No but it might be a exponential function mixed with a cat and mouse game. Exponential squeeze. Like we are boiling in a pot as Houdini Hoodwinks cranks the temperature up. Grandpa just likes shiny things.

That depends. Is the puzzle alive and capable of reasonable thought?

It really isn't a high bar for any inanimate object to be smarter than me.

No, but the puzzle maker probably is.

It could also just be poorly designed.

I'm thinking back to some of the old point and click adventures where the answer was essentially impossible to logic your way into.

Long answer: No, there are more variables in the equation of solvability than just difficulty and intelligence. There are also different kinds of intelligence, each one their own measurement.

Short answer: Only if it makes you cry.

A lot of those old games were designed in such a way that you were encouraged to call the 900 number for help.

It wasn’t enough to pay for the game, they wanted you to call their paid hint line too. Nintendo was really bad for this.

sorta, through the person who created it.