Highlights

  • Puzzle games provide a rewarding experience, and there are quite a few available for Xbox console owners.
  • For instance, Cocoon offers a unique concept of a recursive world, where you use orbs to navigate different maps, making for challenging yet manageable gameplay.
  • Superliminal and We Were Here are also great puzzle games, the former requiring thinking outside the box and the latter offering a cooperative experience for two players.

Complexity doesn't have to require hundreds of hours within a game. Beautiful visuals don't have to mean the latest graphics engine with the largest development team. And engaging gameplay doesn't necessitate online multiplayer with constant updates. Sometimes you can get all of that in a smaller package that still packs a punch.

Related
10 Best Roguelikes On Xbox Game Pass
We've parsed Xbox Game Pass' diverse library to find you the best roguelikes available.

Puzzle games exist that meet all of those criteria, and they're a blast to play. Xbox currently has access to some of the best puzzle games in the genre. Our favorites are ones that you can easily pick up but can only put down with difficulty.

Updated February 22, 2024 by Amanda Hurych: Puzzle games both old and new grace the Xbox series of consoles. If you like sitting down and pondering over a complex problem or figuring out narrative solutions to tense situations, we've got a game in store for you. Read on to puzzle out (get it?) your next favorite puzzle game.

Peggle

Peggle - A Board With Many Blue And Orange Pegs And A Cannon Preparing To Fire A Marble
Peggle

Released
February 27, 2007
Developer(s)
PopCap
Publisher(s)
PopCap , EA

This is an admittedly aged puzzle game that was initially available on the Xbox 360, but you can still play it on an Xbox Series X. And if you happen to have EA Play (available through a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate), you can download it for free from that library.

Peggle's vibe is split between the chance of a pinball machine and the strategy of a game of pool. You play through levels as a variety of cartoon characters with the ultimate objective of clearing out orange-colored pegs from an arrangement of blue-colored pegs. You only have a limited number of shots, so you have to carefully pick your targets and hope your ball bounces onto multiple pegs to clear the way for future shots.

We're describing it very straightforwardly (we know), but rest assured, Peggle's gameplay loop is enticingly repetitive and unabashedly fun. Plus, nothing beats the rush of hearing Beethoven's Ode to Joy as your ball slow-motions toward the final peg. Nothing. Don't believe us? Try it.

Venba

Venba

Released
July 31, 2023
Developer
Visai Games
Publisher
Visai Games

The best puzzle games are often paired with either an innovative gameplay mechanic or an engrossing story, and Venba falls in the camp of the latter. While its puzzles are limited to click-and-drag situations as you figure out different cooking recipes with missing steps, the story that couches these puzzles is one of the most heartfelt of 2023.

Venba follows an immigrant mother as she uses food to maintain a connection to her family and culture, all while watching as her son, Kavin, grows more distant as the traditions of their new home inculcate him with a sense of shame for his Tamil heritage. Our reviewer here, Tessa Kaur, had heaps positive things to say about Venba:

Venba is a truly wonderful game, and executes what it sets out to do wonderfully. The art is gorgeous, the music is excellent, and the storytelling is somehow both broad in what it manages to elucidate about the South Asian immigrant experience while deep in the family dynamics it portrays.

It's a digestibly brief story, but one that packs an emotional punch for its short runtime. You can expect tears as well as puzzles when Kavin and his mother reconnect.

Cocoon

Cocoon

Released
September 29, 2023
Developer
Geometric Interactive
Publisher(s)
Annapurna Interactive

The brilliance of Cocoon is not to be understated. One of the things that makes for a great puzzle game is how to balance making gameplay challenging yet comprehensible. You see this in games like Portal, which slowly teaches you to "think with Portals" in order to solve its puzzles. Cocoon similarly sets you up to confront its difficulties by encouraging you to "think with orbs."

The whole conceit of the game is the concept of a recursive world. The small orbs your character carries can be placed on an altar and then dived into, each one containing its very own map. You begin slowly, just diving into the worlds and exploring them. But then Cocoon tasks you with carrying orbs into other orbs in order to convey them to different parts of that orb's map. Confusing? It's not as tough as it sounds on paper, and Cocoon does a phenomenal job of making this complex-to-read concept feel manageable and inspired in its execution.

Our Jamie Latour reviewed Cocoon upon release, and he walked away from it quite happy, albeit more than a little confused as to why the character he was controlling was doing all this orb-traveling in the first place. But he was more than pleased with the difficulty and ingenuity of Cocoon's puzzle.

The puzzles of Cocoon are challenging but offer up some unique situations that require you to think hard about how to use an orb’s power to manipulate the levels and their environments.

You can read more of his thoughts and critiques right here!

Jusant

Jusant

Released
October 31, 2023
Developer(s)
DON'T NOD
Publisher(s)
DON'T NOD

Not every puzzle game has to be an absolute mind-bender. Sometimes, all you need from a puzzle is a light challenge and some top-notch atmosphere. Jusant has atmosphere in spades, literally. You play as a young adventurer set on climbing an imposing mountain tower. Wrecked ships are caught in the rocks and the sand surrounding this gargantuan outcropping, implying that at some point, a mighty ocean encompassed this tower. But all that's left is the tower, and scaling it is enough to occupy your mind.

You must carefully maneuver upwards, keeping tabs on how much rope you have left, how much stamina you possess to clutch onto your handholds, and how many pitons you can safely use to prevent a progress-plunging drop. While the thrill of climbing is hard to truly capture in a video game, Jusant does an excellent job of it. And as you slowly clamber higher and higher, the majesty of your surroundings makes itself more and more apparent with every mile that grows between you and the distant, dried sea bed.

Lead Features Editor here at TheGamer, Jade King, played through Jusant and praised its gorgeously imaginative world.

This is the best game Don't Nod has made since Life is Strange, but also unlike anything the developer has ever produced before.

Jade dives into the many aspects of Jusant, and you can read more of her insights in her review of the game!

Superliminal

A hallway with a chess piece, chess board, and analog clock on the floor.
Superliminal

Released
November 12, 2019
Developer
Pillow Castle
Publisher
Pillow Castle, Pillow Castle LLC

If the mind-bending nature of Portal appeals to you, then Superliminal should be on your radar. Where Portal and Portal 2 taught you to approach puzzles with portals and momentum in mind, Superliminal tasks you with approaching puzzles with perspective in mind. You know how if you hold up an object in front of you, close an eye, and compare it to its surroundings, it can appear larger than it really is? Superliminal's puzzles revolve around this kind of thinking.

Whether it's size disparity, shadows, or just plain old optical illusions, the key to finding solutions is to think outside the box and inside the box. The level of satisfaction you'll feel when you uncover exactly what perspective is needed to enlarge a stepping block or reveal a doorway is unparalleled.

Return Of The Obra Dinn

Return Of The Obra Dinn - Entering The Deck - Witnessing A Murder
Return of the Obra Dinn

Released
October 18, 2018
Developer(s)
Lucas Pope
Publisher(s)
3909 LLC

Return Of The Obra Dinn is an incredibly creative puzzle game set on board a merchant ship in 1802. You play as an insurance investigator sent to investigate why the missing vessel has arrived at a port without any living crew. You must use your Memento Mortem device to view the last few seconds before each crew member's death. By looking through these short memories, you'll eventually be able to figure out how everyone met their grizzly fates.

The puzzle of Obra Dinn can be a little daunting at first, but with a few tips and suggestions, you'll soon be unraveling this intricate mystery like a pro. This game is a big complex logic puzzle that is so satisfying to solve.

Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds - Campfire Music - Anglerfish
Outer Wilds

Released
May 28, 2019
Developer(s)
Mobius Digital
Publisher(s)
Annapurna Interactive

Outer Wilds is a vast exploration game in which you set off in your own little spacecraft to visit different planets around your solar system. But not everything is as it seems. You've been caught in a time loop moments before a supernova. You need to explore the solar system, solve various puzzles, and connect the dots to figure out what is going on and if there is anything you can do about it.

Not only are there lots of puzzles to solve, but the game is full of incredible hidden details and easter eggs to enjoy too. Outer Wilds is a really enthralling experience. Every location is fascinating. The mysteries will have you hooked and eager to explore everywhere in detail. The Outer Wilds is a must-play game.

Escape Academy

Escape Academy - Garden - Control Room
Escape Academy

Released
July 14, 2022
Developer(s)
Coin Crew Games
Publisher(s)
iam8bit , Skybound Games

Escape Academy is a really good game for fans of escape rooms. You have joined the Escape Academy and are now training to become the best escapist ever. You'll meet other students and get to know them while attempting to solve countless puzzles to earn a good grade.

There are many different rooms to escape from, each with its own themes. You can enjoy these challenges solo or with a friend. If you love real-life escape rooms, you need to give this game a try to really put your creative thinking skills to the test.

We Were Here Series Bundle

We Were Here Series Bundle - Outside In The Snow - Spooky Chamber With Candles In A Circle
We Were Here

Released
February 3, 2017
Developer(s)
Total Mayhem Games
Publisher(s)
Total Mayhem Games

The We Were Here Series Bundle combines all four games into one big collection. These are fantastic cooperative puzzle games you need to play with your friend. You usually play as a duo lost in a frozen wasteland in each game. Seeking shelter, you get separated and must use your walkie-talkies to communicate as you attempt to navigate these puzzled-filled structures.

Related
10 Best Puzzle Games With No Sequels
These puzzle games are so good they don't need a sequel.

The series contains many creative puzzles to wrap your head around. Every puzzle is connected to what your friend can see. You might need to guide them through a maze or tell them what symbols to select to crack a code. Sometimes these trials are timed as well, adding a real sense of urgency throughout the experience. The We Were Here Series is an incredible bonding experience for two.

ChromaGun

ChromaGun held in hands of player
ChromaGun

Released
September 13, 2015
Developer
Pixel Maniacs
Publisher
Pixel Maniacs

ChromaGun is a puzzle-solving video game available on Xbox that revolves around solving color-based puzzles. To play the game, you will use a large ChromaGun to shoot colors at the walls and at various Worker Droids floating around the room.

When a droid is colored, it will gravitate toward the part of the wall matching them in color. You will need to arrange the droids in the right patterns to unlock the room. Primary colors can also be blended together to create new colors and add further complications to the game.

Q.U.B.E.

Qube shifting hallway gameplay
Q.U.B.E.

Released
December 17, 2011
Developer(s)
Toxic Games
Publisher(s)
Toxic Games

As the name suggests Q.U.B.E. is a puzzle-solving game that involves you interacting with various cubes and shapes within the walls inside of your room. You wake up inside a strange room after a mysterious incident. You're wearing a pair of gloves that can interact with specific shapes hidden inside of the walls.

The goal of the game is for you to unlock each room by solving the puzzle so you can progress forward until you reach the exit. Each block does something different, depending on the color and the rooms become increasingly difficult as you go.

The Turing Test

The Turing Text cover image of the main protagonist Ava Turing.
The Turing Test

Released
August 30, 2016
Developer(s)
Bulkhead Interactive
Publisher(s)
Square Enix

The Turing Test is a first-person puzzle-solving game created by Square Enix where you control an International Space Agent named Ava Turing who is working on one of Jupiter's moons, Europa. Ava is part of a research team but awakens from cryogenic slumber and has to help save her teammates when a problem starts with the power system.

To save it, she has to complete tests which include redirecting energy to unlock doors and other machinery. More elements and objectives are added to the puzzles as you progress through the story. The game received mostly positive reviews from critics.

Asemblance

Office desks in room at night in Asemblance
Asemblance

Released
June 21, 2016
Developer
Nilo Studios
Publisher
Nilo Studios

Asemblance is a trippy first-person psychological thriller game, but it also involves a lot of puzzle-solving. The mind-bending game takes inspiration from popular shows like The X-Files and Black Mirror.

When you awake, you're trapped inside of a strange machine and forced to piece together memories to figure out what happened to you and the world around you. However, you will have to deduce which memories are real and which are part of the simulation. The only guiding force is a disembodied A.I. voice that tells you what to do.

The Witness

scenery of the island in The Witness
The Witness

Released
January 26, 2016
Developer(s)
Thekla Inc.
Publisher(s)
Thekla Inc.

From the creator of Braid, this superb puzzling experience jettisons you on an island with nothing but puzzles around. Some are easily visible and simple enough to solve. Some require more dexterity and patience. But one thing is certain: The Witness is fantastic.

There are hundreds of puzzles to solve and as you progress they will become increasingly complex to the point where you might leave it partially complete before leaving to find inspiration. There isn't much of a story, but that doesn't detract from the exciting challenges that await you on the island.

Limbo

Limbo Game Cover with the boy encountering a giant spider in the shadow
Limbo

Released
July 21, 2010
Developer(s)
Playdead
Publisher(s)
Playdead

One of a pair from the studio Playdead, Limbo is a 2D puzzle-platformer, and the atmosphere is soaked in tension and mystery. The indie title has received about as many awards and glowing reviews as an indie game can.

Related
TheGamer Staff's Most Anticipated Xbox Series X|S Games Of 2024
These Xbox Series X|S games releasing in 2024 are definitely powering our dreams.

You have to experience it for yourself, though. The dark and grey world will pull you in and leave you breathless. The visuals alone deserve commendation, but the gameplay is also satisfying. Interesting puzzles block your path, and you have to navigate through and around them.

Inside

Inside - Looking Up At A Platform - Sneaking Past A Crowd
Inside

Released
June 29, 2016
Developer(s)
Playdead
Publisher(s)
Playdead

Inside proved that Playdead's first attempt at the 2D puzzle-platformer was not a fluke. Their mastery of the genre was on full display with their follow-up, and it was just as warmly welcomed as the first game, if not more. The story centers around a boy who becomes enmeshed in a scary world from which he must escape.

The narrative will suck you in, though, and it will only spit you back out once you've invested in the life of this unfortunate boy. There's so much that goes right with Inside. It deserves your time and attention.

Portal

Portal - Setting Up A Portal - Turret At The Level Exit
Portal

Released
October 9, 2007
Developer(s)
Valve
Publisher(s)
Valve

From Valve (the guys behind Steam) comes one of the greatest puzzle games of all time and one of the most influential video games across any genre. This is where we met GLaDOS. This is where we learned that the cake is a lie. The pop-culture references alone demand that you play Portal.

That doesn't take away from the gameplay, however. Who doesn't want to make portals that you can jump through? One blue. One orange. And physics is never the same. Discovering how to solve the puzzles in Portal is so satisfying. Just take good care of your companion cube.

Portal 2

Closed room entrance in part of the facility in Portal 2
Portal 2

Released
April 18, 2011
Developer(s)
Valve
Publisher(s)
Valve

More of a good thing is a good thing. Which is why Portal 2 makes the list of best puzzle games that you can play right now. The Perpetual Testing Initiative is back, except it's better than ever. Portal 2 introduced new puzzles and new ideas that made more challenging obstacle courses.

It also introduced the ability to play with a friend and to design puzzles all on your own. Really, anything that gets us back to the gun that shoots the orange and blue portals is fine. Also, GLaDOS is a potato. One of the smartest machines alive embedded into a potato. Priceless.

Human Fall Flat

Character hanging off of lantern in Human Fall Flat
Human Fall Flat

Released
July 22, 2016
Developer(s)
No Brakes Games
Publisher(s)
Curve Digital

No Brakes Games developed Human Fall Flat, which is a surreal physics-based puzzle game where you explore a wacky landscape with humans that look molded from clay. The open-ended nature of the world is intoxicating, and you'll have to make your way out by solving puzzles. As expected, physics plays a part.

Related
Best Crossplay Games For Xbox One And PC
With online multiplayer games becoming much more common as time continues, the demand for crossplay games between platforms has never been larger.

You can play by yourself or with some of your friends, and the physics-based part is a really fun experience. The silliness in Human Fall Flat is not frequently present in the puzzle genre, so it's a refreshing change from some of the darker or somber games that you might play.

Unravel 2

Two Yarnys climbing up a hill with the red Yarny pulling up the blue Yarny in Unravel Two
Unravel Two

Released
June 9, 2018
Developer(s)
Coldwood Interactive
Publisher(s)
Electronic Arts

Puzzles are challenging. Puzzles are fun. But they can also be fun with a friend. Combining the intellectual and strategic prowess of two minds helps to break down the challenges in a puzzle game. Unravel 2 incorporates successful elements from the first game, but it introduces a new character so that two players can navigate the world in cooperative mode.

That option is enjoyable when you're wanting to relax with a friend and maneuver past obstacles together. There is something beautiful in playing as two Yarnys who are connected by a single thread.