Strands is a lesser-known game in the New York Times game collection, along with Wordle and Connections. However, it has recently moved out of beta and is now available in the official New York Times Games app, which may attract more players to the game. The rules of Strands involve finding hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. Players must find three words of four letters or more to reveal a theme word. Some clue words that can unlock in-game hints include SLOW, SLOB, BROW, DEAR, and more. The ultimate goal is to find all the theme words and a special spangram that spans the entire puzzle.
Each day in Strands, there is a new theme that players must use to find words related to that topic. By clicking or dragging the letters in order, players can submit their guesses for theme words. Finding three hint words will give players clues to the theme words, and eventually, the game will reveal the theme word if the player is stuck. Additionally, players must look for the spangram, a special theme word that spans the entire puzzle either horizontally or vertically. The game requires players to use every letter on the board in either a theme word or the spangram, without any overlap.
In a recent Strands puzzle, the theme was “Book it!” and the answers included words like READ, BROWSE, MEET, and RENEW. The spangram for that particular puzzle was PUBLIC LIBRARY. Players are encouraged to use the theme of the day to find related words and uncover the hidden theme words within the puzzle. Strands offers a fun and challenging gaming experience for those who enjoy word puzzles and brain teasers. With its inclusion in the New York Times Games app, more players may discover and enjoy the game.
Overall, Strands may not receive as much attention as Wordle or Connections, but it offers a unique and entertaining gameplay experience for fans of word puzzles. By following the rules and using the daily theme to uncover hidden words, players can work their way through the puzzle and eventually reveal all the theme words and the spangram. The game is now available in the New York Times Games app, which may introduce it to a wider audience and attract more players to try their hand at solving the challenging puzzles presented in Strands.
