Fourword

Fourword is a simple yet challenging word puzzle game where you must navigate from the starting word, KING, to the target word, COUP. Only one letter can be changed per turn. While it might seem similar to Nyt Wordle at first glance, Fourword has its own unique gameplay. Let's start exploring!

Detailed Guide to Playing Fourword

I. Basic Objective

Fourword is a simple yet challenging word puzzle game. The player's objective is to:

1. Start from a given word (e.g., KING).
2. Navigate through a sequence of valid words.
3. End at the given target word (e.g., COUP).

II. Gameplay Rules

1. Word Change Principle

Change only one letter per turn: In each move (from one word to the next), you are only allowed to change a single letter in that word.

The result must be a valid word: The new word created after changing the letter must be a meaningful, valid word in the game's dictionary.

(Example: KING → KIND (valid) / KING → KIZG (invalid, unless KIZG is a word)

2. Interface Operation

Select a letter: Click on the letter you wish to change in the current word.

Enter the new letter: Use the virtual or physical keyboard to input the replacement letter.

Confirmation: The game will automatically check if the new word is valid. If it is, the word will be added to your puzzle chain.

III. The Color Code System (Displaying Changes)

After every character change, a corresponding color is used to mark the exact position where the letter was altered.

1. Character Color: The changed character shifts from gray to a distinct green color, making it easy for the player to identify which letter they have changed. This aids in strategizing the next modification.

2. The Color Bar Linking Changes: This row signifies the efficiency or "quality" of each move. It persists across turns to visually register that the letter at that location has been successfully swapped for a different character.

Tips & Strategies for Fourword

Reverse Thinking

Don't just look from the starting word (KING). Look at the target word (COUP) and ask yourself: "What word can lead to COUP by changing just one letter?" Then, work backward from that word. Working from both ends (KING and COUP) and trying to meet in the middle is often the most effective way.

Prioritize Changing the Most Different Letters

Consider which letters in your current word do not appear in the target word, and try to change those first.

Example (KING → COUP):

K, I, N, G (KING)

C, O, U, P (COUP)

The letters K (very different from C), I (very different from O/U), and G (very different from P) are candidates for early change.

Try to transition K to C (or an intermediate letter), I to O or U, and so on.

Use "Bridge" Words

When a letter needs a significant change (e.g., K → C), there often isn't a single valid word that allows that direct change. You need a "bridge" word.

Example: KING → LING (change K → L) $\to$ LING → CING (invalid)

Actual-like Example: KING → PING (change K → P) → PONG (change I → O) → PONG → POUP → COUP. (This is just an illustrative example.)