Puzzling Out Puzzle Games - The Addictive Appeal of Problem-Solving Games
A puzzle from System Shock: Remake
Puzzles are pretty fun to solve. Whether it's a simple Rubix cube or a much more involved riddle, they can be pretty enjoyable if they're paced well. Sometimes, they're even the highlight. Backtracking in Resident Evil or unlocking new areas in Zelda are pretty fun, and they require proper resource management and game knowledge to overcome any potential obstacles.
That kind of problem-solving is what puzzles encourage best. Quick movement isn't enough; you must also be smart and think quickly. And in just the right amounts? It can be pretty fun to enjoy.
Bite-Sized Fun
I say the right amounts because, at the heart of it, a puzzle game is an experience that requires good mechanics AND good pacing. It isn’t enough to just be an enjoyable game - it also has to be interesting enough to last the entire game, no matter how short or long it may be.
Think of it this way. If your puzzles are too light on mechanics, your players will get bored at how easy these puzzles are. The NES and Famicom game The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle was far too simple for its 70+ levels, and it got very frustrating after a few failed attempts.
At the same time, make your puzzles TOO complicated, and you’ll have people stumped before they can even start enjoying it! Silent Hill 3 is primarily a horror game, but it had an infamously difficult puzzle that required knowledge about Shakespeare to solve. Hope you’ve been paying attention to the Literature Class!
Courtesy of IGN
The best types of puzzle games are the ones that don’t overstay their welcome. Games like the PSP’s Exit or the PC’s Portal are perfect examples of puzzle games that are stylish, interesting, and fun from start to finish!
Full-on Challenge
That said, some people enjoy more dedicated puzzle games. While mainstream gamers might enjoy shorter, more concise experiences, there are certainly plenty who like more challenging titles.
This is where we tackle titles like The Witness. Enjoying them requires a lot more commitment than some people are willing to give. Sometimes, they can even be frustrating! If you have some patience though - if you manage to breach the initial weirdness and annoyance these games can present, you might find something to latch onto.
After all, what other game do you solve riddles based on lost mythologies like in The Forgotten City? What other title lets you solve problems using letters like Baba Is You or piece together the story of a ruined ship like in Obra Dinn? Puzzle games can be uniquely frustrating, that’s true - but they also have a habit of surprising you when you let your guard down.
The Difficulty In the Details
There are dangers to fully leaning on this genre, though. Proper puzzle games are fun, but they're also a small niche that most people can’t always get into. The harsh reality is that no matter how good a puzzle game may be, it’ll never reach the mainstream that genres like RPGs, action games, or shooters do.
Thankfully, it doesn’t need to! How good a game is is measured in more than just profit. It’s also seen in the developers' vision and the heights and depths of the experience their game can leave its players with. It’s in the art style of the games, the impact the story and gameplay have on their audience, and the general smoothness and style a game has.
This is how most recent puzzle games have managed to stand out. Games like Sexy Brutale leverage their unique aesthetics to draw their core audience in. The art lures them in, and the gameplay keeps them interested long-term.
And it works, too! When your puzzle games are engaging, your audience is happy - and when they are happy and engaged, they’ll be far more receptive to whatever mechanics, puzzles, and problems you toss at them. It’s a puzzle game’s greatest strength - one we at Mega Cat understand fully.
Enter Haplo’s Tenebra! It is simplistic but atmospheric, focusing on mind-bending puzzles and using light and terrain to guide you through levels. Use the flames as your guide and traverse a minimalist landscape brimming with atmosphere. Do you have what it takes to brave the darkness? Buy the game now.
Tenebra
If you’re interested in our other games, check them out here! We have a vast library of games from all sorts of genres, from SHMUPs and platformers to rogue-likes, shooters, and horror, and I’m sure some will be right up your alley!
About the Author
Alexander Cuaycong is a writer with a passion for history and video game. When he's not busy buried in dusty books, he's out there trying to make his fantasy worlds come true. For him, gaming isn't a hobby so much as a calling, and it's one he's been doing his best to follow. Whether it's reviewing games, or writing about their history, he's on a mission to spread that love with others.
