Crossword Connect — Play Free Online

Crossword Connect is a word puzzle, and it sits a little apart from the jumpers and platformers around it. You are given a circle of letters and a crossword grid with empty slots. Drag across the letters to spell a word, and if it fits the grid it drops into place. Fill every slot and the level is done.

It is a calm session. There is no timer chasing you and no way to fall off a ledge. If you play Doodle Jump for the quick "one more try" loop, this gives you the same itch from a different direction: a level takes a minute or two, and the next one adds a few more letters or longer words.

How to play

The game uses the mouse on a computer and a finger on a phone or tablet. The arrow keys and WASD do not matter here, whatever the generic control line on some listings says. Press on one letter in the circle, drag through the others in order, and release to submit the word.

• Words that match a slot in the crossword are placed in the grid.
• Valid words that are not in the grid count as bonus words and earn extra points.
• Finishing a level pays out coins, which you can spend on hints when a slot will not come to you.

Tips

• Start with the short slots. Three- and four-letter words give you extra letters in the crossing slots, which makes the long words much easier to spot.
• Look at letters already revealed in the grid before you guess. A single known letter in the right position narrows the options fast.
• Hunt for bonus words once the grid is done, since they add to your score without any risk.
• Save coins for the hardest levels instead of spending them on the first hint you want.

Similar games on Doodle Jump

Most of the catalogue here is faster and more physical. Doodle Jump and Helix Jump are about reflexes and timing, while Fireboy and Watergirl asks you to work out a puzzle with two characters. Of those, Fireboy and Watergirl is the closest in spirit, because it also rewards thinking over speed.

Crossword Connect suits short breaks, a quiet few levels on a phone, or anyone who would rather spell words than dodge obstacles. It runs in the browser with nothing to install.