The puzzle adventure classic, Myst, is a staple of gaming, with many people having wonderful memories of playing this brutally difficult game way back in the '90s. Fortunately, for those that love the original game, a brand new, fully remade version has been brought to us. Now you can relive the glory days of PC puzzle gaming but with a completely new look and feel.
Interestingly, this new version of Myst can also be played in VR. It's simply amazing to see a beloved game make a beautiful return to form. What happens once you push your brain to finally finish this new version of Myst? Well, you will probably want to dive into a whole bunch of similar puzzle adventure experiences. The following games should help scratch that same itch.
Updated January 6th, 2023 by Geoffrey Martin: Puzzle game fans have so many options to enjoy to scratch that specific brain-wracking itch. From indie titles to AAA experiences, and everything in between, the number of games on the table is staggering. Myst is a classic example of a game that threw players into the deep end right from the get-go. While many puzzle games have eschewed the sheer 'bang your head against the wall' level of difficulty that Myst made popular, there are still some that enjoy this catharsis. This list continues to be fleshed out with great puzzle or puzzle-adjacent experiences for those that enjoy the likes of Myst.
15 Braid
Braid is a 2009 indie darling that throws the puzzle game rulebook straight out of the window, both in terms of gameplay and narrative. In Braid, players take on the role of Tim, a unique protagonist who is seemingly out to rescue the princess, however, not all as it seems. As Tim explores the vast expanse of artistically designed 2D stages, he will uncover more about the true nature of his role in the story.
Braid's gameplay is a beautiful and challenging mix of time manipulation puzzles and platforming. Each stage is intricately designed and will test your mettle as you learn to utilize time and space to make it from point A to point B. Although death isn't an aspect of the gameplay here, there will be oodles of trial and error along the journey.
14 Darkestville Castle
For something a bit more 'pointy and clicky,' look no further than Darkestville Castle. This game is hardly ever discussed in the point-and-click or puzzle games genre, something that is a shame given how wonderful the experience is overall. Darkestville Castle is a pretty traditional and by-the-numbers classic point-and-click game starring a dastardly yet charismatic demon, Cid.
Cid lives out his demon-loving life in the spooky town of Darkestville. Unfortunately for him, his rival and cartoony nemesis Dan Teapot has other plans. It's up to you to explore the secrets of Darkestville in order to put a stop to Dan's shenanigans. There really isn't anything particularly remarkable or noteworthy about the gameplay, however, it's the way dark humor, exploration, items, and puzzles intertwine to create a lovely little indie title that fans of the genre will surely enjoy.
13 The House Of Da Vinci 3
The House of Da Vinci 3 is the most recent game on this list, having been released in December 2022. The third game in The House of Da Vinci trilogy, this third outing brings brand new locations and puzzles to test your skills and wits. This Renaissance-themed puzzle game puts you in the role of Giacomo, where he and Leonardo Da Vinci must explore gorgeous locations, uncover secrets, and solve obscure puzzles.
What sets this game apart from others of its ilk is the special items known as the Oculus Perpetua. This unique tool allows you to change time and space, allowing for locations to reshape the past, present, and future. Puzzle-solving in this game requires you to think out of the box while traversing through Italian-inspired locales brimming with beauty and mystery.
12 Ever Forward
Ever Forward is a smaller puzzle adventure indie gem. This 2021 game took the idea of separate puzzles but placed them into the context of the overall narrative. That narrative is about a young girl and her mother who live in a sort of dystopian city where an endless winter seems to be arriving. The mother is emotionally distanced from her daughter due to her work at a science lab which leads the daughter to live in her imagination more often than not.
In her imagination, the young girl learns to tinker with robots in a dreamlike realm. Within this realm lies the countless brain-busting puzzles where you must use your wits and skills to trigger light panels, avoid sentry robots, and bring a cube from one end to the other. It's a beautifully presented game with some deep puzzles and an emotional story.
11 Eastshade
Eastshade might be one of the most overlooked and underappreciated puzzle adventure games in the genre. This gorgeous and artistic first-person puzzle game not only provides you with a thoughtful story, a stunning landscape to explore, and challenging puzzles, it also gives you time to ponder.
In Eastshade, you are a traveling and adventuring painter who seeks to help solve others' problems through the medium of painting. Each unique and often quirky character you interact with will have a specific painting in mind and it's up to you to figure out where in the game world to paint this masterpiece for them. It's utterly endearing and whimsical but still provides enough emotional weight to keep you invested.
10 The Witness
The Witness is a colorful and lush puzzle game taking place on a desolate island. You find yourself awoken at this strange location, unable to decipher why you are here. The Witness features over 500 meticulously designed puzzles all spread across the explorable landscape.
The most interesting and unique thing about The Witness is that many of the puzzles can be completed in any order, so long as you have opened up that area first. This game is known for its sheer difficulty with many people having to actually take real-world notes in order to solve the intricate puzzles.
9 Superliminal
Superliminal might be one of the most creative first-person puzzle games ever created due to the puzzles centering around perspective and optical illusions. Your goal in Superliminal is to escape the labyrinthian complex you find yourself trapped within. In order to leave, you must navigate your way through increasingly difficult scenarios.
The puzzles in this game are true brain teasers. These aren't your average switch or tile puzzles but instead, rely on your to literally shift how you view your environment. Certain objects might change size or location depending on how you view them. This one is sure to leave your mind boggled.
8 Lost At Sea
Lost at Sea is a highly emotional puzzle experience taking place in a fully explorable island location. Lost at Sea puts a major emphasis on the human condition, specifically in the case of Anna. She has dealt with many emotional situations in her life and must now relive them and come to terms with them during her journey.
The first-person puzzle-centric gameplay here is much more ambiguous and requires you to traverse back and forth across the island in order to connect moments in time. Along the way you will have to contend with Anna's embodiment of fear and darkness.
7 The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle is an award-winning first-person puzzle adventure where ancient ruins and fantastical technology blend together into a confusing, yet majestic world. The story in The Talos Principle is a philosophical one that asks you to think beyond yourself. You are tasked by your creator to solve intricate and complex puzzles.
The Talos Principle features non-linear gameplay where you decide how, where, and when to solve the puzzles at hand. Each choice you make in this game will have consequences so you need to be careful how you proceed.
6 Portal 2
Portal 2 probably needs to introduction due to being one of the best narrative-driven puzzle games of all time, however, for the uninitiated, you are tasked with exploring Aperture Science Labs. By utilizing the portal gun you are able to create portals that serve as the main gameplay mechanic to facilitate completing each devious and challenging puzzle.
Each puzzle room requires you to think about things such as spatial awareness and perception. Often placing portals in multiple areas is the key to success. Along this adventure, you will ultimately need to contend with the omnipotent GLaDOS. Portal 2 is a puzzle game filled with humor, mystery, and intrigue.
5 What Remains Of Edith Finch
If you haven't played What Remains of Edith Finch just know you are missing out on one of the best horror-tinged narrative-driven puzzle experiences that this medium has to offer. The puzzles in What Remains of Edith Finch are tied directly to the narrative and are less challenging than many other games on this list.
During your adventure, you will guide Edith through her childhood home, a place of secrets and darkness. Each family member has his or her own story to tell and the gameplay elements shift depending on that person's specific circumstance of death.
4 Twelve Minutes
Twelve Minutes might be one of the most recently released games on this list, however, it begs to be mentioned due to its unique time-bending, paradoxical gameplay. Twelve Minutes is an outright puzzle thriller where you control a husband and wife duo who must contend with bizarre circumstances all set within their tiny apartment.
Since Twelve Minutes' narrative and gameplay heavily rely on looping time, you will be solving puzzles directly related to the previous events that took place. You will need to learn from your mistakes in order to save one another and solve the mystery of the potential murder.
3 My Brother Rabbit
My Brother Rabbit is a departure from something like Myst but still retains the puzzle adventure influences. In My Brother Rabbit, you play through an emotional tale of one family's way to deal with their daughter's illness. This game takes place in a colorful and surreal world, one that is brimming with imagination.
The gameplay here is more akin to a traditional point-and-click adventure game as opposed to outright puzzles. My Brother Rabbit offers a beautiful make-believe land to explore with plenty of charming and quirky characters to encounter.
2 Thimbleweed Park
Thimbleweed Park is a true love letter to the puzzle genre, specifically the point-and-click adventure genre from gaming eras gone by. Thimbleweed tells a darkly comedic mystery noir tale set in 1987 in and around the titular town. It offers up some truly challenging puzzle scenarios.
Interestingly, you can play as five unique characters, each with his or her own foibles, nuances, and special story beats. This is a game filled with intrigue and humor, plenty of humor. If you are a fan of more old-school puzzle adventures then be sure to check out Thimbleweed Park.
1 Mask Of Mists
Mask of Mists is a more obscure, underrated first-person puzzle adventure but one that deserves your attention. It is set in a gorgeous fantasy world with much of the region has become infected by a strange otherworldly growth. You are a magical mercenary set to uncover what happened in the area and where everyone went.
Mask of Mists blends environmental puzzles, dungeon diving, and magic-based combat seamlessly during its generous runtime. The gameplay here keeps you exploring and experimenting. Plus, there are plenty of secret treasures and rooms to discover if you are so inclined.