Hidden Gems: Puzzle Games You Haven't Played Yet

26 August 2025

Let’s admit it—life gets busy. Whether you’ve got work deadlines, an endless to-do list, or you’re just feeling low-key overwhelmed by your backlog of AAA titles, sometimes you just want a puzzle game. Something satisfying, something chill, but still challenging enough to get those neurons firing like fireworks on New Year’s.

If you think you’ve played all the great puzzle games out there, think again. The gaming world hides some absolutely brilliant titles under its pixelated sleeves that, for one reason or another, never got the love they truly deserve. Today, we’re diving deep into the vaults to uncover hidden gem puzzle games you probably haven’t played yet, but absolutely should.

Why Puzzle Games Still Matter

Before we jump in, let’s talk real talk for a second—puzzle games are more than just time-fillers. They exercise your brain, boost problem-solving skills, and sometimes, they’re even straight-up therapy. They offer a space to slow down, think, and genuinely enjoy the moment. No raids, no leaderboards, just you and the puzzle… vibing.

And the cool part? You don’t need a beefy PC or next-gen console. Most of these gems run on humble hardware. So yeah, even your 7-year-old laptop can be a portal to beautiful worlds filled with clever challenges.

Alright, let’s dig in.

1. The Pedestrian – Words Are The Path

Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Skookum Arts

Imagine walking through a city as the stick figure from public restroom signs. That’s "The Pedestrian" in a nutshell. But the magic happens when you start rearranging the signs themselves to create new pathways. Confused yet? Good—it means your brain is warming up.

This game blends real-world environments with clever 2.5D puzzles that involve rewiring connections between street signs, chalkboards, and digital displays. The world moves around you like a dream that makes just enough sense to keep going. It’s both calming and deeply satisfying.

> Think liminal spaces meet Subway Surfers, minus the chaos.

2. Baba Is You – Let’s Break The Rules… Literally

Platform: PC, Switch, iOS, Android
Developer: Hempuli

"Baba Is You" isn’t your typical puzzle game—it’s a full-on brain-bender that messes with game logic itself. You don’t just solve puzzles, you rewrite the rules.

Literally.

The rules of each level appear as text blocks (like “Baba Is You” or “Wall Is Stop”), and you can push those words around to completely change how the game works. Change “Wall Is Stop” to “Wall Is Push,” and suddenly you can walk through walls. It’s like hacking a puzzle from the inside.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a genius and a toddler at the same time, Baba is waiting.

3. Gorogoa – A Picture is Worth a Thousand Puzzles

Platform: PC, Switch, iOS, Android, Xbox
Developer: Jason Roberts / Annapurna Interactive

Okay, imagine you’re solving a puzzle… inside a painting… that changes depending on how you look at it.

"Gorogoa" offers a unique mechanic where you move, zoom, and layer panels like a magical comic strip to solve puzzles. There’s no text, no dialogue—just gorgeously hand-drawn imagery and clever design. It’s quiet, soulful, and one of the most visually poetic games I’ve ever played.

If you appreciate art and puzzle-solving, this one will stay with you long after you’ve completed it.

> Playing Gorogoa feels like solving a dream wrapped in silk and watercolor.

4. Melbits World – Cooperative Chaos with Adorable Vibes

Platform: PS4, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Melbot Studios

Looking for a quirky puzzle game to play with friends or family? "Melbits World" is your jam. You guide adorable digital creatures through diorama-like levels, avoiding hazards and collecting shiny bits along the way.

The twist? There’s no direct control—you alter the world around the Melbits to guide them. Think of it like Lemmings meets Captain Toad.

It’s colorful, chaotic (in a fun way), and perfect for cooperative play. Plus, the Melbits are so cute, they’ll melt even the frostiest of hearts.

5. The Gardens Between – Time Travel With Feels

Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox, iOS
Developer: The Voxel Agents

"The Gardens Between" is like a warm hug wrapped in nostalgia. You control time, not the characters. Let that sink in.

Two best friends journey through surreal, dreamlike islands filled with items from their childhood. The puzzles involve rewinding and fast-forwarding time to interact with objects in meaningful ways. There’s no dialogue, but the story hits hard in the feels.

This one is perfect for a rainy afternoon when you want something chill but emotionally rich.

6. A Monster’s Expedition – Less Roars, More Zen

Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, iOS
Developer: Draknek & Friends

"A Monster’s Expedition" is an open-world puzzle game where a curious monster explores human artifacts by rolling logs into the water to form bridges. Sounds simple, right? Don’t be fooled.

The brilliance lies in the game’s subtle complexity. It's forgiving, non-linear, and incredibly clever. You can always backtrack or try another puzzle without pressure. Its tranquil vibe and witty museum-style exhibit descriptions make it feel like a leisurely stroll through a forest of riddles.

> Think of it as Breath of the Wild, but for puzzles.

7. Catherine – A Puzzle Game with a Grown-Up Twist

Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox
Developer: Atlus

Alright, time for something a little edgier.

"Catherine" blends relationship drama with intense tower-climbing puzzles. You control Vincent, a guy caught in a love triangle, trying to survive nightmares that represent his fears and indecision.

Each night, you're solving block puzzles while being chased by horrifying manifestations of anxiety (yes, really). Combine that with moral choices, adult themes, and multiple endings, and you’ve got a puzzle game that isn’t afraid to get real.

If you’re looking for a puzzle game with substance and spice, Catherine’s door is open.

8. Quell Zen – Simplicity Meets Serenity

Platform: PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Fallen Tree Games

Sometimes, you want a calm, no-stress experience—the gaming equivalent of sipping tea on a porch during golden hour. That’s "Quell Zen."

The premise is easy: swipe the screen to slide droplets around mazes, collecting pearls and avoiding hazards. But like all good puzzle games, the deeper you go, the more it challenges you.

It’s clean, minimal, and backed with a calming soundtrack. Honestly, this game is therapy in touchscreen form.

9. Patrick’s Parabox – The Puzzle That Folds In On Itself

Platform: PC, Switch
Developer: Patrick Traynor

This one takes "thinking outside the box" and throws the box inside another box… which is inside you.

"Patrick’s Parabox" is a puzzler about recursion and boxes inside boxes. You’ll move a box into a space that contains itself, and then go inside that space to move other boxes. Confused? Totally normal. But when it clicks—ohhh boy—it feels like discovering the cheat code to the universe.

This is one for hardcore puzzle fiends who crave that “AHA!” moment.

10. Toki Tori 2+ – No Text. Just Logic.

Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, iOS, Android
Developer: Two Tribes

Last but not least, let me introduce a criminally underrated gem: "Toki Tori 2+."

Forget tutorials, forget handholding. This game teaches you purely by design. You control a cute bird that can do two things: stomp and chirp. That’s it. And with just those two actions, you’ll solve increasingly complex puzzles involving strange creatures and ecosystems.

It’s brutally clever and incredibly rewarding. If you love thinking five steps ahead, Toki Tori 2+ will scratch that itch.

Don’t Sleep On These Treasure Troves ✨

There’s a certain magic in finding a hidden gem—something that didn’t make headlines or top the charts but becomes deeply personal once you’ve experienced it. These puzzle games might not shout the loudest, but they whisper beautifully. They lean in and say, “Hey, slow down. Let’s think this through.” And honestly? That’s exactly what many of us need sometimes.

So, next time you’re browsing game stores, skip past the big blockbusters just for a moment. Look a little deeper. You might just find your next favorite game hiding in plain sight.

Got a hidden gem of your own? Let’s start a conversation in the comments—I’d love to hear what puzzle games have quietly blown your mind.