Puzzle

Comparison of Three Puzzle Ideas for a Train Track Building Game

First Game Idea

How to Win?

• Connect the starting point (blue light) and the destination (red light) using train tracks from randomly perforated holes to transport all people to the destination.

How to Lose?

• Failing to transport all people or reach the destination, exceeding the time limit or the allowed number of track changes results in a loss.

How to change difficulty level?

• Increase the number of people to be transported, add more blocks, or reduce the number of moves and time limit.

Which variations?

• Changing Environments:

• The game features changing backgrounds and character outfits based on time or season, adding visual diversity.

• Rail-less Spaces:

• Some areas on the map lack rails, increasing the strategic challenge for route planning.

• Simplified Mechanics:

• The concept of picking up all passengers was deemed too complex and was removed to streamline gameplay. Likewise, displaying time limits and tracking modification counts were excluded to avoid stressing the user.

• Difficulty Adjustments:

• Difficulty increases by adding more blocks, focusing on enhancing strategic thinking without overwhelming players with rules.

Second Game Idea

How to win?

• Connect the starting point to the endpoint within a limited time.

How to lose?

• When the time expires, train departs, and it will crash if the rail is not complete

How to change difficulty level?

• Expand the map size and introduce new obstacles like water and rock blocks.

Which variations?

• Different Backgrounds: 

• Vary backgrounds with difficulty levels.

• New Blocks: 

• Introduce new blocks as the difficulty increases.

Third Game Idea

How to win?

• Straighten all the twisted tracks and reach the destination matching the train's color.

How to lose?

• Incorrect answers three times result in a loss. Players press a completion button when they think they have finished changing the track.

How to change difficulty level?

• Complicate the tracks (e.g., intersections, bent tracks, blocked paths).

• Creating Sudden Obstacles After a Set Time

• Increasing the Number of Trains (Starting Points)

Which variations?

• Track Usage Limitation:

• Tracks can be used only once, except for rotary junctions and ladders. For instance, if a pink train uses the right path at a junction, the blue train must choose from the remaining directions.

• Ladders:

• Ladders connect specific paths and move all connected blocks together when one is shifted, offering strategic gameplay elements.

• Fixed Tracks:

• Some tracks are immovable, compelling players to effectively make paths into their strategy.

Common points

• Goal: 

• Ensure the train departs and arrives at its destination.

• User Interaction:

• Players connect the tracks to the destination.

The final version

How to win?

1. The train should arrive at its destination.

2. The score is indicated by using the number of movements and the time passed.

How to lose?

Destination not reached

User Interaction:

• There is a undo button.

• The life of the user is fixed.

• When the stage is cleared, the score for that stage will be released.

• In the case of Game Over, only games above the text (when all lives are lost) are displayed. In the data model, type zero points. The user will see GameOver.

How to change difficulty level?

• Adjust the difficulty level by increasing the tiles. The more tiles you have, the more you have to think about it when making a road, so you can control the difficulty level 

• Adjusting the number of lives

• Steps 1-5: Give the number of lives 5 to give you leeway in playing more.

• Steps 6-10: Reduce the number of lives to three