I love puzzle games. Love them! I have spent countless hours searching for the best puzzle games on Steam and other platforms. Puzzle games can be kind of hard to rate in a list because the mechanics vary so wildly that it’s hard to compare one puzzle game to another totally different puzzle game. Puzzle games span genres, often invent new mechanics, and vary wildly on how much/how little overt storytelling they include.
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What are Puzzle Games?
Puzzle games are a genre of interactive digital entertainment that challenges players’ problem-solving skills and critical thinking through the presentation of various puzzles and brainteasers within a virtual environment. Players typically engage in tasks that require logic, pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and creativity to progress through levels or scenarios, often involving manipulating objects, rearranging elements, or finding hidden connections. These games encourage players to explore different approaches, experiment with solutions, and derive a sense of satisfaction from unraveling complex challenges.
Puzzle video games encompass a wide variety of subgenres, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and challenges. Some of the different types of puzzle video games include:
- Tile-Matching: These games involve matching or aligning tiles with similar patterns or colors to clear them from the game board, such as Tetris, Bejeweled, and Candy Crush.
- Physics-Based: In these games, players manipulate objects or elements within a physics simulation to achieve specific goals, like Angry Birds or Portal.
- Logic and Deduction: Games in this category require players to use logical reasoning and deduction to solve complex puzzles, like Sudoku, Picross, or The Witness.
- Point-and-Click: These games involve exploring environments, interacting with objects, and solving puzzles to progress the story, such as classic titles like Monkey Island or Myst. This is one of my favorite genres, personally. Throwback to old school King’s Quest.
- Escape Room: Inspired by real-world escape room experiences, these games task players with solving puzzles in a confined space to ultimately unlock an exit, like The Room series. Another favorite of mine!
- Platforming Puzzlers: Combining platforming and puzzle-solving, these games challenge players to navigate through levels by overcoming obstacles and solving puzzles, like “Limbo” or “Braid.”
- Hidden Object: Players search for hidden items within intricate scenes to advance the narrative or solve mysteries, as seen in games like Hidden Folks or Mystery Case Files. A ton of these are free, too, which is a bonus.
- Rhythm Puzzlers: These games merge rhythmic gameplay with puzzle-solving elements, requiring players to time their actions to solve puzzles, as seen in Lumines or Crypt of the NecroDancer.
- Math-Based: These games incorporate mathematical concepts and challenges into their puzzles, promoting critical thinking and numerical skills, such as Zoombinis or Sumico.
- Word and Language Puzzles: These games involve manipulating letters, words, and linguistic patterns to solve puzzles, as seen in titles like Boggle or Wordscapes. These tend to be quite popular on mobile devices but Steam has some, too!
- Maze and Labyrinth: Players navigate through intricate mazes and labyrinthine structures, often requiring spatial awareness and problem-solving, as seen in games like The Talos Principle or Lara Croft GO.
- Physics Puzzlers: These games focus on leveraging realistic physics simulations to solve puzzles, requiring players to engineer creative solutions, like World of Goo or Incredipede.
Top Rated Puzzle Games on Steam
I have spent countless hours playing and exploring various puzzle games on Steam. After thorough research and personal experience, I have compiled a list of the best puzzle games on Steam that are worth your time and money.
1. Portal 2 – Best multiplayer puzzle game
Portal 2 is a classic puzzle game that has stood the test of time. It is a first-person puzzle game that challenges the player to use portals to solve increasingly complex puzzles. The game has an engaging storyline, memorable characters, and a great sense of humor. The community loves the game’s challenging puzzles and the satisfaction of finally solving them.
2. The Talos Principle – Best for philosophical themes
The Talos Principle is a philosophical first-person puzzle game that challenges the player to question the nature of existence. The game features a beautiful world, challenging puzzles, and a thought-provoking storyline. The community loves the game’s unique approach to puzzle-solving and the philosophical themes explored in the game.
3. The Witness – Best for secrets & Easter eggs
The Witness is a first-person puzzle game that takes place on a mysterious island. The game features a beautiful open world, challenging puzzles, and a non-linear progression system. The community loves the game’s stunning visuals, challenging puzzles, and the sense of exploration and discovery that the game provides.
4. Baba is You – Best for old school pixel graphics
Baba is You is a puzzle game that challenges the player to manipulate the rules of the game to solve puzzles. The game features a simple but effective visual style, challenging puzzles, and a unique gameplay mechanic. The community loves the game’s creativity and the way it challenges the player to think outside the box.
5. Rusty Lake – Best for a bundle of games in one
Rusty Lake is a series of puzzle games that feature a surreal world and a dark storyline. The games feature challenging puzzles, unique gameplay mechanics, and a creepy atmosphere. The community loves the game’s unique style and the way it challenges the player to think creatively to solve puzzles.
6. A Little to the Left – Best for cozy aesthetics
This game is a fun and quirky puzzle game that challenges players to sort and organize items in a house. The game’s puzzles are simple yet satisfying, and the game’s art style is cute and charming.
7. The Swapper – Best for Portal fans looking for their next thing
This game is a unique puzzle game that allows players to clone themselves to solve puzzles. The game’s puzzles are challenging and require careful planning and strategy. The game’s atmospheric soundtrack and visuals add to the overall experience.
8. Lyne – Best cheap puzzle game
This game is a relaxing and minimalist puzzle game that challenges players to connect shapes and paths. The game’s puzzles are simple yet satisfying, and the game’s visuals and sound design are calming and soothing.
9. SpaceChem – Best design-based puzzle game
This game is a challenging puzzle game that requires players to design and optimize chemical reactors. The game’s puzzles are complex and require careful planning and strategy. The game’s graphics and soundtrack are sleek and futuristic.
10. Opus Magnum – Best open-ended puzzle game
Opus Magnun is a puzzle game that challenges players to design and build alchemical machines. The game’s puzzles are complex and require careful planning and strategy. The game’s graphics and sound design are stunning and add to the overall experience.
11. Chants of Sennaar – Best for language and word puzzles
Chants of Sennaar is a game about uniting groups of people despite a language barrier that has seemingly persisted since the dawn of time. Inspired by the myth of Babel, this game offers thought-provoking puzzles around image, language, and meaning.
These are just a few of the most popular puzzle games on Steam, according to the community. Whether you prefer challenging puzzles, thought-provoking storylines, or unique gameplay mechanics, there is a puzzle game on Steam that is sure to satisfy your craving for a mental challenge.
Puzzle Games with Unique Mechanics
To be honest, the whole shtick of puzzle games is to create and capitalize on unique mechanics, teaching you the basics before twisting and building on them in interesting and surprising ways. However, I wanted to call out a few games that didn’t make the top list but have something particularly cool going for them.
- World of Goo is a physics-based puzzle game with unique mechanics that involves building structures using balls of goo. The game has a charming aesthetic and a great soundtrack, making it an enjoyable experience.
- Unpacking is a relatively new puzzle game with unique mechanics that involves unpacking boxes and organizing items in a new home. The game has a relaxing atmosphere and offers a unique take on puzzle-solving.
- The Room series is a point-and-click meets hidden object-lite game series that has the player escape a locked room by finding hidden items and using them to Macgyver a way out.
Puzzle games with unique mechanics offer a refreshing and challenging experience for puzzle game enthusiasts. The games mentioned above are just a few examples of the many great puzzle games available on Steam.
Puzzle Games with Best Storylines
As someone who enjoys puzzle games, I find that a good storyline can make all the difference in my gaming experience. Here are some of the best puzzle games on Steam that offer engaging and well-crafted storylines:
- Portal 2: Portal 2 is a classic puzzle game that is beloved by many, and for good reason. The game’s storyline is engaging and witty, with memorable characters and a plot that keeps you invested until the very end.
- The Talos Principle: The Talos Principle is a philosophical puzzle game that offers a deep and thought-provoking storyline. The game’s themes of identity, consciousness, and free will are explored in a way that is both compelling and intellectually stimulating.
- Braid: Braid is a puzzle game that is known for its innovative gameplay mechanics and its deep and complex storyline. The game’s themes of time, memory, and regret are explored in a way that is both emotional and thought-provoking.
- Antichamber: Antichamber is a mind-bending puzzle game that offers a unique and surreal storyline. The game’s themes of perception, reality, and the nature of existence are explored in a way that is both fascinating and thought-provoking.
- Rusty Lake: Rusty Lake is a series of puzzle games that offer a dark and eerie storyline. The storyline is full of mystery and intrigue, with each game building on the previous one to create a complex and engaging narrative.
These puzzle games offer some of the best storylines on Steam. Each game is unique and engaging in its own way, and they all offer challenging and satisfying puzzles to solve. If you’re looking for a puzzle game with a great storyline, these games are definitely worth checking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions, answered, for your convenience.
What are some of the best puzzle board games available on Steam?
If you’re looking for puzzle board games, you can check out games like Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, and Pandemic (which is also in VR). These games offer strategic gameplay and challenging puzzles that will keep you engaged for hours.
Are there any free puzzle games available on Steam?
Yes, there are many free puzzle games available on Steam. Some of the best ones include DYO, Toki Time Trial, and Shepherd of Light. These games offer challenging puzzles and unique gameplay mechanics that will keep you entertained for hours. Keep in mind that free games often have lower quality graphics and may be shorter than paid games. Alternatively, you can add your favorite puzzle games to your Steam wishlist and just wait for a good sale to get them heavily discounted (though rarely free).
Are there any good 2 player puzzle games on Steam?
There are plenty of 2 player puzzle games on Steam, both co-op and PvP. Examples include the Portal series, the Trine games (some entries are better than others, buyer beware), ibb & obb, and Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes (one of my personal co-op faves).
Are there any good 2 player puzzle games available for free on Steam?
Free 2 player puzzle games are pretty hard to find. Well, if you want anything of quality, that is. At least you aren’t risking anything but your time, since you won’t have to invent a penny. Here are some options: Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories, Puzzle Together Multiplayer Jigsaw Puzzles (a great cozy choice), and We Were Here.
Conclusion
The puzzle game genre on Steam is one of the strongest and most beloved by players. With so many great titles to choose from, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of puzzle games. Some puzzle games are cozier than others, as some include some time-sensitive or tense mechanics. However, I think puzzle games are a great cozy game choice because they tend to be more relaxed and more casual than other games.
Stay cozy, gamers.
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