5 Best Puzzle Games on PC (2024)

Puzzle games have always held a special place in the hearts of gamers, offering a blend of challenge and relaxation that's hard to find in any other genre. They test our logic, patience, and problem-solving skills, providing a unique sense of satisfaction when we finally crack a particularly tough puzzle. Amidst the vast ocean of games available on PC, finding those gems that offer the perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment can be a daunting task. That's why we've done the legwork for you, compiling a list of the five best puzzle games that you can dive into right now. So, without further ado, here are the five best puzzle games on PC.

5. Poppy Playtime – Chapter 3

First up, in Poppy Playtime – Chapter 3, you dive into an adventure inside Playcare, an old orphanage hidden under a toy factory. As you move around this spooky place, you face puzzles that make you think hard and feel brave at the same time. The game is all about exploring and figuring things out, pushing you to use your brain to discover secrets hidden in dark corners.

Then, there are new monsters in this chapter. These monsters are not just simple enemies; they have their own backstories connected to the orphanage. You need to be smart and sneaky to get past them. Another cool part of the game is the improved GrabPack. This tool, which was already important in earlier chapters, now has new features that let you do more things in the game. With this upgraded GrabPack, you can solve puzzles in new ways, like reaching places you couldn't before or using things from a distance to help you move forward.

Lastly, the game introduces a gas mask you need to wear to walk through some areas filled with red smoke. This adds a new twist to your adventure, making you plan how to use the gas mask to keep going. It makes the game more interesting and pulls you deeper into the world of Playcare. And as you solve puzzles and find clues, you get closer to uncovering the big secrets hidden in the orphanage.

4. Manifold Garden

Manifold Garden is a game that turns puzzle-solving into a fascinating journey by changing how gravity works. Imagine being able to walk on walls and ceilings as easily as you do on the floor. This game makes that possible. You get to flip the world around to find new ways to move forward and solve puzzles. It's like playing in a giant, endless playground where every wall can become the ground with just a flip.

This game is about discovering solutions by trying different things. You'll walk through amazing places, each one more puzzling than the last. The puzzles get trickier as you go, but figuring them out feels great. The game encourages you to see things from new angles, literally, by turning the world upside down or sideways to find the way ahead.

All these features—playing with gravity, solving smart puzzles, and exploring a world that feels endless—make Manifold Garden a unique experience. It's not just about finding the solution to a puzzle. It's about stepping into a place where the usual rules don't apply and learning to see the world in a whole new way. The game keeps you guessing and marveling at every turn, making every discovery a reward in itself.

3. Pico Park

Pico Park brings a refreshing twist to the puzzle genre by focusing on cooperative gameplay. This game is built around the concept of players working together to solve puzzles, making it a standout choice for those looking for a shared puzzle-solving experience. It features a series of levels, each with its unique set of challenges that can only be overcome through teamwork. The puzzles are designed to encourage communication and collaboration, requiring players to coordinate their actions to progress.

One of the game's strengths is its simplicity in design, yet complexity in execution. The graphics are charmingly minimalistic, which helps to keep the focus on the puzzles and teamwork. Despite its simple appearance, Pico Park offers a deep and engaging gameplay experience. The puzzles vary widely in their mechanics, from basic coordination tasks to more complex challenges that test the limits of player collaboration.

2. Islands of Insight

If you love exploring and solving puzzles, Islands of Insight is the perfect adventure for you. As a Seeker, you'll enter a peaceful world full of floating islands and start a journey filled with discovery. This game lets you explore at your own pace, offering a relaxing mix of puzzle-solving and exploration.

The game has more than 10,000 puzzles of 24 different types. The puzzles here vary in difficulty, so both new players and puzzle experts will find fun and challenging moments. Solving these puzzles feels great and helps you feel like you're making progress on your adventure.

Furthermore, you can also make your character better over time. By solving puzzles, you level up and get new abilities. This makes exploring and puzzle-solving even more fun. You can choose to do daily tasks for extra rewards, and if you like, you can interact with other players who are also exploring this world. But if you prefer to play alone, that's fine too.

1. The Talos Principle 2

Concluding, The Talos Principle 2 pushes the boundaries of first-person puzzles, wrapping complex philosophical questions in layers of challenging gameplay. Players embark on a journey through a world where humanity has vanished, leaving behind a civilization of robots. The adventure unfolds within a vast megastructure, brimming with secrets that hold the power to alter the course of events.

The game introduces a new generation of puzzles, expanding the variety and complexity of the challenges. Players will face everything from intricate metapuzzles to daunting gold puzzles, each designed to test their limits. With abilities like gravity manipulation and mind transference, along with familiar mechanics from the original game, the game crafts a rich, engaging puzzle experience. Players can choose their path, solving puzzles at their own pace, with the ultimate reward of mastery waiting for those who seek it.

So, do you agree with our picks? And are there any other puzzle games on PC that you think should have made the list? Let us know on our socials here.