Puzzle platformertitles are by far one of the oldest genres of gaming that players still enjoy getting stuck into in the present day. Not only have these sorts of gamesprogressed from the 2D to the 3Ddue to the transformation of platformers themselves, but they also challenge the player through a variety of different puzzles that vary in difficulty.
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With so many puzzle platformers available it is hard to know which ones are worth the time and effort players should put in to complete them. That is why these are by far thebest puzzle platformersplayers should try out when they have the time.
10Thomas Was Alone
Although this platformer may look simplistic, both the story and levels themselves are incredibly well-thought-out.Thomas Was Alonefollows the story of a rectangle called Thomas as he goes on an adventure with his other rectangular friends.
Players must take advantage of their different sizes in order tomake it past different obstaclesas well as work out what is required of them to solve the certain puzzles they face. With a hundred levels to beat and a brilliant soundtrack, this minimalist title is sure to keep a player occupied for hours.
9Oddworld: Soulstorm
Oddworldhas been a hit puzzle platformer since 1997 on the PlayStation as well as PC. However, in recent years theodd looking alienknown as Abe has made a comeback with the most recent member of the franchise,Oddworld: Soulstorm.
The old formula of the title remains with players exploring a rich in scenic world, however with an all new crafting system and more open-ended puzzles,Oddworld: Soulstormadds some new life to the puzzle platformer format as Abe attempts to save his friends across the levels.
8Moss
Another brilliantly scenic puzzle platformer is the aesthetically pleasing game calledMoss. Players must control the young mouse called Quill as she goes on an epic adventure to save her uncle after discovering an ancient relic that unlocks her own magical powers. Players will bond with Quill through every page of their fairy tale story together.
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Besides, the brilliant level design and amazing story,Mossoriginally released on the PSVR which led to an all new way of playing. Eventually gamers could experience Moss on PC as long as they had a VR headset to enjoy it through.
7The Pedestrian
Another great 2.5D platforming adventure isThe Pedestrianthat combines a 3D rendered street with 2D puzzles as players look upon each road sign to complete the side scrolling puzzle platformer. Players must interact with the surrounding environment to connect signs and other road objects so that they can continue forwards in the platformer.
This is not only an interesting concept but also madefor a captivating worldfor the player to explore. Players will be distracted by every detail around them from the alleyways they adventure into or how they must traverse the public signs.
6Little Nightmares
Even horror has found roots inside the puzzle platformer format withLittle Nightmaresbeing a staple of this. The Player controls Six, the tiny yellow coat wearing girl as she explores through the Maw, a mysterious vessel filled with eerie souls looking for their next meal.
Somehow Six is on the menu, and therefore she needs to avoid not only the guests of the ship but also the people that work there. Every level is sure to give the player a fright with each encounter and location of the Maw being more memorable than the other.
5Trine
Exploring a fairy tale like world as three different characters together comes with not only its amazing moments but also its own challenges. Players can choose to playTrineon their own or withup to two other friendsas each player takes on a role of one of the three heroes.
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The Wizard, the Knight, and the Thief all have their own select skills that make them useful for dealing with certain obstacles they find on their adventures. With three different difficulty levels to decide from players can not only have the challenge of the puzzles but also change the difficulty of the foes they face.
4Limbo
Combining the minimalist ofThomas Was Aloneand the eerie atmosphere ofLittle Nightmaresbrings players to the intriguing sidescroller known asLimbo. The entire game is in black and white relying on the silhouettes of the world to make an interesting environment for the player to traverse across.
With no words Limbo manages to tell the story of a boy looking for his sister in this horrifying land on the edge of Hell. Even with so little detail, it is surprising to see how creatures like the giant spider that lurks after the boy turns into such a fearsome foe that mortifies the player whenever it appears.
3Inside
Made by the same developers asLimbo,Insideis another simplistic puzzle platformer that tells an even greater story as the player explores a dystopian future as another young boy. Playdead is great at telling a tale without having any narration that just simply playing through the game leads the player to make their own conclusions on what the game is about.
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In-between this message players are expected to solve the puzzles that allow them to advance further into this post-apocalyptic like world, clambering between buildings filled withharsh and eerie symbolism.
2It Takes Two
Stepping away from the dark and ominous,It Takes Twois not only a brilliant puzzle platformer but also a great game that needs to be played with a friend. In order to successfully adventure through the now over-sized house since the characters have been turned into dolls, players must work together to solve each puzzle.
Besides the exciting mini-games players are able to challenge each other to and the bosses that require the players to work together, the story in itself is enough to make the players bond even stronger.
1Portal 2
By far one of the greatest puzzle platformers to ever be available for players to experience and enjoy, is the Valve originalPortal, especiallyPortal 2. While the main story itself is filled withmany witty and sarcastic robotssuch as the much-loved Glados and Wheatley, the multiplayer campaign is also just as entertaining.
Relying on portals as well as the player’s own intelligence, each level differs in difficulty as well as solution with many levels requiring the player to think outside the box, or even outside the companion cube.
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