Strands, a game by the New York Times, is gaining popularity and moving out of beta to the official Games app. It is a challenging and entertaining game that requires players to find hidden words related to a specific theme. Players must find three words of four letters or more to reveal one of the theme words. The goal is to find all the theme words, including a special word called the spangram that spans the entire puzzle. The game rewards players with hints for finding hint words, which can help in unlocking the theme words.
In order to play Strands, players must use the theme of the day to look for words that relate to that topic. By dragging or clicking the letters in order, players can submit their guesses for the hidden words. Once a theme word is found, it will light up in blue and stay that way. Additionally, finding three hint words can provide clues to the theme words. If players are struggling to unscramble the theme word, finding three more hint words will highlight the theme word’s letters in order. The goal is to use every letter on the board in either a theme word or the spangram, without any overlap.
The theme for each day’s Strands puzzle is provided to give players a starting point for finding the hidden words. If players are stuck, there are clue words that can be used to unlock in-game hints. These clue words include words like RANT, NEAT, SLATE, CITY, BOOK, and more. By finding these words, players can uncover hints that lead them closer to solving the puzzle. The game also provides answers to the puzzle, including the nonspangram answers, such as ATLAS, ALMANAC, HANDBOOK, THESAURUS, and DICTIONARY, which tie into the theme of the puzzle.
The spangram is a special theme word that spans the entire puzzle, either flowing across or from top to bottom. It serves as a summary of the puzzle theme and must be found to complete the puzzle. In addition to the spangram, players must find all the theme words to utilize every letter on the board. The completion of the puzzle involves filling the entire board with theme words that do not overlap with each other. By following these rules and strategies, players can successfully complete the NYT Strands puzzle and enjoy the challenge of finding hidden words related to a specific theme.
Overall, Strands is a lesser-known game compared to its New York Times counterparts like Wordle and Connections, but it offers a similar level of challenge and entertainment. With its recent move out of beta and inclusion in the official Games app, Strands is gaining more attention from fans of word puzzles. By following the rules and hints provided, players can enhance their gameplay experience and work towards completing the daily puzzles. Whether players are looking for a new word game to try or enjoy solving puzzles, Strands offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience that keeps players coming back for more.
