Tag: Meta

None of the answers to the feeder puzzles (BUNS, DRAWER, LEEK, MAPS, NUTS, PUPILS, TRESSED, and WOLF) match the clues given in this metapuzzle. However, each of the answers forms a new word when reversed, and each of those words matches a given clue.

• Move forward (1) = FLOW
• Hull part (4) = KEEL
• Mistake (3) = SLIP-UP
• Junk Mail (2) = SPAM
• Pavlova (7) = DESSERT
• Floor (3) = STUN
• Prize (1) = REWARD
• Eschew (2) = SNUB

The numbers can be used to index into the reversed answers, for example the 1st letter of FLOW is F. Doing this for all eight answers yields the meta solution of FLIP TURN.

This metapuzzle was actually not written until after half the puzzles had been released. It was originally a more high-concept puzzle, still based on reversing the words, but not as easy to work out. It also had the flaw of barely using the feeder puzzle answers. I knew it wasn’t the best metapuzzle, though I thought it good enough to publish. However, following Fantastical Journeys dropping like a load of bricks, I knew I wanted a tighter, if not super creative, metapuzzle, and I wrote this puzzle to use the answers I already had.

The eight answers to the previous puzzles fit together in the grid in exactly two ways (either the image shown here, or it’s horizontal reflection).

The intersections of the answers, clued by the darker green, as well as the inclusion of the word “cross” in the title, can be read clockwise around the outside of the grid from the C to spell out COMMENDATION. If you completed this puzzle set, you definitely deserve a commendation.

Each of the answers to the previous seven puzzles completes one of the clues in the metapuzzle. Each of these clues indicates an elf from a different source which fits into the blanks:

Some of the letters have numbers under them. Reading these in order spells out the answer phrase YOU ARE A GIFT. This both fits the Christmas theme, and is true. Thank you for solving my puzzles this year.

Solvers are given a line of kids in costume. Comparing the costumes to the puzzle answers reveals that each answer has one of the costumes at its beginning and end. For example, DOorbeLL contains DOLL around its outside. What’s more, the remaining letters inside the costume can be anagrammed into the names of one of the children, with one letter left over. In this example, the remaining ORBE can be rearranged to make ROB with an extra E. The completed sets are given below, in order from left to right.

Taking these extra letters in order gives the solution TRES CHIC, which is a French phrase meaning “very stylish”. This refers both to the kids in their costumes, and also to you and your solving skills.