Customer Reviews (500)

TheRealDoomBurger • 2024-05-20T08:37:28-07:00

I’ve had this app for YEARS. Back in the day Starbucks used to have these cards with promo codes to get certain paid apps for free and this was one of them. I love this crossword app. Easily the best one out there. But then they stopped supporting this one because they have a different one you can pay for and they never decommissioned this, thankfully. I do use the Hints feature on some of the harder puzzles and I really wish they’d stop using OneAcross.com which is basically just a spam ad site and now it doesn’t even give you the hints. I wish they’d support this app again, it’s the best no frills crossword app.

crpwest • 2024-04-01T09:56:38-07:00

Original (5-star review): There's really no contest among iPad crossword apps. This one's the best by far. The daily stream of top-flight puzzles makes it well worth the price, and the interface is the best in the business - even better than the NY Times app. New review (one-star): For many months now, every other time you click on the help button the app crashes. This problem has NOT been fixed, despite many, many complaints by users. I really want this app to go back to being the best crossword app on the iPad, but as it is now I cannot recommend it to anyone. Please fix that bloody bug!!

Appricot • 2024-01-21T04:38:08-07:00

I love the endless stream of puzzles and can choose source/difficulty. The UI is great as you can use left thumb on arrows to scroll through clues and it always shows both directional clues on whatever square youre on. One of the oldest apps ive owned and amazed its held up so long, just had to finally post a review! Also appreciate diff options like i enjoy the red letter mode for incorrect letters life is too short to have to wrangle a puzzle to trip over bad guesses!

Summary of Key Insights

Crosswords Classic is a generally well-regarded app with a long history and a loyal user base. Its strengths lie in its wide variety of puzzles, user-friendly interface, and offline availability. However, recurring bugs, lack of consistent support, and dwindling puzzle sources are significant weaknesses. The overall sentiment is mixed, with a significant portion of users expressing frustration over unresolved issues and a perceived decline in quality.

The app has an overall rating that skews positive due to its long-standing reputation, but recent reviews indicate a downward trend. Many long-time users express disappointment with recent updates or lack thereof.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Total Reviews: 500
  • Score Distribution: 1-star: 20.4%, 2-star: 6%, 3-star: 6.4%, 4-star: 15.2%, 5-star: 52%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews appear to span several years, with a concentration of recent reviews related to specific updates and issues.
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved a manual review of the provided text, identifying recurring themes, sentiments, and feature requests. Keyword extraction was used to pinpoint common issues. No automated sentiment analysis tools were used.

Key User Pain Points

  • Recurring Bugs After Updates: Updates frequently introduce new bugs or reintroduce old ones. Common examples include:
    • Toolbar covering the top row of the puzzle.
    • Bluetooth keyboard incompatibility.
    • Crashing upon puzzle completion or when using the help button.
    • Settings not saving correctly.
    • Incorrectly completed words not being skipped.
  • Lack of Support/Responsiveness: Many users report a lack of response from the developer when reporting issues. This is a major source of frustration.
  • Disappearing Puzzles/Puzzle Sources: Users complain about favorite puzzle providers disappearing, or specific puzzles not downloading. The loss of NYT crosswords is a significant issue.
  • Syncing Issues: Inconsistent syncing between devices is a persistent problem.
  • Accessibility Issues: VoiceOver incompatibility renders the app unusable for visually impaired users.
  • Printing Issues: Users have been waiting months for a fix to printing problems.
  • Profanity in Puzzles: Some users find profanity in puzzles, despite the app's rating.
  • Difficulty Downloading Puzzles: Many users cannot download new puzzles, rendering the app useless.
  • "Completed" Screen Bug: The "Completed" screen doesn't always appear after solving a puzzle.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Night Mode: A dark mode option is requested.
  • Filtering/Sorting Options: Users want to filter puzzles by source and difficulty more effectively.
  • Undo Function: An undo function to revert mistakes is requested.
  • More Difficult Puzzles: Many users desire a greater number of challenging puzzles.
  • Dictionary Integration: A way to look up words within the app.
  • Puzzle Syncing: Improved syncing between devices.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Variety of Puzzles: Users appreciate the wide selection of puzzles from various sources and difficulty levels.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The interface is generally considered intuitive and easy to use.
  • Offline Availability: The ability to play puzzles offline is highly valued.
  • Hint Features: The hint system is helpful for solving difficult puzzles.
  • Customization Options: Users appreciate the ability to customize settings like error highlighting.
  • Long-Standing App: Some users appreciate that the app has been around for a long time.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Bug Fixes: Address the most frequently reported bugs immediately, including toolbar covering the puzzle, keyboard incompatibility, and crashing issues. Severity: High, Frequency: High
  • Improve Support: Respond to user inquiries promptly and provide timely updates on bug fixes and feature implementations. Severity: High, Frequency: High
  • Address NYT Puzzle Issue: Clarify the status of NYT puzzles and find a solution or alternative. Severity: High, Frequency: High
  • Restore Missing Puzzle Sources: Investigate and restore missing puzzle sources or provide suitable alternatives. Severity: Medium, Frequency: High
  • Resolve Downloading Issues: Fix the persistent problem of users being unable to download new puzzles. Severity: High, Frequency: High

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Night Mode: Add a night mode option to improve usability in low-light conditions. Severity: Medium, Frequency: Medium
  • Improve Filtering: Enhance filtering and sorting options for puzzle selection. Severity: Medium, Frequency: Medium
  • Fix Syncing: Improve the reliability of puzzle syncing between devices. Severity: Medium, Frequency: Medium
  • Add Undo Function: Implement an undo function. Severity: Medium, Frequency: Low
  • Accessibility: Ensure accessibility for visually impaired users. Severity: Medium, Frequency: Low

Low Priority:

  • More Difficult Puzzles: Add more challenging puzzles. Severity: Low, Frequency: Medium
  • Dictionary Integration: Integrate a dictionary. Severity: Low, Frequency: Low
  • Address Profanity: Review puzzles to ensure they are appropriate for the app's age rating. Severity: Low, Frequency: Low

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Crossword Puzzle Aggregator with Quality Control: A platform that curates high-quality puzzles from various sources, with a strong focus on eliminating inappropriate content and ensuring consistent difficulty levels.
  • AI-Powered Crossword Assistant: An app that provides intelligent hints and suggestions based on AI analysis of the puzzle and user's progress.
  • Accessible Crossword Platform: A crossword app specifically designed with accessibility in mind, catering to users with visual impairments and other disabilities.

Trends and Observations

  • Decline in Sentiment: Recent reviews indicate a decline in user satisfaction due to unresolved bugs and lack of support.
  • Update-Related Issues: Updates frequently introduce new problems, suggesting a need for more thorough testing.
  • Importance of Support: Users highly value responsiveness and support from the developer.
  • NYT Puzzle Dependency: Many users rely on the app for NYT puzzles, making its absence a significant issue.

Conclusion

Crosswords Classic has a strong foundation but is currently suffering from a lack of maintenance and support. Addressing the high-priority issues, particularly bug fixes and improved support, is crucial for retaining existing users and attracting new ones. The app's strengths, such as its variety of puzzles and user-friendly interface, should be leveraged to differentiate it from competitors. A renewed focus on quality control and customer satisfaction is essential for restoring Crosswords Classic to its former glory. Overall recommendation: Prioritize bug fixes, improve support, and focus on maintaining the quality and variety of puzzle content.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crosswords-classic/id284036524?uo=2