Linxem

Linxem is a word game for 2-4 players playing in Play and Pass mode, where all players use the same mobile device and hand it round to each other as required. It can also be played in practice mode by one player.

Linxem involves a series of challenges directly involving a pair of the players, who are essentially working together to win the challenge.

In a challenge, one player of the pair, the setter, is shown a set of 30 display words (actually words or names) with different backgrounds, 18 of them green and 12 yellow.

The setter must look at these display words and select 2 or more of them that are linked together in some way. Generally, display words with a green background are selected, as those with yellow ones lead to penalties.

Having selected these, the setter must then input or say out loud a Linxem. A Linxem is a word, name, title, occupation, number or date that links them (>> "links 'em", >> "Linxem") in some way.

The other player of the pair, the solver, is then shown the full set of display words, rearranged and with no distinctive backgrounds, and must try to identify the display words selected by the setter from the Linxem given by the setter.

2 points are won for each display word correctly identified, and a bonus of 4 points is won if 3 or more display words were selected by the setter and all were identified by the solver. 4 points are lost for each word selected by the solver that originally had a yellow background. 10 points are lost for failing to complete the setting or solving phases within the countdown or for an invalid Linxem.

Linxem is a fairly unusual game in that it is primarily concerned with cooperation, rather than competition. Its scoring system introduces an element of competition, but the primary enjoyment of the game comes from being part of or observing the cooperative challenges.

The standard game is for four players playing as two teams of two players. Players in each team alternate in being the setter and solver. Any points won during the challenge go to their team, while the other team receives the points lost.

2 players can play it, as a pastime, in a similar way, where points lost go to a non-existent team called Anon.

The game may also by played by 3 or 4 players trying to win as individuals. Players come together to play as pairs in a challenge. Any points won in the challenge are shared equally by the two players in the pair, while the opposition takes the points lost during the challenge (with 4 players, points lost are shared by the other two). All players act as setter and solver in challenges with every other player.

There is also a practice mode that enables you to practise the setting phase.

When you exit the app, the game state is saved (including the countdown), so that you can continue at some later time.

The basic wordplay is similar to that of the Codenames board game.