10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

Key Takeaways

  • Magnet Block uses simple mechanics to create complex puzzles with color matching and repelling.
  • Casper is a challenging game with unlockable abilities in the labyrinthine Whipstaff Manor.
  • Snakebird Complete is loosely based on the classic Snake, but with puzzle-solving mechanics and gravity.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve had my fair share of brain-teasing challenges that have left me scratching my head and muttering expletives. The games on this list are a testament to the sheer ingenuity and creativity that can be found in the realm of puzzlers.


There’s something for everyone in the puzzle genre, whether you’re a mobile gamer or want a light challenge for your brain.

For devoted gamers, rest assured, I haven’t overlooked your needs! If you’re seeking challenging games that will really test your mental abilities, I’ve gathered an impressive list of top-notch titles for that purpose.

10 Magnet Block

Magnets Are Magic

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperIsaac Andrews
GenreSokoban Puzzler
Release DateNovember 2022

Several outstanding puzzle games often blend basic principles to form intricate experiences that surpass the combined value of their individual components.

The Magnet Block functions exactly as described and is a straightforward puzzle game that appreciates logical thinking. Your objective is quite straightforward – you aim to find the exit button. However, a progressively intricate collection of challenges prevents you from doing so.

For example, you can push red and blue blocks, but matching colors repel each other, while opposites attract. Add fresh elements, like coils to charge, and you have a busy puzzle title where many levels seem impossible until you experiment.

The simple appearance of the “Magnet Block” might seem underwhelming at first glance, yet its sparse graphics ensure clarity in gameplay at all times. With more than 75 levels available, this game challenges your determination to the limit.

9 Casper

A Personal Favorite

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperFuncom
Genre3D Adventure
Release DateMay 1996

Among the challenging puzzle games on the first PlayStation console, none gave me a harder time than “Casper”.

As a captivated spectator, I hopped onto a live stream and jokingly gave it a spin. Yet, my involvement soon escalated as I found myself engrossed in the game. The character I controlled was none other than Casper, the friendly ghost, on a quest to unravel mysteries hidden within Whipstaff Manor.

Casper is a tough game as it provides no assistance in navigating, meaning you won’t find any signs pointing to hidden switches or doors they might open. Additionally, you’ll encounter clues and puzzle pieces without knowing their intended locations or uses.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I must confess that Whipstaff Manor, without a doubt, presents a cunningly intricate layout for an unforgiving puzzle game. It’s a challenge even the most tenacious child wouldn’t be able to conquer.

8 Snakebird Complete

Cute But Cruel

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

The game Snakebird Complete brings a new twist to classic snake games by incorporating elements such as physics-based challenges and puzzle-solving.

In the game titled “Snakebird“, your objective is to collect all the fruits scattered across the map prior to reaching the exit. As you consume items, you expand, which can potentially lead to trapping yourself if you’re not cautious.

The aspect that might require some getting used to is the physics. In contrast to traditional mobile games, here, you are unable to float or jump freely, but if there’s a chance, you can ascend the surroundings.

As an ardent admirer, I’d express that Noumenon Games pushes the boundaries of creativity with mind-bending puzzles that are so intricate, even the slightest mistake could spell doom for an entire level.

Don’t let those colorful graphics fool you, Snakebird Complete is tough as nails.

7 Baba is You

Baba Is Never Beating This Game

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

Baba is You is a brutal mind-bender with clever wordplay at the root of its puzzles.

You influence the world by stringing keywords together, and they follow a unique logic. For example, making the phrase “Baba Is You Is Push” means you control Baba and can push objects.

Instead, “You Control ‘Push'” would grant you authority over the word “Push”. This is a straightforward example, and the game “Baba is You” explores this concept to its limits.

Riddles might be challenging, yet they can be cracked by applying reasoning and trial-and-error methods. Interestingly, there’s also a spin-off storyline featuring Baba handling tax filing!

6 Jelly no Puzzle

Looks Are Deceiving

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperQrostar
Genre2D Puzzler
Release DateNovember 2018

Despite its whimsical title, Jelly No Puzzle is deceptively challenging, offering a level of difficulty that surpasses initial impressions.

“The concept is straightforward. Colored blocks combine when they link up, and you triumph when all the blocks have been combined.

The trick is completing this task in an order where you don’t obstruct your future merges. It’s a simple concept that’s perfectly executed, and stages quickly become relentlessly crafty.

In the game “Jelly no Puzzle”, there’s plenty of room for experimentation and learning from mistakes, but hitting the mark on a tricky level is always satisfying.

5 Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

An Eclectic Murder Mystery

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

In simpler terms, “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes” is an enchanting game that challenges your skills in mathematics, logical reasoning, and perception.. We found ourselves captivated by this game during our review period, making it a perfect addition for any puzzle enthusiast.

As I step into this eerily deserted hotel, I find myself taking on the role of Lorelei – a woman with an intriguing past and a thirst for unraveling secrets. I’m here to partake in a clandestine project that has piqued my curiosity. The suspense is palpable, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead on this enigmatic journey.

Scattered all over the manor are numerous brain-teasers, ranging from intricate multi-step challenges to memory tests; making a mistake could prove fatal in this case.

In this game, it’s beneficial to have a notepad close by, which I find is a great feature. You’ll come across numerous items that prove useful later on, and the game, titled “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes,” frequently rewards careful observation. Additionally, there’s an eerie atmosphere that horror enthusiasts will appreciate.

4 Stephen’s Sausage Roll

All This To Cook A Sausage?!

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperIncrepare
Genre3D Puzzler
Release DateApril 2016

Stephen’s Sausage Roll is a cleverly designed puzzle game, which the creator of Baba Is You considers as one of their all-time favorites.

Allow me to present you with one of the most peculiar brain-teasers available. The objective in this game is to skillfully place the sausages onto a grill and ensure they are cooked evenly, avoiding any unwanted charring.

Stephen often has a skewer in hand for maneuvering sausages across the board. Initially, the controls might seem unusual, but they’re essential for solving the various puzzles, including moving backward.

Stephen’s Sausage Roll is excellent, and it’s also brutal from level one.

3 Lemmings

Oh No!!!

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

Lemmings is a classic puzzle game with old-school difficulty.

As a devoted enthusiast, I find myself in a captivating scenario where a line of lemmings tumbles onto a stage, and my mission becomes ensuring they make it to the exit. To aid them in this journey, I’ll bestow them with unique abilities such as digging or parachuting. With every resource at my fingertips, I must strategize effectively to meet the required quota for exiting the stage.

As an enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the diverse array of skills that each have their own peculiarities. The highest tiers demand not just proficiency in one or two, but a true mastery of them all.

One thing I adore about Lemmings is, while it is an unforgiving monster at times, the beginner stages are accessible for newcomers.

If you’re looking for a challenging puzzle that doesn’t make you feel like an idiot right away, then this is perfect for you.

The Amiga version is arguably the best, but even the Sony PSP title is great if you can get it.

2 SpaceChem

Yeah, Science!

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses
Key InformationDetails
DeveloperZachtronics
GenreSimulation/Puzzle
Release DateJanuary 2011

I’ve commended several games on this list for their straightforward, easy-to-grasp premises. However, SpaceChem demonstrates that even complex ideas can be engaging and effective.

The goal is to assemble elementary particles with the aid of mechanical constructs called “Waldos,” which move atoms along intricate pathways you design. These pathways grow increasingly intricate, and a command such as “Sync” enables multiple Waldos to operate harmoniously together.

In contrast to numerous puzzle games, SpaceChem stands out as an open-ended puzzle, implying that the methods you use to solve these puzzles can vary significantly from how others approach them.

Frankly speaking, SpaceChem leaves me feeling dizzy. Nevertheless, I adore its complex concept, and if it doesn’t resonate with me, it doesn’t necessarily mean the same for you.

1 Fez

A Mind-Bending Puzzle Platformer

10 Insanely Difficult Puzzle Games Made For Geniuses

Fez is a gorgeous Metroidbrania with some of the most devious puzzles in the genre.

The idea of a 2D character stuck in a 3D world has been done before, but I’ve never seen it as well executed as in Fez.

In my experience as a player, I’m confined to navigate within a two-dimensional realm, yet the environment transforms to expose hidden platforms and treasures. It’s absolutely fascinating to witness the intricate transformation of three-dimensional worlds into a 2D canvas, presenting fresh challenges for me to conquer. This ingenious concept is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay on each screen I explore.

The pixel art graphics are stunning, and the charming style and soundtrack are calming even when you’re hopelessly lost.

Despite being stunningly beautiful and distinct, Fez undeniably ranks among the toughest puzzle games I’ve encountered, and unfortunately, I was unable to complete it.

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2024-11-20 21:39