Beyond Words Switch Review

Beyond Words Switch Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 

A lot of people may know Dr David Doak as the guy who gave you the keycard in the Facility, but he is actually a real person, and a real doctor. It is largely because of his work that we got one of the greatest multiplayer shooters of all time. Then there is Steve Ellis, a legend from Rare who co-created Free Radical, which went on to create the sublime Timesplitters series. Now, what if I told you they have reunited to create an all-new game in the form of Beyond Words, a brain-teasing puzzler with roguelike elements that will massage your cerebral cortex and get you feeling clever. What’s it Like? Shuffle your letters, study the board, and what do you mean “BGR” is not a word? As we review Beyond Words for Nintendo Switch.

Beyond Words might not be what you expect from the creators of an iconic multiplayer shooter, but it can be just as addictive. The game presents you with a series of levels, each built around specific tile layouts filled with multipliers, cash bonuses, and modifiers that can dramatically alter your score. Each level is made up of several rounds, with a limited number of moves and a score requirement that starts modestly before ramping up with each successful round. To keep you on your toes, boss battles are introduced that layer on debuffs and extra challenges, like restricting certain letters or forcing you to play around specific conditions. Thankfully, you are not going in unprepared. You have tools at your disposal in the form of power cards, tile boosters, and score modifiers that can increase multipliers or reward longer words. These can be purchased with coins earned between rounds, giving you a chance to shape your strategy before reshuffling your tiles and pushing forward. If all of this sounds familiar, that is because Beyond Words wears its Balatro-inspired structure on its sleeve. This isn’t a bad thing, as it has been adapted to the worldplay-like nature of Scrabble really well, creating a challenging and addictive gameplay loop that actually made me feel rather clever while playing it.

What really makes the gameplay loop so fun and addictive is just how intuitive it is to play. Both touchscreen controls and standard inputs are simple to pick up, and more than once, I found myself leaving an indent in the couch as I got completely lost trying to solve just one more round. As you place tiles, there is a helpful indicator letting you know if your word will be accepted, and while I was shaking some of the cobwebs from my brain early on, there was definitely a bit of trial and error involved. That goes out the window as you get more comfortable with your wordplay. The ability to shuffle your tiles or arrange them alphabetically gives you a fresh perspective, turning what first felt like guesswork into something far more deliberate and strategic. That said, strategy does sometimes take a backseat to RNG, meaning that if luck is not on your side, even the most talented wordsmiths might be left “scrabbling”… I mean, scrambling to salvage a run. This can often result in falling just short of passing the round or running out of turns altogether. I felt the sting of this a few times, but sometimes that is just the luck of the draw.

Beyond Words actually took me back to the days when Words With Friends was at its peak, although this time, no friends are required, and thankfully, no one is holding your game hostage unless you join their Tupperware team. Yes… that really happened. Beyond Words works so well because it feels like sitting down with a Sunday crossword. You can take it at your own pace, but the added layer of scoring strategy means the longest word is not always the best one. It strikes a great balance between relaxing and mentally engaging, and it feels so rewarding when all your power cards and combos align to hit a word that smashes the score card out of the ballpark.

Graphically, Beyond Words features a clean, almost minimalist art style. Cards have a hand-drawn quality, and each level usually features a unique layout, with icons that are clear and crisp. The board itself is always easy to read, which is important in a game like this. Multipliers and modifiers stand out without overwhelming the screen, and even in later rounds when things get more chaotic, it never feels too cluttered. Effects tied to scoring and combos are also handled well. Big words and high multipliers are clearly communicated, and it is always obvious when a boost or card effect has triggered, which helps keep the flow of each run intact. Visually, it is all perfectly serviceable rather than flashy.

For your wordsmiths looking into accessibility, you can reduce screen movement, but outside of that, there are no accessibility options to speak of. As always, I recommend further research to find out if Beyond Words on Nintendo Switch suits your needs. At just under $23 AUD, Beyond Words will keep you engaged if you are a fan of brain teasers and puzzlers. There are plenty of levels, randomised bosses (which can sometimes be a double-edged sword), and endless modes.

Beyond Words is a very clever twist on word games. While it wears its Balatro inspiration on its sleeve, it also manages to do its own thing to deliver an addictive and engaging gameplay loop. Sure, sometimes being at the hands of the RNG gods can abruptly end a run, but it is so fun to dive right back in that it really did not bother me. While it may not look as flashy as other puzzlers, Beyond Words does something else that is rather rare, and that is make me feel like I was becoming smarter the more I played. Beyond Words is a very clever puzzler that is a great way to lose an hour or two here and there when you want a relaxing challenge, and to craft some clever word combos.

So, What’s it Like? Beyond Words is like Scrabble, crossed with Balatro.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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