What is a ten-letter word for a word game that offers variety, challenge, and fun for the entire family? That's right,
C R O S S W O R D S.
Sierra-Online, Inc., the popular creator of entertainment software games for the PC, has recently released their Dell Magazines Crosswords software. This program is intended to be the 21st century approach for the lover of crossword puzzles. No more newsprint on your hands and fingers. So, if you love crossword puzzles, boot up your computer.
Sierra has combined Hoyle's reputation for quality games and Dell Magazines' reputation as the authority in crossword puzzles. The result is a package of 1,200 stimulating crossword puzzles that will challenge word game wizards everywhere. As a bonus, Sierra threw in a Webster's New World College Dictionary for those that need a quick reference.
It takes no time at all to be ready to tackle your choice of these thousand+ crosswords; all you have to do is load the one-CD program. The document and directions are all on the software, and you will be prompted with easy-to-follow instructions. The learning curve is shallow, leaving all your gray matter for those expert-level crosswords. Dell Magazines Crosswords are a great test of your memory as well as a clever way to learn new vocabulary while at the same time having fun. Truly educational entertainment.
Crosswords are usually thought of as a singular activity, but special features in this program allow a player to compete head to head with others. This very versatile game can be played alone or with others on the same computer. If live opponents are scarce, players can create their own virtual opponents.
Players can select the skill level they like - easy, medium, or hard. For a novel approach, the computer can mix and match the difficulty levels. There was one feature that I really appreciated. I called it the rescue feature. If you get stumped, the computer can insert a letter or a word (even the entire puzzle for any giver-uppers). A mistake alert points out errors and supplies hints for tricky words.
If you like a time challenge as well as a mind challenge, the puzzle timer lets you play the clock as well as the Dell crossword experts. Background music is optional.
Overall, Dell Magazines Crosswords was fun and very easy to work with. True to its advertising, the easy puzzles were undemanding and the hard ones were very challenging. I found that for the higher level puzzles, I needed more than Mr. Webster's help. An electronic thesaurus or crossword puzzle dictionary would have been a great help. This software game is available for both Windows and Macs at the suggested price of $19.99 at local software retailers. If you are addicted to crossword puzzles, you'll love it.
