I enjoy playing various video game genres but have a particular fondness for puzzle games. Although I want challenging activities that demand quick reactions, I also value any well-designed game that can stimulate my mind. Games like The Witness and Portal 2 are among my all-time favorite titles, alongside well-established action classics like Mass Effect 2 and The Last of Us.
As someone closely following the genre, 2023 was an exceptional year for puzzlers.
That is partly due to the ongoing expansion of the genre, which has consistently increased in range throughout gaming history. Now you can enjoy something as compact and classic as Puzzle Bobble Everybubble! In the same year as the release of The Talos Principle 2, you can expect a substantial 20-hour journey filled with a captivating storyline. This year demonstrated that the puzzle genre in gaming is highly diverse, with entirely original ideas that appear innovative compared to high-budget genre games that follow similar action-adventure patterns.
However, puzzle games are still seen as a specialized market. The major publishers have mostly stopped supporting the genre, and there is no specific category for it at events such as The Game Awards (which includes two different awards for action games). 2023’s impressive selection of puzzle games serves as a reminder to acknowledge the genre’s significance, at the very least.
The year in brainteasers
This year was so impressive for puzzle games that you could create a solid Game of the Year category based on the standout titles. We witnessed notable releases such as Station to Station, Rytmos, and Fantavision 20XX on the more conventional end of the range. Some of my preferred choices tried out the traditional structure in ways I have yet to witness previously. Sure! Revolution! is a unique combination of Minecraft and roguelike, while Storyteller is an innovative indie game that transforms story creation into an engaging gameplay element.
You didn’t have to search far to discover a fresh encounter like that. I was particularly impressed by Viewfinder, which has the most impressive magic trick of the year. Players solve problems by capturing 2D images and positioning them within the environment, promptly transforming them into 3D areas. It’s a thought-provoking concept that seems difficult to comprehend, and that’s precisely the type of thing I want in games: experiences that are entirely distinct to the medium.
This year also seen the further blending of the puzzle and adventure genres, yielding impressive outcomes. The Talos Principle 2 is a standout, enhancing its philosophical precursor with intricate riddles and a substantial story not typically found in this game genre. However, Cocoon saw Limbo’s leading creator, Carlsen Jeppe, showcasing his talents with a well-crafted game with some technical issues, challenging riddles, and an impressive game world that stood out in the year.
That’s not to mention my two favorites from the group, which were included in Digital Trends’ top 10 list for this year. To begin with, there is Humanity, an intriguing game about guiding groups of individuals that is particularly captivating in virtual reality. It includes an enjoyable puzzle feature and one of the most impactful and often distressing examinations of human nature and our potential. Next is Chants of Sennaar, a clever game that involves figuring out new languages using contextual hints. It’s a wise deduction game that evokes the same sensation that Return of the Obra Dinn gave me years ago.
Even an insufficient summary of all the puzzle genres was available this year. American Arcadia transformed the Limbo premise into a successful puzzle platformer. Birth is an enjoyable point-and-click game about solitude, and Zach Gage’s newspaper-inspired Puzzmo might be my favorite gaming project this year.
Despite numerous notable aspects, games of this nature often need help to receive notice by the end of each year. Since there is no specific category for this genre at The Game Awards, many of these products only have a chance to be considered in the show’s two independent types and sometimes in Games for Impact. There is no room for a game like The Talos Principle 2 to receive appreciation, as the “Action-Adventure” genre only includes games that include combat in some way. Most games I’ve mentioned are more miniature independent games, so they only have a chance in categories like Art Direction compared to large-scale technical titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Despite the few systems in place to officially acknowledge its significance, the puzzle genre has provided us with many innovations this year. The one area that keeps changing while many other designs have become fixed patterns. If you are interested in exploring more innovative games that go beyond the typical open-world adventure style, show your support and appreciation for independent developers creating some of the most imaginative gaming experiences.