Strands offers a range of unique features that enhance gameplay and set it apart from traditional word games:
Combines IoT and word search puzzles with a twist, where players solve theme-based puzzles to create spangrams.
Players can connect letters in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally for more dynamic gameplay.
The spangram spans across the grid and links theme-based words, adding complexity and strategy to each puzzle.
Puzzles are diverse with changing themes like animals, countries, colors, and famous places, keeping gameplay fresh.
Certain puzzles have time limits, adding intensity and making the experience more challenging for players.
Players unlock new levels, grids, and rewards as they advance, ensuring continuous engagement and increasing difficulty.
Compete with friends or players worldwide in real-time, solving puzzles and aiming for high scores.
Strands is a unique puzzle game that combines two separate worlds: a word search puzzle and a game of Strands. In a conventional word search, the player is presented with a concealed word puzzle where they have to search for specific phrases in a box of random letters. But Strands adds another level of excitement and intrigue to the word search by designing it in such a way that it requires critical thinking skills and strategizing to solve the puzzle.
Players are presented with a total of 48 letters arranged carefully in a 6 by 8 grid. The letters aren’t simply jumbled up; there is an order to the chaos and it’s the player’s job to figure it out. There are several theme words hidden inside the grid that players must search for. The catch is that all the theme words are interconnected by a theme and players must decipher what that is.
spangram is the phrase that captures the essence or theme of the word. In this case, the spangram does not only serve as a clue; it also serves as a challenge on its own. To win one has to create the spangram in the game, it should connect two opposite ends of the game board. This way the entire grid will be linked. This implies, therefore, that the spangram is more than just a witty statement, the spangram needs to be crafted through a more clever application of the letters in the game such that it stretches from one edge to the other. So one has to construct the phrase with assistance of the letters from the game board. This means that the phrase should be very difficult to construct because it adds a layer of difficulty and strategy to the game that makes it even more engaging.
Players of NYT Strands must search for words that are provided in the theme so they can fit the words in the puzzles. These theme words can be found through adjacent letters in the grid. By Connecting the letters that form words, players can freely move across the grid and utilize letters that are positioned next to them, forming words in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal manner. The overall strategy hinges on the accuracy with which the theme words are identified and the skillful manner in which they are organized. Mid-word, players can change direction as long as the next letter in the word is easily accessible.
Players can connect letters in any way they see fit; this gives a new dimension to the game. Strands changes traditional word search games as players pick an indirect approach instead of a straight line when looking for a word. Doing so adds an extra difficulty layer, but players are given a challenge they get to creatively solve as they figure out how to navigate the grid.
Incredible immersion is infused within the simple concept of looking for words in Strands. The game's compactness affords just enough spatial challenge with its 6 by 8 grid of letters. This also allows the game to have different combinations, and as a result, allow players to enjoy an entirely new game each time.
Just like in any other game, in Strands, players must manage their time wisely. Each puzzle comes with a time frame, compelling players to solve problems as quickly as possible. Thankfully, Strands is more forgiving than its fellow puzzle games that strictly impose penalties. In this game, players are rewarded for coming up with unique ways to find the theme words and are not rushed to complete the game in a short span of time.
Strands can be quite easy to play, but with practice, players will notice that there are complex strategies that need to be put into action in order to truly beat the game. You must first consider the grid and the layout. As the game goes on, the arrangement of letters and placement of theme words will alter, forcing you to re-evaluate.
From the beginning of a game, one of the first hurdles that players will have to jump through is how to come up with the theme all the words fit into. While at first glance it may seem simple, such as animals or countries, it can get complex and abstract with colors or nature-themed objects. To solve this, players need to extract the spangram, which has a lot of potential for difficulty.
The Strand game is easy to play, but it is the strategic features which make the game engaging and complex. Here’s a simple process you can follow to get your head around how it works:
In this stage of the game, you will see an empty 6 by 8 grid, meaning it has 48 random letters. Every puzzle comes with its own theme, and your task is to find the grid words that relate to that theme.
Try to find the theme words as they are concealed in the grid. Letters can be joined horizontally, vertically, and even diagonally, provided that they are next to each other. You can change your direction while spelling which adds more flexibility to the game.
Each puzzle contains a spangram, or a blend of phrases that are characterized through the theme words provided. The “spangram” should help in tracing joining two opposing areas on the grid. The spangram assists in obtaining the answer to the word definition most efficiently.
You will have to connect all the relevant words to create a spangram that crosses both extreme edges of the grid. You solve the puzzle when you attach all the relevant words to the spangram. Puzzle solving commences as soon as you combine the words and your spangram, resulting in the solution to the puzzle.
It is possible that the users may not have all the time desired depending on the level, so words might need to be found and puzzles solved in a hurry. Make sure to check the clock, but there is no reason to be overly stressed. Keep seeking words and puzzles to improve your skills and the difficulty of finding them will become easier over time.
Defeating puzzles gives you access to more complex boards that incorporate different themes to keep the game entertaining.
Strands has proved itself to be an effective puzzle game for various reasons. For one, the gameplay is easy to understand. Players can simply start the game without any elaborate instructions. The rules are simple: discover the theme words, connect the letters, and solve the puzzles. The addition of the spangram, however, elevates this idea to an entirely new level.
Progression in the game is motivating. Unlocking new levels as you solve the puzzles definitely feels rewarding. The new levels come with more grids and complicated themes, and as the levels progress, the difficulty increases progressively which is engaging for players. Solving each new puzzle encourages players to think more creatively.
Something that broadens the scope of the audience for Strands is how much Strands is loved by so many people. This game is great for international audiences ranging from the ages of 8 to 70. Whether you are a diehard puzzles fan or just a hobbyist, Strands has something for you. Its mechanics are so straightforward that they are simple to pick up, however, the nuances of the game ensure that the player never gets bored.
A phrase that relates to theme words in the Strands puzzle is known as a spangram.
In Strands, letters can be joined by moving up, down, diagonally, or side to side. As long as the letters touch each other, they can be joined to make words. One may also alter their path mid-way through a word.
Of course, Strands can be played with no internet connection. Though, specific features like multiplayer, as well as daily challenges, need functioning internet.
Puzzles in Strands are never the same because they are randomly generated. When the player decides to start a new puzzle, the letters get reshuffled, and new themes are created each time.
If you find yourself getting stuck, Strands provides you with hints to help you find the correct theme words. Alternatively, you can step away for a while and return later with new motivation to solve the puzzle.
Yes, Strands has levels of different degrees of difficulty. You will notice changes as you move ahead in the game, like bigger grids, more complicated themes, and a more difficult spangram to connect.
You get rewards for accomplishing a certain number of achievements such as completing and finishing puzzles quickly as well as locating all of the theme words. Complete levels and challenges also offer achievements and bonus rewards.
You can! One of Strands features a multiplayer mode where you can invite your friends to compete against each other in real-time puzzle-solving tournaments, where you try to see who can score the most points and who can solve the puzzle the quickest.