. These games have a chat component, which could put young players at risk. Players can share the game, their scores, or definitions of words on Facebook, Twitter, or email. Additionally, players can opt in to Apple’s Game Center to track scores and achievements. Players can send and receive friend requests using an email address or Game Center nickname, revealing the first and last name associated with each party’s Apple ID and, in the case of email requests, the sender’s email address. With iOS 5, players can opt to have a private or public profile, which can include a photo. With a public profile, your real name is visible to all other players, and Game Center will recommend you to other players using your real name. With a private profile, only your friends can see your real name, and Game Center will not recommend you to other players.
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What kids can learn

3

Teens can learn some unique new words and improve their spelling in this fun word game. For the most part, players build words they're familiar with; however, when the letter tiles fall, words can automatically form -- some familiar, others not. If they choose to, players can tap on a word and read its definition. Teens also use strategy skills as they navigate the different types of tiles and try to stay under the number of tile swaps allowed in each round. W.E.L.D.E.R is a fun game that has the potential to help players learn new words, but they need to make a conscious effort to do so. 

Subjects
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Emotional Development
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
  • Health & Fitness
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What's it about?

W.E.L.D.E.R is like a challenging version of Boggle crossed with a little Bejeweled. On an eight-by-eight tile board of jumbled letters, players swap tiles to form at least a 4-letter word of connected letters (the Boggle part). When they make a word, those letters disappear, making the tiles above fill in and new ones to appear at the top (the Bejeweled part). Some tiles have special characteristics, like they can’t be swapped or are double the points, giving the game an element of strategy.

Is it any good?

 

W.E.L.D.E.R. has a lot to offer teens. While there are elements of sharing and potential privacy risks in 2-player mode, it can be played as a self-contained, 1-player game. The game can get a little monotonous, but the variety of tiles and achievements helps mitigate this. The different types of tiles and swaps make this game very strategic, similar to Befuddled. Stylistically, the game is reminiscent of Spellsquares, with tiles locking into place. What sets W.E.L.D.E.R. apart from most word game apps is the dictionary feature, making it a great way to learn the meaning of obscure words (instead of just using them to frustrate your Words with Friends competitors). Of course, the exposure to mature content in the definitions, as well as the social network sharing and open chat, make this best for teens.

This review of W.E.L.D.E.R. was written by

What kids can learn

3

Teens can learn some unique new words and improve their spelling in this fun word game. For the most part, players build words they're familiar with; however, when the letter tiles fall, words can automatically form -- some familiar, others not. If they choose to, players can tap on a word and read its definition. Teens also use strategy skills as they navigate the different types of tiles and try to stay under the number of tile swaps allowed in each round. W.E.L.D.E.R is a fun game that has the potential to help players learn new words, but they need to make a conscious effort to do so. 

Subjects
  • Language & Reading: vocabulary
  • Math:
  • Science:
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: solving puzzles, strategy
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction:
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration:
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

W.E.L.D.E.R is like a challenging version of Boggle crossed with a little Bejeweled. On an eight-by-eight tile board of jumbled letters, players swap tiles to form at least a 4-letter word of connected letters (the Boggle part). When they make a word, those letters disappear, making the tiles above fill in and new ones to appear at the top (the Bejeweled part). Some tiles have special characteristics, like they can’t be swapped or are double the points, giving the game an element of strategy.

How kids will learn

Players can learn definitions of words by using the linked dictionary in W.E.L.D.E.R, but they have to take the initiative since gameplay does not require it. They can also build spelling skills as they rearrange letters to form words. Players only get a limited number of tile swaps per round, so they have to think strategically in order to advance to the next level. Gameplay is all about building words, but vocabulary learning is fairly limited with players mostly pulling words from existing knowledge. 

How parents can help

  • Draw your kids' attention to the dictionary feature in W.E.L.D.E.R.; it's easy to miss and can add a bit of vocabulary learning to their gameplay.
  • Choose to play a fun word game like Scrabble or Balderdash for your next family night. Your kids can show off their vocabulary and learn from you, too.
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Category:Word Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
Price:$2.99
Size:48.70 MB
Publisher:Ayopa Games LLC
Version:2.1
Release date:August 1, 2012
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.1 or later; Android 2.3.3 and up
This review of W.E.L.D.E.R. was written by

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