NYT Games: Word Games & Sudoku

About

NYT Games: Word Games & Sudoku is a collection of popular word and puzzle games from The New York Times. The game includes popular games such as The Crossword, Wordle, Spelling Bee, The Mini, and Sudoku. It offers a variety of challenges and is perfect for word game and puzzle enthusiasts looking to exercise their brain and improve their vocabulary and problem-solving skills.

Genres & Tags

Casual

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

NYT Games: Word Games & Sudoku screenshot

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,994 reviews

optimization12 positive mentions

monetization171 negative mentions

monetization
214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
6%
80%
The monetization strategy of the app has drawn significant criticism from users, primarily due to the recent introduction of intrusive ads and paywalls that limit access to games. Many users feel that the addition of ads, especially in previously ad-free experiences like Wordle, detracts from gameplay and is perceived as a cash grab by the developers. While some users appreciate the option for a free version without ads, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the aggressive monetization tactics that prioritize profit over user experience.
- “A good amount of puzzles for the free version, and no ads.”
- “No ads, minimal subscription pushing, don't even need an account, good share functions, list goes on.”
- “Great games, with no ads, even without paying.”
- “Uninstalled because the ads in addition to the paywalls aren't worth it for me, and especially ad gating Wordle, free and ad-free until they got their hands on it, feels gross.”
- “The app blocks access to most of the games offered on the site and has interrupted multiple mini crosswords with full-page, screen blocking ads, demanding a subscription to continue.”
- “Might be the worst monetization structure I've seen in an app, actively prevents you from playing certain games properly.”
stability
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The app has received mixed reviews regarding its stability, with many users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that disrupt gameplay. While some players have experienced minimal issues, a significant number express frustration over persistent problems, particularly with features like the Spelling Bee and leaderboard functions. Overall, the app's stability appears to be a major concern, with calls for improvements to address these ongoing issues.
- “Not buggy.”
- “Bug free for me and the games are fun!”
- “Waste hours troubleshooting this every month.”
- “The app is so incredibly buggy to the point where I can't load today's puzzle because it just keeps showing yesterday's.”
- “Crashes constantly, freezes, shuts down... honestly, just rewrite this app.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
35%
19%
The optimization of the app has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and layout, while others report significant issues such as excessive loading times, poor offline functionality, and a cumbersome user interface. There are calls for better optimization, particularly for Android devices and foldable phones, as well as requests for additional features to enhance user experience. Overall, while some users experience good performance, many express frustration with the app's reliability and functionality.
- “Seems like there is some room for improvement in regards to the reliability and overall performance.”
- “It needs to be better optimized for foldable phones like the Pixel Fold.”
- “Very nice layout and the app runs smoothly.”
- “A barrage of unnecessary loading screens, terrible offline performance that gets worse every update, and an almost pathological unwillingness to maintain its state when you switch apps.”
- “Horrid new UI is more difficult to use, cumbersome, stuttering, less compact, less info, less organized.”
- “I really want to love this app, but its performance is too awful.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
The music in the app receives mixed reviews, with some users enjoying the puzzle completion tunes and finding them educational, while others criticize the abruptness and volume of the music, which can disrupt their experience. Many users express frustration over the inconsistency of music playback, particularly when completing puzzles, and some feel that the app lacks sufficient musical variety and animations. Overall, while the completion music is appreciated by some, technical issues and intrusive sounds detract from the overall enjoyment for others.
- “The puzzle completion music is so good!”
- “I've learned so much about art, culture, history, music, etc. the app is great!”
- “Great app, but I don't like how song games are only accessible on the website.”
- “I also really dislike the little song that plays when you solve a crossword.”
- “The music doesn't play at the end.”
- “Out of the blue, jazz music scared the life out of me!”
gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
Gameplay in the app is generally seen as inconsistent and sometimes tedious, with issues like a laggy keyboard and a lack of engaging categories. While users appreciate the variety of free gameplay options, many feel that the experience is hindered by the need for a subscription to access more challenging content, leading to frustration with paywalls. Suggestions for improvement include adding dark mode and haptic feedback to enhance the overall experience.
- “Free gameplay offers a wide variety.”
- “Straight to the point gameplay.”
- “A challenge mechanically, on a cell phone.”
- “The issue is, there is no purpose to being able to scroll, and this actually is terrible for gameplay as any letter tapping results in the letter tiles sliding up and down.”
- “Gameplay is often tedious and boring due to poor categories, choices, or an abundance of options that overlap categories.”
- “Good idea, but a subscription needs to be bought to get better gameplay and if you're poor (like me) you have to stick with the small puzzle which quickly gets boring.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
53%
16%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their clean, minimalist aesthetic, which enhances the gameplay experience without unnecessary clutter. However, some users report occasional graphical glitches and inconsistencies, as well as a few instances of gaudy visuals that detract from the overall appeal. Overall, while the design is appreciated for its simplicity and functionality, there are notable issues that affect usability and enjoyment.
- “The games are simple and enjoyable, the aesthetic is clean and uncluttered.”
- “It's nice that it isn't adding unnecessary graphics, allowing you to just appreciate the activity.”
- “Great graphics and easy to use.”
- “It's not just dumb aesthetics you're hanging onto with these totally white, minimalist screens, you're messing with people's eyes in a big way.”
- “The games work mostly fine other than the various graphical glitches that make some of them unplayable.”
- “The visuals are gaudy, childish, and hard to look at!”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, often due to issues like poor category organization, overlapping options, and a malfunctioning keyboard that disrupts gameplay. Additionally, recent updates have made accessing the archive cumbersome, requiring players to repeatedly adjust settings, which adds to the overall tedium. Overall, these factors contribute to a less enjoyable experience, detracting from the game's intended flow.
- “Gameplay is often tedious and boring due to poor categories, choices, or an abundance of options that overlap categories.”
- “I don't know how in 2020 you could have a bad phone keyboard, but it frequently fails to register keypresses leading to a tedious battle with the keyboard that takes away from the zen of crosswording.”
- “It sometimes skips clues randomly, making it tedious to click from one clue to the next.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by an erudite and somewhat dry wit, which many players find genuinely funny. Overall, it successfully blends cleverness with humor, appealing to those who appreciate a more sophisticated comedic style.
- “An erudite, even dry sense of humor helps.”
- “Real funny”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users generally find the app functional, with playable games and accessible archives, contributing to a positive replayability experience.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the experience is marred by frustration due to inconsistent touch responsiveness, particularly with certain keys, leading to a sense of annoyance and disruption in the user experience.
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The story is perceived as unoriginal, following familiar tropes and themes commonly found in other games.
- “The story feels like a rehash of many others I've played.”
- “It's a predictable narrative that lacks originality.”
- “The plot twists are so obvious that they lose their impact.”