Summary
- Engaging puzzle games like Blue Prince and Catherine keep players' brains active and satisfied.
- Super Hexagon and Tetris challenge players to develop split-second reactions and strategic thinking.
- Portal 2 and Sifu offer satisfying puzzle-solving experiences that condition players' brains to respond instantly and thoughtfully to challenges.
Most video games stimulate the brain as players learn the ropes. This is all well and good, but there are times when the monotonous and easy nature of most modern games gets to players once they understand how to make the most of the gameplay loop.
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Scares are important in a horror game, but what these games excel at is breaking up the frights at the right time to introduce some tricky puzzles.
This is why games that constantly keep the player's neurons firing, let them solve clever puzzles, and let them enjoy a sense of satisfaction after circumventing tricky challenges are great for a player's brain. It keeps them active and engaged throughout a spellbinding experience that fans will have a great time with.
1 Blue Prince
Players Will Slowly Learn How The Game Works And Eventually Reach Room 46
Blue Prince
- Released
- April 10, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Alcohol Reference, Simulated Gambling
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Adventure, Exploration, Strategy
The roguelike puzzling of Blue Prince can definitely lead to a bit of frustration at times. Relying on RNG to solve puzzles isn't the greatest way to tackle this genre, but it's the excellent storytelling and wondrous sense of discovery that more than makes up for Blue Prince's faults.
Players will slowly understand how to figure out the best way to reach the antechamber, unlocking the game's central mysteries as they finally find their way inside Room 46. It makes for a beautiful and satisfying experience, and the various other puzzles in the game ensure that a player's brain will remain active even after completing the game's central goal.
2 Furi
Pattern Memorization Is A Must In A Boss Rush Game That Prioritizes Quality Over Quantity
Furi
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Arcade, Shooter
A boss rush game may be an odd pick for something good for the brain, especially if players fail against a particularly challenging boss over and over again and become frustrated. However, this is just a part of the learning experience for Furi, where the limited number of bosses means that players are encouraged to recognize patterns and improve their split-second reactions.
This allows them to eventually get a read on bosses, figure out the best time to parry, and ensure that all their actions are carried out optimally. All of this combines to help Furi stand out as an incredibly stimulating action game that lets players enjoy a great dose of serotonin after defeating a particularly challenging boss, especially on Furier difficulty.
3 Catherine
Players Will Never Feel So Invested In A Game About Block Puzzles
Catherine
- Released
- July 26, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
Catherine is one of the odder games made by Atlus, which served as a test run of a new engine that would be used for Persona 5 and various other games. Vincent's amorous adventure forms the narrative crux of this game, but it's the dreams that lead to some truly headscratching puzzles.
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Players are in a race against the clock as they try to ascend a block tower without being devoured by supernatural forces. The game is way harder than players would assume, forcing them to rack their brains in every segment to ensure that their way to the top isn't too challenging to deal with.
4 Super Hexagon
The Game Is Almost Hypnotic As Players Slowly But Surely Train Their Brain To Respond In The Blink Of An Eye
Super Hexagon
- Released
- August 31, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action
At a glance, Super Hexagon may seem like a game too simple for most players to get into. Guiding a small triangle through what is essentially a geometric obstacle course may not seem like the best way to utilize a player's brain, until they realize how this title helps players develop split-second reactions in its many levels.
From struggling at the simple "Hard" stage to eventually conquering the final "Hardestestest" level, players will be in a trance as they memorize each potential obstacle for each stage and put their reaction times to the test. It's a deceptively simple game that will keep a player's brain engaged as they struggle to survive for a minute in each stage without tearing their hair out.
5 VVVVVV
A Hard-As-Nails Platformer Where A Player's Brain Eventually Goes On Autopilot As They Circumvent These Challenges
VVVVVV
- Released
- September 7, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Platformer
Challenging platformers require players to use a combination of brains and skill to circumvent obstacles, and VVVVVV is no exception. The open-ended structure of this game promotes exploration as players rescue crew members and seek out an escape from a dimension they're trapped in.
Instead of jumping, VVVVVV uses the novel gameplay mechanic of gravity-flipping to let players traverse hazardous stages. Later levels add new elements to keep things fresh and ensure that a player's brain is firing on all cylinders as they figure out the best way to tackle the many platforming challenges.
6 Sifu
The Repetition Of This Game Conditions A Player's Brain To Respond Instantly To Enemy Attacks
Sifu
- Released
- February 8, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Beat 'Em Up
Sifu is a hard-as-nails game where players may get frustrated after reaching the Club, Museum, or pretty much any level following the Squats. Combat is unflinchingly hard and punishes players for not reading opponents and button-mashing.
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Co-op games often require constant communication between players, and when the games are as complex as these, that communication becomes essential.
Instead, players must be smart about how they approach combat encounters, using special skills and the environment to their advantage. A player's brain will be active every step of the way as they figure out the best approach to tackle tough combat encounters and challenging bosses, eventually leading to a sense of deep, profound satisfaction as they manage to complete the game and earn the privilege of going through it a second or third time while schooling bosses that were giving them a hard time, at first.
7 Tetris
The Quintessential Brain-Training Game With A Simple, Universally Recognized Gameplay Loop
Tetris (1984)
- Released
- June 6, 1984
- ESRB
- E
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
A legendary video game that needs no introduction, Tetris doesn't need a complicated gameplay loop to wow fans. Instead, the simple mechanics of placing blocks and forming lines are so tantalizing that players will be seeking out the best way to reach the highest scores as much as they can.
It's a simple puzzle that will keep a player's brain active as they slowly become more adept. Every version of Tetris has its unique additions to keep the gameplay fresh, but there's something about the original that will keep a player's brain stimulated as they get absorbed by a game that has no business being so tantalizing to play through.
8 Portal 2
Figuring Out Solutions To The Game's Ingenious Problems Is A Blast
Portal 2
- Released
- April 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer
Players who want their puzzle games to be as charming and hilarious as they come will love what Portal 2 brings to the table. The scope of this sequel is expanded considerably and ensures that players will love solving the many head-scratching puzzles that come their way.
The entertaining dialogue ensures that a player's brain will be both engaged and satisfied as the sheer joy of this game infects them. The co-op campaign is a cherry on top of this amazing experience that allows players to enjoy this stimulating puzzle title with a friend.
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These open-world games feature highly entertaining physics engines that will continue to stand out for some time.