I just turned sixty-two yesterday and I am coming out of the closet.
I play video games on my computer. There, now I said it.
What’s more, I believe these games are great for a lot of reasons. I don’t play the ugly brutal games, but stick with games such as Bookworm Deluxe. The little green guy is Lex and he eats letters, has a voracious appetite and is a cute little buddy.
Many years ago I suffered sustained brain damage from DV, and have had to teach myself a few things along the way. Also, as I am getting older, I feel that keeping the brain active is vital to happier and more fulfilled living.
I am a word game nut and Lex was my first. Bookworm is a Pop Caps Game you can find on Real Arcade or any one of the better game sites. Lex is short for lexicon, the word meaning ‘word phrase’, or a collection of words.
You play on a board that can be full screen or regular. I prefer the smaller board, as I feel I can better see the letters. The full screen seems to overwhelm. It is a very simple game, you use your mouse to make words out of the letters on the board. The longer the word, the higher the score. The first level is achieved when you have 3000 or more points. Each level is cleverly labeled with varying words of player expertise. You begin as a dictionary salesman and work your way up to Editor and Publisher.
There are two modes of the game. One is regular and the other is the speed mode. You have to be quick, for the red letters, or burning letters, come fast and furious. Letting one of the red words get to the bottom of the screen means your library will burn up and the game will be over.
Words each have a value, so of course, the longer the word, the better. There are green tiles, yellow tiles – bonus tiles for longer words. There are also blue tiles and diamond tiles that come with exceptional words. You should use these tiles as soon as possible, for they disappear.
There are bonus words spelled out for you, and finding these words gives you 1000 points! The idea of the game is simply to score as high as you can before you burn up your library.
The benefits of this game great. You learn patience and persistence. You keep your motor skills honed and use your brain for thinking up words. . . keeps you from losing your edge. For it is true, what you don’t use, you lose.
I don’t mind getting older, well, okay – I mind, but there doesn’t seem to be much choice in the matter, so I strive for keeping myself healthy and alert. As a freelance writer, I use words for my work, and I want the old brain to keep learning and growing. I think you will find Bookworm a delightful way to pass the hours and keep yourself always sharp.
