# The Guides — user reviews > 217 indexed App Store user reviews of The Guides by 2 Fountains LLC, rated 4.80/5 from 731 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-guides/id894022200/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-guides/id894022200.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 630 · 4★ 72 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 17 ## What do users think of The Guides? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Challenging and engaging puzzles - 🧠 Exercises the mind - 🎨 Minimalist and visually appealing - 🕹️ Unique gameplay experience - 🕵️‍♂️ Intriguing storyline and mystery - 🤔 Encourages lateral thinking **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches - 🤯 Puzzles can be overly complex or unclear - 📱 Small text and UI elements on mobile - 🤔 Lack of clear instructions or guidance **Commonly reported bugs** - Puzzle solutions not being accepted correctly - App crashes or freezes when switching between puzzles **Most requested features** - More frequent updates and new content - Improved UI and accessibility options - Hint system or gradual difficulty scaling ## Newest reviews (20 of 217) ### 4/5 — Needs more levels *2026-07-28, version 1.8* Still not updated in 2 years so please update it now ### 4/5 — Compelling *2024-11-30, version 1.8* I am loving the different styles of puzzles and encryptions. I hope the game continues to surprise me ### 5/5 — Fun challenges *2024-05-24* Glad I got this game - I was hesitant. But the puzzles are done well. Some are solved easily, and for others I can’t figure out what to do, and have to come back later. It took me quite a few levels just to figure out the interface. For those of us who enjoy puzzles where your first problem when presented with a new screen is, “what am I supposed to do with this,” this is right up our alley. No directions - just something to figure out. Quite fun! ### 2/5 — Frustrating *2024-04-04, version 1.8* I wanted to enjoy this, but eventually it gets too clever for its own good. If you’re prepared to put hours into thinking about the puzzles fine, but otherwise it can get frustrating very quickly. And there’s no reward ‘hit’ once you solve a problem - just straight on to the next one. ### 5/5 — Guides *2023-12-15, version 1.7* I dunno, man. Visually pleasing game with cryptographic themes. A fun, though sometimes frustrating, journey. ### 5/5 — Fantastic - Totally Obsessed *2023-12-10* Came across this game totally on accident and it’s sparked a new interest in cryptography. Definitely worth it for those who want to keep their minds sharp and employ out-of-the-box thinking. ### 5/5 — Brilliant *2023-11-04, version 1.7* Tao and the art of decryption. ### 5/5 — Unbelievable *2023-10-24* This game is so cool thanks to all team for create such a brillant game. I Hope you will make more of this. ### 5/5 — I love solving codes! *2023-10-05, version 1.7* Perfect for those who love solving codes and secret messages. I feel like I’m doing secret spy work and exercising my brain to the max when I play this game. So many secrets and hidden messages! Only wish there was more things like this. ### 4/5 — No other game like it! *2023-09-13, version 1.7* I love THE GUIDES series, both the original and AXIOM. I haven’t found any other game like it. The only reason why I give it 4/5 rather than 5/5 is that the app does crash, slow down from time to time so I’m assuming it hasn’t been updated in a while ### 5/5 — So fun!! *2023-02-17* I have been playing this game on and off for several years. I have been coming back to it over and over again and learning how to solve the puzzles on my own. It’s very fun and really causes you to think and use all of your senses not just your eyes. ### 5/5 — Great challenge *2023-02-05* Game has a good balance of challenge and clues. Sneaky at times. Puzzle completed may have info used later. Has story to go with it. ### 5/5 — One of the greatest puzzle Games ever made *2022-11-18, version 1.7* A truly unique game unlike any other which I will be repeatedly playing along with The Guides Axiom until the developer brings out the rest of the ongoing saga of The Guides games so that I can continue playing them for the rest of my Life - THAT’S how good they are!!! :D ### 5/5 — Excellent *2022-11-03, version 1.7* A great puzzle / code breaking game. Mostly pattern recognition and logic. Not too heavy on math. Good narrative hook too. ### 2/5 — Enjoyable, until puzzles lack sufficient signposting *2022-09-28, version 1.7* I was really enjoying this, it’s very reminiscent of the classic online riddle games of 15+ years ago. Then, I found myself having to look up the answer for 2-5, and felt a bit cheated. As far as I can tell, there was no indication that that was what I had to do, although I forgave it as perhaps I should have noticed it, given the context of previous clues. Moving on to section 3, I found more of these situations, with a ton of red herrings thrown in for good measure (although I have given up on the game now, I don’t know if these will get referenced again somewhere down the line). The final step of 3-13, having looked up what I was supposed to do, was enough for me to lose all trust that solutions are adequately signposted. The answer requires a final transformational step which isn’t vaguely hinted at anywhere, and you couldn’t possibly know that that was what to do unless you spotted it by chance or had looked it up. The problem with this is that I believe to solve future puzzles, I’m reduced to just trying everything out until I stumble across something that works. ### 5/5 — Brutally Hard. That’s what makes it so good. *2022-08-25, version 1.7* It’s good. ‘Nuff said. ### 5/5 — So Addicting *2022-06-08, version 1.7* I definitely recommend playing with a friend in a battle of wits to see who is furthest along the next time you meet!!! ### 5/5 — Awesome *2022-05-28, version 1.7* This is one of if not the best mind twisters I've seen ### 5/5 — Very challenging *2022-04-17, version 1.7* But very satisfying ### 5/5 — Awesome game. *2022-03-24, version 1.7* A ton of fun. Puzzles are great. Definitely worth the $3 (at time of writing.) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Flawed puzzle! *2020-09-08, version 1.7* I thought at last I have found a challenging game and gladly payed for it only to find that there is an issue with section 2 puzzle 7 which is preventing me from continuing, I have checked with various cheat sites to make sure I am not just stuck but there is definitely a problem. I have emailed the developers but had no response. Not happy! ### 1/5 — Hate it *2018-08-19, version 1.6* I enjoy challenging puzzles but this one makes no sense. I hate when developers make a puzzle so difficult just for the sake of making it almost impossible to solve with zero logic. Don’t waste your money, I deleted it after 30 minutes. Wish I could get my money and time back that I wasted on this. ### 1/5 — Utter garbage. *2016-10-19, version 1.3* Absolute waste of money. Don't even bother. It's a useless piece of crap. If I could give it 0 Stars I would have. ### 1/5 — Awful/refund *2016-05-29* I read the description and thought wow this is a game I would really enjoy it's gonna be so fun well no it is terrible and I want a refund ### 1/5 — Leider nicht zu empfehlen *2015-08-23* Das Spiel ist leider nicht zu empfehlen, keine vernünftige Handlungsanweisung bzw. Instruktion wie die Level zu lösen sind. Zudem soll man zusätzlich ein Compendium kaufen, das einem wahrscheinlich auch nicht weiterhilft. Nicht kaufen. ### 1/5 — 높 *2015-08-23* 뭐하는게임인지 모르겠네 퍼즐이라는데 뭘알아야하지 ### 1/5 — Terrible *2015-08-23, version 1.0* I really don't like this game! It doesn't give you instructions, it just throws you into a bunch of puzzles that don't make sence!!! ### 1/5 — A WASTE MONEY! *2015-08-23, version 1.0* SO YET AGAIN REVIEWS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT TO ENTICE PEOPLE TO DOWNLOAD THIS! IGNORE THOSE GOOD REVIEWS! I WANT A REFUND! I LOVE PUZZLE GAMES BUT THIS ONE IS JUST RIDICULOUS! THE FIRST IMPOSSIPUZZLE HAS TWO CIRCLES ( ONE BROWN THE OTHER RED) THAT YOU CAN'T MOVE AND NUMBERS 1-3 THAT ALTERNATE BROWN, RED, BROWN NUMBERS 4 AND 5 ARE BOTH RED AND 6 IS RED. THERE IS ALSO A RED LINE AT THE FAR LEFT OF THE ROW OF NUMBERS BY THE EDGE OF THE SCREEN THAT ALSO CAN NOT BE MOVED. THERE IS NO WAY OF COMPLETING IT! I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING! I WANT A REFUND! ### 1/5 — Watch out! *2015-08-21, version 1.0* I just purchased it thinking it was 50% off as stated and got charged the full £1.58. Not cool. ### 1/5 — Ich bin zu dumm *2015-08-20* Ich habe mir das Compendium gekauft, verstehe aber die Rätsel trotzdem nicht. Einfach zu schwer für mich. Schade 😓 ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — AXIOM멈저하고온건데 *2026-07-30* 이게 이전작이라 그런지 행성문제뺘고는 다 할만했네요! ### 5/5 — 퍼즐및 디코딩겜 좋아하면 추천 *2026-05-23* 난이도도 적당함 ### 5/5 — Mental workout *2026-01-20, version 1.8* I love these puzzles and plot line ### 5/5 — Amazing *2025-04-29* I adored playing this when I was younger and just picked it back up for fun. It’s a bit challenging, but so much fun. The puzzles very well put together and engaging. It’s good for fun for anyone. ### 5/5 — Awesome *2025-03-03, version 1.8* Great game ### 5/5 — << TOP-NOTCH PUZZLER << *2024-12-08, version 1.8* Qoa WHH kb ukqn xnwej! ### 5/5 — I highly recommend *2024-12-05* If you enjoy a good frustrating period of head scratching and furious note taking as much as I do, you will love The Guides and it’s sequel Axiom. A new timeless classic. ### 5/5 — Unique Puzzle Game *2024-07-05, version 1.8* Beautiful, minimalist puzzle game. ### 5/5 — A Fun Time *2024-06-21, version 1.8* The puzzles are challenging but not insane. The lore is pretty cool to learn about. The music sets the mood just right. Good game, would recommend. ### 5/5 — Challenging and Engaging, but not Exhausting *2024-06-08, version 1.8* Excellent set of puzzles and codes to break with an interesting story in the background. --- *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 2026-09-01.*