Crossico by Uzzle Games - Family Games for Children & Adults, Crossword Puzzle Word Games - A Thrilling Classic Game with a Twist, 2-4 Players, for Ages 8+

Fun word game to keep mind active. Fun for the whole family.

Great for grandkids as well as adults

Format : puzzle-race This is a real-time (no turns) game where all players race to put all their pieces into a proper configuration (a crossword including "seed" word). so practicals of which are -no down time (players are NOT waiting for "their turn") -no player interaction (player A's actions, in no way, effect player B) -time pressure, it's a race to complete This is a "parallel play" game where everyone is playing the same game, but semi-independently Player count : 2 - in reality, this is a 2 player game. There are only that many pieces. Even the instructions say for 4 players, you simply 'team up' so 2 players are doing the same task as 1 NOTE (expandability) : the makers do even suggest multiple copies. Due to the format of the game, the player count is expandable (not sure there is a practical limit given it is parallel play with no player interaction) 6 to 8 seems doable with sort of a someone shouting "BINGO!!!!!!" effect as player count increases I think 4-6 [untested by me] would be a sweet spot ADDITIONAL NOTE : 3 3 level challenge system (easier or harder "seed" words that must be used to solve) allows for individual players to play at different levels...player A using, say easier seed words than player B which allows for multi-age or multi-language skill players to play at the same time Overall, and this isn't a criticism, the game plays like a traditional Parker Brothers/Milton Bradley style game than a new school euro-game so if you are used to scrabble or boggle, then this will have that feel If you play Catan or Blueprints or Pandemic --- this will feel like Scrabble or Boggle NOTE : while games are hard to quantify in terms of entertainment value, my rating is based on price/performance as compared to other games in the same genre space and the description claiming player count and play quality in that configuration

Uzzle is a lot of for both adults and and kids

the game was nothing like it was advertised. I am returning it.

Like the symbol game uzzle from the same manufacturer this game consists of blocks with 2 letters on each side. You get a card with an objective on it. I'm this case the objective is to spell a word (Note each card has 3 words the players pick one to create). Where the challenge/fun begins is you have to use all of the blocks in a Scrabble/crossword like manner. So spelling "towel" might be a quick task, creating the crossword off of the blocks takes a little longer. Like Scrabble you have to use actual words and your opponent can challenge your words if you finish first. First person to finish wins the card/point and you start over with a new card. You play until you're bored and then count the cards to see who wins. So this can be a quick game of 1 or 2 rounds or hours long. Line uzzle this is more of a filler/change of pace game for our game nights. The game is for 8+ and my 7 year old struggles with it. (We've adjusted the rules for her she doesn't have to use all blocks but must create 3 words). I disagree with the 2-4 player designation. First it is perfectly playable as a solitaire game. Second there's only 2 sets of blocks so to play with multiple people you have to team up. It's not super easy to play as a team of 2. Usually causes arguments among my kids vs cooperative play. You could buy 2+ copies of this to easily expand the number of players. Similar to uzzle the quality of the pieces is great. 4 stars due to really only being a 2 player game for us.

This game includes 18 blocks and 142 word cards, requiring players to construct crosswords in a thrilling race against time and each other. Suitable for children and adults alike, Crossico offers a fantastic blend of learning and competition, making it an excellent choice for game nights and family gatherings. The gameplay is simple yet requires strategic thinking. Players start with a base word and quickly use their blocks to build out a complete crossword puzzle adhering to the rules: only real words, no proper nouns, and words must be three letters or longer. This fast-paced setup means that games are typically quick, around 15 minutes, allowing for multiple rounds in one sitting or a brief but engaging warm-up to other games. Crossico is not only fun but also educational. It naturally improves players' vocabulary and spelling skills, making it a wonderful tool for younger players or those learning English as a second language. I've personally used Crossico in a classroom setting with a student struggling with reading and spelling, and I've observed noticeable improvements in his abilities. It’s genuinely rewarding to see educational games that can make such a positive impact. While marketed for 2-4 players, the game realistically accommodates two players or teams due to the number of pieces. However, purchasing additional sets can expand the player count, adding to the game's versatility and making it suitable for larger groups or party settings. The "parallel play" nature of the game ensures that there is no downtime—everyone is actively engaged in building their puzzles simultaneously, which keeps the energy high and the gameplay exciting. The quality of the game components is solid; the blocks are light yet durable, and the cards are easy to handle and shuffle. While there is minimal player interaction, which might not appeal to everyone, this aspect makes Crossico an excellent choice for players who prefer a more individualistic approach to gameplay. While Crossico is a fantastic game, its expandability and player interaction could be improved to enhance the overall experience. However, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a brilliantly designed game.