Summary
Puzzle design is tricky to get right.The perfect puzzlesstump players for just the perfect amount of time, making them feel like they worked for the answer without frustrating them. How do designers get this formula right when so many different types of gamers exist?
Maybe there is no perfect answer. All the same, puzzles spice up the gameplay or give gamers a break from the fast-paced action in all the titles listed below. There are times when it is seamlessly integrated into the combat and core gameplay mechanics, while other times they help with the game’s pacing.
TheUnchartedseries constantly battles with the pacing between exploring and combats. Jumping from one combat arena to another is exhausting, but dwelling on puzzles too long can also be downright boring. The series' witty writing and charming characters help smooth any rough edges in the cohesion between fighting and puzzle-solving,making each game a joyful narrative experience.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacymakes the list over all the other games because of the optional content integrated into the story. Players can rush through the game in a couple of hours or they can explore the open areas to find all the collectibles. The artifacts are nice, but the real treasure is the dialogue between Chloe Fraiser and Nadine Ross players would otherwise miss if they beelined through the story.
These open segments inThe Lost LegacyandUncharted 4are clear precursors to the introductory Seattle segment inThe Last of Us Part 2.
While experts can beat the newerZeldagames without much trouble, the average player will want to upgrade their stamina and hearts by completing as many shrines as possible in the open-world environment. This is howTears of the Kingdomand, by extension,Breath of the Wildmarry their combat with puzzles.
Every shrine Link completes puts players one step closer to becoming strong enough to beat Ganon. If they had a different reward, it is hard to say if they would be as fun to complete. Many players might not have the same motivation to do them.
The 2019Resident Evil 2remake makes the Raccoon City Police Department feel more cohesive than ever. No longer are the rooms separated by loading times. Because of this, finding keys and unlocking new areas feel even more like walking inside a jigsaw puzzle being slowly put together.
The lack of load times between rooms also means threatsfollow Claire or Leon wherever they go. Mr. X in particular became iconic all over again for how he follows players through the environment. It is not enough to clear out the room to give players a quiet moment to think through a puzzle. Now, one has to be on their toes, constantly expecting Mr. X and his fedora to burst into the room like an evil Kool-Aid Man.
Whether one is talking about the original trilogy or the newer titles that put the camera behind Kratos’s shoulder,God of Waralways brings puzzles into the equation. The 2018 title andRagnarokmake it over the classic titles because of the wealth of optional content in the games.
It is hard to call it an open-world game, but the hub areas are large, and filled with nooks and crannies to explore. Within many of these lie interesting puzzles that utilize many of the same mechanics Kratos uses in combat,like his now trademark Leviathan Axe.
Retro gaming enthusiasts have a lot to love inTunic. Its design evokes a lot of classic gaming sensibilities, like the sense of wonder and discovery fromNES titles likeMetroidandThe Legend of Zelda.Even most of the game mechanics are organically discovered through cryptic notes and messages throughout the world.
The main difference is the combat inTunichas depth and variety in addition to some cryptic puzzles. By the end of the game, some might find the puzzles more challenging, but the interesting world and other parts of the gameplay are more than enough to keep them hanging in there until they find a solution.
1Tomb Raider: Legend
Adds More Action To The Series, Balancing Out The Puzzles
The originalTomb Raidergames are products of their time. Modern gamers will have a hard time wrapping their minds and hands around the unconventional control scheme and the focus on exploring empty spaces over combat.Tomb Raider: Legendhas a more mainstream approach, trading in long, isolating romps through caves for a more streamlined pace.
The opening montage before the main menu establishes the game as something closer to aJames Bond-esque spy romp as opposed to a slow puzzle game. Lara Croft still has her share of puzzles, but this time it is in between hectic encounters with enemies after the same treasures she seeks. She is also in constant contact with her team who offer tips as well as witty banter.
