After my newsletter last week, Dylan excitedly told me that I'd managed to convince him to buy the Hidden Pikmin puzzle. Now, I've tried to convince Dylan to join us in puzzling before, going on about how relaxing and enjoyable it is. Did I expect him to tell me he'd ordered what I consider to be one of the most difficult types of puzzles? Absolutely not, but here we are!
We've decided it's the perfect team puzzle for us to tackle together. Something challenging, with a little friendly competition to see who can be the first to spot the colourful Pikmin hiding among all those many, many... many leaves.
All this to say, I was inspired to write this blog to help discover what actually makes a puzzle difficult.
When we think about how difficult a jigsaw puzzle is going to be, the first thing most of us look at is the number of pieces. Surely a 1,000-piece puzzle is going to be harder than a 500-piece one, right?
Well, not necessarily! There are actually quite a few things that can make a puzzle more challenging, and sometimes the number of pieces is the least of your worries.
So, what actually makes a jigsaw puzzle difficult?
Does More Pieces Always Mean a Harder Puzzle?
Let's start with the obvious one: piece count.
Generally speaking, the more pieces a puzzle has, the longer it's going to take you to complete. A 2,000-piece puzzle is probably going to keep you busy for quite a bit longer than a 500-piece one, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be harder.
A colourful 1,000-piece puzzle with lots of little details might actually be easier to put together than a 500-piece puzzle that's one colour. Having more pieces to work with can even be helpful when there are lots of recognisable details in the artwork.
Of course, there's also the question of how much space you have available. If you've ever tried to complete a particularly large puzzle on a table that's just a little too small, you'll know that's a challenge all on its own. There's nothing quite like realising you've run out of room before you've even finished sorting your pieces! (Don’t even get me started on then trying to move it somewhere else).
Personally, I think piece count is a good starting point when choosing a puzzle, but it's definitely not the only thing I'd consider.
The Artwork Makes a Huge Difference
I actually think the artwork is one of the biggest factors when it comes to how difficult a puzzle is going to be.
You might look at a really detailed illustration and think it's going to be an absolute nightmare to put together, but all those little details can actually make things easier. Different colours, objects and patterns give you something to look for when you're sorting through your pieces.
On the other hand, a beautiful landscape with a huge blue sky or an ocean that seems to go on forever? That's where things can start getting tricky.
Large Areas of the Same Colour
There's nothing quite like getting to the last section of a puzzle and realising you've got 150 pieces of almost identical blue sky left to put together.
Without much variation in the image, you're suddenly relying on the shapes of the pieces rather than the artwork itself. And when you've got a whole pile of pieces that all look like they could fit in the same spot, it's easy to see why these puzzles can take a little longer.
It's not just skies and oceans either. Snowy landscapes, dark backgrounds and even large sections of greenery can be surprisingly challenging.
Repeating Patterns
Flowers, leaves, bookshelves and other repeating patterns can also be a lot harder than they first appear.
Even when there's plenty of colour in the artwork, having lots of pieces that look almost identical can make finding the right one a challenge. You might know exactly which section you're working on, but that doesn't necessarily help when you've got twenty pieces featuring the same little pink flower.
I think these are the puzzles that can catch you off guard the most, especially when the artwork looks relatively straightforward on the box.
Busy, Detailed Illustrations
This is where things get interesting because sometimes the puzzles that look the most complicated are actually some of the easiest to work through.
I'm a big fan of cosy, illustrated puzzles, particularly ones with lots of little details to discover as you put them together. I love being able to work on a little bookshelf, a window, or a particularly cute corner of the illustration before moving on to something else.
Having lots of recognisable objects means you can break the puzzle down into smaller sections, which can make the whole thing feel a lot more manageable.
Plus, I think there's something really satisfying about spotting little details in the artwork that you didn't even notice when you first opened the box.
Not All Puzzle Pieces Are Created Equal
Something you might not think about until you're actually working on a puzzle is the shape of the pieces themselves.
Some puzzles have fairly traditional, uniform pieces, while others have all sorts of unusual shapes. Depending on the puzzle, this can make things easier or considerably harder.
Traditional grid-cut puzzles tend to have more consistent piece shapes, which can be helpful when you're getting started. However, if you've got lots of similar-looking pieces, it can also mean you're spending a fair bit of time working out which one actually belongs where.
Random-cut puzzles, on the other hand, have more variety in their shapes. Sometimes that gives you an extra clue, while other times it can make finding the right piece a little more interesting.
And then there are those pieces that look like they fit perfectly, only for you to discover much later that they're actually in completely the wrong place (we’ll talk about puzzle pet peeves in another blog!). I think we can all agree there's nothing more frustrating than having to pull apart a section you thought you'd finished!
There's also something to be said for the quality of the pieces themselves. A puzzle where everything fits together nicely is a much more enjoyable experience than one where you're constantly second-guessing whether you've found the right piece.
Colour Can Make or Break a Puzzle
Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to sort through puzzle pieces when there are lots of different colours?
Bright, contrasting colours make it much easier to work out which part of the puzzle you're looking at. If you've got a bright red door, a yellow flower and a blue window, you've immediately got a few different sections you can start working on.
But when everything is a slightly different shade of green, brown or grey, things can get a little more complicated.
This is particularly noticeable with landscapes, where you might have hundreds of pieces featuring very similar shades. What looks like a beautiful, peaceful scene on the box can turn into quite the challenge once it's spread out across your table.
Of course, a colourful puzzle isn't automatically an easy one either. If those colours are repeated throughout the image, you can still end up spending a lot of time trying to work out where everything belongs.
I think this is another reason I gravitate towards illustrated puzzles with lots of different things happening. There's usually something else to work on when I get stuck, rather than spending ages staring at the same handful of pieces.
Some Puzzles Are Actually Designed to Be Difficult
And then there are the puzzles that seem to enjoy making our lives difficult!
Not every jigsaw puzzle is as straightforward as recreating the picture on the box. Some are specifically designed to give you an extra challenge, and I think these can be a lot of fun if you're looking for something a little different.
Wasgij Puzzles
If you've never tried a Wasgij puzzle before, they're quite different from your traditional jigsaw.
Rather than simply recreating the picture you see on the box, you're usually putting together what the characters might be seeing, what could happen next or a different version of the scene.
It means you can't rely on the box image in quite the same way, which adds a whole new level of difficulty. They're a great option if you've been puzzling for a while and fancy something that makes you think a little differently.
Mystery Puzzles
Mystery puzzles are another fun way to mix things up. Some involve solving clues, while others have you piecing together an image that isn't quite what you expected.
I love the idea of combining puzzling with a little mystery-solving, especially if you're someone who enjoys escape rooms or detective games.
Gradient Puzzles
These might look simple, but don't let that fool you!
Gradient puzzles are often made up of colours that slowly blend into one another, without any distinctive objects or details to help you along the way.
Instead of looking for a particular flower or character, you're trying to work out whether one shade of blue is slightly lighter than another. Personally, I love a good gradient puzzle because of how satisfying they are to complete, but they are not for the faint of heart- that’s for sure!
Sometimes It Just Comes Down to the Puzzler
One of the things I love about puzzles is that everyone approaches them a little differently.
Some people start by sorting every single piece into colours, some go straight for the edges, and others just tip everything onto the table and hope for the best.
And while some people love the challenge of a particularly difficult puzzle, others would much rather spend an afternoon putting together something relaxing.
The more puzzles you complete, the more you start to recognise patterns, colours and piece shapes. But I also think you get a much better idea of the types of puzzles you actually enjoy.
After all, just because a puzzle is difficult doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be fun for everyone.
So, How Do You Choose the Right Puzzle?
If you're trying to decide which puzzle to tackle next, I'd recommend looking beyond the number of pieces on the box.
If you're after something relaxing, look for artwork with lots of different colours and recognisable details. A 500-piece puzzle can be a lovely way to spend an afternoon, but there's no reason you couldn't enjoy a colourful 1,000-piece puzzle just as much.
If you're after something a little more challenging, try a puzzle with repeating patterns, large areas of similar colours or fewer distinctive details.
And if you really want to test your patience, there's always a Wasgij or mystery puzzle waiting for you!
Personally, I think the best puzzle is one that you're actually going to enjoy putting together. Sometimes that means choosing something you can finish in a few hours, and other times it means having a puzzle spread across your table for the entire weekend (or longer!).
There's no right or wrong answer, and that's one of the things I love most about puzzling.
It's Not Always About the Number of Pieces!
So, is a 1,000-piece puzzle harder than a 500-piece puzzle? Sometimes, but definitely not always!
Between the artwork, colours, piece shapes and the way a puzzle is designed, there are so many little things that can make a difference.
You can pick up two puzzles with the same number of pieces and have two completely different experiences. Sometimes you want something relaxing to work on over an afternoon, and other times you're in the mood for a proper challenge.
I am actually really looking forward to tackling the Hidden Pikmin puzzle together as a team, even if we do end up spending hours staring at all the green. And who knows, maybe by the end of it I'll have convinced Dylan that puzzling really is a relaxing hobby... although I suspect he might just see this as a new challenge for us to conquer as a team!
