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Cross-Reference Index

Maps games to puzzle types and vice versa for quick lookup when designing or analyzing adventure game puzzles.


Table 1: Games → Puzzle Types

GamePuzzle Types Used
Beneath a Steel Skysensory-exploitation, symbol-code-translation, multi-faceted-plan, distraction-physics, sequential-construction, multi-character-coordination, timed-consequence, cross-realm-logistics
Broken Sword 1observation-replay, timed-consequence, sequential-construction, cross-realm-logistics, sensory-exploitation, multi-faceted-plan, comedy-based-persuasion, information-brokerage, symbol-code-translation
Broken Sword 2multi-character-coordination, sequential-construction, cross-realm-logistics, timed-consequence, pattern-learning, observation-replay, distraction-physics, information-brokerage, multi-faceted-plan, symbol-code-translation
Day of the Tentaclecross-temporal-causality, multi-character-coordination, sequential-construction, comedy-based-persuasion, observation-replay, distraction-physics, surreal-logic-bridge, information-brokerage, sensory-exploitation
Full Throttlemulti-faceted-plan, escalating-combat-progression, distraction-physics, timed-consequence, information-brokerage, symbol-code-translation
Gabriel Knight 1symbol-code-translation, pattern-learning, multi-faceted-plan, class-specific-ritual, distraction-physics, information-brokerage, sensory-exploitation, observation-replay
Loommetaphor-literal, pattern-learning, sensory-exploitation, sequential-construction, multi-faceted-plan
Grim Fandangopattern-learning, sequential-construction, symbol-code-translation, distraction-physics, information-brokerage, multi-character-coordination
Indiana Jones: Fate of Atlantismetaphor-literal, multi-faceted-plan, pattern-learning, information-brokerage, multi-character-coordination, distraction-physics, sequential-construction, symbol-code-translation, class-specific-ritual
Indiana Jones: Last Crusadesymbol-code-translation, multi-faceted-plan, distraction-environmental-manipulation, sequential-construction, information-brokerage
King’s Quest IIIclass-specific-ritual, sensory-exploitation, timed-consequence, pattern-learning
King’s Quest VIIinformation-brokerage, multi-faceted-plan, observation-replay, symbol-code-translation, timed-consequence, sequential-construction, surreal-logic-bridge
King’s Quest VIIIsymbol-code-translation, pattern-learning, sequential-construction, timed-consequence, class-specific-ritual, robot-programming, escalating-combat-progression, information-brokerage, cross-realm-logistics
Legend of Kyrandiasequential-construction, observation-replay, sensory-exploitation, multi-faceted-plan, pattern-learning, timed-consequence, information-brokerage, symbol-code-translation
Maniac Mansiontimed-consequence, information-brokerage, sequential-construction, pattern-learning, distraction-physics, sensory-exploitation, observation-replay, symbol-code-translation
Quest for Glory IIsequential-construction, multi-faceted-plan, timed-consequence, class-specific-ritual, symbol-code-translation
Quest for Glory IIIclass-specific-ritual, sequential-construction, pattern-learning, multi-character-coordination, escalating-combat-progression, sensory-exploitation, distraction-physics, multi-faceted-plan, symbol-code-translation
Quest for Glory IVsequential-construction, multi-faceted-plan, pattern-learning, information-brokerage, class-specific-ritual
Sam & Max Hit the Roadmulti-faceted-plan, sequential-construction, timed-consequence, sensory-exploitation, pattern-learning, comedy-based-persuasion, distraction-physics
Simon the Sorcerersequential-construction, pattern-learning, multi-faceted-plan, comedy-based-persuasion, surreal-logic-bridge, information-brokerage, distraction-physics
Space Quest 1distraction-environmental-manipulation, information-brokerage, distraction-physics, pattern-learning, sequential-construction, timed-consequence, observation-replay, comedy-based-persuasion, sensory-exploitation
Space Quest 2sensory-exploitation, distraction-physics, multi-faceted-plan, information-brokerage, timed-consequence, symbol-code-translation
Space Quest 3distraction-environmental-manipulation, pattern-learning, timed-consequence, sequential-construction, observation-replay, sensory-exploitation, information-brokerage, escalating-combat-progression
Space Quest 4sequential-construction, sensory-exploitation, timed-consequence, observation-replay, distraction-physics, pattern-learning, comedy-based-persuasion
The Digobservation-replay, sequential-construction, pattern-learning, robot-programming, symbol-code-translation, distraction-physics, multi-character-coordination, information-brokerage, multi-faceted-plan
The Longest Journeysensory-exploitation, sequential-construction, symbol-code-translation, memo-chain, information-brokerage, distraction-physics, truth-revelation, timed-consequence
Syberiasequential-construction, multi-faceted-plan, information-brokerage, distraction-physics, observation-replay
Zak McKrackenpattern-learning, multi-faceted-plan, multi-character-coordination, sensory-exploitation, information-brokerage, distraction-physics, comedy-based-persuasion, cross-realm-logistics, sequential-construction

Table 2: Puzzle Type → Games with Good Examples

Information Discovery

Puzzle TypeGames with Good Examples
memo-chainTLJ (police station form chain)
truth-revelationTLJ (star map reveal)

Cognitive Transfer

Puzzle TypeGames with Good Examples
pattern-learningBS2 (zombie island surveyor), Loom (DYE draft on sheep), GF (Busy Beavers tar trap), KQ8 (stump maze), QFG3 (warrior initiation), SQ4 (laser angles), SQ1 (slot machine), ZM (Martian face door dance)
symbol-code-translationBASS (LINC-Space passwords), BS1 (chess tapestry), GK1 (tombstone cipher), GF (photo finish), IJ1 (stone disk alignment), IJ2 (skull music sequence), KQ7 (desert hieroglyphics), KQ8 (scales of justice), The Dig (engraved rod door codes), TLJ (Q’man phone alignment)
metaphor-literalLoom (sky opening riddle), IJ1 (Tikal elephant head)
sensory-exploitationBASS (Joey robot charm), BS1 (thermal guard sensitivity), KQ3 (Manannan cat cookie), Loom (APPEAR draft on workers), SQ2 (berry taste disguise), SQ4 (cigar smoke lasers), TLJ (monkey eye scanner), ZM (blue crystal cave, dolphin transformation)
observation-replayBS1 (goat trap), MM (Weird Ed package), KQ7 (harp melody from birds), Kyrandia1 (bell sequence), SQ1 (armory grenade heist), SQ4 (bunny battery), The Dig (sea creature skeleton)

Spatial-Temporal Coordination

Puzzle TypeGames with Good Examples
cross-temporal-causalityDOT (cherry tree → Laverne freed)
cross-realm-logisticsBS1 (plaster of Paris cross-location), BS2 (vending machine → signal → cupboard), BASS (reactor LINCCard), KQ8 (unicorn horn trade), ZM (yellow crystal teleporter)
multi-character-coordinationBS2 (warehouse statue with Nico), DOT (mummy contest), MM (pool reactor), QFG3 (monkey rope bridge), The Dig (tomb guardian dogs), ZM (pyramid tram system)
timed-consequenceBASS (LINC-Space blind eye hack), DOT (hamster power), KQ3 (pirate ship escape), KQ7 (statue bead puzzle), KQ8 (mill rope), MM (pool reactor), QFG2 (fire elemental deadline), SQ1 (skimmer key), SQ3 (thermal detonator), SQ4 (final countdown), S&M (VR dragon), TLJ (shuttle guard)

NPC Interaction & Social Puzzles

Puzzle TypeGames with Good Examples
comedy-based-persuasionBS1 (clown nose juggler), KQ3 (Medusa mirror), S&M (Conroy eggplant swap), SQ1 (jetpack negotiation), ZM (Lotto-O-Dictor)
distraction-environmental-manipulationIJ2 (castle infiltration), SQ1 (laundry disguise), SQ3 (ScummSoft janitor)
class-specific-ritualGK1 (clock puzzle, Schloss Ritter), KQ3 (spell system), KQ7 (troll transformation), KQ8 (Lady of the Lake), QFG2 (Wizards’ Institute, Julanar), QFG3 (warrior contest, wizard duel), QFG4 (monastery passage, Katrina rescue)
multi-faction-diplomacyQFG2 (elemental captures across towns), QFG3 (Tarna Dispel Potion with Salim)

Systems & Logic Puzzles

Puzzle TypeGames with Good Examples
sequential-constructionBASS (Joey shell repair), BS1 (plaster cast), BS2 (warehouse chain), DOT (Red Edison battery), FT (demolition derby escape), GK1 (Hounfour chain), The Dig (critter trap, asteroid explosives), TLJ (wind mixture synthesis), QFG2 (Wizards’ Institute trials), QFG4 (Antwerp key maze), S&M (Bigfoot disguise), Simon (druid bucket-moon), SQ4 (time pod code)
multi-faceted-planBASS (St. James Club distraction), BS1 (key impression), BS2 (Quaramonte mine), DOT (mummy contest), FT (Melonweed bike), GK1 (Hounfour infiltration), KQ3 (pirate gold), KQ7 (troll transformation), KQ8 (gnome lodestone), Kyrandia1 (hawkmoth statue), QFG2 (fire elemental), QFG3 (Dispel Potion), QFG4 (Baba Yaga pie), S&M (Gator Golf flag path), Simon (demon banishment), SQ2 (acid trap), The Dig (eye part installation), ZM (Stonehenge crystal)
information-brokerageBS1 (toilet brush trade), GK1 (snake scales), MM (arcade score → lab code), ZM (squirrel peanut, plane microwave)
robot-programmingKQ8 (prison cell switches), The Dig (power generator crystal, map spire prism)
escalating-combat-progressionFT (Mine Road biker combat), KQ8 (basilisk tongue), QFG3 (Doppelganger hall), SQ3 (Duke Nukem finale)

Non-Standard Logic Domains

Puzzle TypeGames with Good Examples
surreal-logic-bridgeDOT (cousin Ted substitution), KQ7 (moon from pond), Simon (chocolate house pig)

Category Summary

CategoryRepresentative Games
Information DiscoveryZM, TLJ
Cognitive TransferLoom, GK1, BS2, GF
Spatial-Temporal CoordinationDOT, ZM, MM, BASS
NPC InteractionQFG series, KQ series, IJ2
Systems & LogicSQ series, BS series, The Dig, FT
Non-Standard DomainsDOT, KQ7, Simon