4 Icons 1 Word is a casual picture puzzle game in the Windows Phone Store that, as you would guess, presents you with four icons and you have to guess the correct word all four have in common.
Available for low-memory Windows Phones the game isn't very taxing but has its fair share of challenging puzzles to solve. 4 Icons 1 Word is one of those games you might enjoy picking up from time to time when you are in the mood for a casual game or (for those with children) possibly a gaming title to have in your Kid's Corner.
There really isn't much to 4 Icons 1 Word's main menu. You will find options to jump into game play, rate the game in the Windows Phone Store, mute the sound, view your achievements and buy game tokens via in-app purchase.
Game play is spread out in multi-level fashion and 4 Icons 1 Word will remember your progress in the game. If you end game play at level 26, that is where you'll pick things back up at.
The game screen will have your four icons displayed center screen with your game token count displayed at the top of the screen. The letters available to solve the puzzle will be scattered across the bottom of the screen and to begin solving the puzzle, just tap on the letters to spell the word. At either side of the four icons, there is also four control buttons. The 'A' button to the left of the icons will remove one letter from the group at the bottom of the screen. The 'A' button to the right will reveal a letter in the answer blocks. Both hints will cost you a few game tokens.
The other two buttons will let you rate the game in the Windows Phone Store and buy more game tokens.
Puzzles start out somewhat on the easy side, such as four different types of ice cream being pictured with 'ice cream' being the answer. If you need to inspect an icon closer just tap on the icon you are curious about and it will enlarge. After about the fifteenth level the puzzles begin to get a little more challenging but never overly difficult. Some puzzles could have more than one possible solution and you'll need to see which possibility fits the available letters the best.
Overall Impression
4 Icons 1 Word may not appeal to everyone but the game has potential. While game play did start off a little on the slow side, the more I played the more 4 Icons 1 Word began to grow on me. I don't think the game has the strength to be a go-to gaming title on your Windows Phone. However, I can see 4 Icons 1 Word being a game that is worth visiting from time to time. Puzzles aren't crazy difficult but will make you think a little while searching the depths of your brain for the answer.
I can also see 4 Icons 1 Word being a fun title for your Windows Phone Kid's Corner (should that apply). I can see the game being a fun way to challenge our younger Windows Phone gamers' word association and spelling skills.
All in all, 4 Icons 1 Word comes across as a nicely laid out, mildly challenging, entertaining Windows Phone game. At last check, with over seventy reviews the game pulls in a 4.5 Star rating in the Windows Phone Store. A rating we won't disagree with.
