Ordinary Use Puzzle Use an object in the ordinary way it should be used. Example: Using scissors to cut something. ====================================================== Unusual Use Puzzle Use an ordinary object in an unusual way. Example: Using an umbrella to hook something that is too far to reach. ====================================================== Explore and Collect Puzzle Any puzzle that involves exploring the entire game area and collecting related objects together. Example: A magic amulet broken into four pieces and scattered across the world. ====================================================== MacGuffin Puzzle Finding the one "Holy Grail" object and returning it to its proper place. Example: Save the cat from the tree and give her back to her owner. ====================================================== Hidden Object Puzzle Any puzzle that involves finding an object that is hidden in some way by other thing(s). Example: A map hidden behind a loose brick in a wall. ====================================================== Lock and Key Puzzle Standard locked door puzzles or getting rid of door guard. Example: Giving a gate guard some drugged food to eat. ====================================================== Quid Pro Quo Puzzle Exchange a thing for another thing that solves a problem. Example: Given a witch a vacuum cleaner to get her broomstick. ====================================================== Alteration Puzzles Changing a thing into another thing, or changing a property of a thing, to solve a problem. Example: Breaking a window to gain entrance to a house. The window is changed into a room exit. The unbroken window is changed into a broken window. ====================================================== Combination Puzzle Combining two or more things to make a new thing that solves a problem. Example: A string and a magnet combine to become a tool to grab metal items from afar. ====================================================== Information Puzzle Get solution information from character or from consulting/reading some sort of documentation. Example: The secret password for the magical portal is stashed away in a wizard's journal. ====================================================== General Knowledge Puzzle Player uses information that comes from their general knowledge to solve the puzzle. Example: Push the colored buttons in the ROY G. BIV order to gain assess to the Rainbow Castle. ====================================================== Time Constraint Puzzle Puzzles that must be solved within a certain time period or number of turns. Example: The PC is trying to find a time bomb before it blows them up. ====================================================== Specific Timing Puzzle Things that must be solved at a specific time or turn, usually on a cycle. Example: Grab the hotel key you need while the owner is distracted by another customer. ====================================================== Future Timing Puzzle Doing something in the present solves a problem in the future. Example: Plant the magic beans now and comes back after the rainstorm to climb the beanstalk. ====================================================== Distant Effect Puzzle Doing something in one room solves a puzzle in a different room. Example: Flipping switches in a central power room turns on lights in other rooms so you can get past the darkness. ====================================================== Distract and Grab Puzzle Make a guard/protector stop guarding/protecting a thing so the puzzle can be solved. Example: Give the guard dog a steak and grabbing what is guarding. ====================================================== Maze Puzzle Puzzles involving rooms, exits and moving in different directions. Example: Turning on a black light shows arrows draw on the walls of a maze that point you in the right direction. ====================================================== Disguise Puzzle Puzzle where PC imitates someone or something to solve the problem. Example: Wearing the ID badge of an employee to gain access to a secure government agency. ====================================================== Encoded Puzzle The puzzle solution is encoded in some way. Player needs to decode the solution and apply it to solve the puzzle. Example: The combination code for a safe is the birthdate of an NPC's spouse, found in a datebook. ====================================================== Wordplay Puzzle Puzzles that abstractly play with the medium of writing. Example (Real World): Most of Ad Verbum and Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It. ====================================================== Sequence Puzzle Execute a sequential collection of actions to solve the problem. Example: After spying on a person entering a code on a door, repeat their actions to enter the door. ====================================================== Repeated Action Puzzle Puzzles that are solved by persistently using the same action. Example: Knock repeatedly on a door until the person ignoring you finally gets fed up and answers the door. ====================================================== Persuasion Puzzle Get someone or something to solve a problem that you are not able to do yourself. Example: Have a bloodhound sniff the clothing of a person you are trying to find, then follow the bloodhound. ====================================================== Dialog Puzzle Puzzles where selecting the correct sequence or combination of talk/ask/tell or numbered dialog actions results in solution. Example (Real World): Getting permission to examine the fruit salad tree in Stuff of Legend. ====================================================== Machinery Puzzle Figure out the interface and behavior of an unfamiliar machine to solve a problem. Example (Real World): The Atomic Chihuahua puzzle in Hollywood Hijinks. ====================================================== Logic Puzzle Any puzzle that uses logical reasoning or riddle solving to figure out the puzzle. Example: Figuring out who a murderer is by establishing the whereabouts of suspects through interviewing. ====================================================== Classic/Cliche Puzzle Any puzzle that uses a classic puzzle design like Tower of Hanoi or well-known brain teasers. Example: Using a variation of the 3 Gallon Jug And 5 Gallon Jug puzzle to measure out a potion correctly. ====================================================== Brute Force Puzzle The only solution is to try everything until all possibilities are exhausted. Example: You have to make an NPC a sundae with three toppings and if you get one or more wrong, you have to remake it. Through deductive reasoning, you finally choose the correct toppings. ====================================================== Multiple Plays Puzzle Puzzle is solved by collecting information from finishing the game and restarting it multiple times. Example (Real World): The entire game of Aisle. ====================================================== Red Herring Puzzle Something that appears to be part of a puzzle, but is not, with the purpose of misleading the player. Example: A skeleton key in a game that contains no locked doors. ====================================================== Multiple Solutions Puzzle A puzzle that has multiple alternative solutions. Example: Prying open a rusty door with a crowbar or oiling the hinges with an oil can. ====================================================== Two Wrongs Make A Right Puzzle Puzzles where two problems combine together to cancel out or solve each other. Example (Real World): The Dragon and Glacier puzzle in Zork II. ====================================================== Same Problem/Different Solutions Puzzle Providing two different, but similar solutions, to the same problem appearing two different times. Example (Real World): The voodoo doll puzzle in Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge. ====================================================== Different Problems/Same Solution Puzzle Providing the same solution for two different, but similar, problems appearing two different times. Example (Real World): The Sword Fight Insult puzzle in The secret of Monkey Island.