If you’re anything like us, you love video games not just for the stupid fun, but also for their ability to train your mind. Puzzle game genre was around for almost as long as video games themselves, and if most of us have certainly had the pleasure to touch upon the genre in one way or another. 

Throughout the years we received some truly unique titles that blew our minds and made us feel way smarter after beating them. Today, we want to take some time and share our list of the most original puzzle games you can get on your PC, so buckle up, and breath in some air, it’s going to be a wild ride! 

While none of the below featured games are very new, there’s a good chance you’ll find something that you haven’t yet played. Additionally, all of these games now cost a ridiculous amount of money if you decide to purchase them on Eneba digital video game store. So, without further delay, let’s begin!

1. Portal 1 and 2

The first Portal game was released by Valve as a part of The Orange Box. It was an experimental 2-hour long puzzle game which was hailed as one of the best puzzle games to date and later, in 2011, spawned a sequel which accumulated a record amount of video game awards and till this day has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide.

In Portal, you solve puzzles in rooms called testing chambers, the action plays in the first-person perspective. The only tool you have is a Portal Gun which allows you to set up two portals and teleport in-between them. Sounds simple, right? Well not exactly as the rooms are filled with deadly lasers, robots, buttons, paint gels and various other nuances that will make you think a lot.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Portal 2 is still alive and well to this date thanks to its modding community which constantly uploads ever new and elaborate levels for you to play through. And if you’re feeling like creating something, you have an option to do so.

2. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

This is another awesome and unique puzzle game that was praised by game critics. It was released back in 2013 and earned its spot on our list due to its original control scheme. In the game, the player commands two brothers simultaneously, they can be moved individually by two thumbsticks on the controller.

Each brother has a button which allows him to interact with the in-game world. While some tasks are easy, other levels will require a lot of brainpower to figure things out, often requiring the player to manipulate both characters in order to get to the next checkpoint.

We should also add that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons presents a very compelling and immersive story. A father of two sons is dying, so the player is tasked to get the cure called the “Water of Life”. We don’t want to spoil things but be sure to have tissues nearby while playing this indie gem.

3. FEZ

FEZ is yet another indie masterpiece on our list. Released in 2012 as the Xbox 360 exclusive, the game was later re-released for PC and other consoles as well. It influenced countless other indie games due to its cute design and awesome mechanics. That’s what earned FEZ a spot on our list and if you’re wondering on whether it’s worth it, read just a tiny fraction of the outstanding mechanics.

In the game, a player assumes control of Gomez, a protagonist who receives a fez which reveals that the two-dimensional world is really happening in three-dimensions. The player is able to rotate the in-game world between four 2D platforms in order to get through the levels. This rotation mechanic reveals secret paths by connecting otherwise inaccessible places.

4. Scribblenauts series

Scribblenauts is yet another series that made our list of Top 5 original puzzle games because of its unique mechanic decisions, difficulty, and great visuals. The first game was released back in 2009 and received 6 sequels with the latest, Scribblenauts Showdown, published in 2018 as a 4-player party game.

Scribblenauts might seem like a simple side-scroller, but its core mechanic is very creative. In order to get through certain obstacles, you’ll need to write down the name of the item you wish to summon. You can use and combine the items in order to complete some very elaborate levels. Additionally, you can create your own levels or items and upload it to Steam, so essentially, it’s a game without an end!

5. Light Tracer

Light Tracer is probably the newest game on our list. It was released back in 2018, exclusively for VR (the regular version was released a bit later) and received a lot of mixed feedback, mostly because of its difficulty. The game offers 8 complex chapters full of difficult puzzles. Each level provides the player with different controls, different tasks and even boss fights that will require patience, dedication, and brainpower.

However, if you’re not scared by the immense scale of difficulty that the game is told to possess (you’re into puzzle games, so you shouldn’t be scared), this is a great pick that will offer plenty of value in exchange for your money. If you have a VR headset at your home, this is probably the best VR puzzle game you can buy right now. If you don’t, it’s still a piece worth trying it out.