This puzzle is
no walk in the park. The orientation and interlocking of the pieces
(especially with the one single different piece) with the notched
protrusions provide for a very difficult process of removal.
While trial and
error may work to some extent initially, it can also land you in a dead
end and figuring your way back to the start position then becomes
another additional challenge that frustrates.
It took me a
good while and several dead ends before I managed to get the first piece
out. I thought with photo-taking of the moves, this would help. But
nope, too many incorrect moves so photo-taking became confusing and a
waste of time.
This is not a pure rectilinear puzzle and rotations are also required. So Burr Tools
here won't help very much, save as to show the various possible
assemblies of the pieces within the box frame. (which may be sufficient
help for some perhaps).
The challenge
is also discovering which pieces need to be rotated into position and
ensuring rotation is done within the correct space. Done properly,
nothing should get stuck. Done wrongly, or worse still with force, and
your puzzle may end up dented and damaged.
Difficulty Level
The Mysterious
Galaxy is very difficult, particularly the putting back together. It has
two solutions, of which one is level 17.5.2.4; in other words it
requires 17 moves to extract the first piece, 5 for the next and so on.
Unlike the Galaxy Z, I found it hard to memorise the moves for this one.
Even after four attempts at reassembly, I still had to refer to the
solution.
Summary
Without a
doubt, very challenging puzzle (especially for non-burrists like me);
and if you already own the Galaxy Z, get this one as well. With its sexy
curved edges and colourful exotic woods, even if you can't solve it, it
still makes for a very nice display.
