puzzle-solving

AppWizard
January 17, 2026
The Steam page for Forbidden Solitaire warns users to uninstall it "before it's too late." The demo features bizarre elements, including an eyeball offering upgrades and a character embedding gems into their own flesh. Players can cheat by inserting gems into their hand, with gameplay mechanics resembling traditional solitaire but incorporating unique twists, such as damaging opponents with removed cards. The game's lore involves a character testing the game on a vintage '90s PC, with messages from a friend discussing its controversial history. The demo includes strategic gameplay with key cards, cursed cards, and the need for careful decision-making to succeed. The player experiences a mix of card battling and puzzle-solving, leading to a sense of competence in card games.
AppWizard
January 4, 2026
The PC gaming landscape in 2025 features a diverse array of new titles, many receiving critical acclaim. A selection of 15 standout games has been curated based on specific criteria: they were released or re-released in 2025, received little to no prior coverage, have around 95% positive user ratings, offer offbeat yet accessible gameplay, are discounted by a minimum of 30%, and include one game per genre. 1. Project Silverfish - Price: £17.50 (30% off); Developer: Siris Pendrake; A non-linear shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world with lizard-people and multi-faction battles. 2. Contract Rush DX - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: Figburn & Melon; A platformer blending elements of Mega Man and Contra with vector animation and humor, allowing players to tackle levels in any order. 3. Godpoke - Price: £10.05 (40% off); Developer: LimboLane; An adventure where players mend quarrelsome gods using a dialogue-stealing mechanic to solve puzzles. 4. Missile Command Delta - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: 13AM Games, Mighty Yell; A tactical hex-based strategy game with a teen drama narrative and point-and-click puzzles. 5. Shooty Shooty Robot Invasion - Price: £5.10 (40% off); Developer: Bubby Darkstar; A humorous FPS where players navigate a beach while dealing with quirky robot foes. 6. Maliki: Poison Of The Past - Price: £15 (40% off); Developer: Blue Banshee; A JRPG-inspired title featuring time travel and turn-based combat based on a webcomic. 7. Desecrators - Price: £7 (30% off); Developer: Woodhound; A roguelike shooter with procedurally generated levels and online co-op support. 8. Wyrmhall - Price: £2.55 (70% off); Developer: Leafy Games; A game where players manage an artifact-cleaning stall in an interdimensional nexus. 9. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: Pocket Trap; An adventure game featuring dungeon-crawling and puzzle-solving mechanics inspired by classic Zelda games. 10. Lingo 2 - Price: £5.95 (30% off); Developer: Brenton Wildes; A word puzzle adventure set in a minimalist block labyrinth. 11. Skogdal - Price: £8.37 (50% off); Developer: Erlend Kirkeboe, Kay Arne Kirkeboe; A deck-building game set in a quirky, 90s Norway with humor and strategic gameplay. 12. Schism - Price: £6.50 (35% off); Developer: Fami; A low-fi action roguelike with a punk aesthetic and intense combat. 13. My Little Puppy - Price: £14.69 (30% off); Developer: Dreamotion Inc.; An emotional adventure following a corgi's journey through the afterlife. 14. Decade - Price: £5.95 (30% off); Developer: Last Piscean; A narrative-driven game exploring time travel consequences in a post-apocalyptic world. 15. Kiloton - Price: £2.14 (50% off); Developer: Jack Morehart; A minimalist strategy game simulating geopolitical tensions with quick decision-making.
AppWizard
December 29, 2025
Viewfinder is a first-person puzzle game available for free on the Epic Games Store until December 30th at 11:00 AM ET. Developed by Sad Owl Studios and published by Thunderful, it features gameplay that allows players to manipulate their surroundings using a camera. The game has received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam and an aggregate score of 84/100 on Metacritic. The Epic Games Store is also offering daily giveaways of free games throughout the holiday season.
AppWizard
December 18, 2025
Öoo is a visual puzzle metroidvania game where players control a character named Ö, who uses bombs for navigation and puzzle-solving. The game starts with one bomb, allowing for basic movement through strategic detonation, and later introduces a second bomb to enhance complexity. Discussions on Steam indicate that a third bomb was initially considered but ultimately discarded to maintain balance in gameplay. The design emphasizes minimalist mechanics, requiring players to think critically to overcome challenges.
AppWizard
December 18, 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is set in 1403 Bohemia, where players lead a resistance against Sigismund of Luxembourg, featuring enhanced first-person combat and a larger world. Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into a refined RPG with improved systems and stunning graphics set in Night City. Farming Simulator 25 offers an authentic agricultural experience with over 400 pieces of machinery and regular updates. Super Fantasy Kingdom combines city-building with roguelite elements in Early Access. Strange Antiquities is a puzzle game where players manage a shop of magical artifacts. Escape From Duckov is a humorous extraction shooter featuring a duck navigating combat zones. Path of Exile 2 expands on its predecessor with numerous classes and a vast skill system, currently in Early Access. Hades II follows Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, with enhanced mechanics and visuals. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG set on the island of Lumière, involving a mysterious event. Delta Force returns as a free-to-play tactical shooter with large-scale multiplayer and cosmetic-only monetization. ARC Raiders is a community-driven extraction shooter in a post-apocalyptic setting. Silent Hill f introduces a standalone chapter set in 1960s Ebisugaoka, featuring multiple endings and intricate puzzles. Recommended PC games for 2025 include Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Cyberpunk 2077, Farming Simulator 25, Hades II, and ARC Raiders. Delta Force offers free-to-play gameplay without pay-to-win mechanics. Cyberpunk 2077 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II are ideal for testing high-end graphics. Most games accommodate new players, but some have complex mechanics suited for experienced players. ARC Raiders provides a cooperative experience for new PC owners.
AppWizard
December 18, 2025
The winter holiday break offers PC gamers a chance to enjoy various games, whether solo or with others. Cooperative games for two players include Split Fiction, where players navigate dual worlds, Henry Halfhead, which features a puzzle-solving character, and LEGO Voyagers, which uses LEGO bricks for teamwork. Family-oriented games like Popucom, LEGO Fortnite Odyssey, and Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny emphasize accessible mechanics and cooperative play. For local multiplayer competition, EA SPORTS FC 26, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Mortal Kombat 1 are popular choices. Online co-op games such as Satisfactory, Out of Time, and PowerWash Simulator 2 allow players to connect remotely. Free-to-play options include Where Winds Meet, skate., and Infinity Nikki, which provide engaging experiences without cost. Immersive games like Escape from Duckov, Promise Mascot Agency, and Football Manager 26 offer deep gameplay experiences.
AppWizard
December 13, 2025
Jonathan Blow announced his new game, Order of the Sinking Star, at The Game Awards, which has been in development for a decade and features over 1,000 puzzles and more than 500 hours of gameplay. The game includes an expansive overworld with six unique realms, each offering distinct puzzles and mechanics. Players will encounter various characters with unique abilities that influence puzzle-solving, such as a thief who pulls blocks and a wizard who can teleport. The game allows unlimited undos and encourages exploration while providing a philosophical experience for players.
AppWizard
December 12, 2025
Jonathan Blow is developing a new game titled Order of the Sinking Star, which has evolved from a modest engine test for his programming language, Jai, into a full-fledged Sokoban-style puzzle game. The game combines elements from four lesser-known freeware puzzle games and features multiple worlds, each with distinct realms and mechanics. Players will navigate challenges involving various characters, each with unique abilities that enhance gameplay. The narrative follows a deposed queen in a fantastical setting, with gameplay focused on exploration and puzzle-solving. Blow's design philosophy emphasizes the interaction of game mechanics and player agency, diverging from traditional storytelling methods. He is collaborating with a publisher for the first time to address the challenges of a saturated market.
AppWizard
December 5, 2025
Inkblood is a new game that blends horror and cozy puzzle-solving, published by CRITICAL REFLEX and developed by Hey Bird!. Players take on the role of the Inquisitor, solving ten distinct cases filled with escape room-style puzzles. The game features exploration of a carriage that serves as a base, non-linear narratives, and connections to a larger conspiracy. It includes unique gameplay elements such as a magnifying glass that reveals glimpses of the past. Inkblood is set to be released in 2026 and is available for wishlisting on Steam.
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