Connections is a popular brainteaser game launched by The New York Times in June 2023, following the success of another word-based puzzle called Wordle. The objective of Connections is to uncover threads connecting a series of words presented in a grid of 16 words. Players must organize these words into four groups of four based on shared themes or characteristics, with each group color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (most challenging). The familiarity of the words used and their frequency in modern life contribute to the difficulty level, along with the concept of “item overlap” where one word can be linked to multiple categories.
Players have up to four chances to guess incorrectly before the game ends, with no time constraint to rush them. By shuffling the words on the board, they can help spot connections they might have initially missed. Connections developer and NYT crossword editor Wyna Liu shared insights on how she creates the games “from scratch,” emphasizing the importance of experimenting with different angles to build engaging puzzles. Liu’s advice to conquer the game is to wait as long as possible before making a guess, allowing players to consider all possible connections before committing to an answer.
Each day, Newsweek provides hints and tips to help players solve the daily Connections puzzle. The clues for each color-coded category are provided, along with the corresponding answers to check against. For example, in a recent puzzle (#570), the yellow category focused on different creatures with a common trait, the green category featured various glowing objects, the blue category included objects representing a European country, and the purple category ended with words having the same meaning as “plunge.” By correctly identifying and grouping the words, players can challenge themselves to solve the puzzle and advance to the next one.
Players are encouraged to test their skills and knowledge by playing Connections, which offers a fun and engaging way to exercise their brains and creativity. The game’s popularity has grown steadily since its launch, capturing the attention of puzzle enthusiasts seeking a new challenge. With each new puzzle released daily at midnight in the player’s local time zone, followed by Newsweek’s hints and tips to guide them through the game, players can enjoy a daily dose of mental stimulation and entertainment. Whether alone or with friends, Connections offers a rewarding experience for those looking to sharpen their problem-solving skills and expand their vocabulary.
