Strands is a game that is part of the New York Times Games app and has recently moved out of beta, gaining more attention. The rules for playing Strands involve finding words related to the theme of the day, submitting guesses by clicking or dragging the letters, and looking for hint words that lead to the theme words. The game also features a special theme word called a spangram that summarizes the puzzle theme. The goal is to use every letter on the board in either a theme word or the spangram, without any overlapping.
The theme for the day’s Strands puzzle provides a clue to help players identify words related to that topic. If players get stuck, they can find any words they can, with three words of four letters or more unlocking a hint to a theme word. The game rewards players by revealing theme words when they find three hint words. The answers for the Strands puzzle are all tied to the theme, with one special theme word called the spangram that runs through the entire puzzle. The ultimate goal is to find all the answers, including the spangram, using every letter on the board.
In a specific example provided, the theme for the day’s Strands puzzle is “Got any bleu cheese?” Players are encouraged to look for words related to this theme, with examples such as EGGS, BACON, GREENS, TOMATO, CHICKEN, and VINAIGRETTE being part of the answers. The spangram for this particular puzzle is revealed to be COBB SALAD, which players can identify by starting with the letter C and following the word down the board.
Overall, Strands is a challenging and entertaining game that allows players to test their word-finding skills and think creatively about themes. While it may not receive as much attention as other New York Times puzzle games like Wordle and Connections, Strands offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience. With clear rules and guidelines, players can enjoy solving puzzles that require them to use all the letters on the board to uncover the theme words and spangram. The game provides a fun and interactive way to spend time and challenge oneself mentally.
