Persephonae Labs has released TextMixt, a sequel to their popular Windows Phone game Anag7ams. TextMixt follows the same basic format of Anag7ams but, as with other sequels, adds a little more to the mix.
The game premise remains the same. You are given five letters and your mission is to identify all the words those five letters can spell. The developers have also added a new game mode, Internet Battle. This gives you the opportunity to test your skills against other TextMixt players.
Anag7ams was one of the early releases for Windows Phone 7 and we found it to be an entertaining, somewhat addictive game. To see if TextMixt follows suit, ease on past the break.
Game Layout
TextMixt has a flashier main menu than Anag7ams. The tile menu has options to launch a new game, view high scores, access your options, view a tutorial, view your achievements and view the About screen. TextMixt has eleven achievements that aren't impossible to achieve but will take some work.
Options include the customary sound on/off as well as a shake to shuffle the letters option, and the option to turn on/off your location services (for the ad banners). You also have settings for online play (establishing your user name), the game's theme (three color schemes) and a reset panel that will reset your word lists, scores and achievements.
Game Play
Each game is timed and when you initiate a new game, you get four levels to choose from; Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert. The harder the level, the shorter the time allotted. You also have the Internet Battle option (more on this in a second).
The game screen is basically the same as Anag7ams. At the bottom of the screen you'll find five letter. To the top, a listing (concealed) of all the words those five letters can create. Just below the word list is your score, target score and word progress.
To create the words, just tap on the letters (in the appropriate order) and tap the submit word button. If your word is correct it will be revealed on the word list and you'll earn points. Incorrect or misspelled words will be rejected.
You do have three additional buttons that will shuffle your letters, clear the letters, or pull up your last completed word. You also have the option to shake your phone to shuffle the letters (might help pick up on those hard to find words).
You have the allotted time to achieve the target score. Once you've attained the score, you can choose to continue finding words or accept the score and move on to the next round. Periodically, you will have a challenge round to spell one word using all five letters.
Internet Battle
Internet Battle reminds me a lot of the Wordrix arena mode. You compete against other TextMixt players to see who can score the most points in a two minute game. Once the timer expires you are sent to a set of results pages showing your score, the word list for that puzzle, and your ranking. Internet Battles are spaced about a minute apart to allow you to review your performance and catch your breath. It is a very nice addition to the game.
Overall Impression
Anag7ams is a very good game for your Windows Phone gaming library. TextMixt is another very good game for your Windows Phone. It's amazing that some five letter combinations can generate so many words!
TextMixt ran smoothly and I found it to be just as entertaining and addictive as Anag7ams. The Internet Battle and Achievements adds to the challenge and entertainment value of the game.
TextMixt is a free, ad-supported game and you can download it here (opens Zune) at the Marketplace.
