Hi all,

I'm currently playing Black Mirror 2 and 15 Days. In Black Mirror 2 (if you select the Easy mode) and 15 days if you attempt a puzzle after a certain amount of attemps a clickable spot appears in the puzzle box allowing you to get out of the puzzle and continue on. I know I would have needed a save game in the first slider puzzle in Black Mirror 2 and that wave length thing in 15 Days. Now with these games there's no more getting frustrated with puzzles that you can't figure out and no more waiting for someone to get to that point of the game for a saved game. I only wish game developers would have thought of this ages ago. I hope all game developers for future games will include this feature. Don't get me wrong I love puzzles in adv games and do attempt to solve them multiple times but I also welcome this feature which saves us from continuous frustration from sliders or certain mechanical/technical puzzles.

Regards,

Barry

Yes, Barry

There are definitely times when this feature is VERY welcome !!

I agree! I'm not one for real brain teasers, and I like having the escape route.

Add one more who really appreciates that feature!

Gil.

I'm with all of you on this. For a Year!! I have been working on getting out of the mine in Mummey, I finally got out and the computer died and I have it in the shop hoping they can save whats on the drive, as I can't load the game in this computer, for some reason. I guess it is too, new?? Rats!
Charllotte

If I'm not mistaken, it's been awhile, I believe the last several Tex Murphy games had a similar feature. It allowed you to step into the solution; like the Universal Help System.

If you're in the mood for a good puzzle, and don't mind extended play time you can avoid them. But more times than not, I play just for the entertainment factor, so I do enjoy a good help system.

Try Runaway: A Twist of Fate - it has one of the most unique help systems I've ever seen (it's definitely one of the most entertaining).

I love the 'extra help when you wanna scream' features. Being a teacher, it was always nice to have the answers in the back of the book. I'm used to realllly trying every puzzle but when I start banging my head on the desk, it's time to call in the cavalry. Guess the game producers finally got the message.

Back in the day ....

Prior to walkthroughs, I could be forced to spend days, even weeks, trying to progress in a game.

I do still have a mighty good try before I cave in and look for help anywhere but nowadays it is really nice to know that sometimes help is very close to hand

Barry that is a great feature. It would be wonderful to be able to move forward in a game without looking for a saved game from someone else.

Sounds great to me too.

Yes there were two difficulty levels. There was a "Game Player" level and an "Entertainment" level. You could change from "Game Player" to "Entertainment" but you couldn't change back (though maybe you could go back to a previous save once you had your hint). "Entertainment" level allowed hints and (according to the manual) had easier puzzles in some locations.

The Arrival also had hints. You could get up to 3 hints for logic puzzles before getting a "solve."

Hints aren't anything new. But I suspect the developers of recent games are borrowing the idea of puzzle skips from casual games and not from older adventures.

Barry!

That is a great feature!!! I am not a puzzle lover, am terrible at them, and get frustrated very easily when trying to solve them. Wish every game would have this feature.

Thanks for letting us know about it.

In one of my favorite games, Gabriel Knight 1, you had to get past the zombies and swing on a rope. I tried for at least at week, dying every time. I was so frustrated. I enjoyed the game so much and wanted to finish it, and knew I had to get past this part, but what a terrible time. I wish they had that feature. Also, in Gabriel Knight 3, I have replayed that game several times, but only finished it once, and the other times just get to the pendulum puzzle and then quit. I wish that feature was possible then. Hints, or if you can't get past a certain timed sequence, a "gimme" should be given.

I also like this feature that was included in BM2. Especially early in the morning (i usually wake up around 5ish a.m) when i wake up and my brain has not reached its regular rpms. It's especially helpful in random puzzles like the one with the church picture (or was it a castle) in BM2 and the puzzle with the lock where you had to bend the instrument correctly. It's a successful recipe and i am hopeful more developers will also include this feature due to positive feedback from gamers.

Spyros

I think we all would have loved this feature for Myst 4 ("THE CHAIR" puzzle).