What is Categorico?
Categorico is a fast, modern take on the classic categories word game - the pen-and-paper game some people know as Scattergories-style, or name-place-animal-thing. Each round you get a random letter and race to name something starting with that letter for every category: country, city, animal, food and more. Play solo against the clock, one on one against friends or a random opponent, or in a room of up to 8 players.
How do you play a word game against friends online?
There are a few ways to play against other people. Get matched with a random opponent in real time (open a 1v1 mode and the game finds you a rival in seconds), invite a specific friend, or open a room for up to 8 players. To invite a friend, first add them by their player tag - a unique code shown on every profile. Once they are on your list, open Friends, tap their name, pick a mode, and the invite is sent. In a 1v1 the match starts the moment they accept.
Is Categorico free to play?
Yes. The download is free and you can play every mode - solo, classic 1v1, duel and party - at no cost. There are no ads during an active game. You can choose to watch a rewarded ad outside of a game to earn coins or energy, and optional in-app purchases for coins and cosmetic items are available too.
What platforms can I play on?
Categorico is coming to Android on Google Play and iOS on the App Store. There is no browser version - the game is app only.
What categories are in the game?
There are 12 categories: country, city, animal, plant, boy’s name, girl’s name, movie, TV show, profession, food, famous person and object. Each round draws one letter and a set of categories to fill.
How long does a game take?
It depends on the mode. Quick solo starts with 60 seconds; every correct answer adds time, so a game usually runs 2 to 4 minutes. Classic 1v1 is three timed rounds, about 3 minutes in total. A duel lasts until one player fails to answer in time, often a tense 30 to 60 seconds. Party mode is three 90-second rounds, roughly 5 minutes for a full game.
How does scoring work?
In quick solo, each correct answer is worth 10 points and adds 5 seconds to the clock; a wrong answer costs no points and no time. In classic 1v1 and party, a correct answer that only you gave is worth 10 points, and one that another player also gave is worth 5 each. In a duel there are no points - whoever fails to find a word on their turn loses.
How many players can play together?
Classic and duel are one on one. Party mode opens a room for up to 8 players: invite friends from your list, add bots to fill empty seats, or open the room to random players. Two players are enough to start, and whoever opened the room decides when to begin.
Do I need to sign up to play?
No. Categorico opens straight into a game and creates an anonymous profile for you. If you want, you can link a games service later to keep your progress across devices.
Who is the game for?
Categorico suits anyone who can read and write in English, from school-age kids to adults. It is a genuinely good brain workout: you pull words from memory under time pressure and sort them into the right category, which sharpens vocabulary, quick recall and focus. The content is clean, with no violence and no ads mid-game, so it works well for families. It is a great fit for a coffee break, a commute, or a quick alternative to scrolling.
How do you win at Categorico?
In solo, play for speed - short, certain words you can type fast. In classic 1v1, fill every category first, then hunt for less obvious answers, since a unique answer scores 10 versus 5 for a shared one. Keep a word ready for the hard letters (Q, U, V, Y and Z). In a duel, think a turn or two ahead and save a rare word for when the obvious ones run out.