On-line riddle -- very cool, challenging

[b0000000000m]

I just found Zest (http://zest.inpixel.pl/), a really cool web-based riddle.

It is a sequence of 39 images. For each image, the challenge is to find the "hidden" word. It sounds simple, and it is, but it is very challenging and (IMO) fun. The first one is pretty easy, but they get more difficult as you progress.


To get a bit more background, check out the hints (http://zest.inpixel.pl/hints.htm) page. It doesn't contain any spoilers, and gives you an idea about what you should be doing.

So...who's going to get to #39 first?

The first image is here (http://zest.inpixel.pl/zest_riddle/one.htm). Once you find the word in the image, replace the word "one" in the url of the first image with the word you just found. Rinse and repeat.

p.s. It says you need Photoshop or GIMP, but really any decent image viewer will do the trick.

[RocketManJames]

Wow, this is tough... how far have you gotten?

-RMJ

[Popinjay]

another good one if this is your thing (http://www.notpron.com)

[pshreck]

Since people are quick to post when they dominate online games, and never mention when they dont.... Ill have to go ahead and say I got to the second image, spent a few minutes on it, had no idea, and quit.

So I failed at picture 2 out of 39.

[RocketManJames]

I'm on Image 4. This is tough.

Image 2... if you look at the source code for the page (which is what you need to do for hints) it says... "it's never about music." Then, the question it asks you is... what's the title? So, look at the Title of the page... and it says, "So you think you're deep enough?"

So you just gotta go with that, and you can get it.

Image 4 makes no sense to me... still working on it.

-RMJ

[pshreck]

now im struggling with 3... hints?

[IggyWH]

I suck, I can't get the first one... but I really don't have a clue what I'm trying to do.

[BreakEvenPlayer]

How do you view the source of the picture?

[LockForward]

right-click on the background

[Clarkmeister]

I'll give you "challenging". I'm not about to concede "very cool" though.

[LockForward]

For as cool as no. 5 is, no. 6 just flat out sucks

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Damn second part of No.5 is giving me trouble.

[pshreck]

Im onto 2nd part of number 6, and I am stuck.

[RocketManJames]

Same here... I'm now on No. 5... I got to the "second" phase of it. I am confused.

-RMJ

[pshreck]

[ QUOTE ]
Same here... I'm now on No. 5... I got to the "second" phase of it. I am confused.

-RMJ

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought the second phase was the easier part...

You are given an ANSWER key, just fill it out.

[RocketManJames]

Look at the bolded OZ. Then look at the letters surrounding it. Not sure if I got lucky, but I saw a word there, and went with it.

-RMJ

[someguy2]

[ QUOTE ]
I suck, I can't get the first one... but I really don't have a clue what I'm trying to do.

[/ QUOTE ]

[BreakEvenPlayer]

[ QUOTE ]
I suck, I can't get the first one... but I really don't have a clue what I'm trying to do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look at the image really close.

[someguy2]

Finally got to number 2..

[daryn]

i don't trust any of these because i'm sick of huge flaming demon heads.

[RocketManJames]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought the second phase was the easier part...

You are given an ANSWER key, just fill it out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, I must be slow... Is this some sort of hangman/wheel of fortune fill the the blanks? I don't get it. I tried a lot of things to line up the letters to the blue/white regions, and I still don't get it. Any other hints? I'm feeling real dumb now.

-RMJ

[pshreck]

The letter are either correct, or their mirror image. You need to fill in the blanks on the top, based on the color blue or white.

[BreakEvenPlayer]

OK, finally got that... toughest thing yet though.

[pshreck]

[ QUOTE ]
OK, finally got that... toughest thing yet though.

[/ QUOTE ]

6 blows that one out of the water, very tough so far.

[cab4656]

[ QUOTE ]
i don't trust any of these because i'm sick of huge flaming demon heads.

[/ QUOTE ]

My thoughts exactly.

[lighterjobs]

[ QUOTE ]
Since people are quick to post when they dominate online games, and never mention when they dont.... Ill have to go ahead and say I got to the second image, spent a few minutes on it, had no idea, and quit.

So I failed at picture 2 out of 39.

[/ QUOTE ]

so this isn't something that can be done in half an hour?

[RocketManJames]

Wow, I thought that was tough too.. thanks for the hints, pshreck.

Onto puzzle 6.

-RMJ

[Riskwise]

any hints on number 2 of the original hidden word riddle???

[BreakEvenPlayer]

I don't understand what you mean "number two of the original hidden word"

Which one is it?

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
Image 2... if you look at the source code for the page (which is what you need to do for hints) it says... "it's never about music." Then, the question it asks you is... what's the title? So, look at the Title of the page... and it says, "So you think you're deep enough?"

So you just gotta go with that, and you can get it.

[/ QUOTE ]

youd think this would be enough for me, but it wasnt. can someone tell or PM me the answer /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[RocketManJames]

[ QUOTE ]
6 blows that one out of the water, very tough so far.

[/ QUOTE ]

So, I'm on image 6(6). I am not sure if I'm supposed to see 6(1), 6(2), etc... The clues 6 is giving me aren't helping.

Clue #1: Give it to me... Give me some.
Clue #2: What is electricity?
Clue #3:
<! # (( # ### % $ * ### * % ^ >
<! * @@ >
<! ) ( @ # $ >

Argh, this is frustrating.

-RMJ

[pshreck]

again, those symbols are a key to something.... look at your keyboard and try to figure it out.

[soah]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I suck, I can't get the first one... but I really don't have a clue what I'm trying to do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look at the image really close.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK. Now what?

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Image 2... if you look at the source code for the page (which is what you need to do for hints) it says... "it's never about music." Then, the question it asks you is... what's the title? So, look at the Title of the page... and it says, "So you think you're deep enough?"

So you just gotta go with that, and you can get it.

[/ QUOTE ]

youd think this would be enough for me, but it wasnt. can someone tell or PM me the answer /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

nevermind i got it! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[BreakEvenPlayer]

[ QUOTE ]
"So you think you're deep enough?"

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're not in "deep" enough, then where do you have to go?

[Riskwise]

hint on 3? haha im all over the place. i checked the source code and it said dorothy was trying to get home. so i tryed "follow the yellow brick road" like a tool... /images/graemlins/frown.gif /images/graemlins/blush.gif /images/graemlins/confused.gif

[BreakEvenPlayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Look at the bolded OZ. Then look at the letters surrounding it. Not sure if I got lucky, but I saw a word there, and went with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

[RocketManJames]

You're a beast pshreck... I had already tried to decompose those symbols from looking at the corresponding keys, but I didn't see anything at all.

I'm still working on it. This is tough.

-RMJ

[MarkL444]

someone please tell me the answer to #3 before i kill myself/.

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
someone please tell me the answer to #3 before i kill myself/.

[/ QUOTE ]

nm

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Follow the letters around the OZ until you find a word.

[The Yugoslavian]

[ QUOTE ]
Follow the letters around the OZ until you find a word.

[/ QUOTE ]

FWIW I've found many words. None of them do anything. A couple give me 'clues' that I can't make sense of.

Ugh.

If these are only going to get harder I might as well give up now.

Yugoslav

[BreakEvenPlayer]

6 is killing me.

[DemonDeac]

what the hell is the answer???h

[Soul Daddy]

[ QUOTE ]
Follow the letters around the OZ until you find a word.

[/ QUOTE ]
How long might this word be?

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
6 is killing me.

[/ QUOTE ]

i dont even know where to start, are these coffins?

[RocketManJames]

6 is killing me as well.

-RMJ

[pshreck]

[ QUOTE ]
6 is killing me as well.

-RMJ

[/ QUOTE ]

hint: choo choo!!

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
6 is killing me as well.

-RMJ

[/ QUOTE ]

hint: choo choo!!

[/ QUOTE ]

heh, got that. but now i cant figure out all the ###((( and whatnot.

[pshreck]

how many times do the symbols repeat?

how many rows of letter are there on a keyboard?

[soah]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I suck, I can't get the first one... but I really don't have a clue what I'm trying to do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look at the image really close.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK. Now what?

[/ QUOTE ]

After sticking my nose on the monitor I managed to pick out one letter... so I went and changed the brightness settings in order to get enough contrast to actually make out the rest of the word. How retarded.

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
how many times do the symbols repeat?

how many rows of letter are there on a keyboard?

[/ QUOTE ]

gotcha. thanks!

[MarkL444]

how can you own a number?

[pshreck]

dont think about that

look deep into the dark screen to see what is written, and its not clear at first.

[MarkL444]

[ QUOTE ]
dont think about that

look deep into the dark screen to see what is written, and its not clear at first.

[/ QUOTE ]

im already on 6(66)

[ QUOTE ]
oh, i'm sure xxxxxx would like to posses this number... well, it is already owned by someone... else

[/ QUOTE ]

is this the puzzle youre referring to?

[pshreck]

im talking about 6 (66)

/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[MarkL444]

wow they really throw you for a loop there.

[Jack of Arcades]

I'm on 25

[RocketManJames]

Wow, I was dumb. So, I didn't realize I needed to type in the entire phrase as the answer on that one. Ok, I'm on 7 now. Just started on it.

-RMJ

[b0000000000m]

Impressive. Although I suppose there is some chance you've spent the last 12 hours on it. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Jack of Arcades]

8.

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
how many times do the symbols repeat?

how many rows of letter are there on a keyboard?

[/ QUOTE ]

gotcha. thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

unfortunately im not getting this clue

rJ

[b0000000000m]

The problem is probably that you're too old.

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Well took me a long damn to get past number 7, time to [censored] sleep.

[LockForward]

help with no. 6(66)
I can't figure out what the something more is

[LockForward]

nevermind, I found it

[Brock Landers]

#3 is still kicking my ass. I understand that there are words surrounding OZ like NOT, JUST, OPEN, THING, but I can't get any farther. Any more clues guys?

[b0000000000m]

Hint: Stop looking for something, or anything.

[Brock Landers]

Got it, thanks.

Dammit, so close.

[Brock Landers]

On #4, do I need a larger screen (I use a laptop)? It looks like there is a word coming out of his mouth, but I can't make it out.

[b0000000000m]

Zoom in on the image

[pshreck]

[ QUOTE ]
On #4, do I need a larger screen (I use a laptop)? It looks like there is a word coming out of his mouth, but I can't make it out.

[/ QUOTE ]

You have to use an image program, and fool with the pic to see some things.

I used ms paint, and that works fine.

[GrekeHaus]

[ QUOTE ]
On #4, do I need a larger screen (I use a laptop)? It looks like there is a word coming out of his mouth, but I can't make it out.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's a guy??? I couldn't even tell.

Anybody get #8 yet, I'm completely stuck.

[Brock Landers]

I still can't make out the word. I zoomed in on it, but it just looks like "help". I'm stuck

[BreakEvenPlayer]

[ QUOTE ]
I still can't make out the word. I zoomed in on it, but it just looks like "help". I'm stuck

[/ QUOTE ]

Zoom in more, look closer...

[BreakEvenPlayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Anybody get #8 yet, I'm completely stuck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Spent a long time on 8. I think it's a bad riddle.

Check out the arrow... Is there another arrow at the top of it??? The arrow is showing you what to do when you find the starting point... which the arrow also points to.

All of the words to solve 8 are in that grid... you must work on where to start and where to end.

[Brock Landers]

I just got 4, but it was kind of a guess. I still couldn't make out the last 2 letters.

[Brock Landers]

I think I am having screen problems. I enlarged #5 and really can't make out anything other than mirror. Is this possible? (also, I could BARELY make out #1)

[Mangatang]

don't just enlarge, use the brightness or contrast controls too

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
how many times do the symbols repeat?

how many rows of letter are there on a keyboard?

[/ QUOTE ]

gotcha. thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

unfortunately im not getting this clue

rJ

[/ QUOTE ]

I still need help here.

rJ

[BreakEvenPlayer]

[ QUOTE ]
I still need help here.

rJ

[/ QUOTE ]



You're trying to crack a code, and each one of those symbols represent a key on your keyboard... You'll be mad at yourself when you get it.

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I still need help here.

rJ

[/ QUOTE ]



You're trying to crack a code, and each one of those symbols represent a key on your keyboard... You'll be mad at yourself when you get it.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is killing me.

Do the spaces between them and then some grouped together mean something or is that just random?

Thanks

rJ

[rusty JEDI]

Ok. I finally got it.

I had tried the first and third word on its own by fluke. Finally figured out the code.

That sucked

rJ

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
I think I am having screen problems. I enlarged #5 and really can't make out anything other than mirror. Is this possible? (also, I could BARELY make out #1)

[/ QUOTE ]


For 5 you do not need to do any screen fiddling around or image stuff. You can see everything you need.

rJ

[RocketManJames]

Anyone have any idea on 29? I didn't get most of them up to here... Duke is a beast. That's all I have to say. But, anyway, I've been looking at 29 for some time, and this is confusing me. It has to do with 9, and I have a feeling I missed something in #9, since I kinda guessed past it.

-RMJ

[BreakEvenPlayer]

29? Damn... I'm just starting in on 12. Methinks it's gonna be the hardest one yet. Taking my time though and then using the Zest forums (no answers there, just a bunch of people giving more ridiculous clues).

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
help with no. 6(66)
I can't figure out what the something more is

[/ QUOTE ]

seems he found the something more so quick in the next post....why is it taking me so long.

rJ

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
help with no. 6(66)
I can't figure out what the something more is

[/ QUOTE ]

seems he found the something more so quick in the next post....why is it taking me so long.

rJ

[/ QUOTE ]

Posted that...then next look spotted it.

grrrr

rJ

[rusty JEDI]

Why is 11 so easy?

Doesnt make sense to have one so easy in there.

rJ

[BreakEvenPlayer]

If you want people to keep going with this I guess you have to throw them a bone every once in awhile.

[asofel]

[ QUOTE ]
Hint: Stop looking for something, or anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

dammit, i'm hungover and can't think...and this doesn't clarify things...if there was some logical way to figure it out, but i feel at this point like you just have to guess words...anyone have a helpful hint (#3)...this is getting embarassing...

[Soul Daddy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hint: Stop looking for something, or anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

dammit, i'm hungover and can't think...and this doesn't clarify things...if there was some logical way to figure it out, but i feel at this point like you just have to guess words...anyone have a helpful hint (#3)...this is getting embarassing...

[/ QUOTE ]

I've got nothing for you...

[Duke]

I just got 29. It's absolutely ridiculous. I'm done now. No more.

Whoever made these things is insane.

~D

[Duke]

[ QUOTE ]

Why is 11 so easy?

Doesnt make sense to have one so easy in there.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you didn't spend 20 minutes typing deeper, moredeep, subdeep, and a bunch of other variants?

~D

[schwza]

there should be warnings on any links that include sound. not safe for work /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[b0000000000m]

You should also protect yourself by using a work-safe browser set-up. Turn off all sound and pop-ups (to avoid being stuck in a trap of not being able to close windows).

My sound is turned off in Firefox, so I wasn't too conscious of the fact that the site had sound anyway. Hope you didn't get busted too badly...

[KyleC]

someone help me =/ im stuck on 3 =/ still even after everyones posts can someone just give me answer or something grrr >.<

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Why is 11 so easy?

Doesnt make sense to have one so easy in there.

[/ QUOTE ]

So you didn't spend 20 minutes typing deeper, moredeep, subdeep, and a bunch of other variants?

~D

[/ QUOTE ]


Nope. I got it first shot.

rJ

[rusty JEDI]

[ QUOTE ]
someone help me =/ im stuck on 3 =/ still even after everyones posts can someone just give me answer or something grrr >.<

[/ QUOTE ]

I also have nothing for you.

/images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Where do I even start on 12?? All I see is "you die" and "work" on the bottom crank...

[rusty JEDI]

you need to use all 3 of the cranks with letters.

rJ

[BreakEvenPlayer]

Got it... Stuck on 15 but I think I'm just making it harder than it is.

[Duke]

If anyone is on 39 I'd like to hear how they got past #38. Not the answer, just some sort of hint at the method.

What I've looked at:

Various transformations on the capital letters in the hint, including (but not limited to) straight text-> numbers, various "nth occurrence" things on the grid using the "key" on the lower right to find the proper next letter and moving off the starting letter in the hinted direction based on the number that the original capital maps to, looking for straight clues in the grid (POLAND RULEZ was funny), starting with the highlighted X and moving around as per the key on the lower right based on the numbers created by turning the capitals in the hint to numbers as per the TIME FOR TEA hint thing, and guessing random strings.

I did all of these things using the lowercase letters as well. No actual words are popping out at me thus far, so I'm still plodding along.

I screwed with the image as much as possible, though I haven't yet turned it into straight binary looking for a clue in the file itself. This would be tough to do in a jpeg, though, so I doubt that that would be the answer. It's not a gif so it can't be a colormap clue like they used in the past, nor is it a psd so it can't be a layer clue.

I'm getting to the point where I might just give up on this thing since it's finally proven to be too tough for me. I've spent more time on #38 than on the rest of the puzzle combined. Whoever gets to 39 before me has my props.

~D