Add comprehensive user guide for Neural Nexus players
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# User Guide - Neural Nexus
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## Welcome! 👋
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This guide will help you get the most out of Neural Nexus. No technical knowledge required - we'll walk you through everything step by step.
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## Table of Contents
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1. [What is Neural Nexus?](#what-is-neural-nexus)
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2. [Getting Started](#getting-started)
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3. [Basic Features](#basic-features)
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4. [Game Mechanics](#game-mechanics)
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5. [Tips & Tricks](#tips--tricks)
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6. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
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7. [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
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## What is Neural Nexus?
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Neural Nexus is a brain-training puzzle game that challenges you to connect glowing nodes in specific patterns, inspired by how neural networks work in artificial intelligence.
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### Why Play Neural Nexus?
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✨ **Exercise Your Brain:** Improve pattern recognition and logical thinking
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🎯 **Stay Focused:** Perfect for quick mental breaks or extended gaming sessions
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🚀 **Feel Accomplished:** Progressive difficulty that builds your confidence
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💡 **Easy to Learn:** Simple click-and-drag mechanics anyone can master
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### Who Is It For?
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- ✅ **Puzzle Lovers**: Perfect for fans of Sudoku, crosswords, and brain teasers
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- ✅ **Casual Gamers**: Great for quick 5-minute sessions or longer play
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- ✅ **Students & Professionals**: Excellent mental exercise during breaks
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- ✅ **Anyone 13+**: Suitable for teens through seniors
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## Getting Started
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### Step 1: Access Neural Nexus
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**On Your Computer:**
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1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
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2. Navigate to: https://andersPier.github.io/neural-nexus-game/
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3. Bookmark it for easy access later!
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**On Your Phone or Tablet:**
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1. Open your mobile browser
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2. Visit: https://andersPier.github.io/neural-nexus-game/
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3. Tap "Add to Home Screen" for app-like access
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4. The game works great in full-screen mode!
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### Step 2: First Time Playing
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When you first open Neural Nexus, you'll see:
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1. **The Game Title** - "NEURAL NEXUS" at the top
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2. **Your Stats** - Level, Score, and Time remaining
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3. **The Game Area** - Where all the action happens
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4. **Welcome Instructions** - Click "START NEURAL LINK" to begin!
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### Step 3: Controls Overview
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**On Computer:**
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- **Mouse Click & Drag** - Connect nodes by clicking one node and dragging to another
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- **Mouse Move** - See connection preview as you drag
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**On Mobile:**
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- **Tap & Drag** - Touch one node and drag your finger to another node
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- **Pinch to Zoom** - Zoom in/out if needed (on some devices)
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## Basic Features
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### 🎯 **Core Gameplay**
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**What it does:** Connect nodes to match the target pattern shown as dotted lines
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**How to play:**
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1. Look at the dotted white lines - these show which nodes need to be connected
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2. Click (or tap) on any node
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3. Drag to another node to create a glowing connection
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4. Repeat until all dotted lines are recreated with solid connections
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5. Complete the pattern before time runs out!
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**Example:** If you see a dotted line between a green node and blue node, drag from the green node to the blue node to create that connection.
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### 📊 **Scoring System**
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**What it does:** Tracks your progress and performance
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**How scoring works:**
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- **Base Points:** 100 points per level completed
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- **Time Bonus:** 10 points for each second remaining when you finish
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- **Level Multiplier:** Higher levels give more points
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- **Perfect Completion:** Bonus points for completing without mistakes
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**When you'd use this:** Track your improvement over time and challenge yourself to beat your high score!
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### ⏰ **Timer Challenge**
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**What it does:** Each level has a time limit that creates urgency and excitement
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**How it works:**
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- Start with 60 seconds for early levels
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- Time decreases slightly as levels get harder
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- Complete the pattern before time runs out
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- Faster completion = higher score!
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**Strategy tip:** Don't panic! Take a moment to study the pattern before making connections.
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## Game Mechanics
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### Node Types
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🟢 **Source Nodes (Green):** Starting points - these often begin patterns
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🔵 **Normal Nodes (Blue):** Standard connection points
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🟠 **Target Nodes (Orange):** End points - these often complete patterns
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### Connection Rules
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✅ **Valid Connections:**
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- Any node can connect to any other node
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- Connections are bidirectional (work both ways)
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- You can have multiple connections per node
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❌ **Invalid Connections:**
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- Cannot connect a node to itself
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- Cannot create duplicate connections between the same two nodes
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### Level Progression
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**Level 1-5:** Learn the basics with simple patterns
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**Level 6-15:** Increased complexity with more nodes
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**Level 16-25:** Advanced patterns requiring strategy
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**Level 26+:** Master-level challenges for experts
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Each level introduces new elements gradually, so you'll never feel overwhelmed!
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## Tips & Tricks
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### 💡 Strategy Tips
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1. **Study First, Connect Second**
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- Take 5-10 seconds to examine the dotted pattern
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- Plan your connection order mentally
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- Look for obvious connections first (isolated nodes, clear pairs)
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2. **Work Outside-In**
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- Start with nodes on the edges of the pattern
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- Connect obvious pairs first
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- Save complex central connections for last
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3. **Use Color Coding**
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- Green source nodes often start chains
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- Orange target nodes often end chains
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- Blue nodes are usually connectors in the middle
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### 🌟 Performance Tips
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1. **Time Management**
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- Don't rush - mistakes waste more time than careful planning
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- If stuck, take a deep breath and look for simpler connections
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- Remember: you get bonus points for leftover time
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2. **Pattern Recognition**
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- Look for symmetrical patterns
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- Identify chain sequences (A→B→C→D)
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- Notice hub nodes that connect to many others
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3. **Accuracy Over Speed**
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- It's better to be accurate than fast
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- One careful connection is worth three hasty mistakes
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- Build confidence with correct connections
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### 📱 Mobile-Specific Tips
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- **Larger Touch Targets:** Use the tip of your finger, not the side
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- **Steady Movements:** Smooth drags work better than jerky motions
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- **Landscape Mode:** Try rotating your device for easier reaching
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- **Zoom if Needed:** Use pinch gestures if nodes are too small
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## Troubleshooting
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### Common Issues and Solutions
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#### "I can't make connections"
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**Try this:**
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1. Make sure you're starting the drag on a node (colored circle)
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2. Drag all the way to the target node before releasing
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3. Check that you're not trying to connect a node to itself
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4. Ensure you're not creating a duplicate connection
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#### "The game is running slowly"
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**Solutions:**
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- Close other browser tabs to free up memory
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- Try refreshing the page (F5 or Ctrl+R)
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- Close unnecessary programs on your device
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- Make sure your device isn't overheating
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#### "Touch controls aren't working on mobile"
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**Check these:**
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- Try using just one finger
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- Make sure your screen is clean
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- Restart the browser app
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- Try in landscape mode
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- Ensure you're touching directly on the nodes
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#### "I can't see the dotted pattern clearly"
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**Possible fixes:**
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- Adjust your screen brightness
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- Try a different viewing angle
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- Look for very faint white dotted lines
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- The pattern might be simple - check for direct node-to-node connections
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## Frequently Asked Questions
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### Gameplay Questions
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**Q: How do I know which nodes to connect?**
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A: Look for the faint dotted white lines connecting nodes - these show you exactly which connections to make. Your job is to recreate these dotted lines with solid, glowing connections.
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**Q: Can I undo a connection?**
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A: Currently, you cannot undo individual connections. If you make a mistake, you'll need to complete the level or let the timer run out to start over.
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**Q: What happens when I complete a level?**
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A: You'll see a "Neural Network Complete!" message, your score will increase, and you'll automatically advance to the next level with a new pattern to solve.
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**Q: Is there a maximum level?**
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A: The game generates increasingly complex levels automatically, so there's always a new challenge waiting!
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### Technical Questions
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**Q: What devices does Neural Nexus work on?**
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A: Neural Nexus works on:
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- Desktop computers (Windows, Mac, Linux)
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- Smartphones (iPhone, Android)
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- Tablets (iPad, Android tablets)
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- Any device with a modern web browser
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**Q: Do I need to download anything?**
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A: No! Neural Nexus runs entirely in your web browser. No downloads, installations, or accounts required.
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**Q: Does the game save my progress?**
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A: Your current session progress is maintained while playing, but progress doesn't persist between browser sessions yet. We're working on adding save functionality!
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**Q: Can I play offline?**
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A: You need an internet connection to load the game initially, but once loaded, it should work without internet for your current session.
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### Performance Questions
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**Q: Why is the game running slowly?**
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A: Neural Nexus is optimized for performance, but if you experience slowdown:
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- Close other browser tabs
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- Make sure your device has sufficient battery
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- Try using a different browser
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- Restart your browser if the issue persists
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**Q: The connections don't seem responsive**
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A: This usually indicates:
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- Your device may be running low on memory
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- Try refreshing the page
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- On mobile, ensure you're touching directly on the nodes
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- Check that no other apps are using significant resources
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---
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## Quick Reference Card
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Print this section and keep it handy!
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### Essential Controls
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- **Connect Nodes:** Click/tap and drag between nodes
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- **View Pattern:** Look for dotted white lines
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- **Restart:** Refresh page or wait for timer to end
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### Winning Strategy
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1. Study the dotted pattern first
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2. Plan your connection sequence
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3. Start with obvious connections
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4. Work systematically, don't rush
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5. Complete pattern before time runs out
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### When You're Stuck
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- Take a deep breath and study the pattern again
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- Look for isolated nodes that only connect to one other
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- Start with the simplest connections first
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- Remember: the dotted lines show you exactly what to do
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---
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**Remember:** Neural Nexus is designed to be challenging but fair. Every puzzle has a solution, and with practice, you'll develop the pattern recognition skills to solve even the most complex networks!
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**Have fun connecting!** 🧠✨
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**Last Updated:** June 2025
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**Version:** 1.0
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