The best feature in Words of Power is the magic system. Like Infocom's Enchanter series, you are able to cast spells in this game. But unlike Infocom's challenging trilogy, the magic system in Words of Power is both easy and fun to use. Casting a spell requires you to combine at most three basic components: the action word (i.e. the spell itself), the target word, and the 'modifying words' (to cast a strong version of the spell, for instance). You can type all this like in a normal text adventure, or click on buttons at the bottom of the screen. One of the most fun things to do is to discover new spells on your own. This is a bit similar to the interface in Legend Entertainment's Death Gate, except not nearly as elegant. Naturally, the more words you know, the more combinations of actions, targets, and modifiers you can create.

While the writing is not up to the standard of Infocom's or Magnetic Scrolls' games (or, more appropriately, modern classics like Curses), it is more than adequate to evoke the depth of the gameworld and move the plot along. The game comes with a stylishly made PDF file (purportedly dropped by the Earthman you are trying to find) that gives you some background to the world as well as some important hints.

Most puzzles are easy and straightforward, mostly because you are faced with only a few at any given time, and most of them can be solved by casting the newest spells you have acquired. There is a few trickier ones, some of which have alternate solutions, but by and large, anyone new to the genre should have no trouble finishing the game. Although the plot is more or less linear, you are free to explore the world at your own pace and tackle most puzzles in any order – a nice touch. The game even offers alternate endings, so you are well-advised to save regularly in case you want to backtrack to find a new path.

Overall, Words of Power is a refreshing, fun, and user-friendly adventure that should appeal particularly to IF fans who prefer story to tough puzzles, or anyone new to IF who is looking for a pleasant game that can be finished in a few hours. Recommended.