Best Games That Masterfully Blend Third-Person Shooting And Puzzles

Key Takeaways

Puzzles in third-person shooting games aim to balance challenges and enhance gameplay without player frustration.
Notable gaming series like
Remnant
,
Uncharted
,
Resident Evil
, and
Tomb Raider
are celebrated for seamlessly blending shooting mechanics with intricate puzzles.
Each of these games presents a unique mix of engaging combat and thoughtful puzzle-solving, ensuring that players can enjoy both intense action and moments of quiet thinking.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that these games offer a remarkable blend of action, puzzle-solving, and unique mechanics that cater to a wide range of player preferences.

Incorporating puzzles intelligently can enhance any game type, be it a third-person shooter, an action-adventure with plenty of platforming, or a survival horror requiring both combat and endurance. The secret for developers lies in striking a balance: the puzzles should neither be excessively lengthy nor too challenging that they annoy players or slow down the game’s tempo.

In the right hands, the mix of third-person shooting and puzzles creates a perfect fusion – offering the best aspects from both game genres. Notable gaming series have excelled at this unique blend, such as Resident Evil, Uncharted, and Tomb Raider. Let’s explore some top-tier games that seamlessly merge third-person action with challenging puzzle-solving, maintaining a balance between the two elements.

1 Remnant 2

Each Weapon Feels Distinct, Often Hidden Behind Intricate Puzzles

Remnant 2 distinguishes itself as an uncommon blend of souls-like genre and shooter games, showcasing meticulously designed gun combat and an extensive selection of special ranged weapons for players to find or craft. Each weapon has a unique role and feels distinct, offering a rich diversity in gameplay tailored to individual tastes.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises about this captivating game. It’s famed not only for its richly diverse and enigmatic realms, but also for the intricate puzzles hidden within each. These brain-teasers, known for their legendary difficulty, keep the developers’ creative juices flowing as they delight in testing the community’s wits. They even go so far as to embed secrets deep within the game’s coding or design puzzles that can take days, if not weeks, for players to decipher. Cracking these complex codes often yields some of the finest weapons and gear a player could ever hope to acquire.

2 Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

A Perfect Blend Of Lighthearted Adventure, Shooting, And Puzzle-Solving

The Uncharted series is a top choice for any action-adventure enthusiast who enjoys combining shooting, platforming, and puzzle-solving with an engaging cinematic storyline. Even though The Lost Legacy has a smaller focus compared to the main Uncharted games starring Nathan Drake, it is still highly recommended for play.

Following the powerful foundation laid by Uncharted 4, The Lost Legacy delivers an exciting journey, boasting robust gunplay mechanics and some of the most challenging, elaborate puzzles in the franchise. These brain-teasers demand a combination of strategic reasoning and platforming prowess.

3 Alan Wake 2

Detective And Reality-Bending Puzzles Coupled With Remedy’s Signature Action

As a gamer, I can tell you that while Alan Wake 2 might not be as heavy on the puzzles compared to traditional survival horror games, it truly shines by blending Remedy’s signature action gameplay with immersive side activities. In this thrilling adventure, I find myself playing as two unique characters – Saga being one of them. As Saga, I delve into detective work, unraveling clues, interrogating witnesses, and tackling puzzles such as deciphering passwords or picking locks.

In the role of Alan Wake, matters become all the more intriguing. This author has a knack for altering reality using peculiar trinkets, allowing him to warp and redefine the tale. In doing so, he effectively opens up new avenues and advances the storyline in an unusual fashion.

4 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

Best In The Trilogy For Balancing Combat And Puzzles

In the newest installment of the franchise titled Shadow of the Tomb Raider, there’s a skillful shift in focus towards the fan-favorite elements: exploration and puzzle-solving. This game places a strong emphasis on raiding tombs and unraveling complex temple riddles, while optional challenge tombs provide additional discoveries for those seeking more.

In contrast, “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” doesn’t hold back on action. The shooting mechanics stand out as the finest in the trilogy, boosted by a more refined level design that fosters creativity, along with fresh abilities added to Lara’s toolkit. Fans of third-person shooting will continue to find it engaging alongside the puzzle-solving experience.

5 Resident Evil 4 Remake

More Action-Oriented Than Previous Entries, Yet Still Filled With Intricate Puzzles

As I delved into the thrilling world of the Resident Evil 4 Remake, I found myself immersed in an action-packed adventure that still managed to pay homage to its roots. Along the way, Leon Kennedy’s journey was filled with brain-teasing puzzles at every turn. The castle stage, in particular, was a puzzle lover’s paradise, and for a brief moment, I even got to control Ashley during a tense, combat-free sequence that kept me on edge.

In the remade version of the game, several puzzles can be skipped over if desired. Solving these optional challenges offers bonus items or hard-to-find collectibles. Even though the gameplay is more focused on shooting and has been simplified, fans probably won’t complain much because Resident Evil 4 Remake successfully combines action and puzzle-solving in a well-balanced manner.

6 Control

The Oldest House: Mysteries And Supernatural Action Await

Stepping into “Control” unveils an expansive Remedy Connected Universe, paving the way for future installments like “Alan Wake 2” and the upcoming sequel, “Control 2”. Although the game predominantly revolves around exhilarating third-person shootouts and supernatural powers, it doesn’t skimp on intriguing puzzles nestled within the enigmatic Oldest House. As a fan, I can’t wait to delve deeper into this captivating world!

These puzzles frequently center on obstacle courses, necessitating players to maneuver through changing landscapes, dodge hazards, and discover hidden elements utilizing skills such as telekinesis. Deciphering methods to access new locales or endure the dynamic architecture provides an additional level of mystery to the game’s already gripping action.

7 Dead Space Remake

Playing as a Space Engineer Provides a Unique Horror-Puzzle Balance

Drawing inspiration from Resident Evil, the game Dead Space offers an extraordinary interpretation of space-set survival horror, introducing a novel perspective: the main character, Isaac Clarke, is not a battle-hardened soldier, but a proficient engineer. This distinctive feature presents a captivating challenge for players, who must not only endure the terrors of the deserted TSG Ishimura mining ship but also mend the vessel and its machinery to secure their escape.

One standout aspect of this game is its innovative collection of tools, primarily lasers and plasma cutters, which serve a strategic purpose in dissecting the necromorphs. While players can opt for an assault rifle, nothing compares to the thrill of using these engineering tools to perform precision cuts on the enemies.

8 Remnant: From The Ashes

The Original Remnant Still Shines Despite Being Outpaced By Its Sequel

Even though Remnant 2 outshines it in almost every aspect, Remnant: From The Ashes still holds significant value and is well worth playing today. It continues to display the powerful qualities that fans have grown accustomed to from the series. This game boasts a vast selection of weapons to discover, create, and enhance, each offering distinct shooting experiences.

Although its puzzles might not match up to those found in the subsequent game, they can still leave unforewarned players baffled, and numerous hidden mysteries may remain undiscovered without assistance. Moreover, certain boss battles serve as puzzles; a trait that the sequel refines even more.

2024-10-24 09:04