Puzzle Games: What They Are and List of the Best Games
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Puzzle games are a great source of entertainment that also stimulate skills such as logical reasoning and creativity.
In this context, many titles in this genre have emerged, with options ranging from common jigsaw puzzles to complex riddles that require concentration.
To learn more about the characteristics, the best puzzle games to play, and how to avoid lag, check out this complete guide with information about this category.
What Are Puzzle Games?
Puzzle games are a genre that includes games requiring logical reasoning to solve problems. Challenges include mazes, assembling pieces, and solving complex problems.
These games can come in various formats, both digital (available on computers and mobile versions) and analog, with printed versions like Sudoku, for example.
Characteristics of Puzzle Games
Unlike action and fighting games, which require quick movements, puzzle games emphasize an analytical approach to solving challenges. This way, players can identify patterns and create strategies to make their moves.
Puzzles have a beneficial effect on cognitive development since they require not only reasoning but also skills such as memory, concentration, and creativity. Therefore, they are suitable for all ages and help exercise the brain, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem.
What Are the Best Puzzle Games in 2024?
Among the standout puzzle games in the market are Portal 2, Braid, The Witness, and the challenging 7 Billion Humans. Each offers a different interface and set of challenges that stimulate the player’s skills. Here’s how they work:
Portal 2
This is the sequel to Portal, a game developed by Valve that combines puzzle style with first-person shooter games. Equipped with a gun capable of creating portals on solid surfaces, the player can navigate chambers and obstacles, solving puzzles to advance.
Braid
The game combines puzzles with a narrative about time manipulation. The player guides the main character, Tim, on a journey to rescue the princess. To advance, Tim can rewind time to recover items or correct mistakes, as well as slow down or freeze the clock as needed. Challenges include puzzles, exploring scenarios to find collectibles, and hidden clues to help guide the protagonist.
The Witness
This acclaimed puzzle game is set on a mysterious island. The player has no information on how they got there and receives no instructions on the next steps. Thus, the player must explore the environment for clues and solve challenges to progress. The game features a simple aesthetic with vibrant colors and a melancholic soundtrack that immerses the player in the atmosphere of mystery.
7 Billion Humans
This title offers a unique proposal, requiring strategic skills for resource management. In summary, the player must manage the needs of an entire miniature world’s population. It features 60 levels of computational challenges where the player can program various employees’ functions to organize routines. While it may seem complex, clear instructions are provided, and there is an option to skip more difficult levels.
What Are the Free Puzzle Game Options?
Puzzle games offer a wide variety of titles, including some free versions. One of the most popular is Sudoku, a numerical puzzle that requires logical exercises to complete the gaps.
Another innovative title is Baba Is You, which allows the player to change the rules of each level, transforming the game interactively. With over 200 levels to explore, the user discovers new ways objects interact. It has a simple interface but has received awards like the Nordic Game Jam in 2017 and the trophy for excellence in design.
What Is the Best Puzzle Game?
The Room 4: Old Sins is one of the best puzzle games according to user reviews on Steam. It is a mystery game that begins with the disappearance of an engineer and his wife.
Clues lead to the attic of a house where there is a dollhouse with several rooms. From there, the investigation begins, involving clues and objects that reveal more mysteries about the mansion.
One of its standout features is its beautiful graphical presentation and a good level of difficulty, making the investigation even more intriguing.
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How to Reduce Lag in Puzzle Games?
Reducing lag in games makes the experience smoother, especially in online games. Here are some simple tips to improve performance:
- Choose a high-speed internet connection: Opt for a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, which can be more unstable.
- Use optimization software: Programs like ExitLag can be useful to improve performance during gaming sessions. It works by:
- Identifying the traffic route between the user’s computer and the game server.
- Comparing this route with other available options in its network.
- Automatically redirecting data traffic if a faster route is found.
It’s important to note that ExitLag is not a one-size-fits-all solution for all lag issues. Its effectiveness can vary depending on the quality of your internet connection, the location of game servers, and the number of players online.
Hardware configuration also influences performance, especially graphics cards for smooth image reproduction and RAM for storing temporary data during application execution. By considering all these factors together, users can achieve noticeable improvements in results.
