2019-05-01_Games_World_of_Puzzles

may 2019 | GAMES WORLD OF PUZZLES 39

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an expert to get feedback for improving your skills. Your
stats are collected and show, among other data, how many
times you’ve played all eight tiles at once, how often you’ve
won, and the results of your last 10 games.
In addition to these wonderful features, there is Otto
the Librettobot that you can challenge at any of four skill
levels. Playing against Otto is usually the best way for new
players to hone their skills, as Otto responds with its play
almost instantly.
What makes Libretto so special? The strategy! Libretto
is more of a strategy game than a vocabulary game. I love
games that have a learning curve regarding strategy. It
took me several games to understand the main concepts,
and then a few dozen more to get comfortable. Learning
the strategy has been a thrill. And, of course, with the luck
of the draw each game is unique, and just as in Scrabble,
anything can happen in that next game.
Unlike trivial word games, Libretto cannot be learned in a
minute or two. It will take running the game’s tutorial and
a few tough games against Otto before you’ll get the hang
of it. Give it time, and you’ll be rewarded with a game that
will hold your interest for years.
Now for some puzzles based on Libretto. In each puzzle,
you are playing the yellow tiles and it’s your turn. Your op-
ponent is playing against you, so be prepared for every
possible response! All words are commonly known. Hints
for puzzles 3 to 7 appear on page 78; answers can be found
on page 76.

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from the rack above, forming a common word with the
given letters already in place. You’ll need this skill frequently
in Libretto as you make connections between words to
build paths.

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Blue is threatening to connect CRUMBLE to EDGE, but luck-

ily it’s your turn. Using the tiles on your rack, block Blue by

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Complete a winning path in two plays. That is, make one

play, and then—no matter what tiles you draw or how Blue

responds—be able to make a second play that wins the game.

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play a prominent role.

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