We're currently looking into how to address this potential roadblock for deaf persons. There are various difficulty levels in the puzzles throughout the game. We tried to make a progression of difficulty so in the beginning the puzzles are a little easier, but as you progress through the game they become much more difficult. In this way, players can accomplish a large part of the game very quickly. Once they're drawn in by the story we have enticed them to persevere and make it through the rest of the game.
Puzzles seem to be the glue that holds adventure games together.
They challenge the player and give a sense of accomplishment, but sometimes they're the most frustrating part of the experience. There are probably 30 to 40 different types of puzzles in Exile. The variety of puzzles really lends to a very positive experience and helps the players who have different strengths and weaknesses find favorite parts of the game. Also check out our reviews of Myst , Riven and RealMyst .