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WORD FACTORY ARCADE

Words Queen

Trace connected letters across the queen's 7×7 board.

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Connect neighboring letters to build the target word. Later boards add turns, reverse paths and stronger distractions.

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COMPLETE PLAYER GUIDE

How to play Words Queen

Find every masked target on the 7×7 board by connecting neighboring letters, including diagonal neighbors.

Game guide by Word Factory · Updated September 15, 2026 · Rules verified against the current Phaser browser build.

Game goal

Find every masked target on the 7×7 board by connecting neighboring letters, including diagonal neighbors.

Learning focus: Word recognition and path finding. Completed answers feed the shared Word Factory learning-progress and weak-word system.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Check the masked list for word lengths.
  2. Press a starting cell and drag through neighboring cells without repeating one.
  3. Release to submit; correct target cells remain colored.
  4. Find all targets before three mistakes. Shuffle makes a new board; Hint · 50 flashes one complete path.

Winning, mistakes and rating

Complete the level

Find every target. The clock records elapsed completion time and is not a countdown.

Mistakes and failure

A path longer than one letter that does not match an unfinished target removes one life. Non-neighboring and repeated cells are rejected while tracing.

Score and stars

Each found target awards 100 points. Stars equal the lives remaining. Elapsed time does not change the star formula.

How the 1,000 levels become harder

Levels 1–1,000 are mapped across 30 gradual difficulty stages. Individual word length and vocabulary difficulty also follow the current level.

Level rangeWhat changes
Levels 1–100Two short words use straight neighboring paths.
Levels 101–500The list grows to four; reverse paths begin while paths stay straight through middle stages.
Levels 501–800Up to five words may use paths that turn between adjacent cells.
Levels 801–1,000Six targets, reverse placement and turning paths create the densest boards.

Controls and device support

  • Mouse or touch: press the first cell, trace neighboring cells and release.
  • Shuffle and Hint reset or assist the board.
  • Esc pauses on a hardware keyboard.

New-player tips

  • Use the number of blanks to choose a path length.
  • On later boards, check all eight neighbors.
  • Solved cells stay colored and help narrow the search.
  • Shuffle only when you want a new layout and a reset elapsed clock.

Words Queen FAQ

Can a path move diagonally?

Yes. Horizontal, vertical and diagonal neighbors are valid.

Is the clock a countdown?

No. It records elapsed time and never causes failure.

What does Shuffle change?

It restarts the same level with a newly generated board and target placement.