Connections is a word puzzle game featured in the New York Times, where players are given 16 words and asked to group them into four sets that are somehow connected. The game can be tricky, as some words may fit in more than one group. The goal is to figure out the connection between the words and place them in the correct groups. Wordle, on the other hand, is described as more of a vocabulary test, while Connections is seen as a brainteaser. The game editor knows how to challenge players by using words that may seem unrelated at first glance.
The hints for today’s Connections puzzle include clues for the four groups ranging from the easiest to the most challenging. The yellow group hint suggests words related to “doing it fast”, while the green group hint points towards words associated with the sea. The blue group hint focuses on weightlifting terms, and the purple group hint refers to sound-alike names for famous thinkers. Players are encouraged to think critically and creatively to determine the connections between the words and arrange them accordingly into the four groups.
The answers for today’s Connections groups include specific sets of words that are linked by a common theme or attribute. In the yellow group, the words are related to the concept of not delaying, such as “hurry”, “now”, “pronto”, and “stat”. The green group consists of words related to ocean phenomena, including “current”, “drift”, “tide”, and “wave”. The blue group features words associated with dumbbell exercises, such as “curl”, “fly”, “press”, and “row”. Lastly, the purple group contains words that are homophones of famous philosophers’ names, like “lock”, “marks”, “pane”, and “rustle”.
Playing Connections is described as relatively simple in terms of mechanics, as players just need to assign the 16 words into related groups based on their connections. However, winning can be challenging, as identifying the correct connections between the words requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The game is color-coded to indicate the difficulty level of each group, with yellow being the easiest and purple being the toughest. Players are advised to examine the words closely and think creatively about potential connections, even if they seem obscure or unrelated at first.
The uniqueness of Connections lies in the wide array of possible connections that can exist between the 16 words, ranging from straightforward relationships to more abstract or obscure links. The game encourages players to think outside the box and consider various interpretations and associations between the words. Sometimes, the connections may be based on shared characteristics, such as starting with the name of a rock band, as seen in past puzzles. Overall, Connections is a challenging and engaging word puzzle game that tests players’ ability to make connections between seemingly disparate items and themes.
