The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby - Mission Log

 
 

About

This project had me create puzzles for a printed booklet titled The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby: Mission Log. The booklet was aimed at adults, combining coloring, art, a short story, and my puzzles and had a sci-fi / space opera theme. The booklet was originally released as part of a Kickstarter campaign add-on or part of a deluxe bundle for the board game The Lost Worlds of Josh Kirby, designed by Jordan Nichols and published by BARD Games, and is now available for sale separately.

 
Mission Log Overview.jpg
 

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Puzzle Creation

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Specifically, I created 11 paper puzzles and an answer key page. There was a variety of puzzle types, from tweaks on traditional types to completely original designs. The puzzle types were:

  • Hidden Message

  • Rebus

  • Word Association

  • Spot the Difference

  • Observational

  • Riddles

  • Crossword

  • Spatial

  • Hex Grid / Logic

  • Identify Path / Logic

  • Calculation

  • Divided Grid

Each puzzle had to be carefully play tested for difficulty, understandability, and engagement, going through multiple iterations.

Project Highlight: CRAFTING A PUZZLE BOOK

This project was more than make individual puzzles. The puzzles needed to work together as a whole, be themed to the sci-fi / space opera theme, and integrate the fantastic art and history of Josh Kirby where possible.

 
Mission Log Highlight.jpg
 

Variety of puzzles was important to keep players of all types engaged. The surprise of each new puzzle delighted players - many of them had not seen puzzle types like this before. I arranged the puzzle order throughout the book to roughly go from easiest to hardest, building player skill and confidence on their way to the more challenging puzzles.

I incorporated the sci-fi / space opera theme through carefully crafted hidden messages and word association using space appropriate symbols. On occassion the theme was mostly pasted on to a generic puzzle, yet even these were effective when the publisher built off the setup flavor text I suggested.

The art of the book is gorgeous. One puzzle uses art directly to demonstrate the concept of reflection used to solve a puzzle. Two other puzzles use faction icons from the board game in their design. Every puzzle page has related cosmetic art for additional aesthetics.

An original crossword puzzle was created to honor the legendary artist Josh Kirby by having answers about his life history and works.