Lanlan Mosaic Cube

LanLan Mosaic Cube

A corner-turning puzzle in which every corner turns at two depths: a shallower one and a deeper one. The LanLan Mosaic Cube is a version of the Mosaic Cube designed by Oskar van Deventer and previously produced by Meffert's. The original did not turn well and felt rather unstable. LanLan changed the cuts to a curved shape, which is why this puzzle is also known as the Curvy Mosaic, 8-Axis Mosaic or Curvy Dino Cube. The body is black, with stickers.

How to solve the Mosaic Cube

The puzzle has 8 axes of rotation, one for each corner. If you only do deep corner turns, it behaves exactly like a Redi Cube. Shallow turns also scramble the edges, so the whole thing feels more like a "Master Redi Cube". A large part of the solution can be done intuitively. A common approach is to reduce it to a Redi Cube and then finish with 3-cycles for the remaining pieces. If you have solved a Redi Cube, Dino Cube or Skewb, you will quickly notice the similarities.

Mechanism and feel

This is not a puzzle for speedsolving, and it is better to know that before you buy. Out of the box, the turning can be fairly stiff, and lockups happen from time to time, especially when you turn faster. Reviewers say lube helps, and some also loosen the screws. Be careful with this kind of adjustment: there are reports that after loosening, the corners pop out more easily. The puzzle is best turned calmly and precisely. The stickers are generally well rated: they are applied evenly and do not peel off.

Who is it for?

For collectors of unusual puzzles, or for anyone who has already mastered the Redi Cube or Dino Cube and is looking for something harder with similar logic. When scrambled, the puzzle forms a dense pattern of small pieces of colour, so it also looks great on a shelf. For a child's first cube, a classic 3x3 is a better choice. The Mosaic Cube makes more sense for someone who already solves puzzles and enjoys figuring out new mechanisms on their own.

Specifications

• Type: corner-turning puzzle, 8 axes of rotation, two layers per corner
• Manufacturer: LanLan
• Other names: Curvy Mosaic, 8-Axis Mosaic, Curvy Dino Cube
• Original design: Mosaic Cube (designed by Oskar van Deventer)
• Size: approx. 56 mm
• Weight: approx. 137 g
• Colour: black body, stickers