Puzzler: The Missing Link

Jayhenningsen
Tuesday, May 04, 2010

No, I'm not talking about evolution. I've gathered some video game characters into groups below. Can you figure out what the members of each group have in common?

If you need relationship advice, head to page two for some hints or to page three for the answers. Feel free to click on the images for a larger view.

1)
 
2) Group 2
3)
4) Group 4
5)
 
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Comments (10)
Mikeshadesbitmob0611
May 04, 2010

The most difficult one yet. If you pointed us towards the solution with a vague clue ("It's all Greek to me!") it may have been doable. Very clever either way.

Default_picture
May 04, 2010

This one made me feel especially stupid. well done.

Jayhenningsen
May 04, 2010

Michael - Point taken. It's hard for me to gauge the difficulty since I often design these with the answers already in mind. Maybe I should have some of my fellow editors playtest these. Thanks for the feedback.

Mikeshadesbitmob0611
May 04, 2010

Jay, believe me, I know all about that. When I designed an Alternative Reality Game last summer, the whole flow of the game and the puzzles and locations of clues all seemed perfectly elementary to me. I actually thought some of the people visiting the exhibit just weren't smart enough. Turns out I was a little too vague or a little too specific at times, and because we had to cut down on costs and simplify the experience, some things weren't balanced.

All games, from card games to MMOs, require some testing. I won't hold it against you, because I know how difficult it can be to create a puzzle or game. It's staggering, sometimes, why some people can't figure out what seems so obvious to you. The trick, then, is to figure out if it's a flaw with the puzzle, or if your audience just isn't up to the task. Good luck.

Shoe_headshot_-_square
May 04, 2010

Yeah, this is the hardest one yet. I don't appreciate Jay making me feel stupid each week.

Mikeshadesbitmob0611
May 04, 2010

@Shoe, just be glad that you're not paying these guys yet. If you were paying him to make you feel stupid... wouldn't that make you feel even more stupid?

Lance_darnell
May 04, 2010

Wow, my answers are so off that I had to include them:

1. Characters from over-rated games

2. They are all fictional characters

3. Except for 3-Dog, they are all giving the "evil eye"

4. No clue.

5. Dudes that I would not want to meet in a dark alley.

Thanks for the game, Jay!

Default_picture
May 04, 2010

I only got one of them right (the first one), and didn't know enough about #3 and #4 to get them right anyways, but I do feel pretty dumb not getting #2....great puzzle

Default_picture
May 04, 2010

Pretty tough, and yet still enjoyable. Once again, kudos to you Jay!

Mikeminotti-biopic
May 07, 2010

I know that 1. is that they all have 3-letter names...

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