Since its launch by The New York Times in June of last year, Connections has become a popular online game, with players tasked with uncovering threads connecting a series of words. The game challenges players to group 16 words into four categories based on association, with each category labeled with a color to signify its difficulty level. Instructions on how to play the game include tips from crossword editor Wyna Liu, who advises players to wait as long as possible before guessing. If stuck, players can utilize the shuffle button to mix up the words on the screen, and the answers for each day’s puzzle are revealed at the end of the article.
The puzzle for Connections #419, released on Saturday, August 3, featured clues for each of the four categories: yellow, green, blue, and purple. The yellow category focused on words describing feelings of exhilaration, the green category was related to putting up with something, the blue category was about dismissing something, and the purple category was linked to electronics and a particular sound. The answers for each of the categories were revealed at the end of the article, allowing players to check their guesses and see if they successfully cracked the puzzle.
Playing Connections requires attention to word association, as well as an understanding of how words can be linked based on various themes or characteristics. The game often uses homophones, wordplay, and other techniques to keep players challenged and engaged. The difficulty level of the categories is indicated by the color assigned to them, with yellow being the easiest and purple being the hardest. However, even the easier categories can present challenges through word familiarity and potential item overlap, where one word can be linked to multiple categories.
Players can enhance their gameplay by following recommended tips, such as waiting before guessing to avoid wasting turns and considering all possible connections before making a decision. The puzzle is regularly updated, with new games released at midnight in each player’s local time zone. Newsweek provides hints and tips for each new game, offering assistance for players who may be struggling with a particular puzzle. Whether players are looking for a challenge or simply enjoy word-based games, Connections provides an engaging and stimulating experience for those looking to exercise their brain and have fun in the process.
