The Password Game is a brilliant mess, but it lost me at moon emojis

Moon emoji
(Image credit: Apple)

The Password Game is the most recent absurd video game to sweep the internet at the moment. 

This free brainteaser has a relatively simple premise at first. Once you access The Password Game you're tasked with creating a password, with all the trappings included. This means players will have to add numbers, use a special character, and include the current moon cycle as an emoji, obviously. 

However, this simple premise quickly takes a sharp turn unleashing a bevy of strange and complex questions and riddles that sees the players run down unexpected avenues. Soon you'll find yourself in GeoGuesser, playing chess, or even having to add up to 25.

The Password Game

(Image credit: Neal Agarwal)

The Password Game is a brilliant way to kill time if you find yourself backed into a metaphorical corner, as it allows players to go down any number of strange rabbit holes that the internet is known for. You'll have to get good at googling fast as players are forced to become search engine detectives as you create an infinitely complex password. 

However, it's not all rainbows and sunshine, for those who can't handle the challenge of these increasingly difficult puzzles, I have bad news for you, cheating is almost impossible. Questions like the chess move, GeoGuesser, and CAPTCHA are all randomly generated meaning that you won't be able to ask Google for help. 

Luckily there are some ways around this, like asking your colleagues for help in a trying time or simply resorting to Next Chess Move to help solve a seemingly impossible chess question. 

After sharing the game, creator Neal Agarwal said “there are rules in this game that ensure I will never see the pearly gates”. After barely scraping through a chess question and failing miserably to keep the egg known as Paul safe from harm the lack of hope makes sense. In a game where the easiest question is today's Wordle, The Password Game doesn't seem like the sort of game just anyone can complete. 

Despite all the hardships, the saving grace is that The Password Game is free to play, and may even join the list of our best free games available right now. 

Elie Gould
Features Writer

Elie is a Features Writer for TechRadar Gaming, here to write about anything new or slightly weird. Before writing for TRG, Elie studied for a Masters at Cardiff University JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs or editing the gaming section for their student publications. 

Elie’s first step into gaming was through Pokémon but they've taken the natural next step in the horror genre. Any and every game that would keep you up at night is on their list to play - despite the fact that one of Elie’s biggest fears is being chased. 

Read more
A laptop screen showing Google's Block Breaker game
Don’t play this new Block Breaker game in Google Search – I’m already hopelessly addicted to the nostalgia
Gaming with AI
I asked Gemini to play a text-based adventure game with me and the AI whisked me away to a word-based fantasy
Geometry Dash lite
This is the most addictive app I’ve ever used
password manager
I'm a security expert - here are my biggest tips for creating a secure password for work and home life to stay safe online
Character AI Games
Character.AI levels up its chatbots with new games
Young woman working at a coffee shop with a laptop
Too many passwords, not enough brain space? Here’s how password managers can improve your life
Latest in PC Gaming
Image of Naoe in AC Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows is hands-down one of the most beautiful PC ports I've ever seen
Image of AC Shadows cover art & Steam Deck
It's not perfect, but Assassin's Creed Shadows' performance is impressive - it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
Image of Grand Theft Auto 6 promotional art and Corsair's PC cases
GTA 6 could reach PCs in early 2026 according to Corsair – but I'm already sick of waiting
Latest in News
Open AI
OpenAI unveiled image generation for 4o – here's everything you need to know about the ChatGPT upgrade
Apple WWDC 2025 announced
Apple just announced WWDC 2025 starts on June 9, and we'll all be watching the opening event
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets new Steam metadata changes, convincing everyone and their mother that the game is finally releasing this year
OpenAI logo
OpenAI just launched a free ChatGPT bible that will help you master the AI chatbot and Sora
NetSuite EVP Evan Goldberg at SuiteConnect London 2025
"It's our job to deliver constant innovation” - NetSuite head on why it wants to be the operating system for your whole business
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1 launches in early April, adding new monsters and some of the best-looking armor sets I need to add to my collection