If one mixed classic word game Scrabble with equally iconic strategy game Risk, Quarrel Deluxe (universal) by Indiagames Ltd. might well be the result. This is not the typically static word game. Quarrel Deluxe is a dynamic, challenging, and fun word game with strategic planning and word wars.
The rules of Quarrel Deluxe are very similar to the old board game Risk. There are 12 different islands to conquer. Each islandis divided up between three or four players and a random number monstrously cute “soldiers” are placed on each section of the game board.
Each player gets to “quarrel” with – read attack – an adjacent section during their turn. Unlike Risk where attacks are decided by a roll of the dice, in Quarrel Deluxe each played needs to create the highest scoring word from an set of word tiles – like Scrabble – but which always make up at least one complete anagram.
The number of army soldiers on a space determines the maximum number of letters a player can use, but a high scoring three-letter word can always blow away a six-letter word if a player’s vocabulary contains lots of short words containing Q’s X’s and Z’s.
Although creating the highest scoring word can get a player through a quarrel, it will not always help them conquer the island. Strategy is required to wipe out the opponents. Making sure armies are at full strength, moving men to better locations, seeking out easy pickings, and always thinking a few steps ahead will keep the strategic word gamer on top in this game.
With Quarrel Deluxe, players can customize their armies, share scores on Facebook and Twitter and earn over three dozen Game Center achievements.
The big downside to this game is that it is not a multi-human player game. This seems like an obvious pass and play play title, and wi-fi/Bluetooth multiplayer action as well as random online matching seem like no brainers, but the only option is for one human to battle at least two computer players.
Were the game a two-person affair or even fast-paced it might not matter, but a turn can last several minutes with human player all but sidelined. When not involved in individual quarrels players just have to wait until the fake ones are done.
To kill the time and gain a few extra points, gamers can still try to make the best word they can from the same tiles as the AI fighters, but it adds nothing to the game and it’s boring. Adding real multi-player functionality or at least offer a way to fast forward through AI battles would make this game a lot more fun.
That said, Quarrel Deluxe is an inventive twist on two great classic games. It may tale some patience but it challenges two sets of skills that are seldom put together and does so with style. For those who like to work out their brain while having some gaming fun will want to check this one out.
†Prices accurate at time of posting but are subject to change without prior warning on the App Store.
†Prices accurate at time of posting but are subject to change without prior warning on the App Store
