Connections has definitely hit that sweet spot between clever challenge and quick-play fun. It scratches a different mental itch than Wordle — instead of testing vocabulary or deduction, it’s all about pattern recognition, thematic logic, and often a healthy dose of lateral thinking. And yeah, sometimes it absolutely stumps you right when you think you’ve got it.
What’s fun (and slightly maddening) about Connections is how sneaky the word groupings can be. NYT Games loves to throw in red herrings — like four words that could fit one category, but only three do, and the fourth belongs somewhere completely unexpected. It’s like a game of semantic chess, where you’re constantly second-guessing your assumptions.
Plus, the social element — being able to text your friends “got the purple one in one try today” or complain about the category that threw you — just makes it more fun. It’s like a communal brain teaser.
Do you play daily? What’s been the most frustrating or most satisfying grouping you’ve solved so far?
