Ask HN: What makes a good puzzle?
We've all experienced lame puzzles and incredible puzzles. What are common characteristics of incredible ones?
(I think I'll deliberately keep the question open-ended.)
(I think I'll deliberately keep the question open-ended.)
The challenge has to be difficult, or even seemingly impossible at first. With traditional board puzzles, it's probably the number of pieces, coupled with the complexity of the image. Which brings me to point two:
The reward. WIth traditional puzzles, the reward is not simply in completing the puzzle. It's also about viewing the image as a whole, whilst realizing you've completing it. That's why I don't like puzzles without an image (for instance 1000 pieces flat color puzzles).
Solving a puzzle is actually quite a process if you think about it. It's a sorting algorithm based on assumptions. You start off easy with the corners, but soon you'll be sorting the pieces by color, assuming that this shade of blue is probably sky, although it could be water. It also involves spatial recognition, the piece you're holding can be upside down, but you still recognize it as such.
I love solving large puzzles with my kids (3 & 7). It's good fun and it won't hurt their problem solving skills, either.
https://www.ted.com/talks/randall_munroe_comics_that_ask_wha...