| Core Identity |
| Developer | Wuhan Dobest Information Technology Co, Ltd. | Easybrain Ltd | Easybrain Ltd | Tripledot Studios | PlayStudios | Fanatee | Oakever Games | Oakever Games |
| Category | Games | Games | Games | Games | Games | Games | Puzzle | Games |
| Platform | Android, iOS | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | Android | Android, iOS |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 104,086 | 227,704 | 190,336 | 656,118 | 452,234 | 283,379 | 2,942,659 | 396,242 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | Sep 24, 2018 | Oct 11, 2021 | Mar 8, 2019 | Mar 11, 2020 | Jan 22, 2020 | Mar 8, 2017 | Jul 27, 2018 | Nov 9, 2021 |
| Last Updated | Apr 1, 2026 | Mar 26, 2026 | Feb 23, 2026 | May 28, 2026 | Apr 14, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | Apr 16, 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | mixed | negative | negative | mixed | terrible | mixed | mixed | mixed |
| Score | 35/100 | 35/100 | 35/100 | 45/100 | 15/100 | 35/100 | 57/100 | 45/100 |
| Praises | - Diverse collection of puzzle games provides long-term entertainment value for casual players
| | - Core Gameplay Enjoyment
- Relaxing Experience
| - Meditative and soothing puzzle mechanics provide a reliable daily stress relief habit for players
| - Core gameplay mechanics remain faithful to the nostalgic original experience for long-term players
| - Educational crossword mechanics provide a relaxing and mentally stimulating daily habit for long-term players
| - Mental Stimulation & Brain Training
| - Relaxing puzzle gameplay provides a calming mental escape for users during daily downtime
|
| Complaints | - Aggressive ad frequency during active gameplay disrupts concentration and ruins the user experience
| - Excessive and Intrusive Advertising
- Malicious/Scam Pop-ups
- Lack of Dark Mode
| - Excessive Advertising
- UI/UX Limitations
| - Excessive ad frequency interrupts the flow of gameplay and forces frequent app restarts
| - Aggressive ad frequency and forced ad-walls interrupt the flow of gameplay after every round
| - Aggressive ad frequency and intrusive ad behavior disrupt the core gameplay loop post-update
| - Intrusive & Deceptive Advertising
- Battery Drain & Overheating
| - Aggressive ad frequency and intrusive ad behavior disrupt the core relaxing experience
|
| Requests | - Restoration of removed game modes and previous app functionality to improve user satisfaction
| - | - | - Purchase option for an ad-free experience to remove current monetization friction
| - Permanent one-time payment option to remove advertisements instead of the current monthly subscription
| - Permanent ad-free purchase option requested to replace the current high-cost monthly subscription model
| - | - Paid subscription or one-time purchase option to remove advertisements permanently
|
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - Retro wood-block aesthetic provides a familiar, low-cognitive-load environment
- Offline-first architecture captures transit-based casual play
- Six-mode difficulty curve accommodates diverse skill levels
| - Massive market penetration (770k+ ratings)
- Robust seasonal event calendar and live-ops
- Strong cross-promotion within Easybrain portfolio
| - Massive user base (1M+ ratings) providing high social proof
- Advanced live-ops engine with Tournaments and Seasonal Events
- Clean, minimalist design that appeals to casual users
| - Meditative puzzle loop sustains daily habit
- Offline-first architecture captures transit-based engagement
| - Globally recognized brand equity sustains organic install velocity
- myVIP loyalty program creates a B2B distribution moat into hospitality partnerships
| - Narrative-driven world progression sustains long-term retention
- 11-language library functions as a B2B distribution barrier
- Trivia-based crossword mechanics provide a high-frequency daily habit
| - Massive scale (2.9M+ ratings) providing high social proof
- Unique 16x16 grid differentiator
- Strong offline functionality
| - Offline-first architecture enables session continuity in low-connectivity environments
- 60,000-puzzle library provides a massive content-moat for long-term engagement
|
| Weaknesses | - Ad-free purchase bypass post-update erodes user trust
- 0.7★ rating gap between Android and iOS suggests platform-specific stability issues
- Removal of favorite game modes triggers high-churn complaints
| - Poor ad quality control (scam pop-ups)
- Missing Dark Mode (high-frequency user request)
- Clinical/Utility UI lacks brand personality
| - Aggressive ad strategy interrupting active gameplay
- Lack of zoom/scroll functionality for large grids
- Alienating reward structure changes (keys/books system)
| - Aggressive ad-load triggers high churn
- Post-update stability issues erode trust
- No paid ad-free tier
| - Subscription-only ad removal model creates high churn
- Forced online connectivity requirements cause frequent boot failures
| - Aggressive ad frequency disrupts the core gameplay loop
- Technical instability post-update causes loading failures
- No permanent ad-free purchase option for loyal users
| - Battery optimization issues causing device overheating
- Deceptive ad UX (fake close buttons) driving high-frequency complaints
- Lower update velocity compared to top-tier peers
| - Aggressive ad-frequency drives high churn among long-term users
- Post-update technical regressions cause significant battery drain
|
| Pricing | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium | freemium |
| Momentum | Maintenance | - | - | Active | Active | Active | Maintenance | Active |
| Update Cadence | 5 versions, ~25d avg | - | - | 5 versions, ~10d avg | 5 versions, ~5d avg | 5 versions, 5 majors/6mo, ~16d avg | 2 versions, ~14d avg | 5 versions, ~11d avg |
