Sometimes, you like to play shooting games. Sometimes, you may prefer to engage in challenge games. Puzzle games have been popular since the beginning. They attract people who enjoy a challenge in their games rather than just shooting or figuring out RPG teams. Which ones are the best? These are our top choices for the best puzzle games ever created.
30 Best Puzzle Games 2025
We love these great puzzle games, but many more options are available. That’s why we regularly update this list with new recommendations so everyone can find a unique puzzle game whenever they want. Enjoy the latest puzzle games until the next update. They are the best of the best.
1. Super Mario RPG
Platform: Switch
If you are looking for the best Puzzle games it is for you. Super Mario RPG isn’t typically considered a puzzle game, but it does have puzzles to solve in its world. In addition, combat brings its own set of challenging puzzles to solve! The game will keep its classic turn-based combat, but it will also have challenges that test your timing and skill in defeating the enemies. Although it’s an RPG, you can still challenge your puzzle-solving skills by playing it! It’s a remake of a classic game. What is there not to love?
2. HUMANITY
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
How would you handle leading Humanity to safety if given the task? You would expect a human to guide them to safety. In Humanity, all hope now rests with a dog that you control. Additionally, this dog needs to guide people in overcoming the puzzles and challenges ahead. The title is more than just a challenging puzzle game. To defeat the bosses trying to stop your group, you can rely on the people following you to fight alongside you. After finishing the game, you can test your creativity by creating and sharing your puzzles online!
3. Stray
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows Trending
If you are looking for the best Puzzle games it is for you. Stray is a unique science-fiction game you didn’t know you needed to play. It’s the most unusual game out there. In a hidden futuristic city beneath ruins, a stray cat gets trapped in a strange and unfamiliar world. This city’s appearance was said to be inspired by Kowloon Walled City, a crowded and unregulated Chinese area in British-controlled Hong Kong. The setting is futuristic and dirty, making it the perfect playground for a stray cat.
4. Hogwarts Legacy
Platform: PC PS5 Xbox Series X|S
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
Magic is like a puzzle, and fans of the genre love games with magical puzzles. Hogwarts Legacy allows you to explore the magical world that gave rise to Harry Potter, but this time, you get to create your own witch or wizard character. You choose your house, get your wand, and explore the castle and its surroundings. As you progress, you’ll solve puzzles to unlock new magic pathways and maybe even uncover the truth about the Dark Arts! Millions have already received the title to test their magical mind. Are you going to be with them? It is one of the most favored puzzle games on this list.
5. We Were Here Expeditions: The Friendship
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
Imagine going to an amusement park on a deserted island. The “boat ride” is not just a simple ride but a thrilling test of your friendship with the person next to you. It’s an exciting adventure! It doesn’t sound fun, huh? If you want to avoid trying We Were Here Expeditions, then you won’t want to—the Story of Friendship. You and your partner are on a boat ride filled with puzzles in the game. To solve them, we need to work together, literally. If you fail, the boat ride and your friendship both end. Be the team you claim to be and complete the task!
6. Little Nightmares 2
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia
If you like to play puzzle games, Tarsier Studios had great success with Little Nightmares, so a sequel was bound to happen. The game continues the story from the first one, where Six escapes from the Maw. But instead of playing as Six, you’ll control a new character named Mono. Get ready for a new horror adventure! Mono and Six are back, facing even scarier enemies as they try to reach safety. Like the first game, Little Nightmares 2 is about using stealth to avoid the dangerous enemies on the map.
7. Pikmin 4
Platform: Switch
The Pikmin can be seen as tools or creatures you can throw at enemies to clear your path. In Pikmin 4, you’ll need to use your Pikmin and other creatures wisely to navigate the alien world you’ve crashed into. Initially, you’ll have limited access and need to use Pikmin to explore new areas, find treasures to repair your ship, and battle familiar characters in Dandori fights to save your missing teammates. Remember, Pikmin are not disposable. Instead, consider them as your most valuable resource for survival!
8. We Were Here Forever
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
Getting stuck in Castle Rock is always a bad idea. It would help if you collaborated to escape when you and your partner are trapped together. In the game, you’ll encounter puzzles that can only be solved by working together. To move forward, it’s essential to improve communication with your partner. Additionally, you must collaborate to navigate Castle Rock and uncover its horrifying secrets. Utilize your resources, collaborate as a team, and break free!
9. FAR: Changing Tides
Platforms: Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 5
Far Changing Tides is a sequel to Far Lone Sails. It introduces a new main character and explores a different part of the world. You are a young boy who must steer a ship to cross a desolate land and find a new home. You must explore your ship and uncover the world’s mysteries in this game. It aims to provide a calming and immersive experience while offering excitement as you navigate challenges and solve puzzles. Try this out for a unique gaming experience.
10. The Swapper
You are alone on a damaged space station and you have to find your way out no matter what. The twist? Your tool is a clone gun. You’ll have to swap between up to four clones in order to open doors and do various other things to make it through the station alive. But there is much more going on here than meets the eye, and you’ll have to make some tough choices as you try and figure out the truth about what’s really going on.
11. Portal Reloaded
Platform: PC
We will discuss the Portal in detail later, but for now, let’s begin the main list by talking about a community mod that brought a fresh perspective. In Portal Reloaded, you can use your gun to open three portals. This lets you explore different timelines and solve challenging 4D puzzles. The community always strives to take things to the next level. Take advantage of this one! It has 25 new and exciting puzzle games for fans to enjoy.
12. Poly Bridge 2
A puzzle game isn’t just about putting pieces together; it’s also about ensuring your work is good enough. Poly Bridge 2 is the follow-up to a famous bridge simulator game. In this game, you are tasked with building a bridge and testing its durability. Cars and trucks will fall into the ocean if you do a bad job. You can complete the job using various methods, including new materials. Is this bridge too far? Go ahead and discover for yourself.
13. Portal 1 + 2
Portal 1 + 2 are incredibly creative puzzle games, considered among the best made. These puzzle shooters are a hit with gamers because they cleverly combine physics and shooting mechanics, as the popular mod mentioned earlier demonstrated. In both games, you’ll be challenged to outsmart the mechanical Glados. However, how you solve the puzzles will challenge your problem-solving skills and creativity to the fullest. Let’s jump in, take your portal gun, and complete the task.
14. The Witness
Who doesn’t enjoy a fun puzzle? The Witness is a puzzle game where players explore an island filled with increasingly complex and challenging puzzles. The experience is calming and beautiful to look at. It’s a peaceful and relaxing experience that feels refreshing.
Playing this game with someone else can make it clearer for you. This video game is a single-player experience but focuses on solving puzzles by looking at them from different perspectives. It’s an excellent title for passing the controller back and forth.
15. Baba Is You
The title was initially showcased as a demo at a Game Jam, where indie developers create and exhibit games. It was later developed into a complete puzzle game. You play in a world where the rules are objects you can interact with. To solve puzzles, you must change the world and how you play. It’s a different approach, and we’ve only begun exploring it. Take a look and decide for yourself!
16. World of Goo
World of Goo takes builder games to a new level with unique features. In this game, you’ll explore a strange world and solve puzzles using living goo and other materials. To succeed, be imaginative, use what you have, and understand what the next level requires. The game is simple to learn but challenging to become an expert at. After finishing the main game, you can compete online against other players to see how well you’ve mastered it.
17. Myst Series
The Myst series is a unique puzzle game that consistently delivers engaging gameplay and captivating stories. Imagine being transported into a world where you see everything through your eyes. As you explore and interact with your surroundings, you’ll uncover new information, solve puzzles, and discover more about this intriguing world. The game has had many versions, spoofs, and spin-offs that have continued its legacy. In 2021, they made a VR version of the original game! Here’s a fun and different way to play the game. Whether you prefer the original classic or the newer versions that incorporate modern gaming technology, this is a series you should pay attention to. It is one of the best puzzle games on this list.
18. Antichamber
Antichamber is a puzzle game that focuses on both the setting and the puzzle gameplay. Everything is like a painting in this world, so you can’t assume anything about your surroundings. Objects move and blend, requiring you to navigate and solve puzzles to progress. Can you distinguish between what is right in front of you and what isn’t? Also, you’ll have a gun that can create and destroy things.
19. Helltaker
Sometimes, you have to wonder what game developers think when creating games. In Helltaker, your main goal is to venture into the underworld and romance some demon ladies. To achieve your dreams, you’ll have to fight, solve puzzles, and win the hearts of demon girls. Be careful; these girls are demons, and they will harm you if they feel like it. They might kill you regardless.
20. The Room Series
The Room series is a game collection that challenges you as your character descends into madness. In the games, you’ll be stuck in a house and later in different places like another dimension. Your goal is to solve clues and uncover the truth. If you take too much time to solve the mystery, your mind will start playing tricks on you and become overwhelming. This title is more suitable for older audiences.
21. Unravel Series
Unravel is a lovely game by Coldwood Interactive. It tells the story of a little character made of red yarn. Players explore a detailed world and find memories. Our protagonist, made of yarn, must unravel itself to move forward and explore new areas. This game is both a puzzle and a platformer. As our cute yarn character loses yarn, players need to find a way to get more thread or use what they have to explore new places.
Unravel Two was unexpectedly released at E3 2018. The main update in this title includes local multiplayer co-op for two players. Players will control two yarn creatures as they navigate through challenging levels. In each level, the characters have limited yarn that restricts their movement. To progress, they need to solve puzzles. Players will need a friend’s help to go through the game due to new enemies and locations.
22. Zero Escape Trilogy
The Zero Escape Trilogy puts you and nine strangers together in a room, but why are you there? To get out. You’ll have to work together to not just find out the truth from the mysterious “Zero” but also to solve puzzles. Do well, or you’ll start to lose people. The trilogy throws some fun twists into the mix, so keep your wits about you, find out whether someone is telling the truth or not, and get out alive!
23. The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle is a popular puzzle game that is still enjoyable today. You are a creation in a conflicted world. Your creator wants you to solve over 120 puzzles. While solving puzzles, you’ll naturally start asking important questions. One important thing is knowing who and where you are, and if you should listen to the creator. You have the power to solve and explore the world. The choices you make will shape your perception of the world. Plus, with exclusive DLC, there’s even more to discover. It is one of the best among other puzzle games on this list.
24. Escape Simulator
This puzzle game lets you play alone or with friends in an escape room. You’ll need to escape from 20 different rooms, each with unique puzzles to solve. In addition, the game has community rooms where you can challenge others. Why not test your brain cells and try to escape on time? You’ll gain bragging rights.
25. Trine Series
Did you know that there are four games in the Trine series? You can buy the entire collection at a reasonable price on platforms like Steam. The games combine action and puzzle elements. You’ll need to use your intelligence and physical abilities to solve puzzles based on physics. Additionally, there are others responsible for completing the task. You can select team members who can contribute based on their skills.
26. Inside
Inside, developed by Playdead, the creators of the 2010 game Limbo, offers players a similar tone. In the game, players become a young boy navigating a tricky and perilous dystopia. Inside shares many gameplay mechanics with Limbo. Gamers can expect a dark and gloomy artistic title that will stick with them even after the credits roll.
27. Braid
Braid is a unique puzzle game that blurs the classic genre. In the game, you control Tim, a man on a mission to rescue a princess. In this game, you can rewind time to learn from mistakes and use the environment to your advantage. The title is fun, and there’s a surprising twist at the end. You’ll have to discover it yourself. The design and gameplay of this game make it highly replayable.
28. Fez
Like other best puzzle games on this list, Fez is a viral game from the past decade. It follows the story of Gomez, a character who starts in a 2D world but soon finds himself in a 3D world. Gomez is about to discover the reason. The game combines traditional and contemporary puzzles and a story that will broaden your understanding of this world. Try looking at this game from different angles to solve puzzles and discover hidden secrets that add depth to the story.
29. Celeste
Celeste is a platformer game created by Matt Thorson and Noel Berry. The video game is a fast-paced platformer. Players control a young girl named Madeline. The game’s main objective is to ascend Celeste Mountain, a huge mountain. This game is a fun platformer where players must move fast, dodge obstacles, and collect items. The game also has an exciting story to captivate players as they learn more about the mountain and our main character.
30. Path of Giants
In this fantastic puzzle games, you’ll guide three characters with different skills to complete each stage. You’ll use these characters to solve each puzzle in each stage, and the challenge gets harder as you progress. The graphics are great, the gameplay is fun, and you can easily play it in short sessions. It’s perfect for playing during your free time. The best part is that you get exactly what you see. This is a premium release, so once you pay $4, you can enjoy the entire game without any limitations. Pretty good.
Final Words
Puzzle games are unique because they satisfy our intellectual curiosity, challenging our thinking and concentration. They are both fun and engaging. Good apps don’t need quick reflexes or fancy graphics. They need simple controls and lovely artwork. Puzzle games are top-rated on the Play Store, but there are a lot of competitors. We’re here to show you the top puzzle games. You don’t need a high-performance gaming devices for AP’s favorite puzzle apps, but the contenders in this roundup are designed to help you stay sharp.
