The second function is that of advancement and guidance, which the two researchers introduce by claiming that the most crucial function of narrative puzzles. There are differing ways to achieve advancement between games, however, with the authors noting how Uncharted<\/em> games\u2019 puzzles have limited effects due to the linear storytelling, and how L.A. Noire<\/em> delivers a more non-linear experience. They also mention how the nonlinearity can be a double-edged sword as it might disorient the players.<\/p>\n Thirdly, the authors present the function of creating plot variation. In their study of detective games, the authors found a clear theme of creating branching story points through puzzles. In these puzzles, the player\u2019s actions and efficiency would decide which plot point would follow in the game. An example of this was from Sherlock Holmes<\/em>, where the player was essentially made to choose between two possible deductions, both advancing the story in a different manner.<\/p>\n The fourth and last function is pacing and structuring. According to the authors, narrative puzzles are important in pacing the gameplay and plot with game progression. This can be done by adjusting the level difficulty with dramatic tension or by creating a specific rhythm by utilizing diverse scales of puzzles. Additionally, narrative puzzles themselves might be used as narrative units. This can, again, be seen in adventure games with a detective theme, in the main parts of the game, e.g. investigating a scene of a crime or interviewing a person of interest.<\/p>\n Inspecting a character in Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and punishments<\/em><\/p>\n The authors mention that their main source of data came from a puzzle-focused analysis of a wide array of recent, story-driven, single-player games. Though at first, they had intended to analyze shooting and role-playing games as well, in the end, the authors decided to solely focus on adventure games. Three main categories were chosen for the final research. The first included four different detective-themed adventure titles with complicated and varied puzzle mechanics with advanced plots. The second main category was action-adventure as shown in the Uncharted<\/em> series, as they analyzed three different iterations of the series. Finally, they also analyzed the puzzle-platformer Braid<\/em> (2008). The aim of the three categories, according to the authors, was to examine varied narrative puzzle design from several subgenres of adventure games. Additionally, by focusing on different installments\u00a0of the same series they wanted to observe if and how the design of puzzles had evolved over time.<\/p>\n To conclude, Wei and Durango note that although the study of narrative puzzles is still in its infancy, there lies great potential in it. Future research could, for example, analyze more varied game genres or perhaps the player\u2019s perspective to narrative puzzles.<\/p>\n Durango, B. Wei, H. (2019, August). \u201cExploring the Role of Narrative Puzzles in Game Storytelling\u201d. In Proceedings of DiGRA 2019 International Conference, Kyoto, Japan. http:\/\/www.digra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/digital-library\/DiGRA_2019_paper_410.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Title photo: Promotional picture of the game, taken from:<\/p>\n![\"Character](\"https:\/\/www.tuni.fi\/playlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Sherlock.jpg\")
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