Puzzle games are a classic time killer, and they are the most popular titles in the gaming community. Even young gamers love them, not to mention that they offer a lot of fun. There are several types of puzzle games you can play, and they each have their own unique features. Let’s take a look at the different types of puzzle games that exist.
Different Categories of Puzzle Games
1. Logic Puzzles
Logic puzzles consist of a series of statements that need to be deduced from other pieces of information. The rules for deduction vary from game to game. Perhaps the most familiar example is the famous “Reverse the Rows.” This has rules like this:
- If x and y are consecutive numbers, then x + y = 1.
- If x is divisible by two and y is divisible by three, then y is divisible by four.
- Then x = 4 and y = 3.
One comment on this puzzle is that it’s easy to see why it’s hard to solve. There are far more statements that need to be deduced that can be immediately obvious from the given information. But when you look at each pair of statements, in turn, it’s clear what they must mean, and it’s possible to see how they must lead to the conclusion
2. Math Puzzles
Math puzzles include logic puzzles, and Sudoku, to name a few examples. They can be solved in many different ways, with pencil and paper and with calculators. Some people work alone. Some people work in groups, others work out loud, and others work silently. There is no one right way to do it!
Math puzzles for young gamers is a collection of math puzzles that range from simple addition and subtraction problems to complicated problems that involve logic puzzles or visual information. The goal is not just to get the right answer but also to have fun trying.
3. Word Puzzles
Word puzzles are a great way to take a break from the humdrum of everyday life. They can improve your vocabulary and help you think of words that you wouldn’t normally come up with.
A word puzzle is a set of clues, one for each word in the answer. You can read the clue and immediately see why it’s true if you know the answer. If you don’t know the answer, you have to find some way to narrow down the possibilities. But if you pick a word at random and try to solve its clue, you won’t get very far: there are too many possible answers. Word puzzles work best when you’re allowed to use several clues together.
4. Cryptic Puzzles
Cryptic puzzles are a type of crossword puzzle where each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. A cryptic puzzle aims to find the solution words. These are hidden within the clues, which contain both definition and wordplay. The definition indicates the solution word (for example, it might be a synonym or anagram), while the wordplay describes how one gets from the clue to the solution.
5. Trivia Puzzle
Trivia is played by two or more players, usually in teams. The game’s objective is to collect a set number of points before your opponent does so. A point is gained when a player correctly answers a question given by the host of the game show or when a player correctly identifies an object from a list given by the host of the show.
6. Mechanical Puzzles
Mechanical puzzles, or disentanglement puzzles, are puzzles that involve manipulating pieces in a way that involves disentangling them. They are distinct from mathematical puzzles in that they do not require any mathematics to solve. They have at least one solution and often many solutions. Some solutions may be more satisfying than others.
Key Takeaway
A puzzle game refers to a work of art with a single constraint that can only be enjoyed by solving it. A puzzle game is not made to be finished but to be played repeatedly until the player master the game.
The best puzzle games have a simple user interface but deep mechanics. A good puzzle game can take minutes or even hours to set up but be solved in seconds. The best puzzle games are like magic tricks-the setup seems complex, but everything clicks into place at the moment of revelation. The boundaries between puzzles and other kinds of games are fuzzy. Some games are more about puzzles than others.
