I might sound biased, but most regular gamers would agree that puzzle games are unique among other game genres. Because they not only keep you thoroughly engaged, but also challenge your creative and cognitive abilities. These puzzle games can frustrate the hell out of you, while, contrarily, you get in a flow state and feel like a genius by solving the puzzle.
But here’s the catch: “puzzle games” has a broad meaning to it. That’s when the puzzle enthusiasts get even more puzzled when they go on the internet to find the best puzzle games.
Being a puzzle games lover myself, I have compiled a list of the Top 10 Puzzle Games, covering the best games from multiple genres of puzzle games. Let’s get into it.
Top 10 Puzzle Games So Good That You Can’t Stop Obsessing Over Them
Before I unveil the list of classic puzzle games, I’d like to let you know that I don’t have any affiliation with the developers. It’s based only on my personal experience with the following games. So, are you ready? Let’s go!
10. The Room Two
Platforms
iOS, Android, Windows
Release Year
2013 – 2016
Genre
Mystery, Adventure
Developer
Fireproof Games
Game Mode
Single-player
The Room Two is considered as one of the Top 10 Puzzle Games, obviously, the sequel of The Room that you must have played if you are a puzzle game lover. The graphics and animations have improved a lot in The Room Two. Overall, it has five chapters in which the difficulty level is increased as you progress through each chapter. There’s just one thing: you might find it too dark in this game. However, that drawback can be overlooked, considering the game’s other great features. I’d recommend it to you if you’re a fan of playing mystery puzzle games.
9. The Witness
Platforms
Windows, macOS, PS4, Xbox, iOS
Release Year
2016 – 2018
Genre
Exploration, First-Person
Developer
Thekla, Inc.
Game Mode
Single-player
The Witness is a powerful game because it completely occupies your brain when you play it. You play in first-person and navigate complicated mazes using maps. The puzzles are a bit difficult to crack, but that’s what you are looking for, isn’t it? It might sound too much, but when you play this game, there’s a skill you develop subconsciously in your mind, which is finding the solutions to the problem. When I was playing this, it got on my nerves, to be honest. And I loved the experience!
8. Baba Is You
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Release Year
2019 – 2021
Genre
Rule-Manipulation, Logic
Developer
Arvi Teikari
Game Mode
Single-player
‘Baba is You’ is an interesting puzzle game if you rock a word! Because you have to manipulate the words to make a sentence to move forward in the game. I loved it when I tried playing it. It makes you think critically, creatively, and analytically about how you can improve. You’d enjoy yourself because at first you’d think ‘Nah man, it’s impossible to solve this one’ and then you solve the puzzle, of course, if you keep trying. You’ll feel like a words-master at that point 😀.
7. I Love Hue Too
Platforms
Android, iOS
Release Year
2020
Genre
Color Sorting, Abstract
Developer
Zut Games Ltd
Game Mode
Single-player
I Love Hue Too is a follow-up to I Love Hue. To put it simply, you have to align the color pattern according to its gradient pattern by sorting them out. We are all occupied by worries, and our minds are frazzled by the countless scrolls on social media platforms, which billionaires take advantage of. On the contrary, these kinds of indie games feel like a breath of fresh air. It’s a simple yet enjoyable game that you can download easily on your mobile device and start coloring!
6. World of Goo 2
Platforms
Windows, macOS
Release Year
2024
Genre
Physics-based, Multiplayer, Simulation
Developer
2D Boy
Game Mode
Single-player, Local Multiplayer
World of Goo 2 has been the sweetest reward for the gamers who have been playing since the original game was launched in 2008. By the way, it was one of the first few games based on physics. You have to create boxes and structures with goo to complete the current chapter so that you can move on to the next one. It has five chapters in total that you have to complete to win the game. Moreover, it has received different awards, including Outstanding Achievement in Game Design at the 12th Interactive Achievement Awards.
5. Return of the Obra Dinn
Platforms
Windows, macOS, PS4, Xbox One
Release Year
2018 – 2019
Genre
Mystery, Adventure
Developer
Lucas Pope
Game Mode
Single-player
Return of the Obra Dinn is considered one of the greatest games to redefine the mystery and adventure genres. You’ll feel like an actual investigation officer yourself, unlike other games that give off fake investigation vibes – you wouldn’t like that, would you? The reason is that it makes you hunt for actual clues that lead you towards ‘solving the case like a true detective’. As per my own experience, the dopamine hit you get after beating this game is unexplainable. The design, the concept, the story, the plot, everything is just so on point!
4. Lara Croft GO
Platforms
Windows, PS4, PS Vita, iOS, Android
Release Year
2015
Genre
Turn-based puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Square Enix Montréal
Game Mode
Single-player
Lara Croft GO isn’t known for its difficulty in solving puzzles or progressing through the various challenges. But I can’t forget to mention the smooth and thoroughly engaging design that doesn’t let us get bored for a moment. Although this game is often considered a replica of Tomb Raider, it offers a similar overall experience. I was thrilled to play a game that is visually so satisfying, especially on mobile. Even if you are not familiar with Tomb Raider, you should try it out!
3. The Forgotten City
Platforms
Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series
Release Year
2021
Genre
Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Developer
Modern Storyteller
Game Mode
Single-player
A gamer with a love for story-based puzzle games wouldn’t want to miss out on this one. The Forgotten City is one of the most popular games because it gives you an experience of exploring a story rather than putting your mind to solving a problem. One of the outstanding features of this game is the acting & voices of the characters. If you’re passionate about beating the game, it wouldn’t take more than 10 hours. But I like to take it slow and experience the small details of the games that make the experience better. The official description tells us that it’s a mystery game where the time loop is exploited.
2. Return To Monkey Island
Platforms
Windows, macOS, PS5, Xbox Series
Release Year
2022
Genre
Point-and-Click
Developer
Terrible Toybox
Game Mode
Single-player
The lovers of Monkey Island waited for another part of this series eagerly. After 30 years, Ron Gilbert, the game’s creator, has been given the chance to put his input into the game’s direction. Gamers have enjoyed playing this one out of the series so much because of its hilarious and challenging situations. I liked it because of its blend of comedy that makes playing Return of Monkey Island even more fun. It’s directed in a clever way than the previous versions of this series, which is, in fact, very delightful & surprising.
1. Block Blast
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Android
Release Year
2022
Genre
Block Puzzle
Developer
Hungry Studio
Game Mode
Single-player
Block Blast is an impressive and addictive puzzle game. It’s a modern version of the traditional Tetris puzzle, where a player must arrange block patterns to clear as many lines as possible and achieve the highest score on the game board. It keeps players engaging and also helps improve their IQ levels and strategic thinking. The best thing is that you can play it online here, and it’s completely free. I remember playing this game one time non-stop till 3 am, and it impacted me so hard that I couldn’t get out of it for 2 days. But I highly recommend giving it a go!
Conclusion:
While wrapping this up, I’d like to say that, being a game lover myself, I understand that I don’t enjoy playing every game I’m recommended, so do you. And that’s the beauty of these puzzle games, everyone has their own choices. I tried my best to mention all of the top-tier puzzle games I loved when I played it.