CrossAbout vs Machine Yearning
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CrossAbout
Build unique crossword puzzles by solving clues with multiple answers. Arrange words around challenges, earn stars, and unlock new content. A daily free puzzle keeps the wordplay fresh.
- Build puzzles in reverse
- Clues with multiple answers
- Earn stars for solving
- Unlock themed packs
- Daily free puzzle
- Challenging grid layouts
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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!
Machine Yearning
Create your own language and test your memory in this unique word game. Solve puzzles by inventing definitions and recalling them to prove your authenticity. Features retro pixel art, multiple game modes, and unlockable content.
- Create custom languages
- Memory recall challenges
- Campaign, Timed, and Endless modes
- Retro pixel art style
- Unlockable hats and themes
- Cognitive skill enhancement
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Machine Yearning is a word and memory game where you create your own language and test your ability to remember it. Premise: You're a human masquerading as a robot to land a job meant only for mechanical minds. Your challenge? Solve captchas like never before—by inventing definitions on the fly! But remember: consistency is key, as you'll need to recall your invented words to prove your robotic authenticity. Accolades: Proud winner of the Ludum Dare game jam's "#1 Most Fun" and "#1 Most Innovative"! Game Modes: Dive into three thrilling modes: * Campaign: Follow the story, from simple beginnings to complex linguistic challenges. * Timed: Race against the clock for high scores. * Endless: Keep playing and see how far your memory can take you! Features: * Cute, Retro-Style Pixel Art: Immerse yourself in charming visuals that transport you to a playful digital world. * Unlockables Galore: Earn stylish hats, helpful power-ups, and delightful themes as you advance. * Mind-Sharpening Fun: This game not only tests your memory but also enhances your cognitive skills. * Free to Play: Jump right in—no ads, no junkware, and no annoying push notifications. * Support the Developer: Love the game? Consider unlocking extra hats to both style your gameplay and support the developer (me, Daniel)! * Challenge Yourself: Starting easy, the game intensifies as you progress, perfect for fans of language, word, memory, and puzzle games. Step into the world of "Machine Yearning," where your mind's agility and creativity meet endless fun and challenges. Ready to prove you're the smartest "robot" around? Download now and let the games begin! Special thanks to Wildan Rahmat R for logo, powerup, and hat designs. Fonts used: early gameboy, pixel operator, retro computer, dogica, pressstart2p, and aseprite (https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite/blob/fea3f5fceeab027ee3f5402272b94569c7a0daa9/data/fonts/LICENSE.txt).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: CrossAbout at 5.0 against Machine Yearning's 4.8. CrossAbout also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 89%). Machine Yearning's advantage is ratings volume (53 vs 4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. CrossAbout sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Machine Yearning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
CrossAbout holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Machine Yearning has 53 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of CrossAbout's written reviews are positive against 89% of Machine Yearning's.
| Parameter | CrossAbout | Machine Yearning |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 4.8 (53 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 89.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 53 — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 166 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cinq-Mars Media | Tiny Little Keys Inc. |
Customer experience
CrossAbout
Machine Yearning
In-app purchases
CrossAbout
- 30 Stars$1.99
- 100 Stars$4.99
- 300 Stars$8.99
Machine Yearning
- Unlock Hats$1.99








