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Cryptic Crossword app for iPhone and iPad


4.8 ( 7488 ratings )
Games Puzzle Word Entertainment
Developer: Teazel
Free
Current version: 1.9.5, last update: 6 years ago
First release : 24 Jun 2013
App size: 5.92 Mb

260+ professional Cryptic Crossword puzzles to keep you pondering.
29 free puzzles with all features enabled, and no ads.

These are cryptic level crosswords, suitable for seasoned crossword enthusiasts.

Features:
- pinch zooming grid
- cheats, highlight mistakes and answer checking
- resume button
- extra preferences (jump letters, grey out completed clues, etc)

If youre finding Cryptic a little too challenging, why not try our standard Crossword or Crossword US apps.

Pros and cons of Cryptic Crossword app for iPhone and iPad

Cryptic Crossword app good for

I would give this 5 stars except they just dont release new puzzles often enough. I would be happy to spend a few more dollars and get a new pack instead of them adding a few a couple of times a year.
Ive really enjoyed these crosswords. Theyre challenging without being ridiculously difficult. My only suggestion is to change the fireworks after you complete a game. The colours are dreadful and remind me of explosive diarrhea.
I love these British-style puzzles and theyre hard to find in the states. This is a pretty good set of them, not super challenging but decent. You do need to be prepared for British slang and spellings, but that only adds to the charm. The app could use some work on its interface. Its not nearly as streamlined as, say, the NY Times crossword app. No controls to move to the next or previous clues except to tap on the grid, and it doesnt skip over filled squares so you end up retyping a lot of letters.
I have just started , so far I am very happy with it. Filling in grids are not complicated. Have choice of revealing a letter, or whole word if really stuck. The other nice feature is check answers, it tells if you have letters wrong,but doesnt show answers or which letters are wrong. Helps a lot . I will try to update review after have played more. I did go ahead and buy the nine packs of puzzles(3.99) after doing several free puzzles, felt it was worth it
So far the cryptics have been moderately easy. I have enjoyed the app.
The problem with these Cryptic Crosswords is that theyre going to run out and Ill be bereft. Teazel generously gives you 18 free puzzles (took in each of nine sets) and for some very low purchase price opens all of them, which is approximately 180 puzzles. Its actually a bit more because there one or two sets that have an extra game. If youre a cryptic fan like I am, this is a feast of puzzles. I tried to hold myself to one —or maybe just two — puzzles per day but I ended up like a kid in the cookie jar, unable to resist. There is an option to erase an entire puzzle but Id really love the option to erase them all in one "swell foop" so I can do them over again. Even better would be to have a new set of cryptic puzzles, but if Teazel wont provide new those, Ill try their regular crosswords to see if they also present a pleasurable challenge.

Some bad moments

Many clues are either simplistic, unsatisfying, or poorly created, not following cryptic rules well. This app is a simple diversion but not at all impressive.
If youre a Cryptic Crossword fan, $2.99 is small price to pay for a lot of good puzzles!! Worth every penny!!!
Sloppy, amateurish. Not like the really hard ones that I am used to. Some of the clues were far from clever and really made no sense. It is good for a newbie for practice and all the clues are not numbered.
This is the perfect difficulty for me. Probably too easy for cryptic pros. I really enjoy it and love to do puzzles with a bit of humor in them.
I am a big fan of Cryptic Crosswords, and this app is wonderful!
Not bad, but too much repetition of clues and a bit too easy.