Text Twist

If you've played the online word puzzle game Text Twist, you'll be happy to know that a sequel to the popular brain-boggler is available. Though the title could be more creative, Text Twist 2 has new features that bring a little more fun to the game's already challenging gameplay.

As with the previous game, Text Twist 2 challenges the player to form words out of jumbles of letters before time runs out. The more words you form, the bigger the bonus. Players are given the option to choose either six, seven or eight-letter jumbles to form words out of; this option is an upgrade to the previous game, which had only six-letter puzzles.

Many features of Text Twist 2 are the same as its predecessor, but there are some key differences.

• Players are now given the option to solve jumbles in Timed or Untimed mode. Whereas the Timed mode really puts the pressure on, Untimed mode is for the casual player. Word puzzles are solved at the player's leisure; you could call this the “just for fun” mode.
• The full version features three entirely new modes: Lightning, Crossword and Word of the Day. Lightning mode gives the players five letter jumbles to solve as fast as they can. Crossword has players fill in the provided spaces using letter jumbles, and Word of the Day is a daily challenge that features a new word added to the game.
• There are two “free passes” that can be used to bypass the requirement for a six-letter word each round. Once those run out, players must find the round's six-letter word or they will not advance.
• This new version has 24 trophies that players can unlock by completing all the challenges.

Overall, the new gameplay doesn't entirely make up for the game's shortcomings. For example, some pluralized words are recognized by the game's word registry while the singular forms are not. There's also the matter of the new gameplay modes (aside from Untimed) are only available in the full version, which requires a purchase. Text Twist 2 is still fun, though, and players who enjoyed the first one are sure to enjoy this one as well. It's still a fun way to spend your afternoon, especially if you're a word junky.