ResQ

ResQ is a unique Sequential Discovery Puzzle based on Boucher's brilliant Visitor Q. We took the original design and modified it by adding additional goals, tools, and tricks. ResQ is the result of nearly three months of prototyping and features previously unseen concepts and hardware.

The brilliance of Boucher's VQ design is in the depth of possible movements and states the puzzle can be in. Visitor Q is very much like a maze; you find configurations that won't allow you to progress and must back-track to find another approach. I can't overstate the sophistication and elegance of VQ. To the extent ResQ turns out to be a good puzzle, it's because I was standing on the shoulders of a giant.

Solving ResQ requires imagination, analysis, close observation, a bit of dexterity, and a lot of exploration. A minimum of 70 moves is required, with no upper limit.

Are you up to the challenge? If so, here are your instructions:
A Visitor from another dimension needs your help! A mysterious evil has trapped the Visitor in a psychic prison, damaged his spaceship, and thrown it into a deadly vortex. You can save him by accomplishing these tasks:

1. Free the Visitor from his Psychic Prison
2. Unlock the vortex
3. Retrieve the Spaceship without using rotations (to avoid making the vortex even more unstable)
4. Navigate the vortex and retrieve the spaceship parts:
-The thick and thin Antenna Assemblies
-The silver Fuel Disk
-The gold Reactor Orb
-The six-orb Navigation AI Module

You must use the parts you retrieve as tools to retrieve other components. Be careful not to put loose parts into the vortex, or you may find yourself faced with difficult and frustrating salvage operations. Good luck!

We produced ResQ in two batches. The regular batch of approximately 120 copies uses four different exotic kinds of wood for the vortex, which helps with the solution. A smaller, limited release of about 30 copies uses solid ebony for the vortex, which increases the difficulty. Both editions feature a box made from Hawaiian Koa, a scarce and difficult to obtain wood. ResQ ships in an unsolved configuration and includes a piece diagram to aid in resetting the puzzle.

ResQ contains small parts and should be kept away from children. We recommend exploring ResQ on a flat surface using the provided solving mat.

Reviews and Blog Posts:

• ZenPuzzler's blog review of ResQ
• Boxes and Booze's blog review here
• PuzzleMad's blog review here

Our work is handcrafted to very precise tolerances and must be kept within the range of 40-60% relative humidity at all times. Failure to do so may cause inoperability or permanent damage.

Please read the Caring for Wood Puzzles guide to ensure proper fit and operation. We recommend an occasional polishing with Renaissance Wax to keep wood puzzles in top condition.