Rows Garden vs CrossAbout

Rows Garden is a crossword puzzle variant invented by Patrick Berry. Instead of the across and down clues and black and white squares of a traditional crossword grid, a Rows Garden puzzle consists of interlocking row and bloom clues whose answers are filled into a fully-packed grid of triangular spaces. Each row consists of one or more clues, with answers entered across the rows of the garden from left to right. Bloom clues are grouped by shade -- light, medium, and dark -- and have six-letter answers that are each entered in a hexagonal bloom within the garden, with the starting point and direction left for you to determine. You can adjust the difficulty level of the solving experience within the app, providing a suitable challenge for both beginning and experienced solvers. The app comes with a number of puzzles and bundles (30 puzzles in all) created by leading Rows Garden constructors to whet your appetite, and includes links to their Web sites for downloading and subscribing to puzzles that you can import into the app. If you like crossword puzzles and are looking for a new challenge, or are seeking an interesting twist on the familiar crossword format, give Rows Garden a try!

CrossAbout is an indie puzzle game where players build their own crossword puzzles in reverse using clues with multiple answers.  Given a set of crossword clues with multiple correct answers, players craft different layouts and combinations of words that satisfy the puzzle. Earn stars by solving levels and by finding combinations with the most or fewest squares filled. A new, free puzzle is featured daily, while creatively-themed packs and monthly archives are unlocked using stars you earn along the way. Some puzzles involve higher challenges such as blocked or prefilled squares. Arrange answers around the blocks in a traditional crossword format. Correlate words which use the prefilled letters. Move or rotate your answers, and spend stars to get hints. Choose from an assortment of CrossAbout packs from simple to sudoku-style to difficult single solutions. Purchase stars in-game by donating to our non-profit, Cinq-Mars Media, a 501(c)(3) organization. Sales support our mission of developing educational games and technology. CrossAbout was developed by the creator of the award-winning puzzle games Synonymy, Anagraphs, and The Devil's Calculator. Dedicated to and inspired by Will Shortz, NYT Crossword Editor. Whether you are a crossword lover or a casual gamer, CrossAbout creates wordplay enjoyment. Have fun creating grids, and see how flexible your mind can be!