Connections, a word-based brainteaser game, was introduced by The New York Times one year ago and has become a popular choice for puzzle enthusiasts, following closely behind the well-known Wordle game. In Connections, players are tasked with grouping 16 words into four categories based on their associations with each other. Each category is labeled with a color to signify its difficulty level, ranging from yellow as the easiest to purple as the most challenging. The game utilizes various techniques like wordplay, homophones, and uniting themes from different topics to keep players engaged.
The goal of Connections is to uncover the threads connecting a series of words, such as grouping words like “conceive,” “envision,” “imagine,” and “picture” under the category “dream up.” Once a group is correctly identified, those words are removed from the grid, but players only have four guesses before the game is over. The difficulty levels are designed to offer a mix of categories that challenge players in different ways, using wordplay elements like palindromes, homophones, and letter manipulation. Additionally, the game incorporates familiar words that are commonly used in modern life, as well as less-common words to provide a comprehensive puzzle-solving experience.
To add to the challenge, Connections includes a shuffle button that rearranges the words on the screen to assist players stuck on a particular puzzle. Puzzle editor Wyna Liu mentioned that the game’s variety of categories and wordplay techniques aim to make the gameplay both challenging and satisfying. The game also tests players’ ability to identify overlapping items that can be linked to multiple categories, adding another layer of complexity to the gameplay. Each day, a new puzzle is released at midnight in the player’s local time zone, along with hints and tips from Newsweek to assist in solving the Connections challenge.
In a recent Connections puzzle example, clues were provided for four categories: yellow, green, blue, and purple. Players were encouraged to think creatively and explore different associations between the words to correctly group them into their respective categories. The answers for the puzzle included words like “absorb,” “engross,” “hold,” and “rivet” under the yellow category “grab one’s attention,” showcasing the diverse range of word associations presented in the game. With a mix of wordplay elements, visual memory connections, and associations with attractive qualities, Connections provides players with a unique and engaging puzzle-solving experience that challenges conventional wisdom and encourages finding connections in the search for common ground.
