Word Stacks
By Erin Brereton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Ads, clue costs slow otherwise fun word puzzle experience.
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Word Stacks
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What’s It About?
In WORD STACKS, players need to find terms in blocks of letters related to a theme. They might, for example, be told to identify words that correspond with blue, and then sweep across blocks that spell out "bird" and "berry." As correct words are chosen, the blocks shift, revealing new possibilities. Playing earns coins, which can be used on clues or to shuffle the letters. As they progress through the app's 400 chapters, players earn new background themes. Bonus words in puzzles also provide additional coins.
Is It Any Good?
Players get to work their way through increasingly more challenging word puzzles as they advance through this fun, simple-to-use app. In Word Stacks, you solve parts of a puzzle just like you might solve a crossword: by identifying surrounding words or noticing what will be a correct answer once the blocks shift and a different letter is in place. Clever, somewhat indirect themes -- such as things that have buttons -- help make the answers players are looking for -- pants, remote, shirt, and elevator, for example -- less obvious. Word Stacks also offers three types of letter and word reorganization clues, which should help players figure out which format works best for them.
They'll need a fair amount of cash on hand to get a hint, though. Shuffling letter tiles is the least expensive option, but it still may be more than some players can afford, if they're only getting coins through playing. As a result, they might feel pressured to buy the coin and coin-and-clue-combo packages the app offers, which, at $5.99 to $99.99, parents may not be thrilled about. Giving players more free clues over time, and removing or at least reducing the number of ads they have to sit through, unless they pay to eliminate them, would allow players to move through rounds faster and make the app a more enjoyable experience. Without free hints, continuing to play Word Stacks may turn out to be too frustrating -- or expensive -- if gamers get confused.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about setting and reaching goals. In Word Stacks, players work toward unlocking various things. Can you and your child think of a goal together and create a plan to achieve it?
Do you feel pressured to buy something to get the full experience? Is it possible to play without spending any money?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: February 15, 2019
- Category: Puzzle Games
- Publisher: PeopleFun
- Version: 1.0.9
- Minimum software requirements: Requires iOS 9.0 or later or Android 4.1 and up.
- Last updated: February 18, 2020
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