Indie puzzle games can come in all sorts of different styles and formats. Some are 2D platformers, while others are more like point-and-click adventures. Some focus on logic puzzles, while others might involve more visual or spatial reasoning. Whatever the style, the goal is usually the same: to give players a fun and engaging challenge that they can solve through creativity, experimentation, and a bit of trial and error.

Unpacking

In this game, players unpack boxes and arrange the items in a new home to create a story about the character who lives there. Unpacking is a recently released indie puzzle game developed by Australian studio Witch Beam. In this game, players take on the role of an unnamed person who is moving into a new home. The gameplay revolves around unpacking boxes and arranging the items inside in a way that makes sense and tells a story.

Each level of "Unpacking" takes place in a different room of the house, and players are presented with a series of boxes to unpack. The challenge is to figure out where each item belongs and how to arrange them in a way that makes sense. For example, a kitchen might have pots and pans near the stove, while a bedroom might have books and clothes near the bed.

What's really interesting about "Unpacking" is that the items in each box are often related to the person who owns them, and players are encouraged to create a narrative around each item. As players unpack more boxes and add more items to the room, they can start to piece together a story about the person who lives there and their life experiences.

The game features a beautiful pixel art style and a calming, atmospheric soundtrack. It's a very relaxing game that's perfect for players who enjoy slower-paced, more introspective games. Overall, "Unpacking" is a unique and charming puzzle game that's sure to captivate players with its attention to detail and thoughtful gameplay.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale


This game is a puzzle-adventure game where players use a magic paintbrush to solve puzzles and explore a colorful world. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is an indie puzzle-adventure game developed by the independent game studio, Greg Lobanov. The game features a hand-drawn art style with vibrant colors and is set in a world that is entirely black and white. The player takes on the role of a dog wielding a magic paintbrush named Chicory, who must use the brush to restore color to the world and solve puzzles.

Throughout the game, players explore a large open world full of different environments such as forests, deserts, and cities, each with their own unique puzzles and challenges. As players progress through the game, they'll unlock new abilities and upgrades that allow them to access previously inaccessible areas and solve more complex puzzles.

One of the unique aspects of "Chicory: A Colorful Tale" is its emphasis on player creativity. Players are encouraged to experiment with different colors and shapes, using Chicory's paintbrush to paint and color the game's environments and characters. This can also have an impact on the game's story, as the choices players make can influence the game's narrative and ending.

The game's story is another standout feature, exploring themes such as identity, self-discovery, and creativity. It's a game that's as emotionally resonant as it is visually striking, and one that's sure to captivate players with its beautiful art style and thoughtful storytelling.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale is an excellent example of an indie puzzle game that manages to combine engaging gameplay mechanics with a beautiful and meaningful story. It's worth playing this one all the way through, and it's not much of a heavy lift.

Maquette


In this game, players navigate a recursive world where changing the size of objects affects the environment around them. Maquette is an indie puzzle game developed by Graceful Decay Studios. The game is a first-person puzzle game that revolves around a unique recursive mechanic where players can change the size of objects in the game world by placing them in different parts of a scaled-down model of the world.

The game takes place in a series of interconnected worlds, each with its own unique challenges and puzzles. As players progress through the game, they'll need to use their understanding of the recursive mechanic to solve increasingly complex puzzles that require creative problem-solving skills.

One of the standout features of "Maquette" is its stunning visual style, which features a mix of realistic environments and surreal, dreamlike spaces. The game's world is full of intricate details, and the use of color and light is especially impressive, making for an immersive and visually striking experience.

In addition to its puzzles and visuals, "Maquette" also features a touching love story told through narration and visual storytelling. The game's story explores themes such as love, loss, and personal growth, adding an emotional layer to the game's already engaging puzzles.

Overall, "Maquette" is an excellent example of an indie puzzle game that combines clever gameplay mechanics with beautiful visuals and a touching story. It's a game that's sure to challenge and captivate players who enjoy puzzle games with a unique twist.

The Pedestrian


This puzzle-platformer game involves rearranging signage to navigate through a 2D world of public signs. The Pedestrian is an indie puzzle-platformer game developed by Skookum Arts. The game takes place in a 2D world made up of public signs and symbols, and players take on the role of a small stick figure pedestrian, navigating their way through a series of puzzles by rearranging the signs and symbols to create a path.


The gameplay mechanics of "The Pedestrian" are focused on manipulating and connecting signs, each with their own unique functions. Players must think creatively to solve puzzles, rearranging signs to create bridges, activate buttons, and avoid obstacles.

The game's graphics are also a standout feature, with each level presented as a 2D diorama set against a backdrop of a bustling cityscape. The visual style is reminiscent of street signs and graffiti art, with a mix of bright colors and abstract shapes that help create a distinctive and memorable atmosphere.

Overall, "The Pedestrian" is an excellent example of an indie puzzle game that combines unique gameplay mechanics with beautiful visuals and an engaging atmosphere. It's a game that's sure to challenge players who enjoy creative problem-solving and lateral thinking, while also providing a memorable and enjoyable gaming experience.

Genesis Noir


This game is a surreal adventure game set before, during, and after the Big Bang. The game involves solving puzzles to explore the mysteries of the universe. Genesis Noir is an indie puzzle-adventure game developed by Feral Cat Den. The game is set in a noir-inspired universe and follows the story of a watchmaker who becomes caught up in a cosmic battle between love and time.

The game's unique visual style is immediately striking, with a blend of 2D and 3D graphics that create a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. Players navigate through a variety of environments, from bustling cityscapes to otherworldly realms, solving puzzles and uncovering clues to progress through the game.

The puzzles in "Genesis Noir" are often abstract and require a combination of creative thinking and experimentation to solve. Players must manipulate objects in the environment, interact w
ith characters, and use their senses to progress through the game's narrative.

The game's story is another standout feature, exploring themes such as love, creation, and the passage of time. The story is told through a combination of dialogue, narration, and visual storytelling, creating an engaging and immersive experience for players.

Overall, "Genesis Noir" is an excellent example of an indie puzzle game that combines unique gameplay mechanics with beautiful visuals and an engaging story. It's a game that challenges players to think creatively and rewards them with a captivating and thought-provoking narrative.

Overall, indie puzzle games are a great way to exercise your mind and explore new and creative game worlds that you won't find in more mainstream titles. So if you're a fan of brain teasers and clever challenges, they're definitely worth checking out!