# Word Forward

> 2019 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q122366677](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122366677)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/word-forward

## Summary

Word Forward is a 2019 single-player word video game released on August 28, 2019, available exclusively through digital distribution on Steam for Microsoft Windows and macOS platforms. The game received a 60% review score from OpenCritic, indicating mixed critical reception, and operates as a standalone title in the word puzzle video game genre.

## Key Facts

- **Release Date**: August 28, 2019
- **Genre**: Word video game
- **Platforms**: Microsoft Windows, macOS
- **Game Mode**: Single-player
- **Distribution**: Digital distribution via Steam
- **Steam Application ID**: 1117360
- **Language**: English
- **Review Score**: 60% on OpenCritic (as of February 21, 2022)
- **OpenCritic ID**: 12469
- **OpenCritic Designation**: Critics Recommend (5 points)
- **Lutris Game ID**: word-forward
- **SteamGridDB ID**: 5246099
- **PCGamingWiki ID**: Word_Forward (144437)
- **GameSpot Game ID**: word-forward
- **HowLongToBeat ID**: 79307
- **IsThereAnyDeal ID**: word-forward
- **MobyGames Game ID**: 165602
- **GamersGlobal Game ID**: 209348
- **Vglist Video Game ID**: 66402
- **GamerProfiles Game ID**: RgXGR
- **Giant Bomb ID**: 3030-54399
- **Internet Game Database ID**: word-forward (IGDB ID: 58298)

## FAQs

**What type of game is Word Forward?**

Word Forward is a word video game—a puzzle game focused on word manipulation, spelling, or vocabulary-based challenges designed for single-player engagement.

**Where can I download Word Forward?**

Word Forward is available for download exclusively through Steam on both Microsoft Windows and macOS operating systems.

**What is the Steam application ID for Word Forward?**

The Steam application ID for Word Forward is 1117360, which can be used to locate the game directly on the Steam platform.

**What review score did Word Forward receive?**

Word Forward received a 60% review score from OpenCritic as of February 21, 2022, with the designation of "Critics Recommend" earning 5 points on their scoring scale.

**When was Word Forward released?**

Word Forward was released on August 28, 2019, making it a 2019 video game title.

**Is Word Forward available on console platforms?**

No, according to the available data, Word Forward is only available on PC platforms—specifically Microsoft Windows and macOS—distributed digitally through Steam.

## Why It Matters

Word Forward represents a niche entry in the word puzzle video game genre, contributing to the broader ecosystem of vocabulary and language-based gaming experiences available on PC platforms. As a single-player title released in 2019, it participates in the digital distribution model that has become dominant in PC gaming, with Steam serving as the primary avenue for both distribution and community engagement. The game's presence across multiple gaming database platforms—including MobyGames, GameSpot, HowLongToBeat, PCGamingWiki, and others—demonstrates its integration into the wider gaming information infrastructure that helps players discover, track, and learn about titles in this category. While its 60% OpenCritic score suggests modest critical reception, the game's availability across multiple database systems indicates it has achieved a baseline of recognition within the gaming community. For players interested in word-based puzzle games on PC, Word Forward represents one of the available options in this specialized genre, particularly those seeking titles that work exclusively in English and offer single-player gameplay experiences.

## Notable For

- Available on both Microsoft Windows and macOS platforms
- Distributed exclusively through Steam's digital distribution platform
- Listed across 12+ gaming database and tracking platforms
- Earned "Critics Recommend" designation from OpenCritic
- Released in 2019 as a dedicated word video game title

## Body

### Release and Distribution

Word Forward was released on August 28, 2019, marking its entry into the video game market as a word puzzle title. The game was distributed exclusively through Steam, utilizing digital distribution as its sole release format. This distribution model aligns with the broader industry trend toward PC digital sales, particularly for indie and niche genre titles. The Steam application ID 1117360 serves as the unique identifier for the title on the platform, and the game supports both Microsoft Windows and macOS operating systems, providing accessibility across the two major PC platforms.

### Genre and Gameplay

Classified as a "word video game," Word Forward belongs to a specialized category of puzzle games that focus on vocabulary, spelling, word formation, or linguistic challenges. The game operates in single-player mode, meaning it is designed for individual play rather than multiplayer experiences. This classification places it among titles that emphasize mental challenges and linguistic skills as the primary gameplay mechanic, distinguishing it from action, adventure, or strategy games that dominate the broader gaming landscape.

### Critical Reception

Word Forward received a 60% review score from OpenCritic, a gaming review aggregation platform. This score was recorded as of February 21, 2022, and the game earned the "Critics Recommend" designation, which corresponds to 5 points on OpenCritic's scoring system. The OpenCritic ID 12469 tracks this title within their database. A 60% score indicates mixed critical reception—neither strongly positive nor negative—suggesting the game may appeal to a specific audience within the word puzzle genre while not achieving broad critical acclaim.

### Platform Presence and Database Integration

Word Forward maintains a significant presence across multiple gaming database platforms, demonstrating integration into the wider gaming information ecosystem. The game is tracked by Lutris (ID: word-forward), SteamGridDB (ID: 5246099), PCGamingWiki (ID: Word_Forward, internal ID 144437), GameSpot (ID: word-forward), HowLongToBeat (ID: 79307), IsThereAnyDeal (ID: word-forward), MobyGames (ID: 165602), GamersGlobal (ID: 209348), Vglist (ID: 66402), GamerProfiles (ID: RgXGR), Giant Bomb (ID: 3030-54399), and the Internet Game Database (ID: word-forward, IGDB ID 58298). This extensive database presence indicates the title has been catalogued across various gaming information services that serve different purposes—from price tracking and achievement tracking to gameplay time estimates and technical information.

### Technical Specifications

The game operates exclusively in English, as indicated by its language of work designation. Its Steam application ID 1117360 includes platform qualifiers specifying support for both Microsoft Windows and macOS. The digital distribution format through Steam means the game is delivered entirely electronically without physical media, consistent with modern PC gaming distribution standards.

### Industry Context

As a 2019 release, Word Forward entered the video game market during a period of continued growth in digital distribution and indie gaming. The word puzzle genre has a long history in gaming, from classic titles like Scrabble adaptations to modern word games, and Word Forward represents one entry in this enduring category. Its availability across multiple database platforms reflects the interconnected nature of modern gaming information infrastructure, where titles are tracked, compared, and discovered through various specialized services that serve different player needs—from finding gameplay time estimates on HowLongToBeat to comparing prices on IsThereAnyDeal.

## References

1. Steam
2. PCGamingWiki
3. OpenCritic
4. GameSpot
5. Q124398839