Strand

Link: Strand
Developed by Edward Staley
Genre: Puzzle

It is not often you see a puzzle browser game with a new dynamic...or at least a dynamic that isn't overdone to death. Strand by Edward Staley is the recent exception to the rule. While the version on Kongregate is really only a 25 level demo for the full iOS version (no Android version unfortunately...), it still holds up as a great time killer game on Kongregate and elsewhere on the web.

The idea is simple; connect two points with a strand of color. Points show how many connections they need to be "complete" and if you make satisfy all the needs you solve the level. Later levels introduce obstacles and pegs which you can bend the strands around to get where they need to go. Strand is a simple concept but one that is addicting and a brain puzzle.

It helps that the amount of polish in Strand makes it stand out. Everything is very minimalistic and just plain colors. Nothing too distracting is on the screen at all. Simple background music plays as you contemplate your next move. In general, Strand is a great puzzle game that gets you to think without doing the motions you've played in 100 other games before.