How to Make a Puzzle That Doesn't Look Like a Puzzle: Examples from Neon White, Doom, and Superhot / ITech content

Contents:

• What is a puzzle
• Hidden puzzles - what are they and what types are there?
• Why hide puzzles?

The first level of the classic game Doom from 1993 is a compact space in which barrels, columns and a puddle on the floor. This level also features a panoramic window overlooking the courtyard. In the center of the courtyard, the player can spot a shiny blue vest, which increases the hero's armor to a maximum of 200 points. This element not only adds interest to the gameplay but is also strategically important for subsequent survival.

Getting one of the most useful bonuses in the game in the first level is a tempting offer. In Doom, where zombies and demonic imps already await beyond the starting room, this is especially true. However, a problem arises: the door leading to the courtyard with the coveted vest is nowhere to be seen.

This armor moment is the first of many puzzles scattered throughout the game's levels. Each puzzle offers unique challenges and requires the player to think logically to solve them. Players will need to use their skills to overcome obstacles and progress further in the game. These elements make the gameplay more engaging and rich, allowing each player to immerse themselves in a world of adventure and mystery.

What is a Puzzle?

A puzzle is a task or challenge that requires the player to think logically and creatively to solve it. Game designer Jesse Schell provides a clear definition of this concept in his book, The Art of Game Design. Puzzles can vary in complexity and form, from simple problems to complex logic puzzles, and their primary goal is to engage the player by stimulating their mental abilities. Importantly, effective puzzles not only entertain but also develop problem-solving skills, making them an important part of game design.

To fully understand this definition, it's important to consider the context and principles of a typical puzzle. Puzzles are challenges that require logical thinking and an analytical approach to solve. To better understand the essence of this definition, it's important to examine the mechanisms underlying puzzles, as well as the methods that help them overcome them successfully.

Mark Brown, creator of the YouTube channel Game Maker's Toolkit, identifies three key elements that typically define the process of solving a typical puzzle. These elements play a vital role in creating engaging and interesting puzzles. Understanding these components can help game developers improve the mechanics of their puzzles and make them more engaging for players.

First, the player learns the key elements of the puzzle, including its goal, mechanics, and possible obstacles. After that, they make their first attempt to find a solution, applying their knowledge and strategic skills.

In Portal, you are faced with a puzzle that must be solved by bridging a gap between the entrance and exit of a test chamber. By this point, you have already become familiar with the operation of the portal gun, but have not yet gained the ability to create a second portal. Your primary objective at the beginning is to locate the portal installed by the developers and install your own.

Despite the lack of a suitable portal installation surface in the immediate vicinity, it is at this point that the second key element emerges.

The player faces a conflict between their goal and the character's abilities. This dissonance is typically caused by two key factors.

One of the main factors affecting gameplay is resource scarcity. In Portal, the player is limited to two portals and a choice of installation surfaces. Another important aspect, mentioned by Brett Taylor, designer of the indie game Linelight, is visual noise, which makes it difficult for the player to find the right solution. These elements significantly affect the perception of the game and the level of difficulty, creating unique challenges for players.

Traps in puzzles serve several important functions. First, they prevent accidental solutions, which helps maintain the enjoyment of the game. Second, such elements help players adapt and become familiar with the game mechanics before encountering major challenges. Third, traps take players out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to seek out innovative approaches to solving the problem. This makes the gameplay more engaging and stimulates critical thinking.

In the case of the Portal puzzle, you should look around carefully. You'll likely notice a panel hanging overhead with an orange portal installed by the developers. At the bottom of the pit will be a surface for creating a blue portal. You just need to remember the principle of inertia to solve the problem.

The moment of truth comes when the player fully understands the mechanisms of the puzzle and applies this knowledge. to resolve a logical contradiction. For example, they might place a blue portal at the bottom of a pit and, while gaining speed, jump into it to overcome an obstacle and reach the exit of the test chamber. This process requires not only strategic thinking but also the ability to experiment with the game's possibilities, making it engaging and intellectually rewarding.

The insight that allows you to escape from a logical trap is the key difference between puzzles and other game genres. Unlike fighting games, where players must memorize patterns and use reflexes, or strategy games, where it is important to plan ahead and react quickly to crises, puzzles require a unique approach to problem-solving. This genre emphasizes analytical thinking and creativity, making them attractive to those who enjoy intellectual challenges. Puzzles stimulate mental development, offering players the opportunity to find unexpected solutions and the satisfaction of implementing them.

The nature of the puzzle is its significant drawback - interest in it can wane once insight has occurred. Jesse Schell emphasizes in his quote that puzzles in most cases have a single correct answer, and once it is found, the challenge loses its relevance. This limits opportunities for repeated engagement and reduces the long-term appeal of such challenges.

This isn't a problem for puzzle games like Braid, which aren't designed for high replayability. In this genre, as Schell noted, the primary challenge is developing the optimal strategy and completing the game.

Problems arise when puzzles are integrated into games of other genres that already have high replayability potential. In such cases, one-off puzzles can feel like a waste of time on repeat playthroughs. This is especially noticeable in games where puzzles serve merely as intermediary elements between action and cutscenes, as seen in the new God of War games. It's important that puzzles add value to the gameplay, rather than becoming a mere addition that serves no purpose within the context of the overall game mechanics.

Narrative designer Jolie Menzel, known for her work on The Wolf Among Us, noted that the fear of failure is a natural human reaction when faced with new puzzles. Therefore, developers of blockbuster games employ various methods to minimize this fear, providing players with an abundance of hints and recommendations. This approach helps create a more comfortable gaming environment, where participants can focus on exploration and problem-solving without undue stress. This not only improves the gaming experience but also promotes deeper user engagement with the game's story and mechanics.

The result is a paradoxical situation: developers work hard to create a variety of puzzles, but then give players the option to skip them. This happens because the developed mechanics do not harmonize with the rest of the game, which is focused on brutal combat and a gripping story. It's no surprise that puzzles in such projects are often the subject of ridicule in the gaming community, perceived as a necessary evil that must be overcome in order to enjoy truly engaging moments.

Shell emphasizes that a puzzle doesn't necessarily have to be a standalone gameplay element. A skilled game designer can integrate puzzles into other aspects of gameplay, creating a deeper and more immersive experience. In the next section, we'll look at various ways to effectively hide puzzles within the context of a game so that they fit seamlessly into the overall flow and don't distract the player from the main plot.

Hidden Puzzles - What They Are and What Types They Are

Let's return to the puzzle from the first Doom game. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that its solution involves three key elements, similar to those used to solve puzzles in Portal. These elements include attention to the environment, logical thinking, and the ability to experiment. These mechanics allow the player not only to overcome obstacles but also to become more immersed in the gameplay, making both games unique in their genre. By analyzing these aspects, one can see how the developers use similar concepts to create an engaging gaming experience.

• Hypothesis: The player sees armor in the courtyard through the window and tries to find a way out.
• Trap: The player realizes there is no exit and is faced with a logical contradiction: the game displays a useful item for the game, but does not provide access to it.
• Eureka: The player finds a button in the adjacent part of the level that opens a secret door in the first room, and then goes out into the courtyard and collects the armor. The puzzle is solved.

This puzzle doesn't have the same intellectual challenge as most of the puzzles in Portal. Secrets in Doom are more reminiscent of point-and-click adventures, where solutions are often achieved by simply clicking on everything on the screen. Such elements can add interest to the gameplay, but don't require deep analysis or strategic thinking.

Despite this, they successfully fulfill their purpose, which we'll discuss later. Such secrets can be found in famous classic shooters such as Quake, Duke Nukem 3D, Serious Sam, and Half-Life 2. These games are known for their engaging gameplay and a variety of hidden elements that make each playthrough unique.

These secrets clearly illustrate the unique features of hidden puzzles. They are integrated into the gameplay more organically and, at first glance, may not seem like standard puzzles. Their implementation requires more effort because, unlike traditional puzzles, the mechanics and logic of their solution must be harmoniously integrated not only with the surrounding world but also with the main gameplay. Thus, hidden puzzles enrich the gaming experience, creating additional layers of interaction and engagement for the player.

Jesse Schell attributes the evolution of puzzle design to the advancement of developer skills. Each year, developers become more experienced and creative, allowing them to create more complex and engaging puzzles. This, in turn, leads to improved gameplay and increased player engagement. Given current trends, developers can utilize new technologies and methodologies, opening up a wealth of opportunities. Improved puzzle design not only contributes to the popularity of games but also to the development of the genre as a whole, making it more appealing to a wider audience.

Game designers have gained significant experience and mastered the integration of more flexible and complex control tools into their games. As a result, puzzles have become less prominent and now seamlessly integrate into the core gameplay, creating deeper and more engaging game mechanics. This change allows players to become immersed in the game without even noticing how they're solving problems, making the experience more interactive and engaging.

Secret puzzles in games come in many forms, extending beyond simple level secrets. They can take the form of minigames, such as hacking terminals in recent Fallout and Deus Ex titles. Secret puzzles can also be integrated into the game's environment, as seen in The Legend of Zelda series. These elements not only enrich the gameplay but also make it more engaging, encouraging player interaction with the game world.

In addition to familiar dungeons and shrines, Breath of the Wild features a variety of challenges integrated into the open world. To uncover the entire map, players must explore and find a way to climb each of the sixteen towers located throughout the game's various regions. These towers not only open up new areas, but also serve as important landmarks for further exploration of the world of Hyrule.

Hidden puzzles can become the core of gameplay, as happened in last year's action platformer Neon White. In this game, a key element is weapon cards, which the player finds throughout levels and uses to gain movement bonuses. For example, dropping a pistol allows a double jump, while using a sniper rifle allows a forward dash. This unique mechanic creates dynamic and engaging gameplay, forcing players to find optimal strategies to overcome levels.

Once you master the course and learn how to work with the different cards, you can easily earn a gold medal for speedrunning a level. However, you will soon notice that there is also an ace medal, which requires shaving off about ten seconds. To achieve this goal, it is not enough to simply know the course perfectly; it is also important to develop your speedrunning skills. Speedrunners skillfully use game mechanics to reduce their time by bypassing difficult sections and optimizing their actions. Learn to analyze your routes and find ways to improve your time to achieve better results in the game.

Neon White offers players the opportunity to earn a gold medal with an easy-to-perform skip that is highlighted in-game. Even if this skill isn't executed perfectly, you can still earn an ace medal, which is a significant achievement. However, it's worth keeping in mind that after checking the global rankings, you might be disappointed to see your place in the 50,000s. Also, don't forget about the hidden red medals, which can only be earned by beating lead game designer Ben Esposito's high score. This adds an extra layer of challenge and motivation for players striving for perfection in Neon White.

Neon White's Steam tag page doesn't list a "puzzle" category, but route optimization in the game is a true puzzle. Weapon cards act as a limited resource, and optional level sections create visual noise, adding additional complexity. Players must effectively utilize available resources and overcome obstacles to achieve maximum results. Neon White offers a unique blend of dynamic gameplay and intellectual challenges, making it appealing to fans of the genre.

In an interview with Edge Magazine, Danny Esposito discussed the puzzle elements that became a crucial part of the game's gameplay. He noted how speedruns inspired the developers to create unique gameplay mechanics that require players to think quickly and strategically. These elements help create a dynamic atmosphere and enhance the interaction between the player and the game world.

I was drawn to the fact that at the highest level of speedrunning, the emphasis shifts from execution to puzzle solving with the goal of optimizing time. Resources in such games are very limited, so participants develop creative methods to, for example, effectively use Goombas from the Super Mario Bros. series. This emphasizes the importance of strategy and thinking during speedruns, where every decision can significantly impact the final time.

The Hotline Miami duology offers players a unique experience in which mastering the traps built into the level is essential to achieving the highest score (A+). Success in the game is achieved through minimizing actions and a strategic approach to each stage.

Superhot is an innovative shooter that offers a unique gaming experience, combining puzzle elements with typical combat scenes. Each level begins with a challenging situation, such as a locked elevator with three opponents aiming at you with pistols. This approach forces players to consider their actions and strategies, as time moves only when you act. Superhot draws attention with its original mechanics and stylish visuals, making it an excellent choice for fans of the genre.

In a game, your shooting skills and reflexes become less important. A key tool in overcoming difficult situations is the ability to slow down time when you're not moving. This skill allows you to carefully plan your actions and find optimal solutions to difficult situations. Developing this ability significantly improves your game strategy and increases your chances of success.

Why Hide Puzzles

Hidden puzzles have a number of unique properties that make them more appealing than classic puzzles. Firstly, they offer players the opportunity to not only assemble a picture but also examine the details, which adds an element of exploration and interactivity. Secondly, hidden puzzles often stimulate the development of logical thinking and attentiveness, as the player needs to find hidden objects in complex compositions. This creates an additional level of complexity and engagement. Finally, the variety of themes and styles of hidden puzzles allows everyone to find something to suit their taste, making them a universal entertainment for a wide audience.

• Versatility. As Jesse Schell notes in his book, hidden puzzle mechanics don't exist separately from other gameplay elements, like movable boxes in Naughty Dog games. Weapon cards in Neon White are needed for shooting, platforming, and finding shortcuts, while secrets in Doom, among other things, contain weapons that are not yet available according to the story.
• Deep integration into the game world. Secret puzzles don't detract from immersion because they feel like an extension of the fictional universe, rather than a purely mechanical element of the game. This also saves them from so-called moon logic—solutions to puzzles that are not obvious to anyone but their creators.
• Excitement instead of fear. If a puzzle is well hidden, the user sees not a difficult task, but an interesting gameplay situation that can be thoroughly explored. It's no coincidence that the rather hardcore Hotline Miami became an indie hit and classic: it turns out that people are willing to think hard to create the most spectacular carnage possible.
• Replayability. Thanks to the multi-genre nature of projects with hidden puzzles, the challenge doesn't disappear entirely: the player still needs to demonstrate other skills. In Superhot, it's important not only to formulate a sound plan but also to execute it, and Breath of the Wild allows you to come up with dozens of solutions of varying difficulty for a single situation.

The strength of puzzle mechanics lies in their ability to effectively link different gameplay elements. A prime example of this is the process of hacking terminals in Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. In these games, puzzles not only add variety but also enhance the interaction between the player and the game world, making the process more engaging and rich.

Victory in the minigame grants access to restricted areas of the level and fragments of lore, and also allows you to disable or reprogram security systems. Success in this process is rewarded with money and experience points. However, failure to hack activates an alarm, which attracts enemies. The likelihood of a successful hack increases with improved hacking skills and the availability of floppy disks containing specialized software.

The simple puzzles in Deus Ex create interactions between the various gameplay systems and provide a seamless transition between exploration, stealth, and combat depending on your choices. As a result, Deus Ex lacks the filler element found in games like God of War. Each puzzle in this immersive simulation series has its own meaning and directly impacts the gameplay, making every player decision important and meaningful.

The same can be said about hidden puzzles in various games, whether they are secrets in Doom and Journey, tense shootouts in Superhot and Hotline Miami, or challenging tracks in Neon White. In each of these projects, puzzles, even the simplest ones, contribute to the development of core gameplay mechanics, rather than serving as mere additional elements for secondary gameplay. This emphasizes the importance of integrating puzzles into the overall gameplay, making each game more engaging and multi-layered.

Despite advances in technology and the emergence of new genres, traditional puzzle games continue to hold their place in the modern gaming industry. Puzzle games like Linelight and The Witness find their audience thanks to their unique mechanics and engaging gameplay. The replayability of these games isn't as straightforward as it seems: over time, it partially recovers due to the imperfections of human memory, allowing players to rediscover old puzzles. Thus, classic puzzles remain relevant and in demand, offering players new challenges and opportunities for reflection.

For many genres, hidden puzzles represent a more elegant solution. They remove artificial barriers between different game mechanics, harmoniously integrating them into the overall game universe. Importantly, such elements don't distract the player or waste their time, making gameplay more engaging and uninterrupted.

We can expect more examples of such puzzles in the future. This text serves as an addition to the arguments against the opinion that Doom is just a "meat shooter."