Crux Crosswords HD: A Word Puzzler’s Delight - Win A Copy With A Comment
by Lisa Caplan
April 10, 2011
CRUX Crosswords HD ($4.99) by Rumination Software LLC has officially usurped Crosswords, as my favorite crossword puzzle app for iPad.
It’s presently Sunday morning, I’m sipping coffee, and Crux is my perfect companion.
It’s brilliant; the puzzle sources are great, the selection large and growing, and it supports subscriptions to The New York Times as well as other puzzle sources that don’t do freebies.
It’s far more robust and diverse than the NYTimes Crosswords app and a steal compared to both at only $4.99.
And it’s recently been updated to include not only the original 17 US sources, but they have had what they call a “British Invasion.” Cryptic fans rejoice.
And, unless my globe is broken, by "British" Rumination Software means non-American. Aussies will attest: I’m sure, that The Sydney Morning Herald is not based in England. And, Canadian puzzlers will be happy to know the British style Globe and Mail is there too. This app offers amazing puzzling to the English-speaking world.
Crux Crosswords HD is packed with features, not just puzzles. I love that it supports multiple users. I don’t care about my score on games, but crossword puzzle completion times are the props I need.
But, don’t think you need to be a crossword fanatic to enjoy Crux Crosswords HD; there are puzzles for every level and interest.
What Crux Crosswords does best is deal with the ever-present digital crossword conundrum. How do you make working on a corner with a keyboard feel natural?
Crux makes switching from across to down, and jumping around the puzzle similar to having newsprint on your lap, and it's fun. They even have a d-pad along with less common game navigation options including gestures. It’s genius.
You can write in ink or pencil, clues are available, you can enter multiple letters into a single cell, and the coolest: The Intersecting feature presents a mini-puzzle made from the selected entry. It’s like a mini game!
This is as close to newsprint as you are going to find on any device, Apple or other. But, it also uses the touchscreen to maximum advantage.
I just love the interface. The font looks like handwriting, the puzzles exactly like newsprint. I quickly forgot I was using an iPad. I was just solving crosswords.
I could nitpick and ask for Game Center, but I’m not sure the general crossword demographic would care.
Crux Crosswords HD is the best crossword puzzle application in the app store. It’s that simple. Buy it, and enjoy your lazy Sunday!
