Puzzles have been around for a long time. Built to test people’s problem solving skills in areas of logic, sequence solving and word completion, puzzles help measure people’s IQ and intelligence. But puzzles are more than just brain games for fun – a recent study showed that people who played puzzle games for an hour or two a day improved their brain’s executive functions.
A brain with good executive functions allows people to make better decisions, improve their logic and cognitive ability. These skills are extremely important if you want to always be able to think on your feet. Ready to feed your brain? Here are some of the best creative puzzle games you might want to try on your free time:
1. Doodle God
Given four main elements — fire, water, earth and wind, can you build the world? Doodle God from the award winning Doodle Series is a unique puzzle game that lets players create and discover an expansive collection of elements through different material combinations. Players can see their world grow as they start from creating simple organisms such as bacteria, plankton and worms to a world filled with people, tools and even armies!
Doodle God can be downloaded on doodlegod.com.
2. Fire Boy and Water Girl
Image: coolmathgames.com
Explore temples and ruins with the cutest duo Fire Boy and Water Girl in this awesome teamwork puzzle game. The game’s objective is simple – players need to collect diamonds and reach the “exit” door to get to the next level. Fireboy and Watergirl will encounter a lot of hazards and obstacles on their way – and they need each other to get into different points on every level. The game has more than 50 challenging levels and will require a lot of strategy planning. If you love multiplayer games with teamwork involved – this is the game for you!
Fireboy and Water Girl is available on Google Play and can be played in various free online game sites.
3. Scribblenauts
Image: theworldissquare.com
“Write anything, solve everything!” Scribblenauts is a one of a kind puzzle game that enables players to summon objects, people or animals through scribbling or simply writing the word in order to solve various puzzles and game quests. The game’s main character goes by the name of Maxwell – a boy who has a magical notebook which can materialize anything he writes into existence. He can conjure different kinds of objects, people or animals in all colors and sizes. Scribblenauts is a great game for people who enjoy flexing their creative muscles and using their imagination to solve puzzles.
Scribblenauts is available for download on its website Scribblenauts.com, steam and Google Play.
4. Finger Physics
Give your brain a good workout by playing Finger Physics. This physics-based puzzle quest comes with 27 levels and uses the laws of physics to incorporate obstacles and puzzles in the game. Players are challenged to think logically about how objects will move in reaction to stimuli just like in the real world. The objective is to accomplish tasks that are presented in each level. It could be in the form of knocking obstacles, stacking different shaped blocks, and dropping an egg safely into a basket. Challenges get harder as you progress to higher levels of the game. While simple in its graphics – the game is very well-designed and addicting.
Finger Physics is available on Google Play, iTunes and Shockwave.com.
5. Age of Wonder Puzzle Game
Set in ancient Egypt, Age of Wonder is a short puzzle game where you play as an old philosopher dressed in rags while throwing scrolls at weeping townspeople to “educate them.” The objective of the game is to make sure everyone is given scrolls on each level provided that you solve different kinds of obstacles on the way. The game requires strategy and planning as you have to use the rocks and scrolls to break walls, statues, or switch levers. You’d be forced to restart the game if you use up all your rocks and scrolls.
Age of Wonders is available on Miniclip.com.
6. Axon
Axon is a fun logic puzzle game that simulates the actual neural development in the brain. The game’s objective is to grow your “neurons” as long as possible by making connections to other cells. The player must be quick in clicking protein targets inside his space before the circle shrinks. There are also other obstacles in the form of rival neurons which may compete for protein targets. Power proteins help you throughout the game – they can increase your circle of influence, boost your axons upwardly, or delay the contraction of influence by freezing its rivals.
Axon is available on Welcome Collection.
7. Simple Motions
Developed by Roman Konyukhov – Simple motions is a strategic puzzle game where the player is to direct a ball to a red flag with the objective of keeping it straying off the path. The players must also collect the needed amount of stars to pass the level. The user must edit his placements to maximize points – and to leave a trail when you reposition triggers. Triggers have different effects and duration. Using them in correct order and position will help you solve the puzzle.
Simple Motion can be played on Physicsgame.com
8. The Equator
The Equator is a challenging math puzzle game whose main objective is to test your wits and knowledge in making simple mathematic equations. While finding correct mathematical equations, the player also has to prevent all the tiles from stacking up. Using three adjacent numbers you have to find a group that makes a correct sum, multiplication, subtraction or division. You also get a bonus when you finish an equation in 5 seconds.
The Equator is available on Freeworldgroup.com
9. The Book of Treasures
For fans of word games – book of treasures is a wonderful online puzzle game with a compelling story arc to define the adventure. The story revolves around a character named Jessica West who is a librarian at an ancient library which is rumored to house a lost Egyptian manuscript. The game can be played in three modes where you can opt to find the lost manuscript, complete as many levels, or play with no time limit.
The Book of Treasures is available on Game.com.
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