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Puzzle games are perfect for those who want to exercise their brain, whether it’s handling game pieces or exploring a world full of different problems to solve. One of the best places to look for games in this genre is Xbox Game Pass, as puzzle games are often added to the platform.
In the subscription service, the most popular puzzle experiences are indie variants. However, they are also some of the best puzzle games that the indie space has to offer. From old-school adventure games to platformers to first-person puzzlers, there are plenty of flavors to choose from.
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8th Genesis Noir
Point-and-click adventure games have been around since the dawn of PC gaming, but while the genre isn’t as prevalent as it used to be, there are some modern takes on the genre that are changing things up and offering a truly unique experience. Genesis Noir is a great example of this.
This avant-garde take on the point-and-click puzzle game is about a man who wants to save his love. Players progress through different scenes and interact with the screen while being presented with prompts. Genesis Noir has a unique art style that perfectly blends these scenes into the gameplay.
7 Return to Monkey Island
If you’re looking for a modern point-and-click game that’s reminiscent of the 1990’s classics, you’ve come to the right place Return to Monkey Islanda title published by Devolver Digital that continues the story of The Loved Ones monkey island Franchise penned by Ron Gilbert.
The sixth part of the franchise, Return to Monkey Island takes place after the events of the previous titles and begins with Guybrush Threepwood once again on a quest to uncover the mystery of Monkey Island. Many characters from the franchise are returning, including Elaine Marley and the villain LeChuck.
6 man falls flat
At first glance, it might not seem like the most complex game, but man falls flat is a game based around ragdoll physics. These include the player’s ability to use their character’s left and right arms individually to solve specific puzzles while navigating large, linear levels.
Every level in man falls flat is full of different puzzles involving picking up and interacting with objects that open paths to new areas. There are a handful of levels made by the original developers and many more made thanks to the users, some of whom have been added to the base game.
5 unpacking
There is a trend in gaming that consists of converting everyday tasks into video games, mostly leading to successful outcomes. One of the best examples of this is unpackingThis involves setting up objects in a room after moving to a new location.
With an underlying narrative told through the various objects and locations, the game takes the player unpacking is a game about placing items in the right place based on general contextual cues. The puzzle aspect is assembling a room exactly so that there are no items in odd places.
4 Hypnospace Outlaw
A point-and-click web-navigating adventure game, while a bit on the nose, fits perfectly with the story being told Hypnospace Outlaw. In this simulation game, players must act as an enforcer, a facilitator who makes sure that people in hypnospace follow the rules.
While players are initially accused of minor infractions, the story takes players on a journey that will lead to massive controversy. All the time, players from Hypnospace Outlaw navigates a 1990’s-inspired web with unique user sites, interesting personalities, and plenty of nostalgia for those who lived to see the early days of the internet.
3 Escape Academy
For those who like the idea of solving mysteries in real life, there are more and more places that offer escape rooms that people can experience with their friends or family. These experiences have now found their way into video games with the premise Escape Academy It’s about being the best at escaping rooms.
As a student training at the academy, players are placed in scenarios where they must navigate through a room and figure out how to get out of the room. This includes various visual challenges which, if completed, give players access to new items that will further advance them. Escape Academy is created by former Escape Room “Gamemasters”.
2 transcendent
In general, the first-person puzzle game is a puzzle format that has become a staple of the genre. And while there aren’t many of these on Xbox Game Pass, one of the service’s best games to fall into this category is none other than transcendent.
By participating in a dream therapy, the player navigates through different rooms and has the ability to pick up objects and change their size based on the player’s visual perspective. However, due to unknown reasons, the player is unable to escape from this dream state. transcendent is filled with various illusions to keep players guessing when first observing each area.
1 Inside
Puzzle games can refer to a variety of different experiences, but whatever type of puzzle game players seem to enjoy is out of the question Inside is one of the most impactful games of the genre. And the good news for Xbox Game Pass subscribers is that it’s part of the service.
Players take on the role of a little boy who appears to be running away from something. The gameplay of Inside This involves staying hidden from various characters trying to bring the boy down, while using objects and creatures in an environment to find ways to advance the boy’s journey.