Desktop Dungeons: In the Middle

I recently tried Desktop Dungeons.

It looked like the usual fantasy Rogue-like game.

At first, it looked like a simple Rogue-like game in a fantasy setting. A hero explores a dungeon, a small one, which is expected to take 10 to 20 minutes. There is only one main floor. There may be portals that lead to smaller levels but the main action is on the main floor. The promise of short quick play sessions was what drew me to the game.

Add in a city-building gameplay with loot from dungeon runs.

Loot from dungeons is used to build a kingdom. Buying and upgrading buildings unlocks different types of heroes, bonuses and equipment to send and use in the dungeons.

The game looked like the standard RPG game. But after playing the game for some time, it felt more like a puzzle game. The random dungeons are built in such a way that careful management of the available resources is necessary to complete the dungeon with lots of loot. Otherwise, one may have to quit the dungeon early with pitiful loot.

There are also fixed puzzle dungeons that have to be solved in a particular way. These dungeons are supposed to teach the players tricks to use in the random dungeons. However, some of the puzzles are downright difficult.

I had to look for a solution on the Internet for the 'In the Middle' puzzle, which was the last of the puzzles introducing the Gnome race. Further below in this article is a series of screenshots which will provide hints to the solution (the solution can be found easily with an Internet search) for those who would like hints rather than the solution.

The plus side to the difficulty is that it is extremely satisfying if I am able to solve a puzzle on my own. It is also satisfying to use the tricks I learned to beat random dungeons, especially after using each and every resource available to wrestle a victory from defeat.

I read an opinion on game difficulty once, which stated that if a game is too difficult, the player can look for help on the Internet. However, if the game is too easy, it spoils the game for players looking for a challenge.

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Anyway, here are the screenshots that will hint at the solution to the 'In the Middle' puzzle dungeon, the last of the dungeons introducing the Gnomes. Spaces are added between screenshots so you can see as many or as few hints as you wish.

This is the puzzle.

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Next screenshot will hint at the first steps, which should be easy to figure out, especially with the in-game hint.
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This hint should not be necessary but it is nice to have confirmation that one is working in the right direction.
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After the first steps.

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The next screenshot is the first twist to the obvious-but-not-correct solution.
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I had considered this twist but failing to find the solution in this direction, I gave up and went back to search the obvious-but-not-correct direction for the solution.
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The next direction to take.

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The next screenshot is after a very big twist in the solution. It really goes to show the extreme measures required to snatch victory out of defeat.
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These are the sort of methods that make the puzzles and the game so difficult.
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Note the HP of the monsters.

The solution should be easy to figure out from here on. If you cannot, than this game is way too difficult for you.

Finally, one beats the dungeon boss:

Just before victory.