The puzzles are more important than the mechanisms for a puzzle box

Puzzle boxes combine two key elements: the outer puzzle that challenges the user’s thinking, and the hidden mechanisms that make the box function. Supporters of prioritizing the puzzles argue that the true value lies in the intellectual challenge, creativity, and engagement they provide—after all, a clever riddle or layered challenge can captivate users even if the mechanisms are simple. On the other hand, some emphasize the importance of mechanisms, noting that the physical engineering determines how surprising, durable, and satisfying the puzzle feels in practice.