Three Magic Words
Games
word game
SHOW HN2022
How HN took it
17 positive, 24 neutral or asking, 9 mixed, 44 critical, out of 94 comments about the project. Thread score -0.23.
Execution: 3 for, 21 againstDesign: 6 for, 16 againstPerformance: 2 for, 4 againstIdea: 2 for, 3 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Fun, polished execution and satisfying animations
From 3 comments
Works absolutely flawlessly on mobile for me (Android Firefox). The animations are very satisfying and the game is very fun. Fantastic work! edit: This is on OxygenOS 11.1.2.2…
funwares on HNFun game and snappy, delightful animation! Thanks for sharing this.
jker on HNGreat execution, love the juicy animations!
f00zz on HN
Fresh take distinct from Wordle
From 2 comments
Nice execution, a variation of Wordle but different enough so as to not be taken as a clone :-) Quick feedback, why does the round timer inside the yellow star starts decreasing…
NKosmatos on HNCool, fun, inventive, challenging. Might enjoy it even more than Wordle. It took a second for it to load on my mac -- I thought maybe it was busted. Maybe page load speed is…
alecst on HN
Objections
Timer adds stress
From 3 comments
I really like the execution on this. One piece of feedback is that the timer gave me anxiety and I closed it. I do puzzles to phase out from stress not to challenge myself in a…
msoad on HNI really don't like that it's timed.
huhtenberg on HNThis game is simultaneously more stressful, less challenging, and less fun than wordle. I especially hate the timer
yhoneycomb on HN
Animations too slow or excessive
From 3 comments
I know that you're not copying the wordle vibe necessarily, but the animations seem too over the top to me. They're pushing into candy crush territory, and to me that a strong…
andjd on HNI like it! But my one criticism is that it wastes too much time on animation, especially when transitioning from one round to the next. I'm anxious to get started, but have to…
doodpants on HNBug: if you click the next letter while the 'victory' animation for the previous letter is still playing, it replaces the previous correct letter with the new one you clicked,…
anentropic on HN
Only one accepted solution when several are valid
From 3 comments
This isn't a logic game, this is a game of "guess what word I'm thinking of". ``` - - G G Y - E E - S - - - - Y O P U B F K L L ``` Possible solutions: ``` b u G G Y p E E k S f…
joeframbach on HNThe game seems to expect a particular solution even when there are multiple possibilities of forming correct words. For example, I tried "peeks" & "bully" but the game only…
layer8 on HNI agree... I think there are actually a couple of niggles that work together: - there's a timer - solutions are not always unique Often in Wordle, you'll have three or four green…
iainmerrick on HN
Too many plural words
From 2 comments
The game seems to expect a particular solution even when there are multiple possibilities of forming correct words. For example, I tried "peeks" & "bully" but the game only…
layer8 on HNThe stars could stay if the timer is removed. You’d just lose them only if you get a red guess on them
cush on HN
Requests
Remove or make the timer optional
From 3 comments
Completely agree. You could simply remove the timer and it would instantly be a better game. People can compare scores by number of guesses
cush on HNDefinitely get rid of the timer or make it something you can turn on. As soon as you have a clock ticking, it adds an element of stress to it. Part of the charm of games like…
criddell on HNI hear you. I personally found the game less interesting before I added the "threat" of losing stars — it felt to me more like trial-and-error work. However, I think there is…
beepy on HN
Accept any valid three-word solution
From 2 comments
I enjoyed this but I think it could use some refinement. I feel like you should either remove the timer, or accept any correct three words. Being punished for coming up with…
peeters on HNI agree... I think there are actually a couple of niggles that work together: - there's a timer - solutions are not always unique Often in Wordle, you'll have three or four green…
iainmerrick on HN
Reduce animation or add reduced-motion option
From 2 comments
I think I follow, thank you. Perhaps a reduced animation option (or respecting prefers-reduced-motion setting) would help.
beepy on HNWaiting for animations is killing my speed run drive.
kawfey on HN
Shuffle letters button
From 1 comment
i appreciate the challenge this offers compared to wordle. NYT's spelling bee has a feature that i think you should consider implementing: a button and/or key press (e.g. space)…
lucretian on HN
Questions
Why built as a native app rather than web app
From 1 comment
Curious, why was this implemented as a native app? From what I see, this could have been implemented as a webapp as well. This would have enabled a greater reach, and the…
amelius on HN
Will there be a multiplayer or friends mode
From 2 comments
Great animations and game concept. Would be nice to make it multiplayer and have people work on the same puzzle and race.
antux on HNI hope we can play this game with our friends
mathrall on HN
Alternatives named
Wordle
From 2 comments
I agree... I think there are actually a couple of niggles that work together: - there's a timer - solutions are not always unique Often in Wordle, you'll have three or four green…
iainmerrick on HNEchoing some thoughts here: - The animations definitely detract for me. It feels like it's about to start showing pop up ads or videos that I have to watch for 30 seconds before…
cookie_monsta on HN
NYT Spelling Bee
From 2 comments
I've been enjoying this one too -- https://nytimes-spellingbee.com/
pwillia7 on HNi appreciate the challenge this offers compared to wordle. NYT's spelling bee has a feature that i think you should consider implementing: a button and/or key press (e.g. space)…
lucretian on HN