If you think you know everything about word games, Alfapet is here to show that the classics can have some interesting twists. For those unaware of the history, Alfapet had a curious relationship with Scrabble in Sweden; for decades, it was essentially the local version of the game we all know. However, after some copyright disputes, BRIO created its own independent version. The result? A game that keeps the essence of word building but adds spices that change the table dynamics.

While in Scrabble you fight for double or triple bonuses, in Alfapet things get more unpredictable. The board features squares that can actually decrease your score, as well as +4 and *4 multipliers, requiring much more strategic planning on where to place each letter. But the real 'magic' lies in the special tiles. There are arrow tiles that allow you to make turns in the middle of a word — yes, you are no longer stuck in straight lines!

Additionally, there is the stop tile, which allows you to place a word directly after another without needing to use letters from the original word as a connection. Another great point is the flexibility: you can place words parallel to existing ones, as long as all the new words created sideways are also valid in the dictionary. This makes the game much more dynamic and punishing for those who don't pay attention to what's happening around them. It's the perfect kind of game for those who love testing their vocabulary but want a bit more 'positional strategy' than the traditional version. If you enjoy word building but find Scrabble a bit too rigid, Alfapet is the ideal alternative to spice up your game night with family and friends.