======Puzzle====== {{:patterns:puzzle-dragonage.png?direct}} [[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]] =====Description===== A puzzle is an object that requires ingenuity or persistence to open/solve. It acts as a barrier that prevents the player from progressing through a level or accessing a [[patterns:container|container]] until they've discovered the solution. A puzzle primarily requires the player to use [[patterns:moxie_action|real world skills]], sometimes in combination with [[patterns:skill_action|skill checks]] or [[patterns:lock|keys]]. Hints for the puzzle may be found that guide the player or even tell them how to solve the puzzle. A good puzzle satisfies the player who completes it as much as the rewards the puzzle holds. It can be used as a different type of gameplay to increase player interest. =====Variables and Affordances===== * **Difficulty of puzzle**. (//Easy <-> Hard//). An easy puzzle won't challenge too many players, but won't reward as well as a hard puzzle, though a hard puzzle might stump players and not grant them the rewards. * **Necessity of puzzle**. (//Mandatory or Optional//). A mandatory puzzle can't be too hard, as this would prevent too many players from progressing. An optional puzzle, however, can be more difficult, to further reward a player for success. * **Environmental vs. Minigame**. Some puzzles involve moving characters around the environment, perhaps standing on different [[patterns:trigger|triggers]], while others are minigames that may remove the player from the normal game world for the duration of the puzzle. =====Examples===== * [[games:dragonage|Dragon Age: Origins]]. //Third trial of the Test of Faith during the Urn of the Sacred Ashes quest//. To get to the urn, the player must solve a puzzle centered around moving characters on pressure plates to create sections of a bridge. //environmental// * [[games:fallout3|Fallout 3]]. //Hacking terminals//. Hacking in Fallout 3 is done by playing a word-based Master Mind-esque game. A player only gets the option to hack if their science skill is high enough. //minigame// =====Related Patterns===== * [[patterns:labyrinth|Labyrinth]]. A labyrinth is a level that is inherently a puzzle. * [[patterns:container|Container]]. Special containers might require solving a puzzle to open them. * [[patterns:trigger|Trigger]]. An environmental puzzle often uses triggers to change its state. =====Quest-Level Relationships===== * [[patterns:moxie_action|Moxie Action]]. Puzzles require real world skill to solve. {{tag>level:PhysicalArea games:dragonage games:fallout3}}