Customer Reviews

Upwords

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As with so many closely related products, it is unfair to compare Upwords with the its classic predecessor, Scrabble. Both games are based on letter tiles and crossword puzzles, but the similarity ends right there.

In most respects, Upwords is a simpler game. Scoring is much easier, as each letter tile only counts for either one or two points, depending on how it is used. (There is, of course, one exception.) The game board itself is more restrictive, with the 10 by 10 square size forcing players to build vertically, whether they wish to or not. However, among two or more evenly matched players, the strategy can be just as demanding and the competition just as fierce as in Scrabble.

The downside to Upwords is in the physical quality of the product. The game board is of rather light construction, as are the letter tiles. The letter trays are a bit too small to properly hold the tiles. In fact, most of the little quality touches that one generally expects from Parker Brothers products are conspicuously lacking in Upwords, to the point of the game not even having a storage bag for the letter tiles. It seems that, in the effort to hold down costs, Parker Brothers unfortunately crossed that fine line from inexpensive to cheap.

That said, Upwords is a lot of fun. It teaches three dimensional thinking and forces players to plan well ahead of their next move. The game is an excellent way to turn a fun family evening into a vocabulary and spelling lesson, without the students even realizing it.

Considering that Parker Brothers did manage to keep the price very reasonable, Upwords is a true bargain in the world of family and table games.

Having grown up on Scrabble, I was a little wary of the game at first. But I soon found that the strategies I loved to use in Scrabble (adding endings, squeezing a word in between two others, etc.) were just what was emphasized in Upwords. Although the scoring seems low after playing Scrabble, there is a terrific sense of satisfaction gained when changing words. I encourage my children to play, since the word play is fabulous for their development as readers. (word families can play a big part for those just starting out.) I wholeheartedly recommend it.

What a great game! It's NOT just Scrabble with stacking letters. The scoring is so radically different that your classic Scrabble know-how is seriously compromised. New strategies are required! You have to think differently to succeed. If you're playing a friendly game, the antics of the players can be hilarious. Our group constantly tries to find "creative solutions" to the stackable word puzzles that keep us all in stitches. We're a fairly large group age 25-35 and we've had a blast -- even those of us who aren't big on "word games" had some fun with this interesting and challenging variation. I recommend this game highly! (But, like Scrabble, keep track of those little letter tiles! Losing them is bad news. I wish they would have included a little bag or storage device with the game. In the meantime, a ziploc bag is a needed accessory!)

Loving Scrabble, I thought I would try Upwords for some variety. It was challenging, but not in the same way as Scrabble. It is like playing Scrabble toward the end of the game when it's tough to make small words in the few spaces left...not testing your brain to come up with unique, long, high-point words. I felt it became more a game of chance (based on what letters you got) than of skill. Upwords was fun, but it doesn't have the longevity or variety of Scrabble. We played a few rounds and then went back to our old favorite.

Before we discovered UpWords, we had a tendance to eat lunch at our desks while working. After learning to play UpWords, we now play in the cafeteria at lunch a couple of days a week. Our enjoyment seems to attract attention. Those who walk by often stop to watch a couple of plays. It's become so popular that we often resort to playing teams to allow participation by more than 4 players. The game provides an opportunity to socialize with co-workers and becomes a mini vacation from the office. I can't speak for everyone, but I return to the office refreshed, enlivened, and more productive!

We are lovers of word games & crosswords & were amazed at the different outcomes the different games we have played, have had. A seemingly boring start sometimes ends in the most enjoyable, highest scores yet, and takes one's imagination to new levels. Our 11-yr old daughter has had a personal & family high score of 588 points in one game. Good job to the inventor - we need these valuable ties in our families!

UpWords is to Scrabble as Corvette is to Chevrolet. It is fast (usually about 20 minutes per game), interesting and absorbing. It grows on you and soon you will be reaching for the 300 point mark in scoring. Having played UpWords daily for over ten years my wife and I never tire of it because each game is so unique. We find a Scrabble Dictionary a must for allowable words, but only refer to it during the opponent's turn.

Whenever my kids ask me to play a game, Upwords is always on the list. I prefer it over Scrabble since it usually takes less than an hour to play, it moves quicker and it levels the playing field for those with more limited vocabularies - there's an element of chance involved. The best thing about this game is that when you have groups of three or more players, it's the perfect companion to play with Scrabble, alternating turns between the two games so that you don't feel like you're always waiting for your turn. They have very different strategies which can really stretch the mind since Upwords rewards you for sharing letters but doesn't reward you for using the tougher letters. With two people, it's great fun to alternate between Upwords and Overturn (another great word game).

We have played this game almost every day for years. It is much more interesting than Scrabble as you can make such a variety of words. We have gifted many people with a set.

I used this game for my son when he was 5 and we would spell words and then by going upwards we could change a word such as "Bat" to "Cat" etc. He would come up with endless changes and really got to understand his Phonics well and improve his spelling and reading skills. If you have a child just getting the hang of Phonics this can encourage your child to learn while having fun with Mom or Dad.