Connections is a popular brainteaser game launched by The New York Times in June 2023, quickly becoming the publication’s second-most played game behind Wordle. The game tasks players with grouping 16 words into four categories based on association, with each category labeled with a color signifying its difficulty level. The puzzles often use wordplay, homophones, and other techniques to challenge players, making it an engaging and thought-provoking game to play.
One of the recent games featured categories such as “Checkout-line impulse buys,” “Movies of various lengths,” and others, each with a unique set of words to be grouped. The game has evolved to respond to players’ experiences and expectations, making it engaging and rewarding for both novice and experienced solvers. Puzzle editor Wyna Liu advises players to take their time and avoid “rage solving,” suggesting that waiting before guessing can lead to more successful solutions.
There is no time limit for playing Connections, allowing players to ponder the answers as long as they like. Newsweek provides hints and clues for each game to help players crack the categories. For example, the hints for one game included categories like “Sharp things,” “Musically related,” “Legal terms,” and “Associated with a nursery rhyme,” with corresponding words for each category listed for players to match.
Players are encouraged to challenge themselves with the game and try to correctly group words into the assigned categories. Once the answers are revealed, players can see how well they did and celebrate their successes. The game is released daily at midnight in the player’s local time zone, providing a new challenge to tackle each day. Newsweek offers regular tips and answers to assist players in cracking the game’s categories and enjoying the puzzle-solving process.
In addition to Connections, players can also explore other popular word-based games for an additional challenge and enjoyment. Whether you’re a puzzle fanatic looking to test your brain power or just seeking a fun and engaging activity, Connections offers a unique and stimulating experience. With a variety of categories and challenging word associations, the game provides an opportunity for players to exercise their minds, have fun, and discover new connections between words.
