The Most Difficult Puzzle Game, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the puzzle game you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:25
Choosing the most challenging puzzle game can be a daunting task given the sheer number of games available, each with its own unique set of rules and complexities. For both novice players seeking a starting point and seasoned gamers aiming to test their limits, understanding which games pose the greatest challenge can significantly enhance their gaming experience. A ranked list serves as a practical tool in this quest, providing clarity and insight into the hierarchy of difficulty presented by these games.
By participating in the voting process for the toughest puzzle games, users contribute to a more accurate and dynamic list. Your votes help identify which games really push the boundaries of logic and creativity. Whether you are looking to confirm your opinions or discover a new and daunting challenge, your input is invaluable. This collaborative effort ensures the list remains relevant and reflective of true gamer experiences and preferences.
What Is the Most Difficult Puzzle Game?
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128votes
The Witness
Jonathan BlowThis puzzle game is known for its challenging puzzles and requires players to think outside the box. The game is set in an open-world island, and players must solve over 600 puzzles to uncover the island's secrets.The Witness is a puzzle video game that takes place on a mysterious and scenic island. Players explore the island, solve various puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the environment. The game features stunning and vibrant landscapes, intricate puzzles, and a richly detailed world to explore.- Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, iOS
- Genre: Puzzle
- Release Date: January 26, 2016
- Graphics: Beautiful and vibrant
- Gameplay: First-person perspective, exploration, puzzle-solving
The Witness in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular book by Nora Roberts
- Position 8 of 10 in Most beautiful game in the world
- Position 9 of 10 in Most difficult game to play
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223votesThis puzzle game has a unique mechanic where players can rotate the game's world to reveal hidden paths and solve puzzles. The game's puzzles are challenging and require players to think creatively.Fez is a puzzle-platform video game that was released in 2012. It combines 2D platforming with a unique 3D perspective-shifting mechanic.
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Linux, macOS
- Genre: Puzzle-platformer
- Modes: Single-player
- Release Date: April 13, 2012
- Publisher: Polytron Corporation
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324votesThis puzzle game features time manipulation mechanics that players must use to solve puzzles. The puzzles are challenging and require players to think strategically.Braid is a challenging puzzle-platformer game that was released in 2008. It combines elements of time manipulation and intricate puzzles to create a unique gaming experience. In each level, the player controls the protagonist named Tim as he embarks on a journey to rescue a princess from a menacing monster. As the game progresses, the story unfolds in mysterious ways, leaving players to interpret its meaning.
- Platform: Available on multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, macOS, and Linux.
- Graphics: Features hand-drawn visual style with vibrant colors and detailed environments.
- Time manipulation: Player can control time by rewinding and manipulating it to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.
- Puzzle complexity: Offers complex and mind-bending puzzles that require creative thinking and experimentation.
- Narrative: Contains a thought-provoking and metaphorical storyline that unfolds gradually throughout the game.
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417votesThis puzzle game has a unique mechanic where players must use portals to solve puzzles. The game's puzzles are challenging and require players to think creatively.Portal is a critically acclaimed puzzle game that combines first-person shooter and platforming elements. The game was developed by Valve Corporation and first released in 2007 as part of The Orange Box compilation. In Portal, players must navigate a series of test chambers using a unique device called the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (commonly known as the 'portal gun'). By creating portals on certain surfaces, players can teleport themselves and objects between two points in space. The game challenges players to solve increasingly complex puzzles by utilizing the physics-based mechanics of the portal gun.
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Genre: Puzzle, First-person shooter, Platform
- Release Date: October 10, 2007
- Modes: Single-player
- ESRB Rating: E10+
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512votesThis puzzle game features non-Euclidean geometry, which means that the game's world does not follow traditional rules of geometry. The game's puzzles are challenging and require players to think outside the box.Antichamber is a first-person puzzle game that defies traditional logic and challenges players to think outside the box. It takes place in a mesmerizing and mind-bending world filled with optical illusions and non-Euclidean geometry. The game focuses on exploration and discovery, with each new puzzle presenting unique challenges and requiring inventive thinking to solve. Antichamber is designed to make players question their assumptions and push the boundaries of their perception.
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Release Date: January 31, 2013
- Genre: Puzzle, Exploration
- Game Modes: Single-player
- Graphics: Minimalistic, abstract
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618votesThis puzzle game features a philosophical storyline and challenging puzzles that require players to think critically. The game's puzzles range from simple to complex, and players must use logic and reasoning to solve them.The Talos Principle is a highly challenging puzzle game that combines philosophical themes with intricate brainteasers. Set in a beautifully rendered world, players take on the role of an artificial intelligence as they explore various environments filled with puzzles. Developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital, the game offers a thought-provoking narrative along with numerous mind-bending challenges.
- Genre: Puzzle
- Platform: Multiple
- Release Date: December 11, 2014
- Available On: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
- Singleplayer: Yes
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713votes
Return of the Obra Dinn
Lucas PopeThis puzzle game features a unique mechanic where players must solve a mystery by using a magical pocket watch to revisit the ship's crew's final moments. The game's puzzles are challenging and require players to think logically.Return of the Obra Dinn is a critically acclaimed puzzle game set aboard a fictional East India Company ghost ship. The game was created by Lucas Pope, an independent game developer known for his award-winning game Papers, Please. In Return of the Obra Dinn, players take on the role of an investigator in 1807 who must unravel the mystery of what happened to the ship's crew and passengers. Through the use of a magical pocket watch, players can rewind time and explore frozen moments to uncover clues and piece together the fate of each individual on the ship.- Genre: Puzzle, Mystery
- Platform(s): Windows, macOS
- Release Date: October 18, 2018
- Graphics: Monochromatic, Pixel Art
- Game Modes: Single player
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86votes
Stephen Lavelle · CC BY-SA 3.0Stephen's Sausage Roll
Increpare (Stephen Lavelle)This puzzle game features a simple mechanic where players must cook sausages without burning them. The game's puzzles are challenging and require players to think creatively.Stephen's Sausage Roll is a puzzle game known for its highly challenging gameplay and clever level design. The game revolves around controlling a character named Stephen who must cook sausages by rolling them over grills. Each level is a puzzle that requires strategic thinking and precise movements to solve. The game is notorious for its difficulty and ability to stump even the most experienced puzzle game enthusiasts.- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Genre: Puzzle
- Modes: Single-player
- Difficulty: High
- Gameplay Style: Tile-based, Grid-based
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90votes
The Room
Fireproof GamesThis puzzle game features a mysterious storyline and challenging puzzles that require players to think logically. The game's puzzles range from simple to complex, and players must use their observation skills to solve them.The Room is a highly popular and challenging puzzle game that was developed by Fireproof Games. In this game, players are presented with a mysterious room filled with intricate objects, mechanisms, and secrets to uncover. The goal is to solve a series of intricate puzzles and unlock hidden compartments, revealing more of the room's secrets and unraveling a mysterious storyline.- Platform: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
- Genre: Puzzle, Mystery
- Difficulty Level: Challenging
- Graphics: High-quality 3D visuals
- Controls: Intuitive touch-based controls
The Room in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular mobile horror game
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107votesThis puzzle game is a classic and features a mysterious storyline and challenging puzzles that require players to think logically. The game's puzzles range from simple to complex, and players must use their observation skills to solve them.Myst is a highly challenging and immersive puzzle game that was released in 1993. It is a first-person adventure game that takes place in a beautiful and mysterious island called Myst. The player is tasked with exploring the island and solving a series of intricate puzzles to unravel its secrets and uncover the story behind it. The game is known for its compelling atmospheric graphics, sound design, and intricate puzzle design.
- Release Date: 1993
- Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
- Platform: PC, Mac, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
- Mode(s): Single-player
- Perspective: First-person
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Ranking factors for difficult puzzle game
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ComplexityAnalyze the number of different variables, rules, and objectives within the game. More complex games often require higher levels of concentration, strategy, and problem-solving skills.
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Learning curveDetermine how easy it is for a player to learn the game's mechanics and rules. A steeper learning curve might cause difficulties for new or casual players and contribute to the overall difficulty of the game.
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DepthAssess the scope of possible moves, strategies, and tactics within the game. A game with greater depth offers more room for exploration and increased challenges for the players.
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VariabilityExamine how much the game changes each time it is played. A high degree of variability can make it more difficult for players to develop consistent strategies or predict outcomes accurately.
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SolvabilityEvaluate how challenging it is to reach the solution or win the game. This can depend on factors such as the size of the puzzle, the number of possible solutions, or the presence of deceptive elements designed to mislead the player.
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Time pressureConsider whether the game imposes a time limit or requires real-time actions from the player, as this can increase the difficulty by adding an extra layer of stress and urgency.
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AdaptabilityAnalyze how much the game forces players to change their strategies or adapt their thinking as they progress. A game that requires players to continuously rethink their approach can be quite challenging.
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Multiplayer interactionsIf the game involves interaction with other players, consider the level of cooperation or competition involved and how this can influence the game's overall difficulty.
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Skill capDetermine the potential for players to improve their skills and performance in a game over time. A higher skill cap means the game will likely remain challenging even for advanced players.
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AccessibilityAssess whether the game's visuals, audio, and controls are easily understood and navigated by players, as poor accessibility can make a game harder to enjoy or understand, which may contribute to its difficulty.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult puzzle game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or puzzle is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2525 views
- 141 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each puzzle once every 24 hours. The rank of each puzzle is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult puzzle game
When it comes to puzzle games, there are a multitude of options available to players. From classic games like Tetris and Sudoku to newer titles like The Witness and Portal, puzzle games can vary greatly in difficulty and complexity. However, determining the most difficult puzzle game is no easy feat.
Many puzzle games require players to think critically and creatively in order to solve increasingly challenging puzzles. These games often require a combination of logic, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Some games even incorporate elements of strategy and resource management.
When attempting to identify the most difficult puzzle game, it's important to consider factors such as the complexity of the puzzles, the level of difficulty progression, and the overall gameplay mechanics. Some games may have incredibly challenging puzzles, but a forgiving difficulty curve, while others may have a steep learning curve that makes even the early levels incredibly difficult.
Ultimately, the most difficult puzzle game will vary depending on the individual player and their skill level. What may be a challenging puzzle for one player may be a breeze for another. However, there are certainly some puzzle games that are notorious for their difficulty and will test even the most skilled puzzle enthusiasts.
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