Puzzuzu Origins: From Survivor Superfan to Solver-Builder

Twenty-five years ago, I kept hearing about this new reality TV show where they dump folks on an island and make them form tribes, tackle ridiculous challenges, and vote somebody out at the end of each episode. I didn't think much about it, but in the end, there was no resisting the buzz. I tuned in just in time to hear Sue Hawk's legendary "Rats vs Snakes" speech, and by the end of that final tribal council, I was instantly hooked.

Since the end of that first season, I dreamed of being on Survivor, but I never seriously considered applying until recently. But before I send in a tape (they still accept VHS tapes, right?), I want to get my act together so I can put my best foot forward. Part of that means getting into shape (middle-aged computer programmer-bod isn't going to cut it in physical challenges), and part of it means being able to demonstrate I could carry my weight in puzzles.

Just doing slide puzzles wasn't going to be enough. I wanted something that could help me improve, and I found the internet lacking. So I set out to create a place that would house a collection of puzzles found on Survivor and include tools to help me get better.

Puzzle Origins

Almost every puzzle on Puzzuzu has appeared on Survivor, and those that haven't are still somewhat related:

Ball Stacks

Inspired by the journey puzzle Rachel solved in Season 47, Episode 11. The timing mechanism was so unique there's even an article about it on TV Insider.

Orthogonal Slide

The word "Orthogonal" popped up in a Season 47 Final Tribal Council conversation (Andy used it memorably), and I co-opted it to clearly distinguish our multi-shape sliding puzzles. Two puzzles used in the show are available from Survivor: Edge of Extinction and Survivor: David vs. Goliath. Interestingly, these are a lot easier than some of the more "famous" slide puzzles—I can't imagine doing the hard ones while being all hungry and hot.

Sequence Queue

Based on a queue-style logic game seen during a journey that Mary, Mitch, and Thomas took in Season 48, Episode 2 (Humble Traits).

Classic Sliding Tile

These types of puzzles pop up all the time on Survivor. Master the simple algorithm and you'll impress Jeff.

Tower of Hanoi

(aka Temple Transfer) This puzzle has appeared in a couple of Survivor seasons. It hasn't been seen in a while, but you never know when it will make a comeback. Here's a video from season 23 where it was included as part of a three-part challenge.

Instant Insanity

(aka Sea Crates) A classic puzzle seen on Survivor that can come in many forms—from regularly sized puzzles to giant crates tribes have to drag from the ocean.

Symquations

Inspired by math/equation challenges seen in a few seasons of Survivor—most recently in Season 45, Episode 9, Sword of Damocles. Can you solve the problem from that season? Make the following equation make sense by putting plus and minus symbols between the digits: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 = 100

Gator Gridlock

Not a Survivor challenge, but the hero "Jungle Jeff" is a friendly nod to the one and only Jeff Probst.

Tetravex

Not on Survivor (yet), but I felt it was tailor-made for the format. I could image an in game version would be where tribes would have to pick up giant tiles and have to match up themed symbols. Even a 3x3 version of this puzzle would be challenging and probably pretty hard to complete by committee.

Why isn't this site more Survivor themed?

Originally, I wanted to name this site something that merged the word "Puzzle" with a tribal-sounding vibe. One of ChatGPT's suggestions was "Puzzuzu," and I felt like it fit the bill perfectly.

It wasn't until later that I realized Puzzuzu is very similar to Pazuzu, an ancient Mesopotamian wind demon made famous by the movie The Exorcist. Whoops!

By then I was too invested to start over with another name, so I decided to lean into a cute little demon theme instead.

Please Help

If you've got thoughts, requests, or links to your favorite challenge moments, I want to hear them. In the meantime, jump into a puzzle and sharpen those torch-worthy instincts.