There’s something for everyone in the puzzle genre, whether you’re a mobile gamer or want a light challenge for your brain.
If you’re a hardcore player, don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you! If you want some games that will split your brain in half, here’s a selection of fantastic titles to do it with.
10Magnet Block
Magnets Are Magic
Key Information
Isaac Andrews
Sokoban Puzzler
Release Date
November 2022
Many of the best puzzle games use a combination of simple mechanics to create something much more complex than the sum of its parts.
Magnet Blockdoes precisely this and is aminimal puzzler that rewards logic. Your goal is simply to reach the exit button, but an ever more complex assortment of obstacles stands in your way.
For example, you can push red and blue blocks, but matching colors repel each other, while opposites attract. Add fresh elements, like coils to charge, and you have a busy puzzle title where many levels seemimpossible until you experiment.
Magnet Blockmay not look too impressive from the screenshot, but the minimal visuals mean you always know what’s happening, and there are over 75 levels to test your resolve.
A Personal Favorite
3D Adventure
The original PlayStation has several devious puzzle games, but the one that kicked my butt the hardest isCasper.
I played this one on Stream as a joke and quickly became invested. You play Casper as hesolves puzzles around Whipstaff Manor. He has several unlockable abilities or “morphs,” which allow him to explore the map further and discover new areas.
Casper is a challenging game because there’szero help with navigation. you may find switches that open doors but have no clue where they may be. The same goes for general clues and puzzle items.
Unless you draw a map (there’s no such thing in-game), Whipstaff Manor is a surprisingly devious setting for a punishing puzzler thatno kid could ever finish.
8Snakebird Complete
Cute But Cruel
Snakebird Complete
Snakebird Completeoffers a fresh take on the old-school “snake” game, introducinggravity and puzzle solving.
InSnakebird, you must reach every piece of fruit on the map before heading to the exit. You grow every time you eat something, and it’s easy to trap yourself if you’re not careful.
The part that will take time to adjust to is the physics. Unlike the classic mobile game,you’re stuck to the ground, although you can climb up the scenery given the opportunity.
Noumenon Games takes this idea as far as it can go with some genius-grade puzzles where a single wrong input can ruin the entire level.
Don’t let those colorful graphics fool you,Snakebird Completeis tough as nails.
7Baba is You
Baba Is Never Beating This Game
Baba Is You
Baba is Youis a brutal mind-bender withclever wordplayat the root of its puzzles.
You influence the world by stringing keywords together, and they followa unique logic. For example, making the phrase “Baba Is You Is Push” means you control Baba and can push objects.
Conversely, “You is Push” might give you control of the word “Push” instead. That’s a simple example, andBaba is Youtakes this mechanic as far as it can go.
Puzzles are tough but can be solved withlogic and experimentation. Oh, there’s even a spin-off title whereBaba fills out taxes!
6Jelly no Puzzle
Looks Are Deceiving
2D Puzzler
November 2018
Jelly no Puzzlemay have a goofy name, but it’s a punishing puzzler that’sfar more difficult than it looks.
The plan is simple.Blocks of matching colors merge togetherwhen they connect. You win once every block is merged.
The trick is completing this task in an order where you don’t obstruct your future merges. It’s a simple concept that’s perfectly executed, and stages quickly become relentlessly crafty.
There’s alot of trial and errorinJelly no Puzzle, but it’s always rewarding when you nail a particularly rough stage.
10 Coolest Puzzles In Horror Games
Players won’t have to think too hard on appreciating these puzzles.
5Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
An Eclectic Murder Mystery
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyesis a beautiful game that tests yourarithmetic, deduction, and observation. Weloved this title during the review period, and it’s a must-have for puzzle fans.
You play as Lorelei, who arrives at a strangely empty hotel to participate in a mysterious project. I’m being purposely vague as the story is excellent, and I don’t want to spoil it.
There arehundreds of puzzlesthroughout the mansion, from grand multistep processes to memory games where the wrong answer will literally get you killed.
This is a game where itpays to have a notepad handy, and I love that as a feature. There are so many things you’ll stroll across that are handy later, andLorelei and the Laser Eyesalways rewards a keen eye. There’s also a creepy undertone that horror fans will lap up.
4Stephen’s Sausage Roll
All This To Cook A Sausage?!
3D Puzzler
April 2016
Stephen’s Sausage Rollis an intricate puzzler so inspired that the creator ofBaba is Yousaysit’s one of their favoritesof all time.
With that glowing endorsement, let me introduce one of the strangest puzzlers on the market. Your goal is topush sausages onto a grilland cook without burning them.
Stephen always holds a skewer in front of him, which can be used to move sausages around the map. The controls feel awkward at first, but all the odd movements, like walking backwards, are required to solve puzzles.
Stephen’s Sausage Rollis excellent, and it’s alsobrutal from level one.
Lemmingsis aclassic puzzle gamewith old-school difficulty.
For the uninitiated, a line of lemmings drops into the stage, and it’s up to you to get them to the exit.You assign them powers, like digging or parachuting, and you’ll need every tool at your disposal to reach the exit quota.
There are plenty of different abilities, each with unique quirks, and the most demanding levels require mastery of all of them.
One thing I adore aboutLemmingsis, while it is an unforgiving monster at times, thebeginner stages are accessible for newcomers.
If you want to try a tough puzzler without feeling like you need to wear the dunce cap from the get-go, this one is for you.
TheAmiga version is arguably the best, but even the Sony PSP title is great if you can get it.
2SpaceChem
Yeah, Science!
Zachtronics
Simulation/Puzzle
January 2011
I’ve praised many games on this list for providing a simple premise that’s easy to understand.SpaceChemis proof thattricky concepts can be just as effective.
Your objective is to create atomic particles using “Waldos”, which drag atoms around circuits you create.Circuits quickly become rather complex, and simple commands like “Sync” allow multiple Waldos to run in tandem.
Unlike many puzzlers,SpaceChem is open-ended, and your puzzle solutions may look entirely different from those of other players.
I’ll be honest: SpaceChem makes my head spin. That said, I love how intricate the premise is, and just because it doesn’t click for me doesn’t mean it won’t click for you.
A Mind-Bending Puzzle Platformer
Fezis a gorgeousMetroidbraniawith some of the most devious puzzles in the genre.
The idea of a 2D character stuck in a 3D world has been done before, but I’ve never seen it as well executed as inFez.
Yourmovement is strictly bound to the 2D plain, but the world can be turned to reveal new platforms and items. It’s mind-boggling watching 3D worlds settle into 2D space for you to tackle, and this genius idea is woven into the gameplay on every screen.
Thepixel art graphics are stunning, and the charming style and soundtrack are calming even when you’re hopelessly lost.
While beautiful and unique,Fezis easily one of the most challenging puzzle games I’ve ever played. And no, I absolutely didn’t finish it.
