Rambles about game design in general or in specific, as a dev and a gamer.

puzzles

things I don't like in games

when game ignores the lore - permadeath for the young and vigorous in a world with plenty of resurrection
losing control of your own character for an extended period - knockdown room
forcing player to act stupidly - story won't progress until you trigger an obvious trap, sign a bad contract, etc
when you "must choose a path" when everyone obviously is most incentivized to cheese and take both
can't use noncombat skills in noncombat areas - let me use my running skill in town

range only - through ravine, chain-link fence
direct keywords only - through wall
lots of interrupts
high dexterity/dodge
high and increasing defense - Metapod
only accessible via teleport
slide puzzle - Monkey Madness
Tetris - Danger on Deception Island's books
burn webs, wood, paper
Light torches, candles, furnaces, fireplaces, campfires
Hasten past timed doors, flee impossible foes
Swap/Teleport past walls; move victims to safety, move obstacles, move heavy thing to desire spot
Skill block - some constant obstructing skill, shut down strong foe healer
Target energy buff - liven up a sleepy guy, recharge batteries
Target lose energy - put machine to sleep
Slow timed door, chasing enemy, scout foe
Transmute - instead of merching, crafting, Bones to Bananas (kill for food), process materials
Summon item - fill all jugs with water, summon apple
explore dark area, lighting torches - receive constant light skill
traverse zone by swapping with monsters. There is a victim who will be killed if you don't kill the monster with rangeed attacks or make victim invincible
Attract monster to follow you into triggering trap/moving into aggro range of other monster
charm monster to tame it
Oozespeak for taming, temp ally, info (level, monster, etc)
Security system runs on electricity - power down
Ask teammates for ideas - each has a perspective, expertise
Levitate over chasms
Truthvision - see unseen doors, paths, items, characters