The New York Times’ latest puzzle game, Connections, has gained immense popularity since its launch in June 2023, quickly becoming the news outlet’s second most-played brainteaser after Wordle. Unlike Wordle, which requires players to find one word a day, Connections challenges players to find common threads between a series of words and group them into categories. The game can be played online on web browsers and mobile devices, providing a fun and engaging way to test one’s problem-solving skills.
To play Connections, players are presented with a grid of 16 words divided into four categories. The goal is to correctly group the words into their respective categories, leading to their removal from the board. Each incorrect guess adds to the mistake tally, with players allowed up to four mistakes before the game ends. To assist players, the board features a color-coding system indicating the difficulty level of each group. Yellow is the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple.
The game becomes more challenging when a word can belong to more than one category, requiring players to think critically and strategically. Connections editor Wyna Liu suggests pivoting to a different category if there are five or more words that belong to one category, as this may help eliminate some options and make it easier to identify connections in other categories. Newsweek provides hints and tips for each new game, helping players navigate the puzzles and improve their skills.
In a recent game of Connections, the clues for various categories were shared, allowing players to think about possible connections and make educated guesses. The answers for the specific game were also provided, revealing the correct groupings for each category. Players who correctly guess the connections are congratulated, while those who do not are encouraged to try again in future games. The game is released at midnight in each player’s local time zone, providing a new challenge every day.
Newsweek’s dedication to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground is evident in its coverage of games like Connections. By offering hints, tips, and solutions for each game, Newsweek aims to engage players in critical thinking and problem-solving while expanding their knowledge and understanding of diverse topics. As Connections continues to captivate players around the world, Newsweek remains committed to supporting and fostering a community of dedicated puzzle enthusiasts.
