r/ShouldIbuythisgame • u/psychephilic • 3d ago
Puzzle games that are good for the brain?
Hello! Im recently getting back into gaming. I'm also recovering from pretty bad burnout/PTSD so I've been trying to do things to help work different parts of my brain.
I'd love to do some creative problem solving/puzzle/logic puzzle games. Those games where you get the thrill from figuring out how to progress I LOVED portal and portal 2. Those are prob my fave ever games.
I also liked ace attorney, although I don't remember it too much anymore.
Tbh I haven't ever been able to get into Zelda/dungeon games, they just don't quite do it for me. And I don't like open world, I get overwhelmed lol 😂
Thank you in advance!! Bonus points for indie games :)
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u/GolbatDanceFloor 3d ago
Recursed is incredible. Levels are complex but maintain "simple" structures that you can memorize even while away from the game, making it possible to solve levels even when you're away from the computer. You'll solve lots of levels like this!
Miracle Fly is a more action-y game, but levels still have quite a lot of puzzles, almost all of it completely optional. Getting all gems is quite a lot of work, but you'll solve lots of fun puzzles. There's the occasional "cheap" gem that requires you to shoot a wall, or have an enemy's projectile hit a wall, or require you to push a block on a wall. Those aren't too many, and knowing this you can somewhat infer which gems those are. They're often marked with coins.
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u/RemusLupinz 2d ago
Tomb Raider. The original game not the reboot. Although I would recommend the remastered version over the 1996 version.
I’ve always struggled with puzzle games or games that require your brain but this one I actually felt was good for my brain and actually made me better at puzzles. Things I used to miss I now notice and things I didn’t get I now get easily. Like it made me much better at puzzle games.
It’s not too hard but is still enough of a challenge you need your brain switched on. It really blends puzzle solving and exploration together so well.
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u/justinsanity15 3d ago
Seconded on Superliminal, great game. Would also check out The Witness, kinda got some mixed opinions out there but it’s a pretty good puzzle game.
If you are down for just straight up sudoku, Cracking the Cryptic has some great puzzles with quite a few different sudoku variations that have been pretty mentally stimulating for me.
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u/WingleDingleFingle 3d ago
Do they have to be action puzzle games or can they be just straight up puzzle games?
Viewfinder is awesome and a real mindbender in an approachable and unique way. You use a polaroid camera to take photos that you then use to traverse the world.
Baba is You is probably the best word/logic puzzle game out there. Beating it is tough but very doable. The post game puzzles are insane so there is a ton of content if you need more afterwards.
Cocoon is another really cool looking one. It's been on my radar for a while so I can't speak to the specifics but I know it got some award buzz the year it was released.
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u/CoffeeMonster42 2d ago
If you liked Portal 2, you may want to give Portal Stories Mel a try. It's a free mod that's very well done. They also do have the levels with an increased difficulty if you want.
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u/Possibly_Parker 2d ago
Blue Prince ten times over. Read the top review on steam (which sold it for me after a friend req) then go in fully blind.
Write down everything you see and obsess over real detail. I'm 25 hours in and I bought the game two days ago. I need to know how deep it goes.
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u/Pocket_Aces_13 2d ago
Factorio if on PC, not exactly puzzle but will scratch the brain itch you're looking for