QatQi review

QatQi
ZWorkbench, Inc
iOS, Free

Another week, another new word game. QatQi (pronounced 'cat-kee') is, if anything, better than Letterpress. It's deeper and far more complex. It can also be extraordinarily difficult.

The concept is simple: you have to place letters on a grid to make words. Longer words are worth more points and so are certain letters. Each new word must connect to at least one of the letters that is already on the board and the game finishes when there are no more letters left to place. So far it's like Scrabble.

However, it's not just about making long words. The game takes place on a 'map', filled with 'rooms'. Exploring the rooms can lead to the discovery of gold coins, which massively increase your score. You don't need to explore the map to finish a level but your score will be much higher if you do.

That idea adds an intriguing layer of strategy. You have to think not only about which words you can make with the letters available but also how you position the words so that you can advance across the map. The game encourages you to use the 'undo' feature liberally and try new paths, something that is essential when hunting for coins. However, once you are out of undos you will need to either slowly gather more while playing or buy some at £1.49 for 1,000.

It's challenging and addictive fun but what makes it even better is the thought that has gone into the design. The levels are laid out on a circular calendar, with a new level for each day of the year. Monday levels are the easiest and can be finished in a few minutes, while Sunday levels could take hours. You don't have to wait for each day's new game because you can go back through hundreds of previous levels.

At the end of each level your performance is broken down into a series of infographics, which will delight data nerds but also offer useful insights into how to improve your performance. On top of all that is a soothing electronic soundtrack.

The only omissions in an otherwise perfect game would be Game Centre integration, for achievements and to quickly compare scores with friends, and the ability, via iCloud or some other means, to carry your game status between iPhone and iPad.

I've been playing QatQi for a week and I'm addicted. Its long-term stickiness remains to be seen but it's a free game so you should find out for yourself.