I do like a good word game, though I haven't actually played many. You see they tend to be very dry. It is hard to get anyone to play with me too. My spelling and vocabulary are much better than the rest of the family which means I slaughter them every time. My aunt does the same to me when I play with her.
Letter Tycoon was first taught to me by a wonderful digital friend on Board Game Arena (spotlight post here). She beat me every time, but I loved playing it anyway. There is so much more to Letter Tycoon than simply making words. Here is the description of the game...
Letter Tycoon is the word game for 2-5 capitalists! In the game, players take turns forming a word using a seven-card hand and a three-card community card pool, scoring money and stock rewards based on their word. Players may use their earned money to buy one letter "patent" in the word they make. In the future, whenever another player uses one of your owned letters on their turn, you earn money from the bank. Letters that are used less frequently have special abilities, increasing their power.
When enough of the alphabet has been claimed, players finish the current turn, then score all money, stock and letter patents owned. Create the most valuable empire and you can become the letter tycoon!
The patents lend the game some serious strategy. They help you score points to win and may determine what letters you play in your word. Any word can be played as long as it is included in the chosen reference dictionary. If you only play letters of patents you can't afford, you wont get a patent that turn. Also, playing letters of patents that your competitors own gives them more money to buy better patents of their own. It all means creating a word then changing to another word and another till you get a sweet combination that gets you just the right income combined with purchasing power.
Adam really doesn't like word games, but he likes this one because of the strategy involved. Jayne never stands a chance in other word games, but in Letter Tycoon he is a true competitor. This is absolutely a great table top game! It doesn't have the dry educational feel of other word games but the whole point is to create words. There is also a math element with earning an income and investing in good patents. Don't take my word for it. You can play it for free on Board Game Arena, so go give it a try! Head to Board Game Arena (this is our referral link) and get playing. If you want to play along with us live or random times when we play make sure to friend us (18thCenturyGamer and AnMgamescool).