Ray's article made me think about how the term "action puzzle" in reference to puzzles in the adventure genre doesn't really seem to fit. Firstly, because the word "action" has been used as a euphemism for combat (and other things) in a different genre, and this creates confusion when using the same word in the adventure genre. And, secondly, because it isn't really the best way to describe the kinds of puzzles I mean when I use it.
EVERY puzzle in an adventure game seems to require an action to implement the solution. It might be pressing a button, or closing a door, but it's an action. The kinds of puzzles I've been calling action puzzles are the ones where you solve the puzzle in your head, but must use varying amounts of skill to implement the solution.
Skill puzzles are those that require you to shoot arrows with accuracy, or walk a tightrope before a giant spider gets you, or 'leap a tall building in a single bound...' that kind of thing. Does the term "skill puzzle" seem to be a better fit to you guys, too?
It took me hours of trying over three days to successfully shoot an arrow through a target in Timelapse. I hated it! I was determined to finish the game, so I kept at it, but I didn't feel elation when I finally did it. I felt relief, followed closely by fear that my game would get corrupted and I'd have to do it again! I saved a bunch of extra saved games so I wouldn't have to. Man, I hated that!
I don't automatically hate skill puzzles. I play games for fun and relaxation. If a skill puzzle isn't too hard, and if it doesn't involve doing something unpleasant while I master the skill, it's not enough to prevent me from playing a game. But if I read that the puzzle is very hard, and that people are having to beg for saved games to get past it, even after getting coaching on the hints board, I would hesitate to buy that game. It would have to an awesome game to tempt me to face a hard skill puzzle, especially if there is a time limit.