I randomly saw a post of Twitter the other week, a series of grey, yellow and green blocks stacked on one another. What is that? I asked the tweeted and they simply responded: Wordle.
What is Wordle? A quick Google search took me straight there and I that was it. I was hooked. Ever since then, I can’t seem to escape it. It’s everywhere, everyone is talking about, my newsfeed is 50% Wordle articles and even Google has made a Wordle logo!
If you don’t know what it is, Google Wordle, play it and join the online sensation, then come back and read this.
Every day since then, I’ve played Wordle. It only takes a few minutes and if done in a morning, wakes up the creative part of my brain. I have been writing a lot more than usual these past few weeks, is that a coincidence? Probably, but maybe it’s the power of breakfast Wordle?!
I don’t get nearly as much time to play games anymore as I used to. (Yet another “perk” of getting older.) So, I’m always on the look-out for something quick and easy to play when I need to destress. As Wordle is only one word per day. I needed something else…
Did you know you get free games with your Netflix subscription? No, neither did I until last week. On your mobile device, go to your Netflix app and type in games. It will pull up a selection of mobile game titles. They’re all pretty basic: cards, bowling, racing and none of them really get glowing reviews, all except Knittens.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. It’s probably the same thought as I had – slap some cute looking cats on anything and people will love it. And you’re right, they do. And is that why people rate this higher than the other games? Probably, or maybe it really is better because against all the odds, I’m actually enjoying it.
It’s your standard match-three type game akin to Bejeweled, Bubble Witch or that Candy thing… What’s it called again? The spin on this version, is that you’re collecting yarn, which your chosen kitten is watching intently from above. That and the fish treats you collect for them, of course.
As you progress through the levels, you earn enough to make and buy outfits for your feline friends, making them look even cuter. So that’s why you’re collecting yarn! Oh no, I’ve become one of those people! I’ve been sucked in by cute cats in hats… But how could you not love a ginger kitten in a letter jacket and batman mask?
The whole thing has a familiarity about it, with relaxing music, nice animation and non-taxing levels. But the real advantage to playing this and not the millions of other match-three games, is the risk factor. There isn’t one. This is a free game through your Netflix account. I haven’t gotten very far into it, (level 30) but it appears there are no pay walls and no pay to win aspects. Knittens is a tried and tested format. The chances are, you’ve already played your fair share of this genre. I wouldn’t be surprised if it hasn’t already been passed down through our DNA and new-born babies circa 2000+ instinctively know how to play them. You might be sick of them or you might still be on that tricky Candyland (?) level you just can’t seem to get past. Whatever your feelings, for me this brought a brief but welcome respite of calm. It’s a nice way to spend a few minutes at a time and I’ll be keeping on my phone for whenever I need to find a simple way of releasing dopamine, without emptied my bank account.
