Hanayama Cast Loop is a metal puzzle from Hanayama, a.k.a Huzzle, that’s really fun and satisfying to solve.
In this quick review I’m breaking down Cast Loop. It’s a level 1 out of 6 according to the Hanayama scale, but that doesn’t mean you’ll solve it immediately.
It’s still a fun, little challenge.
Enjoy!
To read the written review, keep scrolling!
I love puzzles.
But most puzzles in my collection are either too difficult, too expensive, or too big to give to friends.
Because of that, I bought 6 or 7 new Hanayamas, one of them being Cast Loop.
I bought it to give it to friends and family, to let the puzzle do the selling of the hobby.
Sometimes you give a puzzle to a friend and if it’s a 200$ sequential discovery puzzle box – you won’t really be able to lend it to non-puzzling friends for months.
To really make someone understand how cool puzzling really is, you need to give them a puzzle that won’t make them feel…
Stupid.
The thing is, when you solve a puzzle, you can feel a little frustrated sometimes, especially if you look at it as if it’s a test of intelligence.
Here’s a quote from Nick Baxter regarding this:
If we think of puzzles as a fun hobby and we stop thinking of them as a test of intelligence, they won’t be as frustrating. Instead, they become much more fun!
N. Baxter
Giving your friends an easy puzzle will help them feel that the puzzle is achievable to them.
Chances are they will enjoy it more!
And that’s why I bought Hanayama Cast Loop.
How good is it?
I solved it, I showed it, and I lent it, and this is how it went.
Lets go!
Cast Loop
A spoiler-free overview.
Hanayama’s Cast puzzles are usually the best value per money puzzles you can ever get. All of them cost around 15$ and they all can keep you puzzling for a loooong time.
Although there are some Hanayamas that are much easier than that – and Cast Loop is among them.
This one is a level 1 out of 6, but it’s not as easy as expected!
When I got it, I said to myself – it’s only level 1! It must be easy peasy, I’ll solve it in no time.
But it actually took me around 5 minutes to solve it, and when I did it, I had a very cool a-ha! moment. I was not sure how I did it at first, but it was so fun and satisfying!
I’ve solved it again and again and again and again, and then I gave it to many people to try as well. Even my girlfriend solved this puzzle and liked it! Usually when I give her puzzles she just spins them or throws them on the ground, ending the manouvre with a swift “ok I’m done”.
But with Loop, after she heard it’s a level 1, she said to herself – “I can do it” – and she did!
I’m proud of you Gaia!
This puzzle is beautiful, elegant, fun to play with both as a puzzle and as a fidget toy.
I took it with me in my pocket all day, went to the doctor, and fiddled with it all the while. I even considered giving it to random people on the street to try and solve.
Funnily enough, I later made a video where I challenged random people to solve Loop!
Loop’s Verdict
This puzzle is best for –
Wanderers! (beginner solvers)
That’s because it’s a very very simple puzzle, it’s very cheap and enjoyable for nonpuzzlers.
If you’ve only started puzzling today or last week, you should try Loop.
If you’re a Champion (experienced solver) or a Hunter (hardcore collector), here’s something you should know –
Cast Loop is one of the best puzzles I ever got for lending to people. Non puzzlers can solve and understand it real fast, and they will love it.
The satisfaction your friends will get from playing with Cast Loop will actually achieve you something bigger – your friends will want to play with more of your puzzles!
At any rate, if you don’t need an easy puzzle – just consider getting this puzzle for this purpose to spread this hobby.
Which is one of my most important missions!
Anyway guys, thanks so much for your support. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see y’all next time.
Get Loop from Puzzle Master or Crux Puzzles,
Or check out more cool Hanayamas here.