The New York Times dropped its Strands puzzle #458 on June 4, 2025, and this one’s got a fun Monster Quest theme. Basically, you’re hunting for words tied to famous mythical creatures hidden inside a letter grid. It’s pretty cool because it’s not just about finding random words — they all connect to legends like Bigfoot and Kraken. Plus, there’s a special “Spangram” word hidden that uses every important letter in the puzzle.
What’s the Monster Quest Theme About?
So, the whole idea behind this puzzle is all about cryptids — those creatures people say exist but no one’s proven for sure. Some of the big names you’ll see are:
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BIGFOOT
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JACKALOPE
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KRAKEN
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MOTHMAN
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YETI
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CRAWLER
The “Spangram” for this puzzle is CRYPTIDS — a perfect word for the theme since it means those mysterious creatures from folklore. It’s hidden running straight down the grid, which is a neat twist.
How to Play the Puzzle and Win
If you’re new or just want some tips, here’s the deal:
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Look for the monster-related words hidden in the grid.
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Tap and drag over the letters to highlight each word.
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Double-tap the last letter to lock it in.
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Don’t miss the Spangram — it’s the key to finishing the puzzle.
This puzzle really tests how well you know these creatures and how sharp your word skills are.
Handy Tips to Crack the Monster Quest Puzzle
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Start with easier words you know well, like BIGFOOT or YETI.
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Since the spangram goes vertically, check the columns carefully for CRYPTIDS.
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Keep an eye out for smaller or tricky words that might unlock the whole grid.
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Don’t rush — sometimes the puzzle makes more sense when you slow down.
Why This Puzzle Stands Out
Honestly, the Monster Quest theme makes it feel like you’re on a little adventure, hunting monsters from stories. It’s a fun way to mix learning about cryptids with word puzzles, and it gives your brain a nice workout. Whether you’re a beginner or a puzzle pro, it’s a nice challenge.
๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐, ๐๐๐๐: ๐๐จ๐ง๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ
— Analytics Insight (@analyticsinme) June 4, 2025
๐งฉ๐น Waiting for payday? Escape the midweek slump with today’s NYT Strands Monster Quest! Hunt cryptids like… pic.twitter.com/yjrmtm6IHY
