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Puzzle-Platformer hidden gems on Steam
Every game here is tagged Puzzle-Platformer on Steam, sits between 1,000 and 5,000 reviews, is rated at least 80% positive, and carries a catch drawn from its own negative reviews. All 39 of them. How these pages are made.
Supraland95% positive from 4,895 reviews201927% finish itDeck Unsupported
First-person Metroidvania puzzle game. Explore a sandbox world, discover versatile abilities, and solve creative, unique puzzles.
What players likedPlayers praise Supraland as a metroidvania and puzzle platformer with rewarding exploration, clever puzzles, and charming humor.
The catchCombat is shallow and respawning enemies constantly interrupt puzzling and exploring.
Games like Supraland →
A first-person puzzle game where players manipulate gravity to navigate an infinite, Escher-inspired world. Its core loop involves solving spatial puzzles by walking on any surface and restoring life.
What players likedPlayers praise its mind-bending puzzles, beautiful Escher-esque visuals, and gravity mechanics, feeling like a mix of Portal 2 and Superliminal.
The catchFinding the next puzzle in huge empty spaces takes far longer than solving it.
Games like Manifold Garden →
The Bridge87% positive from 4,352 reviews20135% finish itDeck Verified
A hand-drawn logic puzzle game where players manipulate gravity to navigate impossible architecture. It offers a challenging, intellectual experience with a time-backtracking mechanic.
The catchSolutions come down to slow, precise physics fiddling and trial and error, not logic.
Games like The Bridge →
2D/3D action-adventure with a signature mechanic of jumping between worlds. It features puzzle-solving and mini-challenges in a storybook setting.
What players likedPlayers praise its creative 2D/3D world-shifting mechanics and beautiful art, often comparing it to a relaxing, accessible Zelda-like adventure.
The catchConstant dialogue and hints interrupt play and spoon feed nearly every puzzle solution.
Games like The Plucky Squire →
Abe's Oddysee remake. Puzzle-platformer with stealth and environmental interaction.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a great remake of a classic puzzle platformer, capturing the original's unique world and difficulty.
The catchClunky, unresponsive movement causes most deaths rather than the puzzles themselves.
Games like Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty →
HAAK90% positive from 3,424 reviews202234% finish itDeck Verified
A pixel art Metroidvania action-platformer with a hook mechanic in a retro-futuristic wasteland. Explore, fight mutants, and solve puzzles with multiple endings.
What players likedPlayers praise HAAK as a polished Metroidvania with fluid gameplay, a well-crafted map, and an engaging post-apocalyptic story.
The catchEndless dull dialogue interrupts the platforming, and the writing is not worth reading.
Games like HAAK →
This is a 2.5D puzzle-platformer adventure game with cooperative gameplay. Players solve puzzles and engage in combat using unique hero abilities.
What players likedPlayers praise Trine 5 as a magical, beautiful, and fun physics-based puzzler with improved combat and boss fights.
The catchGame breaking bugs and co-op crashes block progress, often at boss fights.
Games like Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy →
This is a challenging puzzle platformer where players guide a pig to his demise through difficult levels. It features complex puzzles, precise platforming, and a dark, humorous tone.
The catchOne mistake softlocks the long levels and forces a slow restart from the beginning.
Games like Squishy the Suicidal Pig →
Snake Pass80% positive from 3,323 reviews20173% finish itDeck Verified
Snake Pass is a physics-based puzzle platformer where players control a snake. Its core loop involves slithering and coiling through levels to solve environmental puzzles.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique, masterful snake movement in a 3D collectathon.
The catchThe snake controls fight you constantly and slip off holds you thought were secure.
Games like Snake Pass →
2D platform-puzzler where you change seasons to solve environmental puzzles. Explore a magical world with a fox, aided by a string quartet soundtrack.
What players likedPlayers praise its artistic identity and atmosphere, comparing it to a 2D adventure-puzzle game where you play as a fox.
The catchJumping and movement suffer constant input lag, so simple platforming keeps failing.
Games like Seasons after Fall →
This is an open-world boss climbing adventure game. Players scale massive beasts and explore a frozen world to survive and uncover secrets.
What players likedPlayers praise "Praey for the Gods" for its "Shadow of the Colossus"-like giant titan boss fights, open world, and sense of scale.
The catchTacked on survival and durability chores add busywork without improving the boss fights.
Games like Praey for the Gods →
Nihilumbra88% positive from 2,995 reviews201335% finish itDeck Playable
Nihilumbra is a 2D puzzle-platformer where players use colors to alter the environment and gain abilities. It features a dark, atmospheric narrative about escaping an encroaching void.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique narrative and puzzle-platforming, often comparing it to Limbo for its atmospheric storytelling and challenging gameplay.
The catchThe narrator talks over everything and keeps telling you what to think and feel.
Games like Nihilumbra →
Creepy Tale86% positive from 2,946 reviews202054% finish itDeck Verified
A minimalist puzzle-platformer where you solve environmental puzzles, hide from enemies, and use inventory items to save your brother. It has a dark, fairy tale feel with a focus on atmosphere and exploration.
What players likedPlayers praise the atmosphere and art style of this puzzle game, which is like a disturbing love story.
The catchPuzzles defy logic, pushing you into trial and error or a walkthrough.
Games like Creepy Tale →
Papo & Yo93% positive from 2,870 reviews201332% finish itDeck Playable
A narrative puzzle-adventure game where players use a monster's emotions to solve environmental puzzles. It's a surreal, personal story about friendship and addiction.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique, impactful experience, often comparing it to a profound journey rather than other games.
The catchThe puzzles boil down to running between highlighted switches and get boring fast.
Games like Papo & Yo →
Dreaming Sarah91% positive from 2,858 reviews201512% finish itDeck Verified
Surreal adventure platformer with puzzle elements. Explore Sarah's dream world, collect items, and talk to characters to help her wake up.
What players likedPlayers praise this Metroidvania for its surreal, dreamlike world, enjoyable exploration, and memorable soundtrack.
The catchExploration offers no direction, so players wander lost with no idea where to go.
Games like Dreaming Sarah →
Omno92% positive from 2,756 reviews202118% finish itDeck Playable
Omno is a single-player 3D adventure game featuring exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming. Players use ancient powers to traverse diverse environments and interact with creatures.
What players likedPlayers praise Omno as a relaxing exploration and puzzle game, often compared to Journey and Abzu, with cute creatures and stunning visuals.
The catchPuzzles and core loop grow repetitive
Games like Omno →
Pinstripe89% positive from 2,619 reviews201717% finish itDeck Verified
This is a narrative-driven adventure game with puzzle and combat elements. Players explore Hell, solve puzzles, and fight enemies to find a kidnapped daughter.
What players likedPlayers praise its stunning art, music, and intriguing world, with puzzles driving a short, captivating story.
The catchConstant fart and toilet humour clashes badly with the dark atmospheric tone.
Games like Pinstripe →
2.5D puzzle platformer where players rearrange signs to navigate 3D environments. It features a unique sign-manipulation mechanic for progression.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique 2D/3D puzzle-platforming mechanics, often comparing it to "Continuity" or "Portal" for its clever design and engaging challenges.
The catchThe visual novelty wears off fast and the puzzles turn repetitive and dull.
Games like The Pedestrian →
Pid83% positive from 2,431 reviews201280% finish itDeck Verified
Pid is a 2D puzzle platformer where players use gravity beams to navigate challenging environments and solve puzzles. It offers a co-op experience with exploration and combat in a visually striking alien world.
What players likedPlayers praise Pid as a beautiful and clever puzzle platformer with a unique gravity beam mechanic.
The catchFloaty, sluggish controls make the precision platforming feel unfair rather than hard.
Games like Pid →
KeyWe90% positive from 2,387 reviews202113% finish itDeck Playable
Co-op puzzle game where players control kiwi birds to deliver mail by interacting with the environment. It's a cute, whimsical experience focused on teamwork and overcoming postal challenges.
What players likedPlayers praise this cute co-op puzzle game for its fun mini-games, charming presentation, and adorable Kiwis.
The catchControls are clunky, cannot be rebound, and controller support often breaks.
Games like KeyWe →
EDGE92% positive from 2,248 reviews20119% finish itDeck Playable
This is a retro-styled platformer where players control a cube to roll through levels. The core loop involves collecting prisms and improving times on over 100 levels.
What players likedPlayers praise its nostalgic platforming, reminiscent of mobile games, with new levels adding to the experience.
The catchStiff, imprecise controls make the tight timing of later levels frustrating.
Games like EDGE →
A 2D puzzle-platformer where players use puppet strings to navigate obstacles in a grim fairytale world. It features a story of escape and empowerment with lyrical narration.
What players likedPlayers praise this beautiful, simple, and lovely narrated platformer about a puppet's freedom.
The catchInteractable objects blend into the scenery, so puzzles turn into trial and error.
Games like A Juggler's Tale →
A first-person puzzle-platformer where players switch dimensions to manipulate object properties and solve environmental challenges in a surreal mansion.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a clever first-person puzzler with inventive challenges using unique dimensional mechanics.
The catchSolutions are easy; the real challenge is fiddly, frustrating precision platforming.
Games like Quantum Conundrum →
Evan's Remains88% positive from 2,083 reviews202050% finish itDeck Verified
Mystery puzzle adventure with logic-based platforming where solving puzzles advances a narrative. The game focuses on deductive reasoning over player skill.
What players likedPlayers praise "Evan's Remains" as a puzzle platformer with stunning pixel art, melancholic atmosphere, and an unexpectedly emotional, unforgettable story.
The catchMost of the runtime is dialogue, with only a thin scattering of short puzzles.
Games like Evan's Remains →
Creaks95% positive from 2,021 reviews202034% finish itDeck Verified
Creaks is a hand-painted puzzle adventure game with precise animation and eerie sounds. Players solve environmental puzzles in a mansion, exploring and uncovering secrets.
What players likedPlayers praise Creaks' unique, dreamlike atmosphere, art, and music, comparing it to Machinarium but with distinct charm.
The catchThe puzzles recycle the same few mechanics and get repetitive well before the end.
Games like Creaks →
Red Trigger89% positive from 2,017 reviews201611% finish itDeck Playable
FPS puzzle game where you manipulate expanding red blocks to solve environmental challenges. It features strategic energy management and physics-based platforming.
What players likedPlayers praise Red Trigger as an enjoyable platform shooter, comparing it to classic titles in the genre.
The catchRiddled with game breaking bugs, and the paid remake plays worse than the free original.
Games like Red Trigger →
Mosa Lina95% positive from 2,000 reviews2023Deck Verified
A physics-driven puzzle-platformer with randomized tool and level selection. It forces creative problem-solving through unpredictable challenges.
What players likedPlayers praise "Mosa Lina" as a fun, creative puzzle-platformer with great audio, visuals, and rewarding physics-based challenges.
The catchRandom tool draws often leave levels unwinnable and you cannot retry the same setup.
Games like Mosa Lina →
A first-person puzzle adventure where players reveal a world by splatting paint. It features surreal exploration and a storybook feel.
What players likedPlayers praise its innovative story and unique mechanics, comparing it to "What Remains Of Edith Finch" for its narrative depth.
The catchThe novelty wears off fast and painting the world quickly turns monotonous.
Games like The Unfinished Swan →
This is a survival horror game where players explore cult movie scenarios. Players use found items to survive slasher-themed challenges.
What players likedPlayers praise this fun horror game's unique "movie" levels, reminiscent of classic horror films, with bonus modes adding replayability.
The catchThere are no tutorials or hints, so progress means trial and error or a walkthrough.
Games like Lakeview Cabin Collection →
A puzzle platformer where players manipulate time to solve challenges in painterly worlds, featuring extensive developer commentary.
What players likedPlayers praise its beautiful art, fantastic music, and sophisticated, intuitive puzzles that offer a rewarding "aha!" moment.
The catchPuzzles hinge on unexplained mechanics and fiddly execution rather than clean insight.
Games like Braid, Anniversary Edition →
Timelie95% positive from 1,782 reviews20209% finish itDeck Verified
Stealth puzzle adventure where players control time like a media player to plan actions for two characters. It features simultaneous control of a girl and cat in surreal, abstract environments.
What players likedPlayers praise its abstract, surreal story and sequence puzzles, offering a decent way to kill a couple hours.
The catchThe puzzles stay shallow and repetitive, mostly dodging guards and opening doors.
Games like Timelie →
Action-platformer with puzzle-solving. Player uses a magic marker to manipulate the environment and overcome obstacles.
What players likedPlayers praise this hidden gem as a great platformer with fun, well-balanced puzzles that cleverly utilize different magic powers.
The catchThe marker only works at preset spots, so most puzzles have one obvious solution.
Games like Max: The Curse of Brotherhood →
A first-person Metroidvania with 55% exploration, 40% puzzles, and 5% combat. It features new abilities and optional content for an 8-20 hour adventure.
What players likedPlayers praise its Metroidvania-style exploration and puzzles, comparing it to Portal, Zelda, and the original Supraland.
The catchPuzzles often expect mechanics the game never taught, so guides become necessary.
Games like Supraland Six Inches Under →
This is a narrative golf game with puzzle elements. Players experience a story through golf, radio broadcasts, and narration.
What players likedPlayers praise its compelling world-building, atmospheric visuals, and excellent audio storytelling, making it a unique and enjoyable golf experience.
The catchball-striking follows no sensible logic, making swings frustrating
Games like Golf Club Nostalgia →
Perspective98% positive from 1,429 reviews2019Deck Playable
A first-person puzzle game where you manipulate 3D perspective to create 2D paths for an avatar. Solve spatial puzzles by altering your viewpoint to guide the avatar to the exit.
What players likedPlayers praise the game's engaging puzzles and innovative concept, making it a fun and interesting platformer.
The catchIt crashes constantly, often right after finishing a level.
Games like Perspective →
This is a 2D puzzle-platformer where players use J.J.'s ability to self-harm and revive to overcome environmental obstacles. The game features a dark, surreal tone focused on pain and perseverance.
What players likedPlayers praise its deeply moving, relatable story and unique gameplay mechanics, despite some clunky controls.
The catchControls are sluggish and clunky, and slow animations turn simple actions into a chore.
Games like The MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories →
KarmaZoo87% positive from 1,406 reviews202343% finish itDeck Verified
Cooperative multiplayer game with a core loop of earning Karma through teamwork in challenging levels. It offers a feel of shared accomplishment and overcoming adversity.
What players likedPlayers praise its content and progression, comparing it to Pico Park for its fun, large-group gameplay.
The catchThe online-only co-op has almost no players left, so lobbies rarely fill.
Games like KarmaZoo →
A single-screen puzzle game where players use magnetism and character abilities to solve over 50 challenges. It features a factory setting with a focus on physics-based mechanics.
What players likedPlayers praise "Mind Over Magnet" as a cute, polished, and intuitive puzzle platformer with mechanics that grow in complexity without becoming overwhelming.
The catchPuzzles stay trivially easy and it ends in about two hours, before ideas develop.
Games like Mind Over Magnet →
A 2D puzzle-adventure game where players use heat and cold mechanics to solve environmental puzzles. It features single-player and cooperative play with two contrasting protagonists.
What players likedPlayers praise its beautiful graphics and clever puzzles, often comparing it to Portal.
The catchPuzzles repeat the same scarf hunt across worlds and go stale after a couple of hours.
Games like Degrees of Separation →
