Great games that masterfully mix action and puzzles

Key takeaways

• Puzzles in games provide a change of pace from quick action and add depth to gameplay mechanics.
• Some games integrate puzzles seamlessly while others let players opt out of them.
• The perfect balance between solving puzzles and experiencing battles enhances the overall gameplay experience.

Puzzle design is hard to get right. The best puzzles stump players for just the right 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?

Perhaps there is no right 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 combat and core gameplay mechanics, while other times they help with the game's pacing.

6 Unknown: The Lost Legacy

Players can take or leave multiple puzzles

The unknown The series constantly struggles with the pace between exploration and combat. Jumping from one battleground to another is tiring, but sitting through long puzzles can also be quite boring. The series' fun writing and likable characters help smooth out rough edges in the balance between combat and puzzle-solving, making each game a fun narrative experience.

Unknown: The Lost Legacy All other games make the list because of the optional content included in the story. Players can rush through the game in a few hours or they can explore open areas to find all the collectibles. The artwork is nice, but the real treasure is the dialogue between Chloe Fraser and Nadine Ross players would otherwise miss if they bailed through the story.

In these open sections
A Lost Legacy
and
Unknown 4
are clear precursors to the introductory Seattle section
The Last of Us Part 2
.

5 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Solving puzzles strengthens the link

While experts can beat novices Zelda Games without many problems, the average player wants to upgrade his stamina and heart by completing as many temples as possible in an open-world environment. This is the way Tears of the Kingdom and, by extension, Breath of the Wild Marry their combat with puzzles.

Each shrine link puts players one step closer to becoming strong enough to defeat Ganon. If they had a different reward, it's hard to say whether they would be fun to complete. Many players may not have the motivation to do them.

4 Resident Evil 2

Danger lurks even when solving puzzles

2019 Resident Evil 2 The remake makes the Raccoon City Police Department feel more cohesive than ever. Rooms are no longer separated by loading time. Because of this, finding keys and unlocking new areas feels like walking inside a slowly pieced together jigsaw puzzle.

The lack of load time between rooms means threats follow Claire or Leon wherever they go. Mr. X became particularly notable again for the way it followed players through environments. It's not enough to clear the room to give the players a quiet moment to think through the puzzle. Now, one must stay on one's toes, constantly expecting Mr. X and his fedora to burst into the room like an evil Kool-Aid man.

3 God of War: Ragnarok

Similar combat mechanics help solve puzzles

Whether one is talking about the original trilogy or the new titles that put the camera on Kratos' shoulders, god of war Always brings puzzles into the equation. 2018 title and Ragnarok Make it to the classic titles due to the wealth of optional content in the games.

It's hard to call it an open-world game, but the hub areas are huge, and full of nooks and crannies to explore. Many of these contain interesting puzzles that use many of the same mechanics that Kratos uses in combat, such as his now trademark Leviathan Axe.

2 Tunic

Everything is a puzzle

There's plenty for retro gaming enthusiasts to love Tunic. Its design evokes many classic gaming sensibilities, such as the sense of wonder and discovery from NES titles. Metroid and The Legend of Zelda. Most game mechanics are also organically discovered through cryptic notes and messages throughout the world.

The main difference is the combat Tunic Some cryptic puzzles have additional depth and variety. At the end of the game, some may find the puzzles more challenging, but the interesting world and other parts of the gameplay are enough to keep them hanging in there until they find the solution.

1 Tomb Raider: The Legend

Adds more action to the series, balancing the puzzles

original Tomb Raider Games are products of their time. Modern gamers will have a hard time wrapping their minds and hands around the unorthodox control scheme and focusing on exploring the gaps in combat. Tomb Raider: The Legend There's the mainstream approach, trading in long, isolated ramps through caves for a more streamlined pace.

The opening montage before the main menu establishes the game as close to A James Bond –esque detective romp as opposed to a slow puzzle game. Lara Croft still has her share of puzzles, but this time she's in the middle of busy encounters with enemies after the same treasure she's looking for. She is also in constant touch with her team who provide tips as well as witty banter.