Key Takeaways
- Tetris Effect offers a modern twist on the classic game.
- Trine 4 features co-op gameplay with unique physics puzzles.
- Untitled Goose Game is a hilarious and memeable option for puzzle lovers.
Puzzle games offer a welcome refuge from the barrage of intense action and multiplayer games on the market. The genre has also evolved, and we’ve come a long way from stacking blocks and popping bubbles.
If you’re ready to flex those brain muscles, here are the 10 best Puzzle games to do it with on PS Plus.
10 Tetris Effect
This Classic Has Never Looked So Good
Developer | Resonair |
Multiplayer | Yes |
Release Date | November 2018 |
Tetris Effect was originally a PSVR title but has since been converted for regular screens. This title is good old-fashioned Tetris at its core but with the visuals taken to the next level.
Every stage comes complete with soothing music, incredible particle effects, and stunning presentation.
Tetris Effect works so well in VR as the environments add immersion with a headset on. The effect is lessened without the hardware, but it’s a gorgeous game nonetheless and a bold take on the grandfather of puzzle games.
9 Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince
A Physics-Based Fantasy Platformer
Developer | Frozenbyte |
Multiplayer | Yes |
Release Date | October 2019 |
The Trine series has been chugging along for over a decade, filling a niche for 2D puzzle platformers. Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince is one of the latest, offering a unique blend of physics-based conundrums to solve.
One of Trine‘s greatest allures is the co-op features. As each character has a unique skill set, you’ll have to combine your abilities, and it feels so rewarding with a group.
Trine 4 can be enjoyed with up to 4 players online and even boasts local co-op for a couch gaming session.
Trine 4 is unforgettable with friends, and if you enjoy it, I daresay you’ll also enjoy the original trilogy and the sequel, Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy.
8 Human: Fall Flat
More Than Just A Dumb Physics Game
Developer | No Brakes Games |
Multiplayer | Yes |
Release Date | July 2016 |
Human: Fall Flat is a challenging 3D Puzzle Platformer where wrestling with the controls is part of the fun.
Your resolve will be tested as you tackle physics-based puzzles with a character that trips over its own feet.
You’re not meant to complete objectives with precision, and failing at simple tasks is part of the charm. There’s a surprising amount of content to sift through, and levels range from rocky deserts to medieval castles.
The game is pretty limited for a solo player, and you really need to share your ridiculous antics with friends. If you play with a light-hearted group, you will have many laughs with Human: Fall Flat.
7 Untitled Goose Game
The Most Memeable Game Ever Created
Developer | House House |
Multiplayer | Yes (local only) |
Release Date | September 2019 |
Untitled Goose Game is a fantastic and unique puzzle adventure game where you play as, you guessed it, a goose. The concept is absurd, and the game is so much better than it should be.
You have an attitude problem, and most of your missions involve stealing items from the local townsfolk. Most items can’t simply be grabbed without some setup, and most puzzles are well-thought-out.
Developer House House nailed the presentation with Untitled Goose Game. From the hilarious goose waddle to the music and sound cues, it’s a ridiculous concept executed perfectly.
6 Tricky Towers
More Than A Tetris Knock-Off
Developer | Weird Beard |
Multiplayer | Yes |
Release Date | August 2016 |
Based on the screenshots, it’s easy to write off Tricky Towers as a cheap imitation of other puzzle games, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Tricky Towers shares plenty of ideas with Tetris, but the addition of weight and physics changes everything.
There are game modes to build towers as high as possible until their inevitable collapse. There’s even the reverse, where you try to stack blocks under a set height.
Multiplayer modes add power-ups to the mix, where you can sabotage your buddies. Tricky Towers is at its best when enjoyed with friends and accessible enough for anyone to enjoy it.
5 Valiant Hearts: The Great War
A Fresh Take On WW1
Developer | Ubisoft |
Multiplayer | No |
Release Date | June 2014 |
Valiant Hearts is a unique title featuring puzzle solving and a decent story set during the First World War. You play as a small selection of characters as they fight for survival, and there are some powerful sequences if you get into it.
The stunning art style helps with the immersion, and puzzles range from simple collectathons to tricky timing-based tasks.
Valiant Hearts isn’t a traditional puzzle game, but it’s perfect for solo play, and there’s a sequel, Coming Home, if you enjoy the original.
4 Death Squared
It’s OK If You Feel Stupid
Developer | SMG Studio |
Multiplayer | Yes |
Release Date | March 2017 |
Death Squared is a devious puzzle game that will stretch your brain in ways you didn’t think were possible.
As the title is co-op, everyone has to work together, and things can get very messy when puzzles require strict timing. Communication is key, and Death Squared is superb if you can join a few friends for a local session.
The puzzles are tough, but the difficulty makes Death Squared feel rewarding. If you and your buddies can keep your cool, this is a great addition to your co-op library.
3 I Am Bread
As Ridiculous As It Sounds
Developer | Bossa Studios |
Multiplayer | No |
Release Date | December 2014 |
It’s easy to write off I Am Bread as just another “low-effort physics game,” but it’s far better than it has any right to be.
As the name implies, you play as a slice of bread, and your goal in each stage is to become “edible.” You’re graded on Edibility, Toast Quality, and Deliciousness, and each of I Am Bread’s sandbox levels is full of clever ways to hit those quotas.
As far as physics-based games go, I Am Bread is pretty difficult, but it’s satisfying when your ideas actually work.
The controls are dreadful by design, but if you can take a step back to admire the ridiculous spectacle of it all, I Am Bread is worth a download.
2 Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty
An Unlikely Hero
Developer | Oddworld Inhabitants |
Multiplayer | No |
Release Date | July 2014 |
Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is a remake of the first game in the series, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee.
Your goal in New ‘n’ Tasty is to free your buddies from the Rupture Farms Meat Processing plant, lest you end up on the menu. You play as Abe, and as you can’t fight, you must rely on cunning instead.
Puzzles are pretty unique, as you can talk your way out of sticky situations and hide in the shadows to plan your next move.
While there is puzzle-solving galore in New ‘n’ Tasty, there are many demanding platforming sections, too. Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is a must-play if you don’t mind the mix of genres. If you fall in love with Abe’s adventures, you might want to check out the sequel Oddworld: Soulstorm.
1 Unpacking
If Only It Were This Relaxing In Real Life
Developer | Witch Beam |
Multiplayer | No |
Release Date | November 2021 |
Unpacking is a relaxing puzzle game where you move your belongings from boxes and try to find a home for them all. The premise is wonderfully simple, and it’s a great game to play if you just want to chill out.
The pixel art style is gorgeous, and Unpacking becomes an oddly addictive time sink. While it’s not technically a simulator game, Unpacking is as well-crafted as the best of them and makes a mundane task wonderfully satisfying.
Unpacking is an easy recommendation for casual players, and as there are no pressing objectives, it’s accessible regardless of skill level.
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