PopCap Games' Bookworm Adventures Volume 2

Lex is Back for More Adventures in Latest Bookworm Installment

Aug 13, 2009 Irene Tanner-Yuen

Fans of previous Bookworm titles from PopCap Games will enjoy Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 for its adorable graphics, silly humor, and entertaining gameplay.

On July 30, 2009, PopCap Games published its third title in the immensely popular Bookworm series, Bookworm Adventures Volume 2. Like its predecessor Bookworm Adventures (2006), Vol. 2 is a puzzle game for PC. It has a turn-based format, combined with elements of action games and RPGs (role-playing games). It's following a winning formula: Bookworm Adventures was critically acclaimed, having won several industry awards.

Gameplay is simple: the player, playing as squeaky-voiced bookworm Lex, must click letter tiles in a grid to form words; only one word can be formed per turn. Lex's turn counts as an attack against an enemy, with higher scores causing more damage.

The score per turn largely depends on word length as well as any special tiles (gems) that are used. Additionally, power-ups may boost the value of an attack, as can the formation of special words, which can depend on an enemy's weaknesses or an item that Lex is holding.

Technical Achievements in Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2

Story and mood are the best aspects of Vol. 2, showcasing the same brand of silly humor that made Bookworm Adventures so charming. The graphics are not terribly advanced, but they are cute and the palette is bright and clean.

Like the preceding game, Vol. 2 features an impressive orchestral score, which is rather epic--especially during boss battles--for such a simple game. The music only adds to the game's overall appeal.

What's New in Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2

Vol. 2 retains all the good parts of its predecessor, but with a host of improvements. The additions enhance gameplay greatly. Significant game improvements include:

Companions - These NPCs (non-player characters) have different abilities and ways of helping Lex. Each book introduces two companions. Players can select a companion before each chapter, along with two magical items. The three slots available must be used for one companion and two items.
Adventure Replay mode - After completing the game in Adventure mode, players can enter Adventure Replay mode in any of the three books. Replay mode has some nifty additions, such as experience points in the progress bar, bonus points for better words, and the ability to earn badges for certain milestones, e.g., three-word kills and using gem tiles a specified number of times.
Rainbow gem - This new gem tile appears when Lex forms a word using three different existing gems, e.g., amethyst, ruby, and emerald. The rainbow gem is used as a wildcard, much like the blank tile in Scrabble.
More mini-games - Each book unveils a new mini-game that can be played to gain experience points. All three new games, as well as existing mini-games, are accessible through Moxie's mini-game hut.
New tiles - Cursed tiles sometimes appear on the grid; Lex can use them, but doing so curses him. Fire tiles must be used before they reach the bottom of the grid. The fire tile is not strictly 'new' because it appeared in the original Bookworm game, although not in Bookworm Adventures. Both cursed and fire tiles are created by certain enemies.

Literary Allusions and In-Jokes

With its relatively involved storyline, it may be easy to overlook the fact that Vol. 2 is essentially a word puzzle game. The game continues in the vein of the original Bookworm Adventures, with Lex battling a series of villains from literature. This time, he is called to rescue Mother Goose, who's been kidnapped; however, Lex's enemies are both stronger and stranger than those he's encountered previously.

The three books in Vol. 2, which are numbered as continuing from Bookworm Adventures, represent three disparate literary traditions/genres:

Book 4: Fractured Fairytales - Lex faces enemies ripped from the pages of children's literature and nursery rhymes, such as farm animals, a gingerbread house, and a giant. Bosses include the Queen of Hearts and a dish and spoon.
Book 5: The Monkey King - This book's main influence is 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. Enemies include Chinese zodiac animals, Chinese calligraphic characters, and demon monks. The trickster Monkey King, hero from Journey to the West, is a boss.
Book 6: Astounding Planet - Characters and themes from classic science fiction stories appear in this book. Enemies include a Stepford wife with vacuum cleaner attacks and a 'monolithic obelisk' that shoots space monkeys. One of the biggest bosses is a time machine.

The design and music for each book is appropriate to the literary style, with Book 5 being especially well done. In Book 6, Lex inadvertently pollutes the time line--in a homage to Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder"--resulting in a particularly amusing breakdance battle. (Can you guess what Lex's signature move is?)

The Ultimate Computer Game For Word Puzzle Fans

Bookworm Adventures Volume 2 should provide hours of addictive and brainy fun for discerning word puzzle fiends, no matter what their skill level. The blend of cute humour and bookish inside jokes makes Vol. 2 a worthy addition to PopCap's Bookworm titles.

Note: Download the trial version or purchase a full copy of Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 at PopCap Games. Bookworm Adventures and Bookworm are also available at PopCap.

The copyright of the article PopCap Games' Bookworm Adventures Volume 2 in Video & Online Games is owned by Irene Tanner-Yuen. Permission to republish PopCap Games' Bookworm Adventures Volume 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 - Main menu	Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 - Playing in Book 4	Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 - Playing in Book 5
Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 - Playing in Book 6	Bookworm Adventures Vol. 2 - Replay with badges