If you’ve been anywhere near the internet lately, you’ve probably seen a surge of word puzzle games taking over. Wordle was the OG, and then came its offspring: Quordle, Dordle, and now, the absolute mind-bender, Octordle. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Eight words. Eight grids. Twenty-five guesses. Absolute chaos. I know what you’re thinking: Why would anyone voluntarily subject themselves to that kind of mental torture? Well, I asked myself the same question—right before I got completely addicted.
The Wordle Boom: A Gateway Puzzle
First things first, let’s talk about Wordle for a hot second. You know the game: Six guesses to figure out a five-letter word. A little morning brain exercise to kickstart the day, right? For a while, it felt like everyone and their grandma was obsessed with it. I, too, fell into that trap. It was fun, simple, and honestly, pretty satisfying to nail that word on the fifth try with a smug sense of victory.
But the thing with Wordle is, once you get good at it, the challenge kind of fades. I mean, I started guessing words in like four tries, three if I was really on fire. So, what’s a word nerd to do? Well, naturally, I went hunting for something harder, something more intense. Enter Quordle—a game where you guess four words at the same time. Let me tell you, that felt like trying to do a crossword while juggling. But it wasn’t enough. I needed more chaos. And that’s when I discovered Octordle.
What Is Octordle, and Why Is It So Ridiculous?
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or maybe just not browsing puzzle Reddit forums in the middle of the night like some of us), Octordle is like Wordle on steroids. It gives you eight words to solve at the same time, using the same set of guesses. Yep, eight. You get 13 more guesses than Wordle (a generous 25 in total), but trust me, it still feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while blindfolded.
When I first opened up the game, I thought, “How hard can it be? I’ve been killing it in Wordle and Quordle, so this will just be a bigger version, right?” Yeah, no. I was wrong. So very wrong.
The thing is, with Octordle, you’ve got to be strategic. Every guess counts for all eight puzzles, and you don’t want to waste precious guesses on letters that aren’t in any of the words. It’s like playing eight different chess games simultaneously—except the pieces are letters, and they hate you.
My First (Disastrous) Attempt
Okay, picture this: I’m sitting at my desk, coffee in hand, feeling confident. I type in my trusty starter word (the one I use for Wordle all the time—”SLATE” for anyone curious). Some letters light up across multiple grids, and I think, “I got this.”
Spoiler alert: I didn’t have it.
The more words I tried, the more my brain started to melt. One grid had two letters I knew for sure, another had nothing, and I was positive the game was mocking me. By the time I used my last guess, I had figured out exactly…two words. Out of eight. I stared at my screen like it had personally betrayed me. What was this madness? How was I supposed to solve eight whole words with so few guesses? Who even thought this was a good idea?!
But the weirdest part? I wanted to try again immediately. Maybe it’s the same part of our brains that keeps us coming back to games like Tetris or Sudoku—the relentless need to crack the code. Or maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment. Either way, I dove back in for round two.
Tips and Tricks (That Might Keep You From Losing Your Mind)
Let me save you from some of the frustration I went through by sharing a few tips I picked up along the way (through trial, error, and lots of self-doubt):
- Start with a Solid Word: You want a starter word that hits a lot of common letters. “SLATE” is a personal favorite because it covers three of the five most common consonants and two vowels. Variety is key here.
- Don’t Hyper-Focus on One Word: It’s tempting to zero in on a word you think you’re close to cracking, but you’ve got eight puzzles to juggle. Spread the love! Sometimes working on a different word can give you the clues you need for others.
- Play the Odds: Once you’ve got a few letters locked down, play it smart. For example, if you’ve got “E” and “A” in one word, think of common letter combinations that fit. Don’t waste guesses on letters that probably won’t fit.
- Be Prepared to Lose: This isn’t Wordle, where you win most of the time. Octordle will make you lose, and it’s okay. Embrace the chaos.
The Sweet, Sweet Satisfaction of Winning (And Why I Keep Coming Back)
After what felt like a million failed attempts, I finally cracked all eight words. I’m not going to lie—it was one of the most satisfying victories I’ve ever had in a puzzle game. The sense of accomplishment is next level. It’s like winning a mini-Olympic event for word nerds.
But here’s the thing: The challenge never really ends. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, Octordle throws you a curveball with tricky letter combinations or uncommon words that make you want to bang your head against the keyboard. And somehow, that’s what keeps me coming back. The thrill of solving something so difficult is what makes it so fun—frustrating, yes, but fun.
Why Octordle is Weirdly Addictive
There’s something magical about Octordle’s blend of strategy, luck, and pure mental exhaustion. It pushes your brain in ways that make you feel both genius and idiot at the same time. One minute you’re soaring high, figuring out a word with ease, and the next minute you’re staring at eight grids, completely stumped, wondering where it all went wrong.
But that’s the beauty of it. It’s a game that challenges you, frustrates you, and then lures you back in with the promise of that sweet dopamine hit when you finally win.
And let’s be honest, in a world that’s always about instant gratification, it’s kind of refreshing to struggle a bit, to take on something that isn’t easy. Octordle forces you to think, strategize, and most importantly, fail—and I think that’s why it’s so darn addictive.
Should You Play Octordle?
If you’re the type of person who loves a good challenge, then absolutely. But be warned—it’s not for the faint of heart. This game will mess with your head. You’ll lose a lot. And you’ll probably feel like you’re losing your mind at some point. But if you stick with it, if you push through the frustration, you’ll find that solving those eight words is one of the most rewarding puzzle experiences out there.
Just maybe don’t start your day with it unless you’re ready to dive into a brain workout first thing. Octordle is more like a post-lunch kind of game when you’ve got a coffee in hand and time to spare. Trust me, you’re going to need all the brainpower you can get.
In the end, Octordle isn’t just a game. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. You’ll feel highs, lows, confusion, and elation all in the span of 10 minutes. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
