“How do the mechanics of the puzzle(s) influence the experience of the game?”
Use of puzzle in narrative: Uncovering secret codes and solving puzzles can be used to add to the narrative element of the game. Part of the story plots, secrets, and new physical areas can be unlocked through solving a problem similar to a break-out box. In Gorongoa, players need to manipulate environmental elements such as redirecting water flow to continue walking through the jungle which encourages characters to interact and explore the environment more to solve the problem while progressing the plotline forward.
Replayability: The players are more likely to come back and replay the game if there are multiple paths or solutions to win the game using different strategies or narrative path choices. This is important to keep the game relevant for a longer time which is why games that incorporate social dynamics and varying experiences in each round of the game tend to keep people’s interest for a longer time. Gorongoa uses different challenges and puzzles for each playthrough with each refresh of the game.
Different level of challenge: in general, adding levels with increasing difficulty creates a sense of progression, accomplishment and continued engagement with the game. With puzzles, if it’s too easy, the player might be bored or if it’s too difficult, the player might give up playing the game. It’s important to create a medium level of challenge with clues and information that are findable within the game instead of requiring extensive external resources and knowledge.
Puzzle skill development: Solving logical puzzles can improve one’s ability to recognize logical patterns in solving a problem while spatial puzzles can lead to improved ability to visualize and move objects in the game world.
Collaboration: Gorongoua encourages collaboration and competition among players to solve puzzles which creates a sense of social engagement and reward.
Atmosphere: Gorongoua incorporates the game themes such as ancient symbols and artifacts into the puzzle to add a level of immersion within the genre and game theme story of a fictional historical civilization that they’re exploring. It also creates a sense of connection with the fictional world when they unlock temple doors by solving the order of a symbolic stone.
