The puzzle genre has always been a perfect way to help gamers unwind after a stressful day. With plenty of exciting puzzle games set for release in 2023 like Planet of Lana, it's no surprise that audiences are looking throughout the industry's archives to find similar experiences that feel just as relaxing. There is something otherworldly about being transported into a game, where life's burdens can fade away, because of how compelling the gameplay mechanics can be.

A great puzzle title has to be complex enough for audiences to keep coming back for more. Anything too easy will see them breeze through without getting the satisfaction of a fair victory. Puzzle titles can also come in many forms, whether they are basic structures found on mobile platforms, or perhaps narrative-driven quests which could even involve mysteries to solve. No matter the concept behind the project, there is still a level of escapism that only these brain training experiences can provide.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014)

The Toads together in Captain Toad Treasure Tracker

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a Nintendo title that first launched on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, but was eventually given a step up to the Nintendo Switch. Toad has always been one of the company's most beloved characters, and the whimsical and cute adventures the character often goes on are always laid back in their aesthetic and pacing. Treasure Tracker is no different.

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It's critically acclaimed because of the 3D components that allow the player to move the map around, and although audiences will come across the odd enemy to avoid, this is far from stressful as a gameplay experience. The story itself, of each character getting kidnapped, motivates the player to keep on solving and the roster of puzzles demonstrates an excellent array of mechanics that play on the unique environment.

Mini Metro (2014)

Mini Metro gameplay

Dinosaur Polo Club, Radial Games, and Sidhe have contributed another title to the Mini line of games, that includes Mini Motorways. Mini Metro is so graphically produced in its visuals and incredibly streamlined in its approach to gameplay, which removes any stress of picking up the title for the first time. Mini Metro is currently available on Android, iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch, and the PlayStation 4.

The basic premise of the puzzle game is to design a metro system that actually works. As the city rapidly grows, it's a tough task to ensure that the expanding network of infrastructure is as efficient as possible, but despite the tall task, it's a very gentle approach to the sim genre. Watching a plan come together is a completionist's dream, with Mini Metro's laid-back approach never surpassing the skill of the player.

Zen Match (2020)

Zen Match gameplay

Any project with the word zen in it is probably going to be pretty relaxing. The match genre is packed on mobile devices, but the iOS and Android hit Zen Match has ensured that a combination of score, sound design, and beautifully painted cards, offer a coalition of carefree. The premise of the title from Moon Active is pretty standard, with players matching up the corresponding pictures.

The game can help to relieve stress, act as a brain training exercise, and even has a bedtime setting to help someone unwind at the end of a long day. There never appears to be an end in sight, with new levels constantly unlocking with zen backgrounds that ensure the player is in the correct headspace throughout. Ultimately, this free experience is hassle-free and accessible to everyone.

PHOGS! (2020)

Red and Blue stretch to solve a puzzle in PHOGS!

It's rare to find a relaxed video game that allows for both puzzle-solving and co-operative play. PHOGS! ticks both of those boxes. Created by Bit Loom Games, Coatsink, and Bit Loom Limited, the canine puzzle project is currently available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna and takes full advantage of that generation's graphics.

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From a visual standpoint, the bright and colorful layout of PHOGS! sets the audience at ease. The puzzles are totally unique, with an absurd dog controllable from its two heads at either end of its body. The world-building is sublime and there are multiple levels that are almost ethereal in nature, with the lighting and sound design contributing to the calming effects. This is a lot of fun to play with a friend as well, creating a positive social connection.

Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle And The Millionaires' Conspiracy (2017)

Katrielle Layton Professor Layton

The Layton saga has long since been one of Nintendo's most beloved series and Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy takes fans back into that world, but from the perspective of Katrielle, the famous detectives' daughter. Level-5 has crafted a relaxed game that sits gorgeously on the Nintendo Switch platform, but it's also available on Android, iOS, and the Nintendo 3DS.

The Layton titles have also been innovative in the way in which they stand out from the market. A selection of mini-games and a wider plot involving a deeper mystery to solve means that players are working on multiple levels to get to grips with the puzzles getting thrown at them. This is just as relaxing as classic mobile titles, but the narrative addition means that this is even more compelling.

Jigsaw Puzzle (2017)

Jigsaw Puzzle gameplay

There are countless jigsaw-based titles on the market and there is very little to differentiate many of them. But Jigsaw Puzzle from Mobilityware on mobile platforms is a lot more well-polished than competitors. The layout is bold and intuitive, the title allows players to complete more than one jigsaw at once, and the brand is even getting recognized by major intellectual properties like Disney, leading to great collaborations.

The word puzzle can apply to so many types of titles, but a Jigsaw Puzzle goes back to basics. It's so relaxing because it replicates the feeling of completing a jigsaw in person, but doesn't have the same limitations such as the costs and space needed to build more than one picture. The designs are always stunning and players don't need to think too deeply about this relaxed video game experience.

Fez (2012)

Fez video game

Fez is an independent game from Phil Fish, Polytron Corporation, and Blitworks which became a bit of a cult classic at the time of its release. Gamers continue to discover this fun platformer, which uses its own 3D mapping system ensuring that the puzzles that players have to solve are completed from multiple angles. It was made for PC, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and the PlayStation 4.

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The 8-bit experience absolutely has a retro feel to proceedings and gamers who prefer a classical setup for their controls will enjoy this alternative approach to the puzzle genre that encourages exploration of this stunningly conceived world. Endearing characters and puzzles that evolve as the experience progresses stop Fez from ever getting dull, but for those fearing moments of side-scrolling combat; there are none!

Untitled Goose Game (2019)

Untitled Goose Game

The Untitled Goose Game is ridiculous in its premise and somehow even more flabbergasting in its execution. Players really do get to control their own goose as they get up to mischief, solving puzzles on a long list of events they are tasked with completing. Designed by House House, Panic Inc., and BeafStudio, it's available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, macOS, Xbox One, and PC.

While it isn't free on platforms like the Switch, as some other puzzle games out there are, it is worth every dime. The animation style is instantly memorable, and there are very few moments of high stress. In fact, it can be pretty relaxing to release some of that inner chaos on the poor residents of this small town, as the duo of geese ensure that the co-op game is as fun as it is puzzling.

Donut County (2018)

Donut County example of a Barn falling into the giant hole in the ground. The barn has a billboard on it that says "Eggs"

Donut County was developed by Ben Esposito, Annapurna Interactive, and iam8bit as an indie title that suddenly grew in its popularity. Any good game starts with a basic idea and for Donut County that idea happens to be the creation of a giant hole that can swallow up any object. That's all the player has to do on this Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 game; ensure that things fall down this chasm!

The more things fall down the hole, the bigger the hole gets. Of course, there are challenges to complete as this destruction ensues, but regardless of how the player proceeds, it's pretty calming to know that the only job that has to be completed at that time is the movement of the donut-shaped space in the ground. As the title progresses the courses get ever more ambitious ensuring audiences stick around.

Tetris Effect (2018)

Three Tetris games in motion in Tetris Effect Connected

Tetris Effect from Monstars Inc., Resonair, and Stage Games is now available to play on the PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and even Meta Quest. As many would have already guessed, this is the modern incarnation of the classic Tetris game, upgraded and updated to make sure it continues to be as competitive and engaging as it once was.

Aesthetically the layout and palette of the piece has had quite the makeover, with the relaxing cosmic imagery taking the title into the stratosphere. Although there can be more stressful levels, especially when multiple Tetris puzzles are getting completed at once, at its core the concept is just as addictive and always relaxing enough to keep coming back for more. Slotting each piece perfectly is a skill no one could lose after playing only once.

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