The most mind-boggling puzzles in PC games are:
Want to know more about the most mind-boggling puzzles in video games? There are certain games that are known for their particularly challenging puzzles that require you to think outside the box. Grim Fandango and Sam & Max are just two examples, but we’ve also included a few games you might not expect, like The Witness.
We’ve all been there: you’re hours into your favourite point-and-click game when you suddenly stumble across one of the most stubborn brain teasers. Sometimes you solve it on the first go, but other times you need to do a little research and have a good think. The puzzle in question could be from a game like the ones below, and if you can’t think of any, we’ve got 20 to jog your memory.
The Water Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a famous example of a particularly difficult puzzle in a game that is otherwise fun to play. The dungeon is infamous for its confusing layout, where you need to use your knowledge of the area to move from platform to platform.
To make matters worse, there are giant water spouts that require you to use your shield to deflect the balls of water back at them, so they can be used to raise and lower the water levels. The biggest issue with this puzzle is that you need to figure out where you can stand to deflect the water ball in the correct direction, which is difficult to do without a guide. The Water Temple isn’t the only dungeon in the game with a particularly confusing puzzle, but it is the most notorious.
In The Witness, particularly in the final section, The Challenge, you’re tasked with solving puzzles and getting to the end as quickly as possible. However, you only have a limited amount of time to finish, and the puzzles change each time you play. If you’re struggling to get past a certain puzzle, it might be best to check out one of our The Witness guides.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is one of the more frustrating Zelda games. At certain points in the game, you’re tasked with solving a puzzle where you need to push a block up a slope so you can climb onto it and reach a higher platform. The issue is that the block moves incredibly slowly, and if you move it too far, Link will fall down the slope, forcing you to start again.
This puzzle was made worse by the fact that you can close the DS to bring the screens together, which in turn stops the block from moving. Many players found this incredibly frustrating as a child, especially if you’re used to 3D games where you can just push the block all the way from start to finish.
Myst is a game that many people have completed without any help, but there are a few puzzles that have consistently perplexed players. For example, there’s one puzzle where you need to use a telescope to look at a cryptic message on a nearby table. The issue is that you can’t see the table through the telescope, leaving you no way to figure out the code.
The Regi puzzles in Pokemon Gen 3 are another example. Some players didn’t realise that the markings on the stones were actually braille, so they assumed they were missing a vital item. If you’re struggling to complete Regi’s Tower, you can check out our Regirock guide, RegiKyogre guide, and Registeel guide in Pokemon Gen 3.
There’s an area in Lufia 2 that’s filled with aggressive enemies. In order to proceed, you need to find a regrowing bush. The issue is that the bush regrows really slowly, and if an enemy spots you, they’ll attack you before you have a chance to run away.
Sonic 3’s Carnival Night Zone is notorious for being a particularly difficult level, thanks to one particular puzzle. In this section of the game, you’re tasked with using a bouncing barrel to get to a high ledge. The only problem is that the barrel is incredibly difficult to control, making it frustrating to manoeuvre. If you’re struggling to get past this part, we’ve got a guide to help you get through Carnival Night Zone.
The Riddler puzzles in Arkham Knight are exactly what you’d expect from a puzzle-based game – they’re all completely obvious, but they’re so time-consuming and monotonous that they feel like a huge waste of your time.
Arkham Knight’s open world is an incredible achievement in game design, but the Riddler’s challenges are so basic and so frequent that they feel like a huge step down from the main game. Even if you solve one, you’ll need to walk a few feet before you’ll find the next one, and there are hundreds to complete.
King’s Quest, The Longest Journey, Broken Sword, and the Myst series are all synonymous with challenging puzzles. In the case of King’s Quest, there are a few puzzles in the first game that are particularly tricky, particularly a maze puzzle that’s practically unsolvable without the right guide.
In The Longest Journey, there’s a particularly tricky puzzle in the Ice Marches. You need to use a torch to melt a large amount of ice, creating a path to the next section of the level. The issue is that it’s incredibly difficult to get the torch to stay exactly where you need it to be.
In Broken Sword, you need to figure out a way to get past a guard at the entrance of a museum. The guard is incredibly suspicious, and if you move too close to him, he’ll start to approach you, forcing you to hide behind a pillar.
