LanLan 4-Corners Plus

LanLan 4-Corners Plus

LanLan 4-Corners Plus is a corner-turning shape mod puzzle. Some sellers call it the 4-Corners Gemini. The challenge is that the corners don't all behave the same way: half of them turn in one direction and the rest in the opposite one. After just a few moves the cube loses its cubic shape, and to solve it you first need to understand how the two types of turns affect each other.

How this puzzle works

The cube shapeshifts quickly, often after just a few turns. The Plus version has several different cuts, so depending on the move, a larger or smaller part of the cube rotates. This makes it easy to lose your bearings after a scramble, and it takes longer to learn the mechanism than with typical corner-turning puzzles such as the Skewb. There's no established method here. Solving it takes your own analysis, a search for commutators and patience.

Turning out of the box

This is a puzzle for figuring out, not for speedsolving. According to user reviews, the cube turns quite stiffly at first, and the hard plastic and sharper piece edges can tire your fingers during longer sessions. Some also mention audible spring noise. After lubing and breaking it in, the turning improves noticeably, so it's a good idea to have some cube lube on hand right away. No magnets.

Who is it for?

For cubers who already know the standard puzzles (3x3, Skewb, Pyraminx) and are looking for something unusual for their collection or to solve on their own. It's a good fit for intermediate and advanced solvers who enjoy shape mods and don't get discouraged when a puzzle scrambles heavily. For a child's first puzzle, it's better to choose something simpler, because without the basics, the 4-Corners Plus can quickly become discouraging.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Type: corner-turning shape mod puzzle
• Also known as: 4-Corners Gemini
• Size: 58 x 58 x 58 mm
• Weight: approx. 165 g (cube only)
• Magnets: none
• Body colour: black