8.6 KiB
User Guide - Neural Nexus
Welcome! 👋
Neural Nexus is a modern puzzle game where you connect neural network nodes to form specific patterns. No technical knowledge required - we'll guide you through everything step by step!
Table of Contents
- What is Neural Nexus?
- Getting Started
- Basic Features
- Game Mechanics
- Tips & Tricks
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neural Nexus?
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.
Why Play Neural Nexus?
✨ Exercise Your Brain: Improve pattern recognition and logical thinking
🎯 Stay Focused: Perfect for quick mental breaks or extended gaming sessions
🚀 Feel Accomplished: Progressive difficulty that builds your confidence
💡 Easy to Learn: Simple click-and-drag mechanics anyone can master
Who Is It For?
- ✅ Puzzle Lovers: Perfect for fans of Sudoku, crosswords, and brain teasers
- ✅ Casual Gamers: Great for quick 5-minute sessions or longer play
- ✅ Students & Professionals: Excellent mental exercise during breaks
- ✅ Anyone 13+: Suitable for teens through seniors
Getting Started
Step 1: Access Neural Nexus
On Your Computer:
- Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
- Navigate to the game page
- Bookmark it for easy access later!
On Your Phone or Tablet:
- Open your mobile browser
- Visit the game page
- Tap "Add to Home Screen" for app-like access
- The game works great in full-screen mode!
Step 2: First Time Playing
When you first open Neural Nexus, you'll see:
- The Game Title - "NEURAL NEXUS" at the top
- Your Stats - Level, Score, and Time remaining
- The Game Area - Where all the action happens
- Welcome Instructions - Click "START NEURAL LINK" to begin!
Step 3: Controls Overview
On Computer:
- Mouse Click & Drag - Connect nodes by clicking one node and dragging to another
- Mouse Move - See connection preview as you drag
On Mobile:
- Tap & Drag - Touch one node and drag your finger to another node
- Pinch to Zoom - Zoom in/out if needed (on some devices)
Basic Features
🎯 Core Gameplay
What it does: Connect nodes to match the target pattern shown as dotted lines
How to play:
- Look at the dotted white lines - these show which nodes need to be connected
- Click (or tap) on any node
- Drag to another node to create a glowing connection
- Repeat until all dotted lines are recreated with solid connections
- Complete the pattern before time runs out!
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.
📊 Scoring System
What it does: Tracks your progress and performance
How scoring works:
- Base Points: 100 points per level completed
- Time Bonus: 10 points for each second remaining when you finish
- Level Multiplier: Higher levels give more points
- Perfect Completion: Bonus points for completing without mistakes
⏰ Timer Challenge
What it does: Each level has a time limit that creates urgency and excitement
How it works:
- Start with 60 seconds for early levels
- Time decreases slightly as levels get harder
- Complete the pattern before time runs out
- Faster completion = higher score!
Game Mechanics
Node Types
🟢 Source Nodes (Green): Starting points - these often begin patterns
🔵 Normal Nodes (Blue): Standard connection points
🟠 Target Nodes (Orange): End points - these often complete patterns
Connection Rules
✅ Valid Connections:
- Any node can connect to any other node
- Connections are bidirectional (work both ways)
- You can have multiple connections per node
❌ Invalid Connections:
- Cannot connect a node to itself
- Cannot create duplicate connections between the same two nodes
Level Progression
Level 1-5: Learn the basics with simple patterns
Level 6-15: Increased complexity with more nodes
Level 16-25: Advanced patterns requiring strategy
Level 26+: Master-level challenges for experts
Tips & Tricks
💡 Strategy Tips
-
Study First, Connect Second
- Take 5-10 seconds to examine the dotted pattern
- Plan your connection order mentally
- Look for obvious connections first (isolated nodes, clear pairs)
-
Work Outside-In
- Start with nodes on the edges of the pattern
- Connect obvious pairs first
- Save complex central connections for last
-
Use Color Coding
- Green source nodes often start chains
- Orange target nodes often end chains
- Blue nodes are usually connectors in the middle
🌟 Performance Tips
-
Time Management
- Don't rush - mistakes waste more time than careful planning
- If stuck, take a deep breath and look for simpler connections
- Remember: you get bonus points for leftover time
-
Pattern Recognition
- Look for symmetrical patterns
- Identify chain sequences (A→B→C→D)
- Notice hub nodes that connect to many others
-
Accuracy Over Speed
- It's better to be accurate than fast
- One careful connection is worth three hasty mistakes
- Build confidence with correct connections
📱 Mobile-Specific Tips
- Larger Touch Targets: Use the tip of your finger, not the side
- Steady Movements: Smooth drags work better than jerky motions
- Landscape Mode: Try rotating your device for easier reaching
- Zoom if Needed: Use pinch gestures if nodes are too small
Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions
"I can't make connections"
Try this:
- Make sure you're starting the drag on a node (colored circle)
- Drag all the way to the target node before releasing
- Check that you're not trying to connect a node to itself
- Ensure you're not creating a duplicate connection
"The game is running slowly"
Solutions:
- Close other browser tabs to free up memory
- Try refreshing the page (F5 or Ctrl+R)
- Close unnecessary programs on your device
- Make sure your device isn't overheating
"Touch controls aren't working on mobile"
Check these:
- Try using just one finger
- Make sure your screen is clean
- Restart the browser app
- Try in landscape mode
- Ensure you're touching directly on the nodes
"I can't see the dotted pattern clearly"
Possible fixes:
- Adjust your screen brightness
- Try a different viewing angle
- Look for very faint white dotted lines
- The pattern might be simple - check for direct node-to-node connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Gameplay Questions
Q: How do I know which nodes to connect? 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.
Q: Can I undo a connection? 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.
Q: What happens when I complete a level? 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.
Q: Is there a maximum level? A: The game generates increasingly complex levels automatically, so there's always a new challenge waiting!
Technical Questions
Q: What devices does Neural Nexus work on? A: Neural Nexus works on:
- Desktop computers (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Smartphones (iPhone, Android)
- Tablets (iPad, Android tablets)
- Any device with a modern web browser
Q: Do I need to download anything? A: No! Neural Nexus runs entirely in your web browser. No downloads, installations, or accounts required.
Q: Does the game save my progress? 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!
Q: Can I play offline? A: You need an internet connection to load the game initially, but once loaded, it should work without internet for your current session.
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!
Have fun connecting! 🧠✨
Last Updated: June 2025
Version: 1.0