The Last Word is a
word game where words are formed
somewhat like they are in
Boggle, except that once a letter is used, it
is removed from the board and cannot be used again the rest of the game, forming an
obstacle players have to skip around for the rest of the game.
Each player has a token he moves around the board, moving one space
orthogonally or diagonally each step, possibly wrapping around the edge
of the board, and spelling a word with his steps each turn. There are a
few wild squares which stay put and can be used for any letter, but don't score you anything. The other
letters you collect as you use them and keep score with. You score one
point for each (non-wild) letter you use, and as the letters on the board get sparse,
you score 5 points for trapping an opponent such that he cannot make a move
(also knocking him out of the game); it's also possible to make a word such
that you knock yourself out of the game to deprive your opponents of these
points. There's also a 5 point bonus for forming the last word.