YJ TianYuan v2

YJ TianYuan V2

YJ TianYuan V2 (also known as TianYuan O2 Cube V2) is the second of three puzzles in the TianYuan series from YJ. It looks like a cube with a sphere inside. The outer frame is rigid and does not turn. The middle part rotates independently of it, and that is the part you solve. The puzzle has no stickers: the plastic comes in a stickerless bright colour scheme.

How this shape mod works

In practice, it is a modification of a 3x3 cube. The corners are extended and joined into a single fixed frame, so you don't need to solve them. What remains are the centers and edges, which you solve by turning the middle part of the puzzle. Moves feel different from a regular 3x3 because you grip the layers through the frame. Some users say turning feels awkward at first, but you get used to it quickly.

V1, V2 or V3?

The TianYuan versions differ in difficulty, and V2 sits in the middle:

• V1 has a wide frame that covers the edges. At rest, you can really only see the centers.
• V2 has a narrower frame than V1, so the edges are visible and it's easier to follow what happens as you turn. However, they are still partly hidden below the surface and are easier to see only while turning. This means the puzzle can look solved even though something inside is still out of place.
• V3 is the hardest version. Besides centers and edges, it also has corners on the outside that you solve separately.

Who is it for?

For people who can solve a 3x3 and want to try something unusual without jumping into really difficult puzzles. Thanks to the visible edges, V2 is more approachable than V1, and it doesn't require solving corners like V3. It also works well as an affordable addition to a shape mod collection or as a gift for a child who already knows the classic cube. This is not a model for timed speedcubing. It's a curiosity that makes you think a little.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: YJ (YongJun)
• Type: shape mod, 3x3 modification
• Series: TianYuan (O2 Cube), version V2
• To solve: centers and edges (fixed outer frame)
• Size: 57 mm
• Weight: 82 g
• Colour scheme: stickerless bright
• In the box: puzzle and instructions with the solution