10 Best Puzzle Platformers, Ranked

When you want to challenge your wits and reflexes, there’s nothing better than a brain-teasing adventure combined with platforming action. Simple puzzle games may not always be enough, and you may want a real challenge. That is what puzzle platformers are for.

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From mind-bending puzzles to gravity-defying manoeuvres, these games offer a thrilling combination of brain power and platforming prowess. They have you traversing treacherous landscapes, solving intricate riddles, and uncovering many secrets as you embark on your journey.

10 Mark Of The Ninja

Mark of the Ninja is the perfect game to try out if you are a fan of ninja-themed video games that have you hiding in the dark and silently taking down your enemies. As you traverse through this dark world, every step, every shadow, and every action matters.

Mark of the Ninja is a masterpiece in the puzzle platformer genre, as it seamlessly combines stealth, strategy, and precise platforming. It allows you to use multiple tools and abilities to achieve your goal.

9 Mirror’s Edge

Mirror’s Edge redefines the boundaries of first-person action and puzzle platformers. In the series’ first game, you take on the role of Faith, a free-running courier navigating a futuristic cityscape. In the sequel, you continue with the story of Faith, but with way more twists and turns than before.

With its minimalist aesthetic and bold visual design, Mirror’s Edge immerses players in a vertigo-inducing world where every jump, slide, and leap requires precision and timing.

8 Fez

Fez takes you on a mind-bending journey through a vibrant and enchanting world that is a cross of 2D and 3D graphics. You play as a lovable character on a quest to restore order to his pixilated universe. The story may not be as unique as the others in this list, but the gameplay mechanics more than compensate for that.

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What sets Fez truly apart is its ingenious puzzle mechanics revolving around perspective-shifting. By rotating the world in 90-degree increments, you uncover hidden pathways, decode ancient languages, and unlock secrets.

7 Inside

Inside captivates you immediately with its haunting atmosphere and thought-provoking gameplay. This indie gem thrusts you into a dark and enigmatic world filled with suspense and mystery. You must reach your final destination by solving puzzles and hiding in the dark.

As a nameless boy navigating a dystopian landscape, you must solve intricate puzzles, evade dangers, and uncover the secrets lurking in the shadows. Try not to get caught.

6 Limbo

Limbo is a horrifying indie game that plunges players into a haunting monochromatic landscape where a young boy seeks his sister. The art style is also so unique that many have compared it to popular film noir movies.

With its minimalist visuals, haunting sound design, and seamless blend of platforming and puzzle-solving, Limbo creates an immersive and suspenseful experience. The enigmatic narrative and ambiguous storytelling leave room for interpretation, adding to its allure.

5 The Portal Series

The iconic puzzle platformers developed by Valve revolutionized the genre with their innovative gameplay mechanics and darkly comedic narratives. The Portal series also introduced the ingenious portal gun.

This device allows you to create interdimensional portals to manipulate physics, solve the most intricate puzzles, and navigate through mind-bending test chambers.

4 It Takes Two

It Takes Two is a remarkable co-op puzzle platformer, redefining the genre with innovative gameplay and heartfelt storytelling. Seamlessly blending platforming, puzzles, and cooperative mechanics, the game follows the journey of two characters.

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Cody and May are a couple on the verge of divorce. One day they are magically transformed into dolls and must work together to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and mend their broken relationship.

3 VVVVVV

VVVVVV is a retro-inspired gem that captivates you with its simple yet challenging gameplay and nostalgic pixel art style. You take on the role of Captain Viridian and jump on a gravity-flipping adventure.

The game’s unique mechanic allows you to toggle gravity and use this ability to navigate through dangerous environments and overcome deadly obstacles.

2 Braid

Braid leaves an indelible mark on the genre with its time-manipulation mechanics and captivating plot twists. You follow the journey of a man named Tim as he searches for his princess.

Each level presents challenging puzzles that require players to manipulate time, rewind actions, and strategize their moves. Braid creates an immersive experience that challenges perceptions and explores deeper and darker themes.

1 Little Nightmares

Little Nightmares invites you into a dark, twisted world teeming with macabre imagery. This atmospheric gem follows the journey of Six, a young girl trapped in a nightmarish vessel called The Maw.

As you navigate horrifying rooms and solve intricate puzzles, you uncover the chilling secrets that lurk within this grotesque realm. Little Nightmare’s clever puzzles and suspenseful gameplay make it one of, if not the best, puzzle platformers.

NEXT: Best Platformer Games