The Xbox Game Pass has easily become one of the biggest and most accessible libraries when it comes to video games. Being able to play games from across multiple generations as well as on any device that supports the service, Game Pass truly offers so much content for the price tag.
And while there are many FPS' and sports titles, there are only a handful of puzzle games on offer. But despite its size, there are some great games available to play for those looking to challenge their brains. What are the best puzzle titles on Game Pass, according to Metacritic?
Bejeweled 2 - 69
Among the many titles from the Xbox 360, Bejeweled 2 was ported over to Game Pass. Subscribers can also enjoy it as part of EA Play, which gamers can instantly access to play this and other older titles.
For the uninitiated, players must match at least three of the same gems in a row in order to make them disappear and receive points. While the game was also made available for other systems, this is now one of the very few ways to play it, and although it has become one of the most basic puzzle game formats out there, Bejeweled is a hit classic for a reason.
Human Fall Flat - 73
One of the indie hits of 2016, Human: Fall Flat became a massive success for No Brakes Games. As of 2021, it has sold more than 30 million copies. Unsurprisingly, it is also one of the best puzzle games on the Nintendo Switch.
The physics-based puzzle platformer saw players control the limbs of a customizable avatar as they journey across different floating islands. With the ability to take on this epic quest solo or with friends, it was an online hit with its wiggly physics and multiplayer component.
Zuma - 77
Another puzzle game provided by EA, Zuma was originally released on smartphones and the iPad. The game was eventually re-released and enhanced on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 through their online stores.
This enhanced version of the game is the one that players will be able to play on the Game Pass. The objective of the game is to destroy the moving balls before they reach the golden skull, using a frog with laser vision to do it. It's simple but addictive.
Peggle 2 - 77
The sequel to the original Peggle title, Peggle 2 was released in 2014 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360. The objective remains the same as it was in the first iteration of the game, with the player trying to clear the pegs onscreen by shooting a ball out of a canon.
The game's success saw it develop DLC content and received positive reviews, even if some critics thought the game didn't add enough new elements to the gameplay.
Bridge Constructor Portal - 78
Developed by ClockStone, Bridge Constructor was released in 2011 for multiple consoles. The puzzle-based building sim featured bridges and pathways that must be constructed by the player in many imaginative ways.
While it gained popularity and saw multiple spin-offs based on other themes, the first big cross-over was also one of the developer's best games. Using the puzzle mechanics of the Portal series, not only was it a return to the world of Aperture Science, but also became a fun title in its own right.
FAR: Changing Tides - 80
One of the most recent puzzle games to be included on the Xbox Game Pass, FAR: Changing Tides is the sequel to 2018's FAR: Lone Sails. While its predecessor has been more favored over its sequel, it was still positively reviewed and is the only one out of the series on the service.
While exploring the sea on a ship, players must solve puzzles for it to operate functionally and avoid the obstacles that come their way. It's an adventure game as well, but it's a great game for those who love to solve puzzles while sailing on the seven seas.
Outer Wilds - 85
The first-person puzzle game sees the player control an explorer who tries to solve the mystery behind the time loops happening in a faraway solar system. Trying to piece together the world around them and why time keeps repeating itself, puzzle fans might enjoy this unique adventure.
This independent production was critically praised and saw it winning some prestigious awards in the video game industry, making it one of the best indie games on Xbox Game Pass. Its popularity even saw it receive an expansion last year.
Peggle - 85
The original title of the Peggle series, the game was developed by PopCap Games and originally released for PC before it was ported to consoles and handheld devices. It featured a simple concept, as gamers must clear the pegs from the screen with limited balls.
The game was positively reviewed in its initial release. The developers made Peggle Nights following on from its initial success, and Peggle 2 can be accessed for multiple consoles. But the original can only be played for EA Play, which is on Game Pass, although it didn't rank as high as their other EA Play titles on Steam.
Tetris Effect: Connected - 88
When Tetris Effect was originally released in 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and PSVR, the game's success saw an enhanced version release for other consoles. With brand new multiplayer modes and co-op available, it has been seen by many as one of the greatest versions of Tetris to date.
And when it comes to the Xbox Game Pass, it also takes advantage of the Series X and Series S consoles. With the game's impressive 4K and 60 frames a second visuals, the console is able to give gamers a gorgeous way to play a chill game to unwind and relax.
It Takes Two - 89
EA offers Game Pass subscribers a lot of content and when it comes to puzzle games, they have offered some classic and popular titles. Among them, the award-winning It Takes Two is rated the best from Metacritic.
Josef Fares was able to build upon the success of A Way Out and use the cooperative gameplay concept to a whole new level. A well-written love story told while delivering puzzle-platforming at its finest, there's just no other game like it.