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Puzzles Reinvented



Welcome back, folks. We've got a lot of puzzles to get through today, so let's get crackin'!



3. You're not overlooking any choices because they seem to late, are you?

As long as you get your work done, you can show up at whatever time works best for you.

S. Go to work late, head home first thing in the morning: this schedule is the most time effective, so which bus is it?

Probably worth noting that there's no real easy way to show which option is being picked here. There is a visual indent to the button when being pressed, but it's very minor and easy to miss.




So I'm just gonna borrow the gray impression from the second game. It works well for our purposes, after all.





Thanks. So, about that clock shop...
Right, the clock shop. It's somewhere on this road... I think. Well, got to dash! See you later!
Wait! Oh. He ran off.
Ha ha ha! Something tells me he was more interested in getting us to solve his puzzle than in helping us.
Not to worry, though. I'm sure we'll be able to find the clock shop on our own.
It's probably just a bit further down this road.





3. At the end of two minutes, the larger fellow has made it down to the first floor again and is ready to bring up some more boxes. The little guy has brought another box upstairs, for a total of four boxes on the third floor. That means there are just three boxes left to move.

S. In the earlier hints, you learned that after two minutes have passed, four boxes had been brought upstairs and both men were back down on the first floor.

If it takes 30 seconds for the little guy to get upstairs with one box, and the larger fellow can make it upstairs with two boxes in a minute...

I swear I feel like we've seen this exact puzzle before, in the previous game? I dunno, maybe I've just seen it enough here that I think that though.






No one else seemed to think that, so maybe it is just me.







2. You're not looking for an ordinary analogue or digital clock. There are other types of timepiece that don't have many moving parts.

Try to think of some examples.

3. The timepiece you're looking for won't necessarily help you to tell the time.

This timepiece shows you how much time has passed instead.

You'd probably use a stopwatch to do that these days, but what you're looking for is more of a classic type of timepiece.

S. You're looking for an hourglass. Surely you've seen one before?

Now go ahead, try and find it!






Since this was a plot puzzle, we'll just move ever-so-swiftly along to...





3. You still haven't got it?

Well, it's a double-digit number. That should help a bit.

S. The answer is the sum of the numbers one through four.

So, uh, I haven't mentioned it before but while we're finally rid of our old friend - region exclusive puzzles - we've got a weirder new one moving in. Regional variants on hints.




They're not really exclusive, per se, it's just mildly different wording. I'm not gonna show both except in some kinda crazy rare niche situation that I'll know when I see. Just pointing them out because the past couple puzzles have both had 'em.







2. Have you noticed that both the hour and minute hands are pointing exactly at gradations of the clock? They're in a straight line, too.

What time does that indicate?

3. The hour and minute hands are each pointing straight at one of the hour marks around the clock, so the time must be right on an hour.

The hour and minute hands are also in a straight line, so what time must it be?

S. Even without an actual analogue clock, you can get the answer just by visualising one. First, imagine the hour and minute hands minute hands pointing the same way at 12:00. Now, if you move the hands round, hour by hour...

There is a time when the hour and minute hands are pointing in a straight line.

Sometimes it's kinda easy to forget that these games are for absolutely everyone. Incredibly simple puzzles like this might seem ridiculous and pointless, but just because you or I can manage it without issue doesn't mean everyone can. Nice to sometimes get a perspective reminder like that, really.












2. The hour and minute hands are on top of each other. They're also pointing at one of the hours.

3. The hour and minute hands are on top of each other. They're also pointing at one of the hours.

There's only one hour it could be.

S. Imagine the two hands pointing straight up. That should give you your answer.


As people noted already, this puzzles uses the same principle as the previous one. Of course what's not obvious is what the first three hints do. Hint 2 is just Hint 1 repeated with an added sentence. Hint 3 then copy/pastes Hint 2 and adds another sentence.




The Super Hint ruins it though.







3. As you know from Hint 1, adjacent cogs move in opposite directions. If three cogs were lined up, the second cog would move in the opposite direction to the first, but the third cog would move in the same direction as the first. Thinking along these lines, any two cogs that have an odd number of cogs between will always move in the same direction. Any two cogs with an even number of cogs between them will move in different directions.

S. If you insert cog A, there will be four cogs between the top and bottom cogs.

If you insert cog B, there will be five cogs between the two main cogs.

Finally, inserting cog C would mean there are four cogs between top and bottom, the same as when cog A is inserted.

Seemed like everyone figured out the one trick to make this puzzle even easier than it is. It seems like a spacial logic question, but that's kind of a trick. It'll still get you the right answer, but it takes a smidge longer...






Whew, that took a bit of a while to get through, huh? Nice to have a bunch of puzzles right off the bat, at least.

Suspicion









More London Streets



Hmm. We do appear to have been locked out.
...And why does everything look so different out here?
I honestly don't know, Luke.
Since we're unable to go back into the clock shop, however, why don't we have a look around?



Really picking these up at a rapid pace for once, huh...



And, sure enough, we're in a new area that looks nothing at all like that alleyway we found the shop in originally. We'll grab our hint coins like normal, though, and badger this poor fella.



My goodness, you certainly do work quickly!
I didn't notice any construction work when we passed through this area.
When did you start working here?
Hmm, now that's a good question...



...A year, you say? Now that's right impossible. We just walked through here not too long ago and there was nothing.

Though this current state after a year sounds about right.

A year?! You've got to be joking!
Curious... I'm positive there was no construction taking place at all when we walked by a while ago.
No construction at all?
Look mate, I know progress ain't been speedy, but I'm doing the best I can, all right?
So if you're just here to have a dig at me, you can clear off right now. I'm busy!



Hmm...

Nothing else here right now. Art has nothing else of note to say, we can't re-enter the shop so it's time to retrace our steps.





Something about this area does seem more similar to what we saw previously, but it's still... off. Let's see what this fine gentleman has to say, since he wasn't loitering here before.



I'm sorry... Have we met?
Phe-ew! I thought I was in big trouble when I clocked that hat of yours, I tell you...
But it seems you ain't who I thought you were, so we ain't got nothing to talk about. Get lost!

My word, what a rude man! Fine, be that way.



We'll just... uh, go into this building here. It wasn't open before so that's a good sign.



Interesting... What say we duck in for a moment, eh, Luke?

Searching for Clues



Ah, I see it's a quaint, little pub "cafe". Best to speak to the proprietress first then.



Good day, madam. What a charming cafe you have here. Has it been open long?
Well, I've only been running the place for two or three years myself.
But the cafe itself has been around much longer. Over 50 years, some say.
I see.
By the way, I saw you were closed when I passed by earlier. I suppose you only open in the evening?



...But you were definitely closed not that long ago!

It doesn't really get busy until later on, mind, but that's the industry for you.
Oh, and since you seem like a nice enough chap, let me give you a little tip: lose the hat.
My hat? Why would I do that?
I won't go into details, but let's just say a hat like that could get you in trouble around here.

Rather unusual that two people in a row have pointed to Layton's hat... as something to be worried about. I'm sure it's nothing though.



This person who is very definitely not drunk has something for us, I see. It's okay, he just really likes his Grape Juice (For Adults).



Oh, um, hello.
What can I do for you? WELL?
Uh, never mind. It's nothing, really.
Oh, don't run away! It gets ever so lonely around here with no one to talk to.
Oh... That's terrible...
You're a good lad. Not many youngsters would stop to listen to an old man's problems.
Here's a little something for your kindness.
Huh?

To the surprise of probably no one, it's a puzzle. Fortunately, we don't need to do it just yet. It is technically gating something, but...



A nice lad like you deserves a present. Here.
Oh, what's this?
A picture book. The very definition of fun! FUN!
Oh, well... I'm a bit old for picture books, in case you hadn't noticed.



What's so special about it?
Open it and you'll see: whole portions of the book are blank! BLAAAAAAAAANK!

That... sounds like an awful present!

Um... Thanks?



Fortunately, it turns out its better than we were told. It's one of our three requisite mini-game segments! We didn't even need to do the puzzle for it this time, which is nice. Just gonna stick this on the backburner for now since we'll be waiting a bit before we can make a dent on it.

More London Streets



Back outside, nothing has changed but we can go south now. Guess we'll be doing just that.



Indeed, Luke. There's something going on here that I don't fully understand.
Oh, wait! I think I know what happened! We must've left the shop through a different door.



No, that can't be right. Think back to when we left the shop, Luke.
We left through the same door that we used to enter. I'm absolutely certain of that.
Yes, I suppose you're right, Professor. But what else could explain this change in scenery?
Let's investigate the vicinity a bit more. Perhaps that will help us shed some light on things.



I agree. We should definitely investigate the area more thoroughly. Let's start by talking to this poor lad who looks incredibly nervous and jumpy!





Are you all right, sir? You're dripping with perspiration. May I suggest a calming cup of tea?



He is using the edge of the screen to hide. That is amazing.

I'll make your t-t-tea right away!
Crikey, he didn't half leave in a hurry!
Actually, you seem to be making a lot of people nervous around here, Professor.
That would certainly appear to be the case, though I can't imagine why.



I don't know why anyone would be afraid of you or your hat.
After all, it's not like you go around menacing people when I'm not there. Hmm...

How do you know, Luke? After all, you just said you're not there.



Now that Edgar has been jumpy enough to be considered noteworthy, we should head into that building nearby for a second.

Puzzles



There's not much in here, but investigating the flower gets us something at least.





Ah, I recognise that "silhouette"!

Augh! There's someone lurking in the shadows!
Ehee hee, oh yes. Wherever there are lost puzzles, there am I.
Oh, it's you!



Yeah, like twice.

No? Well then, allow me to introduce myself!
Before you stands the beautiful and clairvoyant Granny Riddleton.
B-beautiful? Hmm, well you do look pretty good for your age, I suppose.
Watch your words, Luke! We don't want to offend the lady, do we?
Have you ever noticed how many mysteries there are in the world? How many puzzles?
Puzzles that tease your brain? Puzzles that bend your mind?
Puzzles that are just plain infuriating?

We've left most of the sliding puzzles behind with Folsense, so I think we're pretty good. Plus the rest aren't even my problem any more.

Certainly.



Where do they go, you ask? Well, they come and stay with me!
That's very good to know.
Or I suppose I should say they used to come and stay with me. Things are about to change.
Are they?
You might not be able to tell from my looks, but I'm no spring chicken. Truth be told, I'm getting tired.
Oh?



But...
You can't retire! You mustn't! Without you, what will happen to all the puzzles we leave behind?
Are you saying that without me, you two would find yourselves in a pickle?
A huge pickle!

Nah, not really. I'm pretty good at not missing any. Just poke everything. A lot.

How about the debonair gentleman in the top hat? What do you think?
I concur with my friend here.
Ehee hee. Yep, I thought you might say that.
But don't fret. I'll make sure you're taken care of.
How?
Ehee hee! You'll just have to wait and see for yourselves, laddies.



Or, in other words, come back next chapter. I won't have any lost puzzles, but we'll still get to see what she has planned.

Now, I know we just met, but you'll have to excuse me. I'm going off on a well-deserved holiday.
I may never see you again, so ta-ta, and have a positively puzzly day!
A...puzzly day?
What a strange conversation that was. Let's be sure to come back here later.
Definitely. Though that thing that's flying around is giving me the heebie-jeebies.

Well, we can't interact with it or anything and there's nothing else to do here just yet. Back outside we go...

More London Streets



And we continue our maybe-backtracking. Now that we've said both hello and farewell to Granny Riddleton, we can continue back towards the bus stop.





Why, it's gotten positively steampunk while we weren't looking! Nice of it to repopulate the hint coins and move the collapsed car too. Best to check out the schedule for when a bus is expected to come around here.

Can't believe they don't have a single monitor with the time and estimated arrival/departure times on. Who runs the buses here? It can't be First. Even they're not this bad.



Oh dear. It really is in quite a state of disrepair.
But how can that be? It looked fine when we got here a little while ago.
Oh look, there's a poster on the side of the bus stop.
I'll go and see what it says.



Well?
I don't understand this at all!
What do you mean, Luke?
The poster says that this route has been discontinued.

I don't understand that either. Those are up for weeks beforehand and then just removed once the routes are actually updated!

I don't doubt it, given the state of this bus stop.



What? Luke, let me have a look at that.
I just had a thought, Professor...
Could we possibly have travelled to the future?
We have certainly encountered much here to suggest we're no longer in the London we know.
All the same, I believe it's rather early to jump to that conclusion, Luke.
Let's do some more exploring and see what else we can find out.



Ah, I see while we were distracted by a bus stop, someone's wandered along. Let's see what this guy's got to say.



Now that's more like it.

Indeed I am, sir. And who might you be?
That ain't important right now. Here's what is important: this urgent letter I've got for ya.
Before I hand it over, though, I need to verify yer identity.
I've got a puzzle here tailor-made for that purpose, so get solving!



Puzzles Reinvented



1. These hints will give you a method of completing the puzzle by flipping as few pieces as possible. Following this method, the only piece that should be flipped is .

Of course, you could solve the puzzle without flipping , but to do that, you'll need to flip everything else instead.

2. If you flip , don't flip or rotate . Just place it in the top-left corner as is.

3. Flip , then rotate it so the long side is laying flat. Then slide it into the bottom-left corner to form part of the hat's brim. Now rotate 90 degrees clockwise. Slide it next to to form the rest of the brim.

S. If you've followed all of the hints, the only pieces left to place are and . If you rotate 180 degrees...

While not a sliding puzzle, it's also one of those weird ones where it doesn't really work in-thread...








More London Streets





If only real world proof of ID was this easy.



Let's see what it says.

The Second Letter

Suspicion



I can hardly wait to see you again.
I wish to enlist your help in freeing this town from the tragedy that has befallen it.
But first, I'm sure you'll want some proof that you're actually in the future.
I've thought long and hard about the best way of convincing you.
Make your way through town to the address below. What you find there is sure to quell any doubts.



End

More London Streets



Sounds good, Professor. But how do we get to Auckland Lane?
It would be easy if the buses were running, but unfortunately that's not the case.
Perhaps that lady over there knows of a different way to get around town.



...Wait, what lady?



Oh, that one!



Spot on, boyo. Them buses had already stopped running when I moved here, two years ago.
Two years ago? But...the poster says the buses won't stop running for another five years.



But that can't be right! Unless...
Luke! That's enough.
I do apologise for my friend, madam.
Don't you find the lack of buses in this area a bit of an inconvenience, though?



There's a station on Flatstone Street, see.
Tourists, is it?



They'll help you find where you need to go.
Thank you for your assistance, madam.



I was born and raised here! I've lived in London longer than she has!
Now, Luke, there's no need to get all wound up. Let's find that hotel.

Now that we can finally go somewhere new, that sounds like a great idea.





Ow ow owww...
I'm so sorry, miss! I didn't see you there! Are you all right?



Huh?
Great! Then pucker up. Kissy kissy kissy!
What?! No! Stay back! Don't come any closer!
Luke! Watch your tone. A gentleman mustn't forget his manners when conversing with a lady.



All right, I have to go now, but let's rendezvous later, dreamboat!
Actually, miss, my name is Lu- Oh. She ran off.
What an...unusual young lady.
That's a nice way of putting it, Professor.

It does seem like Layton was being unusually mean there, but hiding it behind a veneer of politeness.



The hotel's supposed to be around here somewhere, but I can't see it. Hopefully this lad can tell us where it is.





Wait... we are on Southern Street here, aren't we? But the hotel is not here?
DING DING DING! You're in the neighbourhood! In the neighbourhood of correct, that is.
I can't make head nor tail of what this boy's saying, Professor.

The actual robots we talked to before were less robotic...

He's only trying to help, Luke. You just need to keep to very simple questions. Observe.
Tell me, young man, is this Southern Street?
DING DING DING! Correct!
And is there a hotel east of here?



Thank you.
All right, Luke. Unless our friend here is mistaken, we need to head east to get to our destination.
Erm... If you say so, Professor.



Heading on east, we finally get two folks to potentially talk to. Let's do what we usually do then and start from the left.



It usually works out so well for us, and I see that's about to continue.



Well? Are you?
Erm... N-no. I-I'm terribly sorry. I was only-
And you've got some brass neck, wanderin' round in that hat! Yeah, brass neck but no brains!
Wh-what's wrong with my hat?
I ain't talkin' to you, sunshine. I'm talkin' about matey in the top hat here.
Me? Well, I don't see anything wrong with my hat either, sir.
Listen to you with your "I don't see anything wrong with my hat"!
It's time to teach you a lesson. Solve this puzzle!

Y'know what? Nah, I'm good. I think I'll leave you be.



That just leaves the other person in the area, then.



And since she's standing in front of the conspicuous, large white building, seems likely that we've found where we want to be. Just getting confirmation.



Hello there, gentlemen. If you're looking for a hotel, you've come to the right place!
Hotel Duke is one of London's finest and most famous!
Will you be doing us the honour of staying here?
For a famous hotel, you keep an awfully low profile. This is the first I've heard of a Hotel Duke.
Well, there's a simple explanation for that.
The Hotel Duke caters for ladies and gentlemen of means and taste.



Ho ho! Dur friend doesn't take kindly to you besmirching the good name of her hotel, Luke.
Thank you for your help, young lady.

Guess we'll just head on in, then.

Searching for Clues



Oh, hello again!
Tee hee! I ran ahead and took the liberty of preparing a room for you.
May I help you with your bags?
Oh, um, that's very kind of you, but we only wanted to ask directions to the train station.
Come along now, sirs. I take it you're here on holiday?
Well, the Hotel Duke is centrally located, as you can see.



Ha ha! You do make a compelling argument, young lady. Location is everything, after all.
We'll take that room - and directions to the train station as well, of course.
Please, sir, none of that "young lady" stuff. Just call me Becky.
Now, if I could just ask you to sign the hotel guestbook...



Indeed we are. Somehow, you and I have managed to get ourselves lost in an unfamiliar area.
As Becky noted, having a central location to return to while we're here could prove very useful.

London IS incredibly large and sprawling, so this is a great idea.



I don't see a guestbook, but they're usually kept behind the counter so we'll just talk to the lady there.





Welcome to the Hotel Duke, home of exemplary service and the world's best breakfast.
I'm Margaret, the hotel manager. Please don't hesitate to ask should you need anything.
Thanks! But what about lunch and dinner? Aren't those the world's best as well?
Aha! It seems we have a little gourmand here.
Well, rest easy, young man. For lunch, we offer sandwiches made with freshly baked, pillowy-soft bread.
And if you're partial to a good roast, our beef with Yorkshire pudding is the best in London.

...Sold.

You know, Professor, I've changed my mind. I quite like this place. Let's stay here.
Heh heh. Our sandwiches do tend to have that effect on people. How, if I could just- Oh dear...
What's wrong?
I've got four pens here, but only one of them has any ink in it.
I don't suppose I could ask you to help me work out which one it is, could I?

We're not gonna get anywhere without doing this mandatory puzzle, so...



Skippin' past it for now!

Very well.
You're all set now, Professor Layton. Oh, and you must be Luke. Becky will show you to your room.



Gotta talk to Becky to get to our room. We can't rightly just leave now, either, since we still need directions!



My name is Becky. Please don't hesitate to ask me should you need anything.
We know your name, Becky. You told us earlier, remember? My name is Luke, by the way!
Oh, and there's no need to be so formal. All that politeness makes me feel awkward.
Shh! Granny's a stickler for service. I have to keep things formal when she's in earshot!
Oh, I see. Righto.
Now then, if you two gentlemen are ready, I shall escort you to your room. Right this way, please!



Did you hear that, Professor? What a stroke of luck!
Yeah... Though come to think of it, I suppose it's not really luck at all.



So the Hotel Duke used to be located somewhere else?
Erm... It's a bit of a touchy subject, so I'd rather not go into it. I hope you understand...
Hey, I was really impressed with the way you solved the puzzle that Granny threw at you, you know.
Well, I do like a good puzzle...
Me too! How about this: solve this puzzle for me, and I'll tell you how to get to the station.

Another mandatory puzzle goes here...



It's not too far. Just keep going east once you leave the hotel.
You'll come out onto Flatstone Street. Head north and the station will be on your right.
Thanks, Becky. I think we'll be able to find it now.
Hey wait! One more thing.
Hmm? What's that?



There's a restaurant there that's just scrumptious!
It's not a patch on the food we serve here, of course, but it's not half bad, you know?
The arcade? You mean that place where the little boy is standing, blocking the entrance?
Little boy? Oh, you must be talking about Max.
I've got him wrapped around my little finger.



Ha ha! Good to know. Well, we might as well go through the arcade and see a bit more of the area.

Yeah, this sounds like a plan to me. Now that we've got a room for ourselves too, this should be a good spot to take a brief rest. We've done a lot of walking today after all!







Puzzles Reinvented





1. Try drawing a chart, it'll make things much easier to think about.

I also feel like we've probably seen this one before. Or at least one very similar to it. I dunno, is that just me?





1. Did you follow the arrows and put the cards in the right spaces?

Be sure not to mess up the order of the cards.





1. First, remember the condition: "The usable pen is to the left of the one with the green cap."

From this condition, you know that there are three possibilities for the correct line-up of caps: ?-green-?-?, ?-?-green-? and ?-?-?-green.

2. Next, remember that "when assembled correctly, all four pens have one white section."

The only pen without a white section currently is C, so you know that that white cap definitely belongs to pen C.





1. Use the memo function to draw the students' path to the library. That's what you want to imitate.

2. Think about what you tell someone when giving directions. "Go out that door and turn left. At the first intersection, turn right."

Something like that, right?