Best Puzzle Games On Game Pass

Puzzle games are perfect for those who like to get their brain working, whether it’s dealing with tiles or exploring a world filled with different problems to solve. One of the best places to look for games in the genre is Xbox Game Pass as there are frequently puzzle games that are added to the platform.

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In the subscription service, the most prominent puzzle experiences are of the indie variety. However, they are also among the best puzzle games the indie space has to offer. From old-school adventure games to platformers to first-person puzzlers, there are a lot of variants to choose from.

Updated on January 17, 2024, by Mark Sammut: Xbox Game Pass puzzle games are not overly common, but they are plentiful enough to keep most people busy for a few months. Two more recommendations have been added to this discussion. Click below to jump to these games.

12

Donut County

Swallow Everything

Donut County is a silly but fun puzzle game that can easily be completed in a single session, making it a great option for when someone craves a palate cleanser as a stopgap between heftier projects. Basically, the goal is to use a donut hole to swallow everything within a level, and the challenge comes from finding the ideal position.

Donot County is not built on an especially deep gameplay loop, but it offers enough unique situations to remain interesting throughout the short campaign. The game also has a fun aesthetic and a quirky sense of humor, which combine well with the core mechanics.

11

Genesis Noir

A Stylish Point And Click Adventure

Genesis Noir

Systems

Released

March 26, 2021

Developer

Feral Cat Den

How Long To Beat

6 hours

Point-and-click adventure games have been around since the dawn of PC games, but while the genre isn’t as prevalent as it once was, there are some modern takes on the genre that change things up to provide a truly unique experience. Genesis Noir is a great example of this.

A story about a man looking to rescue his love, this avant-garde take on the point-and-click puzzler has players going through various scenes and interacting with the screen as prompts are being presented to them. Genesis Noir has a unique art style that makes these scenes fit right in with the gameplay.

10

Botany Manor

Relaxing And Informative

A Day 1 Xbox Game Pass arrival, Botany Manor is a cute and detailed puzzle game set during the late 19th century. As a botanist who is writing a book on plants, players get to explore an impressive British manor while also solving puzzles relating to the protagonist’s specialty. The brainteasers revolve almost entirely around a seed’s requirements to grow, a decision that leads to a consistent and educational campaign.

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For the most part, Botany Manor grants players free access to its mansion, although they will need to solve a few puzzles to reach certain sections. Moving at a leisurely pace and containing just enough character-driven details to inject context, Balloon Studios’ title is among the most relaxing puzzle games on Game Pass.

9

Return To Monkey Island

A Modern Take On A Classic Formula

Systems

Released

September 19, 2022

Developer(s)

Terrible Toybox

How Long To Beat

10 Hours

When looking for a modern point-and-click game that is a callback to 1990s classics, look no further than Return to Monkey Island, a Devolver Digital-published title that continues the story of the beloved Monkey Island franchise from the mind of Ron Gilbert.

The sixth installment in the franchise, Return to Monkey Island takes place after the events of the previous titles and picks up with Guybrush Threepwood going back on an adventure to truly find the secret of Monkey Island. Many characters from the franchise make their return, including Elaine Marley and the villainous LeChuck.

8

Human Fall Flat

A Physics-Based Puzzle

It may not seem like the most complex game at first glance, but Human Fall Flat is a game all about ragdoll physics. This includes the player’s ability to try to use the left arm and right arm of their character individually to solve specific puzzles as they navigate large, linear levels.

Each level in Human Fall Flat is filled with various puzzles that involve picking up and interacting with objects that will open up pathways to new areas. There are a handful of levels made by the original developers and many more that have been created thanks to users, some of which have been added to the base game.

7

Unpacking

A Journey Through A Life

There has been a trend in games that includes turning everyday chores into video games, largely to successful results. One of the best examples of this is Unpacking, which is all about setting up items in a room after having moved into a new place.

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With an underlying narrative being told through the various objects and places the game takes the player, Unpacking is a game about putting items in the right place based on general context clues. The puzzle aspect comes in assembling a room just right so that there are no items in weird places.

6

Hypnospace Outlaw

A Bizarre & Worthwhile Trip

A point-and-click adventure game about navigating the internet is a bit on the nose, but it fits perfectly for the story being told in Hypnospace Outlaw. This simulation game tasked players with being an Enforcer, a moderator that makes sure people are following the rules in the Hypnospace.

While players will initially be tasked with minor violations, the story will take players on a journey that will lead to a massive controversy. All the while, players of Hypnospace Outlaw will navigate through a 1990s-inspired web that features unique user pages, interesting personalities, and a ton of nostalgia for those who lived through the early days of the internet.

5

Superliminal

A Surreal Puzzle

In general, a puzzle format that has become a staple in the genre is the first-person puzzle game. While there are not a ton of options on Xbox Game Pass, one of the best games on the service to fall in that category is none other than Superliminal.

Participating in dream therapy, the player will navigate through various rooms with the ability to pick up objects and resize them based on the player’s visual perspective. However, due to unknown reasons, the player is unable to escape this dream state. Superliminal is filled with various illusions to keep the players guessing as they first observe each area.

4

Humanity

Guide The Masses To Safety

Somewhat similar to Lemmings, Humanity is a puzzle game about guiding a group of people along a stage and to its exit. The concept is pretty simple on the surface, and the first few levels are fairly easy. The humans will always move forward as a mindless massive horde of flesh, and they need to be directed to avoid plummeting to their demise. To that end, players are given different types of tiles that manipulate the horde’s direction or actions.

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While things start fairly straightforward, Humanity gradually and significantly ramps up the difficulty, requiring players to think laterally and holistically to overcome a stage’s puzzle. While not story-driven, this project is the perfect puzzle game to throw on for 30 minutes at a time, allowing you to complete a brain-teaser or two before moving on to something else.

3

Unravel Two

A Co-Op Puzzle Delight

Building on the ideas of Unravel by adding a second character/player, Unravel Two is a fantastic puzzle-platformer that shines as a representative of both genres. Players control red and blue Yarnies as they make their way through (mostly) outdoor areas, using their unique yarn-based abilities to overcome puzzles and jumps. The game is at its best when played in co-op, but solo players should be able to run through the campaign without too many issues.

Even more so than the first game, Unravel Two‘s puzzles are well-implemented and constantly task players to think of new ways to use the characters’ limited movesets. While they are challenging enough to require consistent thought, the puzzles are not too difficult in the grand scheme of things, making Unravel Two a good pick for younger players.

2

Inside

A Gorgeous, Atmospheric, And Unforgettable Experience

Puzzle games can refer to a variety of different experiences, but regardless of what kind of puzzle game players seem to like, there is no question that Inside is one of the most impactful games in the genre. And the good news for Xbox Game Pass subscribers is that it is part of the service.

Players take on the role of a young boy who is seemingly running away from something. The gameplay of Inside involves trying to remain hidden from various figures that will look to take the boy down while using items and creatures within an environment to figure out ways to advance through the boy’s journey.

1

Cocoon

One Of 2023’s Best Games In Any Genre

As stated, Inside is considered a massive hit among puzzle game fans. A lot of this is thanks to Jeppe Carlsen, who left the original developer to form a new studio called Geometric Interactive. Then, he made a new puzzle game called Cocoon which debuted on Xbox Game Pass upon its release in 2023.

As a bug-like creature, players navigate the world using orbs that have specific abilities that can help players in solving puzzles and getting through obstacles. Each orb also has its own world within it, where players will navigate around and run into a major boss that comes alive upon acquiring new orbs.

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