# Befuddled

> Relaxing word puzzle game with strategic tile-matching and special abilities. (iPhone/iPad app by Thomas Ricket.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/befuddled/id343077741 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Thomas Ricket](https://appshunter.io/developer/1426100541)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Word
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 180 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 19 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-12-08
- Data updated: 2026-09-15
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/befuddled/id343077741/reviews.md

## What is Befuddled?

BE BEFUDDLED!

Are you a bookworm at heart? Befuddled is an all new word game that is a mix of puzzle games, crosswords, word search games, and much more!  If you ever want to relax to a word game that has no timer and lets you get lost in strategic thinking, Befuddled is the game for you.

Form words by touching adjacent tiles in the grid.  You can select tiles to the right, left, up, down, and diagonally.

As you submit words, the used up letters in the grid vanish, and tiles fall down from above to take their place.

When you reach higher levels, additional tile types (marble, jade, glass, and ruby) begin to fall, in addition to the original wood style.  Words can only be spelled using a single tile type.

SPECIAL ABILITIES
  - Small and Big Bombs
  - Change Materials
  - Buy Tiles
  - Move x2 Multiplier
  - Swap Tiles
  - Scramble Tiles
  - Kill Tiles By Texture

Features:
---------
  * Addictive gameplay with no timer
  * 5 unique tile types with varied looks
  * Multiple kinds of bonuses
  * Many strategies and play methods
  * A tutorial system
  * Complete help menus
  * 4 difficulty levels
  * High Score and Best Word lists
    (separate lists for each level!)
  * Colorful tiles and animations
  * A dictionary of over 450,000 words
  * Tracked stats for each game
___________________________________________

Visit us at www.inertsoap.com

## Key features

- No timer, relaxing gameplay
- Form words from adjacent tiles
- Falling tiles and new tile types
- Special abilities like bombs and swaps
- Multiple difficulty levels
- High score tracking
- Extensive word dictionary

## Chart rankings

- #78 in Top Paid · Word (US App Store)

## What do users think of Befuddled?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Excellent game
- 👍 Challenging and addictive
- 🧠 Keeps the brain active
- 🕰️ No time limit, can play at own pace
- 💡 Multiple games can be saved at once

**Cons**

- 🔇 No option to completely mute the game
- 🪙 Coins deplete quickly, need more for special actions
- 🔋 Battery intensive

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes or freezes
- Top score not always updating correctly

**Most requested features**

- Add a 'quick game' option
- Implement a 'check word' feature
- Improve letter distribution, less repetitive tiles
- Add support for Apple Watch

## Recent user reviews (10 of 180)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/befuddled/id343077741/reviews.md

### 5/5 — EXCELLENT!!!

*2026-06-16, version 2.6*

This has been my favorite game and just ATEgot better. Last week I sent an email asking if the music could be lowered or off while I’m using Bluetooth to listen to my music in my home or car while playing. Not only did they get back to me right away but the app can be played while listening to your music over Bluetooth! Thanks Befuddled! You made my day!

UPDATED 6/16/26: While this game  is still my GoTo, I have been noticing an annoying problem with the “3+” changing to a “1+” even though I used this tile every time, so then you don’t get the extra coins. The only way to get it working properly again is to back out and restart the game. Not a big deal if you already have a lot of coins, but if you’re nearing the last tiles and you only have 10 coins it will make Surrendering likely in a few moves. Please fix, thanks!

### 5/5 — EXCELLENT!!!

*2025-09-15, version 2.6*

This has been my favorite game and just got better. Last week I sent an email asking if the music could be lowered or off while I’m using Bluetooth to listen to my music in my home or car while playing. Not only did they get back to me right away but the app can be played while listening to your music over Bluetooth! Thanks Befuddled! You made my day!

### 4/5 — Entertaining and challenging

*2021-09-13, version 2.5*

Good app, works well, not too complicated in the rules.  Most word games are a bit ho-hum as far as I am concerned, but this one is better than most, worth the small purchase price.  

One annoyance is that even turning the in app volume to lowest setting, it still makes sounds, unless I turn the volume on my iPad off. Would be great if that could be fixed.

### 5/5 — Love it!

*2020-07-03, version 2.5*

This is a treasure of a puzzle.  I had it a few days before I nagged my house mate to try it.  We are both hooked, as we enjoy relaxing with a word puzzle.  Had some queries, emailed the developer amd received lovely helpful detailed reply.  Others could learn from these guys.  
Thank you for this puzzle.  It’s the nearest I will get to the old “spell collapse” favourite (still have that on old phone, they no longer update)
Will soon upgrade this to the hd version.  👍🏻   Anyone keen on word puzzles, this will fill your needs.  The developers are keen to keep the Megabytes low too so that’s an added plus. Won’t be charging ipad so often unlike some other apps  ;)   Cheers!

### 4/5 — Not random

*2020-03-05, version 2.5*

I’ve noticed that I’ve seen the same starting pattern of letters come up more than once. It’s not really random.

### 2/5 — Meh

*2019-10-05, version 2.5*

Not very well thought out. By level eight the game becomes unintelligible. Bookworm was a better game.

### 5/5 — Great Game But

*2019-05-31, version 2.5*

Would be great if this game could be available on the Apple Watch!

### 4/5 — Can’t mute :(

*2019-05-16, version 2.5*

I love the game, but it’s really annoying that there’s no way to completely mute the game. I’ve turned the volume to the lowest setting, but you can still hear the click-click-click of the tiles, unless I mute my phone. This makes it impossible to sneak play at work. 
Otherwise, an excellent game. I’ve been looking for a replacement for AlphaBetty since they aren’t adding new levels anymore, and this works. Challenging, strategic, and I get to make words of my own choosing with as many letters as I can.   Well worth the purchase price. It would be 5 stars if it allowed me to mute.

### 3/5 — Befuddled Sound

*2018-12-28, version 2.5*

I turn the sound off on all my games. For some reason Befuddled only lets you turn it down, but not off. It is quite annoying. There is no website for support.

### 1/5 — Original Pop Cap Bookworm game

*2018-11-30, version 2.5*

I can’t believe the original bookworm game is not available on my new, upgraded 
iPhone!!  I refused to buy an other brand of phone except an iPhone because I loved to play bookworm so much. Several of my grandchildren loved to sit down and play it with me or by themselves. 
These new versions of bookworm are a poor comparison to the old version!!  Please make the original version available again!!!

## Frequently asked questions about Befuddled

### What kind of game is Befuddled?

Befuddled is a word game that combines elements of puzzle games, crosswords, and word search games. It offers a relaxing experience with strategic gameplay, allowing players to form words by connecting adjacent tiles on a grid.

### How do you play Befuddled?

You play by touching adjacent tiles (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) to form words. As words are submitted, the used tiles disappear, and new tiles fall from above to fill the grid, creating a dynamic gameplay experience.

### Are there different tile types in Befuddled?

Yes, in addition to the standard wood tiles, higher levels introduce special tile types like marble, jade, glass, and ruby. Words can only be spelled using a single tile type, adding a layer of strategy to the game.

### Does Befuddled have any special abilities or power-ups?

Yes, the game features several special abilities that can aid your gameplay. These include small and big bombs, the ability to change materials, buy tiles, use a x2 multiplier, swap tiles, scramble tiles, and kill tiles by texture.

### Is Befuddled free to play?

Based on the provided information, Befuddled is a free game. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, offering a complete experience without any cost to the user.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.6 — 2023-08-31

Updated to run well on the latest devices!

### 2.5 — 2017-09-04

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updated for compatibility.

### 2.4 — 2013-12-27

iOS 7 fixes!

Our apologies to everyone for text-entry display weirdness on iOS 7. This version fixes that, along with several other iOS 7 display issues.

### 2.3 — 2012-12-06

- Fully universal -- get better graphics and display when you play Befuddled on your iPad.
 - "Best Choice" display on iPhone 5: see your best current word choice you've found at the bottom of the screen as you try combinations.
 - GameCenter compatibility -- OpenFeint has abruptly shut down, and we're moving all your leaderboards and achievements to GameCenter.

### 2.2.1 — 2012-11-20

- All the new features of the normal 2.2 update, plus a fix for the annoying bug that wouldn't let you mute the sound! :)

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## More apps by Thomas Ricket

- [Fingerzilla](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fingerzilla/id351733272)
- [Befuddled HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/befuddled-hd/id370411444)
- [Gnome Homes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gnome-homes/id555183582)
- [Catch the Wolf](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/catch-the-wolf/id6780727783)

All apps by Thomas Ricket: https://appshunter.io/developer/1426100541

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-15.*
