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Puzzle games are something else. Here is our list of the new upcoming puzzle games of 2023. Sometimes you do not need a fast-paced action sequence to relax. The evergrowing mystery genre is more and more popular, and the core aspect of any good mystery is a puzzle. Use logic to your advantage and discover what these games hide. Now without further ado, let’s jump right into the list!
#14 Super Mario RPG
Platform: Switch
Release Date: November 17, 2023
You might not think that Super Mario RPG is a “puzzle game,” and it’s not in the overall, but there are puzzles in the world to solve. Not to mention, you have to worry about the “puzzles” that await you in combat! The game will maintain its classic turn-based combat but will also feature plenty of challenges within it that’ll test your timing and skill in figuring out how to exploit the enemies within! So, while it may be an RPG, that doesn’t mean you can’t put your puzzle brain to the test by playing it! After all, it’s a remake of a classic title. What’s not to love?
#13 We Were Here Expeditions: The Friendship
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: September 14, 2023
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
If you’re familiar with this franchise, you know that things aren’t going to be as simple as they might want you to think.
We Were Here Expeditions: The Friendship is a co-op puzzle adventure game with horror elements where you and a partner will need to work together to work your way through a mysterious place that you’ve ended up in.
Your “boat ride” won’t go far if you can’t work as one and get through the puzzling challenges. So, how strong IS your friendship, and can you make it work for you in the long run? Either way, you’re about to find out!
#12 Pikmin 4
Platform: Switch
Release Date: July 21, 2023
It’s easy to picture the Pikmin as just tools to use or beings to throw at foes to get them out of your way. But as Pikmin 4 reminds you, you’ll need to use them and other entities wisely if you wish to get around the alien world you’ve crash landed upon.
At first, you’ll be restricted to certain areas, and you’ll need to use the Pikmin to open new paths, collect “treasures” to fix your ship, and fight off against familiar figures in Dandori battles to rescue your lost squad mates.
So don’t think of Pikmin as expendable. Instead, think of them as your most useful tool for getting out alive!
#11 Jusant
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: October 31, 2023
Whether you realize it or not, climbing up a large object is a puzzle in and of itself. After all, the way to “solve” the object is to find the best way to climb up it without tiring yourself out.
Jusant will test your ability to climb and puzzle-solve while you relax and enjoy the atmosphere around you. Plus, you won’t be alone in your adventure. You’ll have a curious aqua creature known as Ballast to assist you. They’ll help you find certain spots to climb up and can help you find new parts of the tower you’re trying to climb.
But what awaits you at the top? You’ll have to ascend it yourself to learn the truth.
#10 Storyteller
Platform: PC Switch
Release: March 23, 2023
Have you ever wanted to craft your own stories for the world to see? But were you afraid you couldn’t fit the themes many people wanted? In Storyteller, you’ll get the chance to see stories you create come to life in a visually unique way.
You’ll be given a story theme and a set of characters and items to use and then will craft a tale that fits that theme. For example, will you create a tale of love, loss, and hope? Will you bring Dracula to life and reveal his effects on the world? Or a story of a hero who defeats evil?
With so many ways to craft the stories, you’ll have a blast trying all the possibilities.
#9 Planet of Lana
Platform: PC Xbox One XSX|S
Release: May 23, 2023
A world that is in harmony with itself is a beautiful thing. But in Planet of Lana, the balance between man, nature, and animals has been broken, and it’s up to you to fix it.
You’ll go on a journey through many regions of the planet, meet companions along the way, and solve puzzles that can help save the planet. Of course, you’ll need to be cautious, as not everything you meet will be friendly. But if you use your mind and your friends correctly, you’ll overcome each obstacle.
A unique and fun journey awaits you. Are you ready to take part in it?
#8 Humanity
Platform: PC PS4 PS5
Release: May 15, 2023
Have you ever felt you could guide people to safety if given a chance? In Humanity, that chance shall be given!
You’ll be a dog who can command people in large numbers, and it’ll be your job to guide them to safe areas across 90 stages. Each stage will be different and tell a story of the people you’re guiding. So ensure they all make it safely to where they need to go!
Then, when you’re done with the main campaign, head to the level editor and make your own levels! Then, share them with others to see if they can top your challenge or see if you can top theirs!
#7 Terra Nil
Platform: PC
Release: March 28, 2023
How would you like to play a twist on the worldbuilding genre? If so, you might want to try out Terra Nil.
In the game, you’ll be put in a world that has been corrupted by humanity to the extreme. They’ve transformed a planet once full of life into a barren one polluted and stripped of resources.
Your job will be to reclaim this planet for nature and bring life back to it in any way possible. Start small and slowly build up the planet so that animals and plants can live in it once again.
As you do, you’ll rid the world of all traces of humanity.
#6 Hogwarts Legacy
Release Date: 10 Feb 2023 | Platform: PC PS5 Xbox Series X|S
(PS4 Xbox One April 4, 2023) Switch (July 25, 2023)
Camera: Third Person
Multiplayer: No
Co-op: (Local: No | Online: No)
Genre: Open World, RPG, Fantasy, Action RPG
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
Are you ready to “live the unwritten” in a world you know well? Hogwarts Legacy is out now, and it’s something that many are enjoying with all they have. But you might wonder, “is it really that good?” Yes! It appears so!
But for those who seek a puzzling challenge in their games, know that the title offers puzzles. You’ll have to use the magic you’ve learned to solve puzzles in and out of Hogwarts, which says nothing of the battles you’ll face!
How will you use magic to overcome monsters and dark magic users? Jump into the game and find out!
#5 Teslagrad 2
- Developer: Rain Games
- Publisher: Modus Games
- Platforms: PC
- Release: April 19, 2023
Teslagrad 2 is a sequel to the original Teslagrad from 2013. It is a Metroidvania-style game. Likewise, this game has a lot of logical puzzles and obstacles you need to solve. It is fairly similar to the Trine series. Similar to the first Teslagrad you will have to use original gameplay mechanics focused on physics and magnetic forces. The game’s action takes place in the unknown region of the Wyrmheim lands inspired by real-life Norway.
#4 The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo
- Developer: Gammera Nest
- Publisher: Gammera Nest
- Platforms: PC
- Release: Sep 6, 2023
This bizarre and mysterious-looking game is The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo. It is a surreal point-and-click graphic adventure. Mr. Coo from the title is stuck in a weird world and you will need to help him escape it. First of all, you will need to find all of his pieces to make him whole again. The whole game is just full-on abstract nonsense and it’s beautiful. The whole game looks like a 2D cartoon hand-drawn, but the environments are more realistic.
#3 Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure
- Developer: Snowcastle Games
- Publisher: Snowcastle Games
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, X/S
- Release: August 18, 2023
Ikonei Island: An Earthlock Adventure is an adventure game filled with a complex crafting system and puzzle solving. It is a spin-off from the Earthlock series. Here you will be put on a weird island that is home to many pirates and various creatures. You can tame and control some of these creatures. The action is presented in an isometric view. While exploring the island we will need to solve puzzles and learn all the secrets of the island itself and its inhabitants. After collecting the required ingredients and tools you will be able to utilize the crafting system to its fullest potential.
#2 Cocoon
- Developer: Geometric Interactive
- Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
- Platforms: PC, XBO, X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Release: September 29, 2023
Cocoon is an adventure game with a lot of logical elements. You will need to jump between worlds that are located within small balls. The game was created under the keen eye of Jeppe Carlsen, who was one of the main people working on Limo or Inside. Gameplay is presented in an isometric view. Every sphere you stumble upon has a unique property. Some of them let you travel between worlds, others reveal hidden paths and help you solve other puzzles.
#1 The Talos Principle 2
Platform: PC PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S
Release Date: November 09, 2023
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
Nearly a decade after the release of The Talos Principle, developers Croteam brought out a sequel. This puzzle adventure game takes place years after the first installment. It’s hard to offer the premise of this game without spoiling the first installment. So, if you haven’t played the first game, you might want to skip ahead of this point. However, the game takes place after the first game, where we see the first android to be awakened, Athena. You’re stepping into another android who is slowly unraveling the mystery behind a world humanity left behind, and now androids take control. But a large part of this game is all about puzzles. You’ll continue getting harder puzzles, some stumping you for hours until it finally all comes together. If you enjoyed The Talos Principle, then you’re going to get very much the same type of game in its sequel. But will you be able to avoid making the same mistakes that humankind made, or will a new, more prosperous world come from the choices you make?
Disclaimer: This article was updated on 11/6/23 as we continue to adjust this list with new entries or remove games due to delays or failure to captivate audiences.
