An independent reference guide to puzzles in video games. Not affiliated with the former sites on this domain, does not publish other people's videos and sells nothing.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Here are the questions most often asked by new puzzle fans, parents and anyone who has been stuck on the same level for three evenings in a row. The answers are short; you'll find more detail in the related sections.

Being stuck doesn't mean failing. It's just the middle of the road to the solution.

— Editor's note

Getting started

Which genre is best to start with?

Logic puzzles with short levels. They quickly teach the key skill, stating a rule and testing it, and failing one level doesn't set you back far.

Do you need special abilities to solve puzzles?

No. Solving puzzles is largely a matter of experience: the more mechanics you've seen, the faster you recognise them in new challenges.

Why does a puzzle seem impossible?

Usually you've treated something as a rule when it isn't one, or you've missed a detail. Reread the task, look over the level again and check your assumptions.

Is it normal to spend several days on one puzzle?

Absolutely. Many puzzles are designed so that the answer comes after a break. Coming back with a fresh mind is part of the fun.

Hints and solutions

When is it time to take a hint?

When your attempts keep repeating, you're out of new ideas and frustration starts to crowd out interest. Take the weakest hint available and try again yourself.

Why don't you have full walkthroughs?

A ready-made answer takes the point out of a puzzle. We show the path to the solution step by step, and you can stop at any of them.

Is it embarrassing to use built-in hints?

Not at all. Developers add them precisely so that more people can finish the game. A hint is a tool, not a defeat.

What if the hint didn't help?

Reset the level, take a break and climb one rung up the hint ladder. Sometimes it helps to explain the problem to someone else.

Kids, groups and safety

From what age are puzzle games suitable for children?

Simple puzzles appear even in games rated for all ages (0+ in Russia). Look at the age rating, the length of the levels and whether there are hints, and test the difficulty together with your child.

How can two people solve puzzles so that both stay interested?

Split the roles: one acts, the other watches and suggests ideas, then swap. Co-op puzzles where each player has different information are especially good for pairs.

Are third-party programs for skipping levels safe?

No. Such programs break the games' rules, can corrupt your saves and often contain malicious code. Use the built-in help instead.

Is this guide connected to the former site on this domain?

No. Other sites used to run at this address, but Video Stb is not connected to them and does not publish their material.

  • Guides

    How to solve puzzles without spoilers: the hint ladder, getting past a dead end, playing as a pair. Plus our article catalogue.

  • Mechanics

    Recurring puzzle mechanics: order of actions, symmetry, cause and effect, and working with time.

  • Genres

    Puzzle genres, from logic and physics puzzles to escape rooms and metroidvanias, and how to pick the one for you.

  • Glossary

    A puzzle fan's dictionary: how puzzles are built, hints and progress, genres and formats.

Sources and references

  • Developer guides and in-game help
  • PEGI
  • ESRB
  • Russian Federal Law No. 436-FZ on protecting children from harmful information

We describe the general principles of puzzles. Hints, levels and settings work differently in each game and may change after updates, so check the in-game help and the developer for exact details.