It always annoys me in Under The Sphinx that the scrap of paper clue isn't better thought out. Yes, the push panel codes to open the gates are hidden in the dark alcoves through one of the gates but of course you can only get to that area by using the highly unlikely code given by the scrap of paper clue.
Apparently it is simply an alphabetic order thing ie. you translate the hieroglyphics into their modern letter equivalents using the clue and then press them in alphabetical order.
As various walkthroughs point out this is a stupidly unlikely coincidence that the switch combination of a three thousand year old 'puzzle' happens to match modern alphabetical order.
But what annoys me more is that in one of the gate rooms (East?) with alcove switches, some with pickups or a switch but others scarabs, those too are marked with hieroglyphic symbol. But were they given any obvious meaning via the scrap of paper clue? Not as far as I know - again it is just a random chance thing.
How easy would have been to make it into a proper puzzle? Very.
Even is they'd used the same modern alphabetic translation nonsense they could have made it so the order you searched the alcoves gave you a reward ie. no scarabs. There are plenty of other intelligent puzzle ideas they could have used but didn't.
Its is like the TR3 switch puzzle to get into the second area of Tinnos, despite the switches being marked with symbols it is just a random puzzle despite some unconvincing claims that they do have a meaning.
In TR1's Palace Midas the switch puzzle with Greek letters shows how to do this sort of thing far better.
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