2013 saw the launch of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. On top of that, many iconic games were released during the year, such as Grand Theft Auto 5, The Last Of Us, and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Therefore, it was a big year for the industry, and fans of open-world games or action titles were well-served.
But what about the players whose preferred type of gaming experience involves getting past obstacles using their brains, aka puzzle game fans? 2013 can't really be considered an amazing year for the puzzle genre, as there weren't many big titles. However, that doesn't mean there weren't any good ones. 2013 contained more than enough engaging puzzle adventures for fans. And here are a few of the most notable ones.
6/6 Mario And Donkey Kong: Minis On The Move
There aren't many gaming genres that don't include a Mario title. And the mustached plumber paid another visit to the world of puzzles in 2013 for this Nintendo 3DS game. There is no story to follow in this title – it's just pure puzzling enjoyment.
In the main mode, you need to guide a little robot called a Mini to the goal. To do this, you must create a path by placing blocks with your stylus while avoiding gaps or traps that could doom the little bot. It isn't as easy as it sounds because you need to make that path while your robot friend is already moving. So, there are significant time constraints. This can often lead to a few intense, panic-fulled, and fun moments.
5/6 Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure
Warner Bros has the rights to plenty of major IPs. And in 2013, they combined the cute puzzle series known as Scribblenauts with DC Comics. The result is a quirky and enjoyable puzzle title. In it, you play a boy called Maxwell, who has the power to bring items into existence with a special notepad.
This is how you solve puzzles, as you're typically given a scenario where you require a specific item or person and have to type in what you need to make it appear. The DC aspect comes in the form of characters and settings, as almost all of them are from that particular comic universe. As such, having knowledge of the said universe is rewarded as it makes the puzzles easier.
4/6 Gunpoint
Not only is Gunpoint one of the best puzzle games of 2013, but it's also among the greatest stealth titles of that year. During the game, you control a devious spy known as Richard Conway. He doesn't have any real allegiance, as he's a freelancer. Therefore, as him, you accept jobs from different clients.
Each one has you sneaking into buildings while avoiding guards and security systems. You have several gadgets at your disposal to make your job easier. Figuring out the best way to use them and do your business undetected is where the puzzle aspect enters proceedings. It's all a lot of fun, and the story isn't bad, either.
3/6 Ibb And Obb
This whimsical puzzle platformer features two colorful and mute protagonists called Ibb and Obb. The duo needs to work in tandem to solve a bunch of puzzles and traverse the dangerous landscape in front of them.
The two characters don't have any standout powers, as all they can really do is jump. But the developers still managed to create plenty of interesting trials, despite the characters' limitations. An element that helps mix things up is the parallel world below that you can occasionally enter. As the two worlds are different, you sometimes need to enter one to get past an obstacle in the other. It's a unique feature in the cleverly designed game.
2/6 The Swapper
In The Swapper, you're stranded aboard an abandoned research station trying to discover what happened to the people who worked there. Yet, the game doesn't immediately give you straight answers, as you must first maneuver your way through the station.
You do some of that with typical running and jumping. But early in the game, you also find a strange device that makes traversal easier. It's one of the fanciest pieces of tech in gaming, as it allows you to create clones of yourself that follow your every move. And you can switch consciousness between them at will. You must use this device to solve all of the game's interesting and engaging puzzles.
1/6 Papers, Please
2013 saw the release of one of the most original puzzle games ever made in Papers, Please. You control an immigration officer for a fictional country, and the entire game takes place at a migration checkpoint.
People come to your desk wanting to enter the country. You must review all the paperwork they give you and decide whether they should be accepted or rejected. The deeper you get into the game, the more paperwork you have to look at, making it easier to make a mistake. It doesn't sound too exciting in principle, but it feels very satisfying to play. And there are several other things going on that add a bit of variety to proceedings, which enhances the already enjoyable experience.
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