At this stage, Wordle needs no introduction, after taking the Internet by storm and then being picked up for a seven-figure amount by the New York Times. We’re big fans of Wordle, a game that’s both super simple and super addictive, but there’s a big world of puzzles out there that goes beyond the familiar 5×6 grid of letters.
Here we will introduce you to some of our favorite alternatives that cover everything from math to geography. Chances are you will find something of interest on this list, whether you just want to take a break from Wordle or you will never play the original game ever again.
SLIDE # 11) Redactle
Redactle is something a little different than the norm and we like the spin it is put on the basic Wordle idea. The challenge here is to guess the words that have been edited out of a random Wikipedia article. It’s very difficult to get started, because you do not have much to go after, but it becomes easier as you fill in more words and can see what the article is about.
SLIDE # 22. Quordle
If you found Wordle a little too easy, give Quordle since. It follows the same idea as Wordle, and it’s still based on five-letter words, but this time there’s four of them to work through, a total of nine guesses – and it adds a lot of extra complexity because you’re trying to keep track of four different words at the same time.
SLIDE # 33. Nerd
Swap words for sums Nerd, which has you guessing calculations in a Wordle-like way – and there will always be an equals sign in there somewhere. As with Wordle, you get tips on how close you are to the solution with each guess, even if the color is a little different. It’s a fun way to test or re-learn your math skills.
SLIDE # 44. Squardle
We would not recommend Squardle for delicate souls. There are a lot of instructions to digest and there is a large board to work with and you get a long list of clues to think through when you start guessing letters to build words up. Instead of just the yellow and green tiles you get with Wordle, you also have red, orange and black indicators to think about.
SLIDE # 55. Semantle
We would only recommend Semantle for those who really want a serious challenge from their Wordle-like puzzles. The idea is that you are trying to guess a word based on how semantic it looks like previous guesses, and it certainly requires a little getting used to. You also need to be able to think a little more sideways to get connections between words.
SLIDE # 66. Heardle
Heardle tasks you to guess a song from the introduction: You only get a single second to begin with (well done if you get the song right away), and up to 16 seconds maximum. You can also skip a guess if you just want more time, though this counts as one of the six available attempts to name the track, which is taken from a database of popular songs.
SLIDE # 77. Absurd
Absurd drags the Wordle experience out for longer. It’s basically the same when it comes to color coding, but every time you guess wrong, the solution to the puzzle changes – and you have an unlimited number of attempts to guess correctly. It works better when you actually play it than it may seem from that description.
SLIDE # 88. Quarrel
How about Wordle with a multiplayer, Battle Royale element added? You get that Quarrel, which gives you two different versions to choose from and pushes you to guess your words under the pressure of both the clock and your Squabble opponents. Something to try if you have found the Wordle experience a little too slow and lonely.
SLIDE # 99. Waffle
Waffle is one of the more popular and fun Wordle alternatives out there. Its name comes from the gameplay grid, and you must rearrange the letters you get within 15 moves to form six words: three reads horizontally and three reads vertically. Apparently, every single Waffle puzzle can be solved in 10 moves if you are smart enough.
SLIDE # 1010. Antiwordle
The equal and opposite force to Wordle is the diabolical Antiwordle, where the goal of the game is to lose instead of win – and it’s actually harder to do than it sounds. If you guess a letter that is not in the word, then do not use it in future guesses, and this means that your combination options will be narrowed down quickly.
SLIDE # 1111. Worldle
The extra L makes all the difference here: Wordle stays Worldle, and you should try to guess the country or territory from its outline. Instead of telling you which letters you got right on each guess, the feedback you get is how far away the right answer is geographically from what you put in, so it’s great if you think you know your countries.
SLIDE # 1212. Crossword puzzle
Crossword puzzle is Wordle meets Sudoku, and it reverses the normal process: What you get to begin with is a Wordle that has already been solved, and you then need to find out the guesses that led up to it, based on the colors on the tiles on the screen. It’s a game that can give you a new perspective on Wordle and maybe even make you better at the original.
