Top 10 best puzzle games. For everyone and about everything. Bridge Constructor Series
The Rubik's Cube has been the world's most popular toy almost since its inception. Inspired by her, many come up with various original puzzles, and the most interesting of them can go into mass production. In recent years, the market for mechanical puzzles has grown to a huge size, so we decided to create a small guide for those who are interested in this segment, but do not know where to start.
What are puzzles?
First of all, it is worth understanding simple terminology in order to understand how some products differ from others:
Shapemode is a cube modification based on changing the shape of external parts. At the same time, the assembly principle almost does not change, but due to the unusual design, it becomes much more difficult to do this.
Bandage puzzles are distinguished by the fact that, when moving, they are able to block some edges, creating significant difficulties for the one who solves them.
Of great interest to collectors are puzzles that can change shape when disassembled. This ability allows them to take on a bizarre appearance, confusing the owner.
The strangest puzzles
Perhaps the most popular 3x3 cube shapemod, which has long become a classic. This disproportionate cube always attracts people's attention and impresses with its simple and futuristic appearance. And the relatively low price makes it affordable for a wide variety of strata of society.
Another well-known shapemod, which is interesting for its deceptive appearance. From afar, it is easy to confuse it with a pyramid, but in fact, an ordinary three-ruble note is hidden inside this amazing puzzle. With the exception of a few non-standard situations, the mastermorph is assembled in the same way as its cubic counterpart.
The last shapemode in our top is deservedly Axis Cube. Despite the intricate and intimidating appearance, its design is also based on a standard 3x3 cube. Main Feature puzzle was that when disassembled, it completely loses its shape, making its solution a truly exciting experience.
This product stands out from the rest with its versatility. The cube comes with a set of various covers, with which you can combine elements to create various bandage puzzles with a unique assembly principle.
These puzzles surprise many with an intricate design, but in fact they are not as difficult to assemble as they seem. Quantity different versions toys testifies to its success: in the assortment of the company you will find almost all the regular polyhedra, including the cube, octahedron, dodecahedron and even the icosahedron. Each edge has a certain number of points around which parts can rotate.
A real record holder who will not leave anyone indifferent. Instead of coming up with something radically new, the MF8 company decided to take the megaminx familiar to us and increase it to an incredible size.
This cuboid is very similar to 3x3, but consists of as many as nine layers, making it one of the largest on the market. A distinctive feature was a thoughtful design that allows you to assemble it without much effort. It is also worth mentioning the many other interesting and high-quality cuboids produced by VitEden.
Shapemode of a unique puzzle from the company WitEden called Mixup 3x3. Such an octahedron can rotate like an ordinary three-ruble note, but if the middle face is not rotated, its amazing ability to swap edges and centers is immediately revealed. In this state, the puzzle quickly loses its shape, so it can occupy its owner for a long time.
Geranium Plus
The second place in the list is deservedly occupied by Geranium Plus. This flat puzzle is one of the most difficult in the world and consists of many different parts moving along the inner circles. Already after the first movements, it can easily confuse you, so it is perfect to test your abilities.
The classic 3x3 cube was taken as the basis for this puzzle, but additional rotation axes were added on each side, making the principle of its solution radically new and unusual. This toy attracts many lovers of complex tasks with its spectacular appearance and will be a real challenge for those who decide to assemble it on their own.
Of course, most interesting puzzles did not fit in this list, so you can always visit our catalog and find what you especially like.
*almost
Have a good day, ladies and gentlemen. I finally decided that it's not worth it for me to sit in the read-only when so many useful and necessary comments are ripening in my head, and it's time to get an invite. Which means you need to post. About what? Of course, about what I love and know - about games. Specifically, puzzles.
A huge drawback of the puzzle compared to some MMORPGs is the very low replay value. I always thought that the memory erasing technology in Eternal Sunshine pure mind" was not used for its intended purpose. Instead of getting rid of the memories of some woman, isn't it better to forget your passage of your favorite game, and then go through it again? Unfortunately, so far this is a fantasy. Therefore, all I can do is, languishing with nostalgia, recall in writing all these wonderful things, which, alas, I am not destined to return to.
Given the "disposability" of puzzles, it is all the more strange and in some ways even criminal that you learn about the most remarkable representatives of this genre almost by accident. My post aims to correct this injustice, and I'm just finishing a protracted preface and moving on to the point.
Ittle Dew
A game that casually masquerades as an Action RPG, but is a puzzle game of the highest order. It all starts with sokoban elements, but pretty quickly you find out that you need to cover a piece of wall with ice so that the charge of the portal rod is reflected from it, which should then hit the bomb, which you previously set on fire with a fire sword and froze with an ice rod, and teleport it like this so that when it thaws, it explodes exactly at the moment when ... However, enough spoilers.
In addition to puzzles, everything else is great in this game (except maybe the combat). Unique graphic style; seemingly ordinary music, which then for weeks does not go out of my head; a plot co-written by Lewis Carroll and Gregory Oster while they played Zelda and ate cannabis muffins. In my twisted mindset, this is one of the best games ever made by man.
Recently, the second part was released under the unexpected name Ittle Dew 2. They made a good interesting combat game there, but, unfortunately, the puzzle part became more boring. I still recommend this game, but I will refrain from loud statements about its best.
The Talos Principle
Okay, in this case, the words about "no one knows" is an exaggeration. The Talos Principle is a well-known game in its genre... but not well-known enough. While only my grandmother does not know about the Portal dilogy, a creation lingers in undeserved oblivion, which is not inferior to it in anything, but surpasses it in many ways. “Hey” is about a dilogy, not about a grandmother. My grandmother is incomparable.
The puzzles in Talos are not based on physics, like in the Portal, but rather on the geometry of space and time. From what point can the deactivator be aimed at the force field, how not to cross (or vice versa, cross) the “laser” beams, what trajectory you need to follow so that the suicidal robot guards do not notice and rush at you shouting “Elohim Akbar!”. A separate dimension of depth adds the ability, present in some puzzles, to “record” your actions, and then act simultaneously with your copy.
All this bacchanalia takes place in the most beautiful locations, stylized as Hellas, Ancient Egypt and medieval Europe, and is accompanied by such a cool and deep philosophical-sci-fi plot that the dudes from Croteam hired two separate indie developers especially for it.
Separately, I would like to praise, firstly, the addition of Road to Gehenna, in comparison with which the levels from original game- puzzles like "which object will fit into which hole." Secondly, the quality of the Russian version: I usually spit poison and put on the English version, but this time the localization was so good that I even found the voice actress on VKontakte and expressed my personal gratitude to her with feeling.
BLACKHOLE
But this is a game that is really unlucky. Despite the high-quality execution, this puzzle platformer has remained in the shadow of its predecessors, not the best, but more famous. Perhaps a significant role in its failure was played by the fact that it is too good, that is, too complicated. Platformer fans were scared off by the non-illusory need to think, puzzle lovers - the required precision of the fingers.
The game has many interesting elements, but its main feature is the variable direction of gravity. In combination with ingenious level design, this creates a situation where the same elements of the same level perform completely different functions depending on the orientation in which they are approached.
The kit also comes with good graphics and a pleasant soundtrack. Valerian and corvalol, unfortunately, are not included in the kit, so accidental breaking of the monitor with the keyboard is possible. Or vice versa. See what's stronger.
snakebird
A game with deceptively childlike graphics. I suspect more than one child fell asleep on the pillow, wet with tears, because the damn snakebirds did not want to climb into the beautiful rainbow portal. Amazing things happen if you add gravity and all sorts of other bells and whistles to the good old "snake".
The first levels may seem simple, but when you find yourself building a structure of three serpents and a movable block, which, with the help of the devil, moves to the exit, hanging between spikes and an abyss, you will understand that this impression was deceptive.
Sokobond
A minimalistic game, as it were, about chemistry, with elements (as you might guess from the name) of sokoban. Controlling one atom, we link it with others until the desired chemical compound is obtained. Knowledge of chemistry is not required, but is slightly acquired.
Tramps, hello! Here are best puzzles for PC, according to our website. If you have suggestions for other games - write in the comments.
Siberia 1-3
Release date: 2002-2017
Three parts of an exciting adventure quest with an incredibly interesting plot and many original puzzles. Game process here is traditional for the point-and-click genre, i.e. we, as a young girl Kate Walker, travel between locations, communicate with characters, look for places to interact with and collect items (the player has an inventory). Periodically, we come across various puzzles and puzzles that need to be solved in order to move forward in the story, as well as documents that often contain clues.
The project will be of interest primarily to fans of the quest genre, as well as to those who are not averse to breaking their heads over another puzzle, and of course to all lovers of exciting stories. Moreover, information about the passage of games in the series can always be found on the Internet if you do not want to strain your convolutions too much, but want to know how the story will end.
Samorost 1-3
Release date: 2003-2016
Genre: Quest
Three parts of a delightful puzzle quest created by Czech designer Jakub Dvorsky. The gameplay here is simple and straightforward - the player interacts with the game environment through the cursor, controlling the character and solving various puzzles that are encountered along the way (which corresponds to the point-and-click genre). Riddles are not always logical, however, by trial and error they are solved quite easily.
Why, then, are these games so admired if the gameplay is not too intricate? First of all, the graphic performance of characters and locations, as well as an incredibly atmospheric soundtrack. As for the level design, when creating them, the developer used processed photographs of moss, grass, tree bark, etc., which made it possible to create a “texture” of essentially two-dimensional levels. In general, these are the games that they say - "It's better to see once", so try it and form your own opinion.
Portal 1 and 2
Release date: the first - 2007, the second - 2011
An original first-person puzzle game built around player interaction with portals. Our heroine has a special portal gun that allows you to create two portals on almost any flat surface. These portals allow us to move to hard-to-reach places, speed up jumps, interact with certain objects, etc.
The second part develops the ideas of the first, and also adds a cooperative, i.e. collaborative puzzle solving and passing levels. At the same time, the levels and puzzles on them become “sharpened” for joint gameplay. In addition, the second part expands the scope of portals and their interaction with the outside world. In both parts, the initial levels are very simple and allow players to quickly delve into all the intricacies of the game mechanics.
World of Goo
Release date: 2008
Genre: Puzzle
Logic puzzle, mixed with physics. The gameplay is based on the interaction of Goo balls, which can be fastened together and form a variety of shapes. The goal at the level is usually the same - to deliver a certain number of balls into the pipe, constructing various towers, bridges and other figures from them, allowing you to get to the coveted exit from the level, often bypassing various obstacles.
In total, the game features 46 levels, as well as a bonus level in which players compete in building towers from extra balls collected during the game. At the same time, each of the players builds his tower separately, and you can compare your tower with others only when connected to the Internet.
Braid
Release date: 2008
An atmospheric puzzle platformer that gives players the ability to control the passage of time. It is on this skill of our character that most of the tasks are built. To solve emerging puzzles, the player can rewind time (as in Prince of Persia), slow down time, manipulate it with respect to certain objects, etc. It is also noteworthy that in order to move forward it is not necessary to solve all the puzzles encountered to the last. You can always skip any of them and come back to it later.
The project received many awards, including the title of "Indie 2009" according to the magazine "Igromania". But most importantly, this game popularized such a genre as indie, showing players that even small indie projects can entice with interesting gameplay and an original plot.
Trine Series
Release date: 2009
Drawn point-and-click quest with many puzzles in which we, as a small robot, must rid the city of robots Machinarium from the Gang of Black Hats and save our girlfriend. The gameplay here is traditional for the genre, and a significant difference from others similar games we can call it that we can only interact with those objects that are within the reach of the character. At the same time, our protagonist can stretch a little or, on the contrary, shrink.
The game has nice hand-drawn graphics with a very original art style, as well as the presence of tips that can be obtained by completing a simple mini-game. The project features also include the fact that the characters in the game do not speak with words, and any dialogues are shown here in the form of animated "clouds of thoughts".
Toki Tori
Release date: 2010
Genre: Platformer
A cute puzzle platformer where the player takes on the role of a small yellow bird and has to collect the eggs scattered throughout the levels. But not everything is so simple. To achieve his goal, the player has to use various items, avoid enemies and correctly think through each step.
The game is interesting because with each level the complexity of the puzzles will increase. In addition, the PC version (and the game was released on many platforms) includes a number of additional levels. In addition, exclusive to computer version a time rewind function has been added to the game, allowing you to undo a mistake made without returning to the beginning of the level.
LIMBO
Release date: 2010
Genre: Quest, indie, platformer,
Atmospheric platform game that also includes elements of such genres as survival-horror and puzzle. In essence, the game is a two-dimensional side-roller in which we control a character moving advantageously in one direction (from left to right), except when he needs to overcome some kind of obstacle.
Our hero can run, jump, push or drag some objects, while he does not have any inhuman abilities. Those. he dies easily and often. This is what the gameplay is based on. The developers call it the "trial and death" method, when the slightest mistake entails the death of the hero and a return to checkpoint. In addition to the exciting gameplay, the game has stylish black and white graphics and an atmospheric soundtrack.
SpaceChem
Release date: 2011
Genre: Puzzle
An exciting puzzle game in which the player is given the opportunity to feel like an engineer of a fantastic chemical corporation, where he must create new ones from the available chemical elements through synthesis, chemical or nuclear reactions. The gameplay is divided into several stages, which in turn are divided into categories: research, production or defensive. In the first two stages, the player produces chemical compounds, while in the last one he defends the station from any monster.
Synthesis of elements takes place in a special reactor, which is a field of 10x8 cells. The field has two inputs for the supply of elements and two outputs for their shipment. Also in the reactor there are two waldo manipulators that are capable of performing various actions on elements. The player's task is to program a certain algorithm and eventually get the necessary connection.
The Tiny Bang Story
Release date: 2011
Genre: Puzzle, point-and-click
A worthy representative of drawn point-and-click quests, in which a nice picture is combined with wonderful music and interesting, as well as various puzzles. In addition to pixel hunting (this is when the player clicks on various objects on the screen to find one with which he can interact), various mini-games have been added to the game that add variety to the gameplay.
In general, the project does not belong to hardcore quests and is more suitable for beginners in this genre, however, nice drawing and some kind of peculiar magic of this drawn magical world, make players solve game problems until the very end, turning the gameplay into a kind of relaxation and meditation session.
FEZ
Release date: 2012
Genre: Platformer
A colorful 2D puzzle platformer set in a 3D world. The main "trick" of the game is that we can only move along the sides of the four-sided level, but if necessary, we can always rotate the location around the hero by 90 degrees to one of the sides. Turning the level can help in overcoming seemingly impassable places, finding secret doors, etc.
An exciting project that features original gameplay based on manipulations with perspective and optical illusions. The game has nice pixel graphics and the complete absence of any opponents. The project pushes the player to calmly solve puzzles and unhurried thoughtful passage.
Botanicula
Release date: 2012
Genre: Quest
Point-and-click quest with original hand-drawn graphics and exciting gameplay based on solving various puzzles. The game has five characters traveling through a huge fairy tree, from which the gameplay here is built taking into account this feature. Otherwise, the gameplay does not differ much from other games of this genre - we roam the locations, collect items and interact with the outside world, solving puzzles.
The game features nice animation graphics and an excellent relaxing soundtrack written by the Czech group DVA. For real challenging puzzles not here, so the project is perfect for those who decide to try their hand at the genre, or just love pleasant and not too “puzzling” quests.
The Bridge
Release date: 2013
Genre: Puzzle, indie
A two-dimensional spatial drawing puzzle, the action of which takes us to a mysterious black and white world of dreams, where our protagonist wakes up from the fact that an apple falls on his head. Such a reference to Isaac Newton is not accidental, since in the game we have to deeply rethink the laws of physics.
To complete the level, the player needs to guide the character to a door locked with one or more locks (yes, you still need to find the keys). The exit will be blocked by various obstacles that can be passed by rotating the location around its axis. When the player deals with basic mechanics, the project is gaining momentum and adding new elements and rules of the game - spatial whirlpools, teleports, optical illusions and mirror effects. In a word, you will definitely not be bored here.
The Swapper
Release date: 2013
A puzzle platformer in which we control a female astronaut stranded on an abandoned space station looking for a means of escape. Moreover, at the beginning of the game, the heroine receives such a tool. It's about about a device that allows you to create up to four clones of the player and transfer the consciousness of the heroine into any of them. It is on this mechanic that the whole gameplay is built. The clones follow the player's movements until they hit an obstacle or die, but they can always be recreated.
In addition to the exciting gameplay, the project is distinguished by original graphics, for the creation of which the developers used elements of level design molded from clay, later digitized for the game. The game received positive reviews and has won numerous awards.
gunpoint
Release date: 2013
A stealth platformer with puzzle elements set in the near future. We're running a "spy for hire" accused of murdering an employee of a weapons company. Our task is to clear ourselves of charges and unravel this mysterious crime. The game includes a set of various missions (usually related to infiltrating a protected object, stealing or replacing information data, etc.).
The gameplay unfolds in a two-dimensional plane, while all the buildings are shown as if in a section (the object we need and all the guards can be seen at once). Our character can jump long distances, crawl along the ceiling and walls, and remotely penetrate the electronic circuits of various components of the building, reconfiguring them. Between missions, you can pump the technical "gadgets" of the hero.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Release date: 2013
An adventure platformer with puzzle elements in which we play two brothers at once, interacting with each other and the world around us. It is on the interaction of the brothers that the gameplay is built. Our heroes overcome obstacles together, solve riddles and complete levels. The player controls each brother separately using the keyboard and gamepad, but there are also individual action buttons for each of the characters.
Interestingly, NPCs react differently to each of the brothers, and often only one of them can get the right information from a particular NPC. In addition to the addictive gameplay, the game has a pleasant visual style and an exciting plot, albeit uncomplicated, but capable of dragging the player up to end credits. And the riddles here are quite capable of making the players strain their convolutions.
Teslagrad
Release date: 2013
Genre: Puzzle, platformer
A 2D platformer full of puzzles based on the interactions of electromagnetic forces and the principles of magnetism. The game takes place in the 19th century city of Teslagrad, where we take on the role of a boy escaping from the soldiers of the evil King.
The gameplay is based on the principles of electromagnetism. In the arsenal of the hero, there are a lot of various devices that make it easier to pass levels and solve puzzles. In particular, we have a teleportation device, a magnetic glove, an electric wand and a special electromagnetic suit. With the help of these devices, the boy not only solves riddles, but also fights bosses at the end of each mission.
LYNE
Release date: 2014
Genre: Puzzle
A beautiful casual puzzle game with a pleasant musical accompaniment for people of all ages. The game has a minimum of objects and simple rules - our task is to combine the same geometric figures line, completing the circuit. The game has 26 levels, as well as daily sets that open every day. There are several types of palettes that open up as you progress through the game.
The advantages of the project also include the ever-complicating gameplay. Those. if you “fly through” the first levels almost instantly, then by the last one you really have to break your head over solving the puzzle. To all lovers intellectual games highly recommended for review!
The Room
Release date: 2014
Genre: Puzzle, quest
Excellent 3D puzzle game with meditative gameplay, atmospheric soundtrack and photorealistic graphics. In fact, the game is a set of several rooms in which there are huge boxes on the table. We have to discover them, sorting through the edges, finding clues and secret switches, niches, etc. Does everything seem extremely simple? No matter how. You need to be extremely careful and patient, because if you find some incomprehensible folding tube, it is not a fact that it will fit the round niche found earlier.
The puzzles in the game are quite complex, but there is a multi-stage hint system that helps to find the right solution (at first only with careful hints, and then with a direct indication of what the player needs to do). A special monocle also helps in solving puzzles, which shows which parts of the box the player can interact with.
The Talos Principle
Release date: 2014
Genre: First person puzzle
Philosophical puzzle game with a first-person view, in which we control a robot with the rudiments of human intelligence. Our protagonist is very inquisitive - he studies the world around him, which is a mixture of an ancient civilization with advanced technologies, and solves all kinds of puzzles, of which there are more than 120 pieces in the game! The puzzles in the game are varied, somewhere you need to move through the maze, somewhere to overcome obstacles, etc.
As you solve some puzzles, the player gets the pieces of other puzzles and the devices needed to solve them, allowing him to move forward in the story. In addition to solving puzzles, the game pushes the player to explore the world around them. So, for example, in secluded places you can find terminals containing interesting plot information, secrets or audio recordings.
Infinifactory
Release date: 2015
Genre: Jigsaw puzzle
Do you want to feel like a production line engineer? Then this exciting puzzle game is for you! Here, players will need to build factories, and produce various items. At the very beginning of the game, it seems that there is nothing complicated here, but in the future we will have to optimize our factories, and it is precisely this optimization that often makes the player think hard. The difficulty of the game increases with each new level.
The project really makes players think about solving a particular puzzle, test various guesses and get joy when hypotheses begin to work in practice. Difficult, mind-bending and incredibly exciting!
pony island
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle, Platformer, Psychological Horror
A tense puzzle in which we fall into slot machine invented by the devil himself. From this trap we have to get out, solving all kinds of puzzles. And if at first it seems that the puzzles here are simple and even "childish", you gradually realize that the first levels are just a warm-up before a real brainstorming session.
The gameplay is divided into two components: arcade and puzzles directly. In the arcade, we go through the levels in the role little pony, which gradually becomes a kind of "hardened pony" with hellish wings and the ability to deal with demons. Local puzzles deserve special attention. The mechanics are simple - there is a lock and there is a key, but the solution of each riddle will require the player to maximize the concentration of his non-standard thinking.
The Witness
Release date: 2016
A first-person puzzle game inspired by the notorious Myst. As in Myst, we travel through a huge open world, which is an island, and solve various puzzles that are found on scattered throughout gaming location panels. As a rule, puzzles are types of labyrinths with different conditions that the player needs to complete. The game does not have a plot in the usual sense for us, but gradually you can learn it on your own, getting information from excerpts from books, voice recordings, etc.
The project received critical acclaim, and IGN gave the game the highest score, noting that this is a real powerful masterpiece, made with skill. And indeed, despite some monotony, the project turned out to be very interesting and exciting - the very “thing” to stretch your brain.
Unravel
Release date: 2016
Genre: Platformer
A bright and colorful puzzle platformer in which we control a creature made of yarn named Yarni, something resembling a kitten. Actually, the fact that our character is made of yarn is the main gameplay element. In particular, with the help of yarn, our hero can solve some game problems. But here it is important to remember that the rope is not infinite and its quantity must be constantly monitored (if the ball is completely untangled, the level will have to be replayed).
Yarni can cling to objects or solve other tasks, for example, open the lid of a box, throw a snowball off a spruce, etc. The main task in the game is to collect memories of the protagonist's family. An exciting adventure that will make you feel small again.
Zenge
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle
Relaxing puzzle game with great graphics and atmospheric music. The main objective of the game is to give the player the most relaxing effect, so there are no points or any other indicators of your progress. Only meditative picking up a virtual puzzle and solving problems to the right music.
Each Zenge level is a picture divided into many elements, while the details of the picture can also be divided into elements (it turns out a kind of “puzzle in a puzzle”). The collected pictures tell the player an amazing story (yes, this game also has a plot!).
INSIDE
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle, platformer, quest, survival horror
An indie platformer with puzzle elements from the creators of Limbo, which is, in fact, Limbo's ideological heir. The gameplay here corresponds to the gameplay of the parent game, i.e. we have a hero who moves across the screen in a two-dimensional plane and tries to bypass various obstacles and enemies encountered on the way.
As in Limbo, our hero has a whole bunch of vulnerabilities and dies from any injury received. For this reason, get ready for the fact that you will have to try to go through some particularly difficult places several times. There are many tests and they are all quite diverse (for example, escaping from huge dogs or solving the passage of armed guards), which means that the player will not be bored until the very end.
Klocki
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle
An exciting puzzle game, the gameplay of which is based on the rotation of the cube and platform parts. Those. the main task here is to connect all the lines available on the objects into one in order to complete the level. At first, the levels are quite simple, but with each new level, the puzzles become more difficult, and now the player has to turn on all his imagination and logic.
It is noteworthy that the game does not limit us in time, because. the player calmly solves the task assigned to him at the moment, not being afraid that time will run out and he will have to start the level from the very beginning. Rotate the objects and swap them, and once the lines line up in the right order, they will highlight in a different color, after which you can move on to the next stage.
Zombie Night Terror
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle, Survival horror
A 2D arcade strategy game with puzzle elements in which the player tries to destroy people on earth with the help of a zombie virus. The problem is that our charges are somewhat stupid (even by zombie standards), so the player will have to constantly pause the game and give orders. Otherwise, the zombies will fall into the traps set by people.
The project, made in pixel style, is replete with excellent humor (it seems that the developers have managed to parody all the works on a zombie theme). The gameplay is simple and unpretentious, but at later levels it makes the "gray matter" work. There are a lot of levels and a certain test will be waiting for each player (for example, save a certain number of zombies, kill a boss, or pass the level for a while).
Obduction
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle
Great point-and-click quest from the creators of the legendary Myst, made in the spirit of the old school. Our hero (or heroine) is abducted by aliens and ends up in an incomprehensible domed location. Now our task is to get out of this incomprehensible place and get home. Roam the locations, solve puzzles and gradually progress through the story - all in best traditions genre.
The project received mixed reviews largely due to its hardcore and following the canons of the old quests (in the spirit of the same Myst). But if you are a fan of complex puzzles, an interesting plot, or just a fan of the genre (and even more so if you are a fan of the already mentioned Myst several times) - the game is definitely worth at least trying it out.
The Turing Test
Release date: 2016
Genre: First person puzzle
A first-person 3D puzzle game in which we play as Eva Turing, an International Space Agency engineer on a space station. The heroine wakes up from cryogenic sleep and finds out that the team has not been in touch for more than 450 hours. Moreover, the configuration of the space station has been changed and the girl, by solving various puzzles, has to move through it in order to find out the reason for the disappearance of the team.
The game has more than 70 different puzzles, the process of solving which is based on manipulations with special energy balls. As you progress, new conditions for solving puzzles will appear - energy beams, balls with special working conditions, etc. The game was highly appreciated by critics, but many criticize the rather low complexity of the puzzles.
The Zup!
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle
An exciting casual puzzle game that combines puzzles for physics and logic. The main goal of the game is to send the blue cube to the green platform, taking into account the physical properties of other cubes and the interaction between them. The complexity of the levels is gradually increasing, in addition, the game has various achievements that the player can receive under certain conditions.
Despite its extremely minimalist design, for some unknown reason, the game is addictive from the first minutes. And considering that at the moment the series has as many as 5 parts with just some incredible number of levels, it's safe to say that you will spend many free evenings clicking on the squares.
Lara Croft GO
Release date: 2016
Genre: Puzzle
A turn-based puzzle spin-off of the famous tomb raider series. The gameplay here is step by step. Levels are divided into nodes and lines interconnected. We control the main character, who makes a move, and then waits for the opponents to make a move. Each of the types of opponents have their own movement patterns, and the locations become more and more difficult as you progress. As the game progresses, the heroine can pick up and use disposable items (such as spears).
The game features nice graphics and addictive gameplay, non-standard for the series tomb raider. Many players, as well as critics, praised the original design, and that, unlike last game with a similar game mechanics(Hitman GO), the developers did not make it in the style of "tabletop", but drew backs and backgrounds so that the player gets the impression that he is not playing a puzzle game, but an arcade game about Lara's adventures.
Detention
Release date: 2017
Genre: Puzzle, indie, horror
Fascinating horror movie Silent Hill, with good puzzles and an original plot. However, unlike the same Silent Hill, the game is a two-dimensional side-scroller with excellent animated graphics. In addition to strange puzzles, players also encounter all sorts of dangers, such as ghosts, which must be avoided in every possible way.
The authors constantly throw up interesting gameplay opportunities for the player. So, for example, in one of the moments the player will be able to move between dimensions, and in the other, swap places with his own shadow (also from the past). The game does not let you get bored and periodically deftly beats game conventions. In a word, this is an amazing project, which simply has no analogues in the modern gaming market.
Little Nightmares
Release date: 2017
Genre: Puzzle, platformer, quest, stealth
A platformer with elements of stealth and a quest in which we play as a little girl named Six, who got into an incomprehensible underwater ship. Our heroine must escape from there, for which she can walk and climb, jump and grab various objects, as well as use a lighter, eat and ... hug nomes. Initially, the game is perceived more like a horror movie, but later it becomes clear that this is primarily a fantastic adventure, albeit with its own horror elements.
At each significant segment of the game world, we are waiting for puzzles and platforming elements that the player will need to go through. In some cases, finding the correct solution to the puzzle can only be done by trial and error. The project is incredibly atmospheric, creepy and quite difficult in terms of puzzles, but it's worth it to go through and find out how the story of the Sixth ends.
Dude, stop
Release date: 2018
Genre: indie
An original indie pixel puzzle that pushes the player to break all generally accepted rules and regulations. The main task here is to complete the tasks as illogically as possible, thereby bringing the narrator to the extreme, commenting on your every action.
Each of the many puzzles has several solutions, and usually the most illogical ones will be marked with funny comments by the narrator. In general, the humor in the game is excellent with a lot of all kinds of references and Easter eggs, and the number of witty comments for each player's action is in the hundreds (if not more).
mechanism
Release date: 2018
Genre: Adventure
Adventure puzzle game that tells a touching story about a small robot wandering in a world where a terrible disease is raging - phlegm. The disease is spreading everywhere and most of the robots have already died from it. Now our baby has to figure out what is happening.
The gameplay here is based on the exploration of territories, solving various puzzles, restoring mechanisms and avoiding enemies (there is a small element of stealth). The game has a gloomy atmosphere, and you can only guess about what is happening around. No one leads the player by the hand, and in order to reach the final, the player will have to be smart.
7 Billion Humans
Release date: 2018
Genre: Simulator
A puzzle is a programming simulator in which chains of people personify computer signals. The player must use these people to solve various problems based on real programming languages. The project is an ideological successor Human games Resource Machine and largely develops the ideas and mechanics inherent in the progenitor.
Despite the fact that all the puzzles in the game are based on programming, even a person far from programming can play it thanks to excellent learning directly in the process of passing. To make it even easier to pass, there are hints, and even skipping especially difficult levels.
Of all the classic PC game genres, puzzles are the real old-timers.
However, in this list, we tried to select the best representatives of the genre not for the entire existence of the gaming industry, but only those that came out relatively recently (otherwise the selection would be several times longer).
We were guided by rather strict criteria. We hope that you will find here games that you have not yet played and that will test your quick wit and ability to solve problems using a non-standard approach. That is why there are no such projects as Peggle, which can hardly be called a puzzle, and Tetris, where the gameplay is very monotonous.
It was interesting for us to collect games that make you tighten your brains and enjoy solving creative problems. This list will be updated as new projects are released (or if we decide that some of the old games are still worthy of mention).
Kami
Kami's rules are simple: click on any single-color pattern to change its color, and try to ensure that the entire playing field ends up recolored in the same color in as few moves as possible. The basic technique is to combine large areas playing field, surrounding small islands of individual colors, in order to get a single-color field as a result.
The principle is quite straightforward, but here you need to think through your actions a few steps ahead, and the very first task after completing the training can be confusing. Nevertheless, it is extremely pleasant to solve problems here, as well as to look at how paper figures unfold on the screen. It is worth noting the relaxing music, thanks to which the game turns into a great evening to spend time with a cup of coffee after dinner.
Kami's only problem is the limited number of daily hints. On mobile you can buy them, but on PC (the game is sold on Steam for a reasonable $4/$2.79) there are no microtransactions. If you run out of daily hints, you will have to wait for the next day, as hints are very important here. If you stumble upon a particularly difficult puzzle and get a hint of the first move, you can figure out the solution yourself without feeling like you cheated.
Kami made it to our list despite these issues. In the end, they can be bypassed: if you run out of hints, you can simply change the date in your OS and instantly get new ones.
Lyne
Lyne is another multi-platform game worth checking out. There are practically no situations here that confuse you until the moment of insight - in this game you constantly change the pieces on the playing field until you achieve the correct sequence. The principle of the project is as follows: there are several shapes on the screen that need to be connected. You can only connect shapes of the same type, and the lines must not intersect.
As you can see in the screenshot, the result is zigzag structures without a single line crossing. Sometimes the conditions of the puzzles are quite difficult, but each of the tasks is completely solvable. Not a bad way to spend $3 or $2 on Steam.
SpaceChem is a game about making molecules, but you don't need deep knowledge of chemistry to solve problems. This is the beauty of projects from Zachtronics Industries - for example, TIS-100, a puzzle using a programming language, is extremely friendly to everyone who is far from this area.
In SpaceChem, you create a sequence of actions - a kind of instructions for creating molecules.
Just like in the game Infinifactory, creating patterns and watching them unfold before your eyes is a real pleasure. But sooner or later the levels in SpaceChem become really difficult, so please be patient and persevere. The price on Steam is $10/7.
Basic mechanics in The Swapper (Steam price - $15/$12) is to create clones of the main character at points in your field of vision, and switch between the created clones. Clones repeat all the actions of your character, regardless of their location. Let's say if you create a clone on a platform above you and take a couple of steps forward, then this clone will fall off the platform, breaking its neck with a characteristic crunch.
The puzzles are based on overcoming obstacles (various switches and light sources that interfere with the creation of clones), but the gameplay itself remains the same as the game progresses. You get all the moves available right from the start, and if you get the hang of it quickly, you can zip through the early levels of the game pretty quickly.
Objects and environments are digitized clay models, which is why the game has an incredible semi-realistic aesthetic: the abandoned space station from The Swapper looks like you can touch the objects on the screen yourself. In addition to excellent gameplay, the game also pleases with a good scenario, which explores a difficult topic - who can be called a living person and who is not. In other words, here you can puzzle not only over tasks, but also over issues of life and death.
Braid
Every world in Braid (Steam price - $15/$11) starts with a modified version of the tutorial level. There is an abyss in front of you, through which your hero, reminiscent of Mario, cannot jump over in any way. Initially, this is confusing - there are no objects typical for 2D platformers that allow you to jump from one area to another. Therefore, the tasks here may seem impossible. But this is only at first glance. Braid turns a familiar genre into a whole new one by adding an ever-growing set of abstract rules and mechanics to it.
Each world has its own rules and mechanics related to time. For example, in one you can start time in the opposite direction at the touch of a button. In the other, the flow of time changes during your movements. The mechanics don't get more complicated, they just get more unique. The real difficulty lies in the level design. Some puzzles will take you hours, while others can take several days. Insight usually comes suddenly - both during the game and during your daily activities.
As you pass, the bottomless abyss no longer seems so scary. "Wrong" platforming levels turn into simple puzzles, where everything operates within the framework of the mechanics you have already learned.
In the very first scene of the movie Big Adventure Pee-wee" main character makes his own breakfast using Ruby Goldberg's incredibly sophisticated device. Here, many objects that under normal conditions are not connected to each other in any way interact in a single mechanism - a candle sets fire to a rope that lowers an anvil that activates a wheel so that ... in general, you get the idea. And all this in order to cook an omelet.
The Incredible Machine 2 (like the first part) consists entirely of levels with the same absurd and ingenious devices of Goldberg, and the player will have to solve simple problems in the most complicated ways. Let's say you just need to throw a tennis ball into the urn, but for this you need to somehow tie together windmills, gears, a hamster in wheels, a couple of trampolines and a boxing glove.
Each puzzle has a perfect solution, but as your arsenal of tools is replenished with new objects, the number of ways to solve the next problem grows - it all depends on your creativity. And despite the fact that the complexity of the levels increases right before our eyes, failures here do not disappoint, but become reasons for smiling. experimental nature games The Incredible Machine (available on GOG for $10) makes it an all-time puzzle.
Even if we discard the deeply developed The plot Talos Principle, in the bottom line, we get an amazing puzzle game. The game mainly consists of puzzle rooms where you need to lift and move objects (boxes, prisms that connect lasers and open doors, fans, etc.) in order to eventually bring the desired item to the exit and finish the level. From time to time the game presents us with new devices, but all the basic mechanics remain unchanged until the very end.
When we have several devices at our disposal at once, we have a huge scope for experimentation. What can a fan lift? When to launch it? How to activate it? Each task seems impossible at first, but through trial and error, you can find a way that seems so simple and obvious that you will be surprised to ask yourself: “Why didn’t I think of this two hours ago?”.
That the writer of The Talos Principle (price on Steam - $40/$30) He also worked on The Swapper, which is not surprising at all. Both games raise questions of consciousness, humanity, and moral ambiguity, wrapped in gameplay that's perfect for contemplation. Yes, the script of The Talos Principle is executed at the highest level.
There's a growing sense of suspense here that the first Portal was famous for, coupled with some really clever philosophical thought. Therefore, while solving problems, you also ask questions about the nature of your actions and whether your choices will affect the overall outcome of the story. A perfect puzzle game in every way.
fez
Fez is a charming and surprisingly sad puzzle platformer that doesn't seem complicated at first glance. Protagonist Gomez, who is about to embark on a journey through a peaceful 2D world that suddenly collides with 3D, must navigate through 3D levels presented in a 2D perspective. Sounds confusing! So it is, but almost everyone can go through the whole game to the end. The real puzzles in Fez are the nature of the puzzles shown.
The way they are presented leads to various guesses: the strange hieroglyphs and QR codes found throughout the game have given rise to many theories among the gaming community, and some of them have not been deciphered to this day. If you are ready to join those who are trying to get to the bottom of the true nature of Fez, we recommend that you do not put it on the back burner.
Hexcells is a slow paced game where everything is done methodically as you get punished for wrong moves. Imagine a sophisticated version of Minesweeper. The field consists of hexagons, some of which are part of the pattern and turn blue when you click on them. Others are not included in this number - if you click on them right click mouse, you will see how many of the same hexagons are on the field. Some of them give you useful information– for example, whether two adjacent blue hexagons are connected to each other.
In Hexcells, it is necessary to collect information piece by piece and, based on it, determine the missing parts of the overall picture. For example, if a closed cell is next to a blue cell, next to which another blue cell is already open, then you can easily calculate the number of remaining adjacent cells. In action, the mechanics of the game turns out to be not particularly difficult, but the tasks will make you sweat a lot, like, for example, some kind of Sudoku.
Of course, winning the game feels like a well-deserved achievement - not everyone can complete the task without a single mistake. The game is not suitable for those who are used to experimenting with the initial data of the problem in order to arrive at a solution as a result (as in Lyne and Infinifactory). Here you need to take strictly verified steps in a certain sequence in order to complete the level. Hexcells Infinite is only $5/$4 on Steam.
Explaining what the essence of Antichamber (which is sold on Steam for 20/15 dollars) is quite difficult. Let's start with the fact that this is a severe puzzle game with a view from . There are certain rules in its minimalist corridors and mysterious rooms, for understanding which sometimes it is necessary to look at things from a different perspective, sometimes literally. There is practically no plot, so the gameplay mainly consists of exploring rooms.
You will spend most of the game surrounded by strange architecture and devices and trying to understand how they can be useful to you in the passage and how they relate to the mysteries of the world of Antichamber. Our understanding of how space functions in first-person puzzles completely collapses in this game. Further explanations may be spoilers for you.
Most surfaces and objects are painted in White color, and their borders are outlined in black, but the color saturation changes in each hall and room, as if the game is experimenting with gradients in MS Paint. The bottom line is that every color matters. Color and every other visual, auditory and tactile component fit into the game's psychedelic logic.
Having caught this logic, you will get closer to the solution, but you also need to correctly apply it in solving the next problem. For example, once you figure out that some doors only open when they're out of sight, you need to combine that with the knowledge you've gained so far and break through a series of increasingly difficult puzzles. The more you understand Antichamber, the less you trust yourself.
At the heart of World of Goo (like any other good puzzle) is a simple mechanic: use elastic, sticky (and sentient) balls to create structures that will allow them to get to the pipe that ferries them to the headquarters of the world of Goo. Nothing impossible is required of you - on one level we are building a tower of balloons, on the other - a bridge, but the scale of construction is growing rapidly.
Obstacles like circular saws, spikes and fire that kill balls appear at the levels, and over time, special balls are introduced into the game. Some are able to float in the air, while others can be detached and reused, although there are also useless types of balls. And since everything in this world is made of balls, all your structures turn out to be unstable: you need to make sure that your wobbly building does not fall apart ahead of time.
World of Goo is also an outstanding puzzle game because of its attention to detail, which perfectly complements the game's picturesque world. The squeaky button-eyed balloons can't help but evoke emotion, and the funny messages left by the mysterious guide keep the game interesting even when faced with an extremely difficult task. It's unexpected, but there's also a plot that gets dark towards the end without losing any of its charm.
The soundtrack is also made at a decent level, which fits perfectly into the game about trying to build something stable out of sticky balls. World of Goo definitely falls into the category of games that everyone should play. And it's sad that 7 years have passed since the release of the game, and there is still no news about the sequel.
Infinifactory became one of the most highly rated games of 2015, and many still call it their favorite puzzle game today. Infinifactory is similar to SpaceChem in many ways, but is easier to learn. Trying to please the aliens that have captured you, you have to build various devices using blocks and jetpack. The very first task is very simple - you just need to deliver the item from the dispenser to the desired compartment, but over time, the missions will become more complicated, and with them the structures at the levels.
Infinifactory is worth playing in order to build a mechanism of gigantic proportions and enjoy watching how all the components work without a single flaw. As one of our editors put it, "It's the video game equivalent of looping gifs of machines in action." There is also a dark story here, and extremely picturesque surroundings appear in the last levels. Infinifactory is $25/$19 on Steam and it's totally worth the price.
Portal was a success, and a resounding one, for a number of reasons. The script, humor and story that took us by surprise when we first ventured into the test rooms of Aperture Science in Valve's 2007 puzzle game. And the fact is that even without all of the above, the game would remain a chic puzzle. Passing through the test rooms with only one portal gun in hand was exciting and fun in itself. The game was radically different from everything that we are used to seeing in the FPS genre.
The basic mechanics are captured in a few seconds. We place two portals at two points in the hall, go through one and exit through the other, wherever it is. Each new room is more difficult than the last, and soon you will start using portals to bypass turrets, fly over acidic rivers, activate buttons and redirect lasers. Sometimes you even need to shoot portals on the fly to keep your flight speed and get to otherwise inaccessible places.
The difficulty of the game increases at the right pace to challenge the player without losing their interest. And at the end, a boss battle awaits you, where you need to apply the skills gained during the passage in order to hear the very final song. And although Portal 2 is superior in every way to the original, we want to emphasize once again that the first part is a great way to spend a few hours of your life. (And of course, don't pass Portal 2 with her ).
1. About light bulbs
Task: There are 3 emails in the room. switch from el. light bulbs that are in the hallway behind the closed door. What is the minimum opening of the door to determine which switch belongs to which bulb?
2. About pills
Task: Every day the patient must take pills so as not to die. One tablet from each jar. Other dosage - death. Jars are identical, tablets - too. There were 4 tablets left (two of each variety) when the patient accidentally mixed them. How can you finish the course of treatment and stay alive?
3. About a dead man
Task: A dead man was found among the wheat field, tightly clutching a match in his hands. Why did he die?
4. About hatches
Task: Why are manholes round?
5. Pro blender
Challenge: You are shrunk down and thrown into a blender that will turn on in 30 seconds. What are you going to do?
6. About the counterfeit coin
Task: You have 8 coins: 7 weigh the same, one weighs less. Using a scale, find a light coin in less than three steps.
7. About the cake
Task: You were given a cake for your birthday. How to divide it into 8 equal parts with three cuts?
8. About ropes
Task: You have two ropes. One is known to burn out in exactly 1 hour. It is necessary with the help of these ropes to determine the time interval of 15 minutes. It must be taken into account that the ropes burn non-uniformly.
9. About the chain
Task: A traveler has arrived at the inn. He had no money with him, but he had a gold chain of six links. The owner of the inn agreed to accept one ring from this chain as payment for the room for each day, but in such a way that he would receive no more than one sawn rings. How does a guest need to cut a chain so that they can pay daily for five days?
10. About piano tuners
Task: Calculate how many piano tuners are in our city?
1. About light bulbs
Answer: It is possible to determine for one opening of the door. To do this, you need to leave the room and simultaneously turn on 2 switches, after a while turn off one, and after some time - the second. Then go into the room and feel all 3 bulbs in turn: the one that was not turned on will remain cold; the one that was turned off first will be warm; the third bulb will be the hottest, meaning it belongs to the last switch.
2. About pills
Answer: Divide each tablet in half: put one half in a pile for the first dose, and the other for the second. We will get two piles of 4 halves, and each will have 2 different types.
3. About a dead man
Answer: The man was on a plane with three fellow travelers. The engine stalled and the plane began to fall. The passengers found that there were only three parachutes for four and began to pull matches. One of them pulled out a short one and was forced to jump without a parachute.
4. About hatches
Answer:
Option 1. A square-shaped lid can fall into the hatch: for example, slip through the corner, since the diagonal of the square is larger than its sides. A circle has the same diameter, no matter how you turn it.
Option 2 (a little frivolous, but also having the right to exist). Hatches are round because the holes are round.
Option 3. Round hatches are easier to transport.
5. Pro blender
Answer: 1. Use measuring marks to get out. 2. Try to unscrew the glass. 3. Take the risk to rise on the air jet.
6. About the counterfeit coin
Answer:
Option 1. 1st step: take 6 coins and put them on the scales (3 on each side). If the weight equalizes, then the light coin is in the two that are left lying. 2nd step: take 2 coins, put them on the scales and find a lighter one.
Option 2. 1st step: take 6 coins and put them on the scales (3 on each side). If the weight does not equalize, then the light coin is on the scale, and not one of the two that are left lying. 2nd step: take 3 coins, which are on the light side of the scale. Set aside one, and put two coins on the scales.
7. About the cake
Answer:
Option 1. 2 times across, cross to cross (as usual, cut the cake). You will get 4 pieces. 1 time from the edge in half (that is, the surface of the knife is horizontal to the surface of the table). You will get 8 pieces, because. each piece will be cut into 2 more pieces.
Option 2. Cut in half. Stack the halves one on top of the other and cut a second time. Then again make a "sandwich" of quarters and cut it in half.
8. About ropes
Answer:
1. We light two ropes at the same time, and one - from one end, and the second - from both.
2. In half an hour, the second rope will burn completely. At this point, the first rope had exactly half an hour to burn.
3. We light from both ends what is left of the first rope (it is already on fire at one end) - this is where the countdown of 15 minutes begins.
4. Exactly 15 minutes later, there will be nothing left of the first rope.
9. About the chain
Answer: It is necessary to cut the third link. The first day he will pay with a sawn ring, the next day he will give two links together, and the change will be the sawn ring given yesterday. On the third day he will pay in a piece of three links, and the change will be the two links he paid yesterday, and so on.
10. About piano tuners
One solution: first determine how many pianos there are in the city. To do this, you need to count the number of schools and the approximate number of students in them (adjusted for the fact that not every student has a piano at home). Then estimate the period of active use of the piano, as well as approximately how many settings are required for the period. Next, think about how many minimum orders the master needs to fulfill so that you can earn money on this or at least survive. Match all the values and determine the number of piano tuners in the city.
