Looking for a gentle stimulation of the mind, or maybe something that will cause your brain to melt down? This genre is here to deliver. From cozy puzzles you can enjoy with a cup of tea, to complex mysteries that will have you pulling out your hair, we’ve compiled a list of puzzle game recommendations for every kind of player out there.
Now sit back, relax, and get that brain working.
If you love language… Chants of Sennaar
On top of being an award-winning puzzle game, Chants of Sennaar happens to be one of my favourite games of all time. Inspired by the Myth of Babel, you play as the Traveler on a quest to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Encounter five distinct Peoples as you scale the tower, using the principles of language to decipher ancient conversation and restore the link between cultures.
If you love spatial puzzles… COCOON
From the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE, this award-winning puzzle game doesn’t disappoint. COCOON takes you an adventure across worlds within worlds, where you master world-leaping mechanics and solve intricate puzzles to unravel a cosmic mystery. Basically, Christopher Nolan’s Inception but if you were a bug.
If you love organising… A Little To The Left
All I can say is, this cozy organising game was a viral hit for a reason. A Little To The Left is a short and light puzzle game where you sort, stack, and organise household items into visually pleasing arrangements. With over 100 satisfying messes to tidy up, and 2 paid DLCs to extend the fun, this game is a perfect shot of dopamine in the middle of your busy day.
If you love playing logic puzzles… Is This Seat Taken?
Continuing on with the cozy vibes, Is This Seat Taken? is a hilariously relatable logic puzzle game, where you play matchmaker for groups of particular people. Each character has a unique list of requirements that makes seating them a delightful challenge, while short levels makes it easy to pop in and out of the game throughout your day.
If you love playing detective… Return of the Obra Dinn
Return of the Obra Dinn is a quintessential detective game for fans of the genre. From the developer behind Papers Please, this first-person mystery adventure takes you back to the 1800’s when the good ship Obra Dinn drifts back into port with damaged sails and no visible crew. You play as an insurance investigator who must prepare an assessment of damages, using nothing but logical deduction… and the powers of time travel?
If you like internet rabbit holes… The Roottrees Are Dead
The Roottrees Are Dead begins when a private jet belonging to the Roottree Corporation crashes, resulting in the deaths of the Roottree Sisters and their parents. As a genealogical expert, arm yourself with the power of your mighty dial-up modem to scour the Internet for clues and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation. Perfect for gamers who pride themselves on their internet stalking skills.
If you love escape rooms… Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is best described as a surrealist escape room, filled to the brim with handcrafted puzzles and riddles that will make you pick up a paper and pen — quite literally. Its non-linear structure and twenty-hour average gameplay time isn’t made for the weak, but puzzle fans looking for a challenge will fall head over heels with this one.
If you just love puzzles… Wilmot Works It Out
To end the list on a favourite from last year, Wilmot Works It Out is a (quite literal) puzzle game. You play as a tiny cube with a puzzle club subscription, who is slowly but surely turning his new house into a home with each art piece you complete. There are a total of 60 original puzzles and 8 seasons to get through, so pull up with a cup of tea and get ready to relax.
Did you find a new game to add to your wishlist? Let us know in the comments below!
