This post is for you if you are something of a puzzle game enthusiast who is sick of playing the same old titles over and over again. The field of independent video games is rife with undiscovered treasures that do not receive nearly enough attention.There are many independent puzzle games where the primary objective is not just to complete the puzzles, but there are captivating stories to follow, well-thought gameplay, and experiences that are hard to forget. For instance, it is like finding the most challenging and interesting unread stories that are tucked away at the far end of a bookshop; such are the stories that remain with you when you are done reading them. You might be in the right place for looking in some of the less mainstream but more creative thanks to the narrative, independent puzzle games.
Kick-off more excavation to the realm of veiled independent puzzle games and cut the cord from the ordinary. In this regard, let us sample some titles that are bound to leave a memorable impression.
1. Gorogoa
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Gorogoa is one of those games that can be enjoyed even by those who do not like puzzles. At first sight, Gorogoa looks like an ordinary picture book with some beautiful hand-drawn illustrations. However, as soon as you start to play, it becomes clear that this is far from the case. In the game, the main purpose of Gorogoa is found by overlapping the different drawn panels to create new routes and answers. You are not just putting things back in order; you are putting entire universes back in their place. It is less of a game and more of an immersive narrative, which is its primary appeal. How simple and beautiful the art style is, is primarily how exquisite it is. With each advance you make, it seems as if you are part of an enchanting and surreal story that progresses with every puzzle you solve.
Gorogoa does not rely on visuals that are dazzling or mechanics that are complicated. The emphasis is placed on encouraging you to think creatively and pay close attention to the specifics of the situation. It’s the kind of game that makes you feel like you’re working your brain out while at the same time being wonderfully pleasant. Gorogoa is an independent puzzle game that features a mechanic that is one of a kind, and it is absolutely worth your time to give it a try.
2. The Gardens Between
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS
Have you ever wished that you could go back in time? In The Gardens Between, that concept is transformed into a game for players to enjoy. Follow two companions as they travel bizarre, dreamlike islands loaded with puzzles that can only be solved by modifying time. Only you can figure out these conundrums. It is a wordless narrative of friendship, remembrance and parting which is a very nice tale.
In this story, you are not controlling the characters’ actions, instead, you are maneuvering their journey to the past. The gameplay is focused on the concept of time. It is required in all the puzzles of every island to turn back and move forward in time, also pay attention how the characters and the things change interaction respectively to every island. Apart from being a puzzle game, this one is also a game of emotions which is relaxing and at the same time difficult to attain in the current chaotic hegemonic life.
The Gardens Between serves as a perfect example of what can be achieved when a simple concept is put into action effectively. It’s not just the typical puzzle game that you probably have experienced rather it is a story telling game that is memorable and stays with you even many years after.
3. Baba Is You
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Baba Is You is the independent puzzle game, for example, you may have managed to answer the question, “Why don’t we simply change the game to suit our needs’?” The rules of this game are flexible and are changed along with the level of the player. It is possible to rearrange the so-called ‘text blocks’ for the sake of changing the course of the game, as each level is composed of such blocks. Would you like to know how to achieve perfect winning streaks? A simple nudge of those blocks apart will change the rules, for example, to “Baba Is Invincible”.
The journey itself knows no bounds because there are countless possibilities of combinations that can be done and how those combinations can be played in the game itself. But do not get me wrong, Baba is not a cheat. You can get very difficult. In solving the problems, you will have to be creative, break some norms, and even make movements that seem to make no sense at all. It is not a hand-holding game; however, that is exactly what makes it a fun experience.
Baba Is You is a puzzle game that knows no bounds in terms of challenges that compel you to change how you view challenges and is ideal for the lovers of puzzle games with some variation. In the course of playing the levels of the game, it is like each level is a different puzzle to figure out in which makes one how much one can extend the limits.
Image Name: Baba Is You game
4. The Witness
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS
It is more like an absorbable experience than a puzzle game; it is The Witness. Set on a hidden island, the game lets you walk inside at your own pace and encourages you to do so. Every single corner of this island is stuffed with puzzles that, simple looking as they may be, are connected to the surroundings quite elaborately and need patience and attention for solving them.
The witness beauty lies in its design. Patterns and drawings that are related to the mechanisms of cooking the puzzles will be found when exploring the island, which gives a sense that the island is busy. For many players, the lack of a tutorial in the game may come off as slightly intimidating at first; however, it inspires a sense of play where one experiments and learns through failure.
As a gamer who appreciates the fusion of open world exploration and brain-twisting try not to miss playing The Witness.It is a long burn, but each problem seems like a small win, and by the time you are finished, you will have a tremendous sense of accomplishment having accomplished something.
5. Monument Valley
Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
More likely than not, adventuring on the puzzle game scene, you may have already heard about the Monument Valley landmark that many people still obsess over. The proximity to the novel way of solving puzzles, however, makes it an audiovisual game worth recommending. It can be referred to as Artwork by M.C. Escher, which takes you through the realms that cannot exist in reality. In this artistic game, players assume the role of a princess navigating through strange buildings over hard to fathom puzzles and thanks to mirages, solving them.
What makes Monument Valley special as compared to other cities is the design which is straightforward yet intriguing. The level of difficulty is low but the design of the puzzles quite beautiful. On top of that, the game has a sense of ‘wholesomeness’ like meditation. The spaces which you will be treated to eye turning graphics and pleasant sounds convey the feeling that the whole activity is a piece of art.
Monument Valley is a great puzzle game filled with beautiful graphics and transport its players to the exotic interiors of the island. It could probably be said that this is not the most difficult of all the puzzle games there is. Nevertheless, the experience promises to be an artistic one. Anyone searching for a brief, relaxing and anyway entertaining puzzle will find this game quite suitable.
Final Thoughts
A total of five hidden indie puzzle gems that provide more than simply a series of difficulties are presented here for your evaluation. Each game has its own distinct gameplay mechanics and narrative that captivate you and keep you interested in what you’re playing. There is something for everyone in these independent puzzle games, whether it is the breathtaking visuals of Monument Valley, the joy of breaking the rules in Baba Is You, or the immersive world of The Witness.
Consequently, the next time you are seeking for a fresh game to play, you should give these specific titles a shot. They are ideal for a gaming session on the weekend or for times when you simply want to relax with something that stimulates your mind. Make sure you don’t miss out on these independent puzzle games that aren’t as well-known, since they demonstrate that gaming experiences can often be found in the most unexpected locations.