Question 1

What is Shabd and how do I play it?

Accepted Answer

Shabd is an encrypted word-puzzle adventure exploring Indian heritage. Each level presents a main board of cipher numbers or symbols representing hidden letters, paired with specific historical or cultural clues. When you solve a clue, the letters are placed into matching numbers across the board, progressively unlocking a timeless Indian wisdom quote or fact.

Question 2

What types of puzzles are available?

Accepted Answer

Shabd currently features "Number Ciphers" (where letters map directly to numbers in the grid) and "Symbol Ciphers" (where letters map to historical scripts or geometric icons). Special events and updates periodically introduce new cipher variations.

Question 3

What is a Cipher Board?

Accepted Answer

The Cipher Board is the central grid of each puzzle, containing matching numbers or symbols that represent hidden letters. Because matching numbers share the same letter, filling in a correct slot automatically populates that letter across the entire board.

Question 4

How do clues help solve the puzzle?

Accepted Answer

Below the main Cipher Board, you'll find cultural, geographical, and historical clues. Solving these clues reveals words, and the solved letters are immediately placed into the matching slots on the main board, helping you decrypt the larger quote or Sanskrit shloka.

Question 5

Can I replay completed puzzles?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Once you solve a level, you can replay it at any time from the level selection screen. Note that replaying previously completed puzzles will not award coins or duplicate completion bonuses.

Question 6

How do I unlock new topics?

Accepted Answer

You unlock new topics and historical eras by completing levels in the main journey or by exchanging earned in-game coins to unlock special themed puzzle packs.

Question 7

What are Knowledge Cards?

Accepted Answer

Knowledge Cards are collectible archives found in the Atlas menu. Decrypting puzzle boards rewards you with specific cards featuring high-fidelity cultural artwork, historical summaries, timelines, and trivia.

Question 8

How do achievements work?

Accepted Answer

Achievements are milestone rewards earned by completing special gameplay goals, such as finishing a level without hints or solving puzzles on consecutive days. Completing achievements awards bonus coins.

Question 9

Will my progress sync across devices?

Accepted Answer

No. Shabd is designed with a local, offline-first architecture. All game progression, coin balances, and unlocked Atlas cards are stored locally on your device and do not sync across multiple devices.

Question 10

How do I earn coins?

Accepted Answer

You can earn coins by solving daily challenges, completing levels in the journey packs, finishing achievements, or choosing to watch optional rewarded advertisements.

Question 11

What can coins be used for?

Accepted Answer

Coins can be spent on various helper features, including Letter Hints (reveals a specific cell), the Vowel Oracle (reveals all vowels), Word Hints, or to unlock new puzzle packs and visual board themes.

Question 12

What is the Vowel Oracle?

Accepted Answer

The Vowel Oracle is a powerful helper tool that reveals the location of all vowels (A, E, I, O, U) on the board in exchange for coins, helping you visualize the overall word structure without giving away the full answer.

Question 13

Are there in-app purchases?

Accepted Answer

Shabd is fully free-to-play with optional rewarded ads. While everything can be unlocked through gameplay, we may introduce standard in-app purchases for coin packs or an ad-free premium version in future updates.

Question 14

Does Shabd require an active internet connection?

Accepted Answer

No, the core game works completely offline. You can play ciphers, explore the Atlas, and track achievements without any network connection. Internet is only required to load optional rewarded ads or download new levels.

Question 15

Why am I seeing advertisements?

Accepted Answer

Optional rewarded ads help support the independent development of Shabd. We never force pop-ups or banner ads on you; you only watch ads when you choose to in exchange for hints or coins.

Question 16

Will I lose progress if I uninstall the game?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because your progress, coins, and unlocks are stored locally inside the app's secure sandbox on your device, deleting the app or clearing storage will permanently erase all data. Deleted progress cannot be restored.

Question 17

How do I report a bug or send feedback?

Accepted Answer

If you encounter any issues or want to suggest features, please let us know through our support form: https://forms.gle/pumpqi7FaPt2K8sLA.

Frequently Asked Questions