About Connectors
I recently stumbled upon Connectors at a game night and was immediately drawn in by its simple setup: a pile of hexagonal tiles each featuring colorful lines and nodes. On your turn, you draw one, look at how it might link up with what’s already on the table, and place it in such a way that you’re maximizing your routes. It sounds straightforward, but because each tile has multiple colors winding in different directions, you find yourself constantly shifting strategies based on the ever-growing network.
What really keeps you hooked is the push-and-pull between building your own long chains versus unintentionally helping someone else. You’re always eyeing those precious junctions where three or four lines meet because nabbing one of those spots can supercharge your score if you play it right—or totally derail someone tracking the same color. My friends and I have had some of the most intense “oh no” moments I’ve ever seen in a tabletop game just by one well-placed tile.
Beyond the competitive edge, Connectors has this oddly relaxing vibe. There’s something meditative about matching up those lines, tracing the colored paths with your eyes as the web grows more intricate. If you’re the type who enjoys puzzle games—like laying down tiles in Carcassonne or linking dots in a mobile app—this board game scratches that same itch but with friends gathered around a table instead of glued to a screen.
And yet, despite the tactical depth, the rules come across as totally approachable. You could teach it to a newcomer in five minutes, which makes it perfect for mixed-age gatherings or quick after-dinner rounds. It’s exactly the kind of game that lures you in with its bright art and casual premise, then surprises you with enough meat to fuel repeat plays. Whether you’re looking for a low-key filler or a light-intensity head-to-head match, Connectors seems to have just the right balance.