Cross Words is the sequel to Word Trip but in the way that Yoshi’s Island is the sequel to Super Mario World. Yes, there are similar themes, but the actual experience of playing the sequel doesn’t really replicate the experience of the first game. Not necessarily better or worse, but different, and both will appeal to different people in a different way. This one almost feels like one of those plastic slide puzzles where you had to get the numbers 1-15 in order, but with words. It also feels like it would work so well on a touchscreen, and I could easily see a mobile phone port happening someday.
Anyway, it’s a word game! Some people love those, and some will not give them the time of day. Luckily, since it’s part of a season, everyone that bought the whole thing should at least give it a go. Basically, you are given a 5x5 grid with 9 letters arranged on it, and you need to form two perpendicular words that intersect. The vertical and horizontal word each has its own color scheme, and you can tell which single letter both share, but that’s all the help it’ll give you. Slide entire rows left, right, up, or down to spell the two criss-crossing words on the screen in the least amount of moves. If you hit the goal score (par or less, like in golf), you get closer to unlocking a more challenging set of words. Each time eight puzzles are completed at or under par, you unlock a set of higher-par words, from four moves per level up to twelve.
Not every level can be beaten under par! That ground my gears a little, but then there were other 6-par levels I was able to beat in three moves. You can skip any level you want and share a particularly tricky level’s code with friends so they can try it, too, and there is a pretty good hint system with escalating levels of help to help keep you going.
There are multiple game modes that will deliver challenge at a level you choose, whether you want each puzzle to be harder than the last, or have a set of simpler ones before moving up. Also, you can easily go back and try again to beat any puzzle you skipped or finished over par if you want to get that gold star.
It’s a great pick-up-and-play word game, but it’s also “just” a word game so won’t be for everyone. Still, playing with a wordy fidget spinner is at least 100% better than doomscrolling social media, and you don’t even need to subscribe to the New York Times to get hundreds of little word puzzles to keep your brain sharp. I don’t know if I’d describe it as “fun” necessarily, but I never felt like I wasted my time after 20 minutes of sliding letters around, either, and that’s nothing to scoff at. It’s a worthwhile addition to Season Three and unlike anything else in the batch, and a great example of the variety of experiences on the Playdate.
(Released October 22, 2026, as part of Season Three.)