How to play

Wortkreuz builds every crossword fresh on your device, from over 11,000 German puzzle words with self-written clues. The game is in German, so buttons are named here as you see them in the game.

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Choosing a puzzle

At the top you choose the level: Leicht (easy), Mittel (medium), Schwer (hard) or Experte (expert). A puzzle only uses words of its level. Then one tap is enough:

Mix mixes all topics, either Frei verschränkt (freely interlocked) or as a numbered Gitter 5×7 (for a quick round) or Gitter 9×9 (for a longer one).
Kategorien (categories): 18 topics from animals to history. Some can be narrowed down; the subcategories sit as small buttons in their topic’s tile.

The Wachsend switch turns the mix or a category into a growing puzzle (see below).

Entering letters

Tap a cell or a clue in the list below the grid. The current word is highlighted and its clue is shown above the keyboard. You type on Wortkreuz’s own letter keyboard; a connected keyboard works too. A second tap on a cell at a crossing switches between across (waagerecht) and down (senkrecht).

Umlauts and ß are written out as usual in crosswords: AE, OE, UE and SS.

Large grids can be zoomed with two fingers; the view follows the word you are writing.

Hints

The light bulb next to the clue above the keyboard opens the hints: Buchstabe aufdecken (reveal a letter), Wort aufdecken (reveal a word) and Fehler zeigen (show errors). The number in brackets tells you how many you have left; the credit is limited per level.

When the credit is empty, you can get a hint for a short video („… – Video ansehen“). That is optional: a video only comes when you tap it, otherwise Wortkreuz shows no ads. At the first video Wortkreuz asks for your consent where required; you can change it on the info screen under Datenschutz-Einstellungen.

Solved and rewards

Once every cell holds a letter, Wortkreuz checks the grid by itself. If something is still wrong, it tells you; Fehler zeigen finds the spot.

When everything is right, Wortkreuz shows how many words you solved without hints. From 3 words without hints you pick a hint as a reward, from 5 you also get a revealed word. Afterwards a tap on many clues (with an arrow) opens the matching article of the German Wikipedia.

Growing puzzles

A growing puzzle is a sequence of four rounds, one per level from easy to expert. Each round is larger than the last. The next one starts as soon as you have solved the current one.

Saving and progress

Your puzzle in progress stays saved, even when you close the app. In the selection it is shown at the top under Weiterspielen (continue). Before a new puzzle replaces it, Wortkreuz asks.

Wortkreuz counts solved puzzles per level, category and form. Words you played recently stay away for a while. Everything stays on your device; there is no account.

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