Strands, a lesser-known game from The New York Times, has recently transitioned out of beta and into the official Games app. While it may not receive as much attention as games like Wordle and Connections, Strands offers a challenging and entertaining puzzle experience for players. The game involves finding theme words related to a specific topic, as well as hint words that provide clues to the theme words. Players must also uncover a special theme word called a spangram that spans the entire puzzle board.
To play Strands, players must use the theme of the day to search for words connected to that topic. When a theme word is found, players can click on the letters in order and submit their guess. The word will light up in blue once correctly identified. Hint words are also important, as finding three of them will reveal a theme word. If players struggle to unscramble the theme word, they can find three more hint words to receive assistance. The ultimate goal is to use every letter on the board in either a theme word or the spangram.
For the most recent Strands puzzle, the theme is “Work out the bugs,” with a clue hinting that “It’s a bug’s life.” Players are encouraged to search for words related to this theme, such as SEEM, BEET, TRILL, PERM, RIPE, WIRE, MILE, SMILE, and more. These words will unlock hints within the game that guide players towards the theme words. The answers for this particular puzzle include words like BEETLE, EARWIG, SPIDER, TERMITE, and MILLIPEDE, along with a special spangram that reads “CREEPY CRAWLIES” and spans the entire puzzle board.
Overall, Strands is a unique and engaging word puzzle game that challenges players to think creatively and strategically. By focusing on theme words and utilizing hint words to unlock clues, players can successfully complete each puzzle. The recent move into The New York Times official Games app may bring more attention to Strands and attract new fans looking for a fresh and exciting crossword experience. If you enjoy games like Wordle and Connections, be sure to give Strands a try for a fun and rewarding puzzle-solving experience.
