There are some brilliant games on Itch.io, with beautiful art, atmospheric soundtracks, and exciting stories to tell. Puzzle games are a popular category, and it's a varied genre. From putting items in the exact right place to searching for context clues in diary entries, there's something for every kind of puzzle lover on Itch.io.
The following games are available on Itch.io for free or just a few dollars each. They vary in difficulty from simple and peaceful to mind-boggling, and they cover a huge range of topics. Puzzle-loving players should check these out.
7 Riley & Rochelle by Tim Sheinman
A nostalgic game set in the 90s, Riley & Rochelle tells the complicated love story of two musicians struggling to make their mark on the music industry. The player will have to determine the date of a selection of diary entries from Riley and Rochelle respectively. They can do this by hunting for clues in concert tickets, flyers, newspaper articles, and other diary entries.
Riley & Rochelle has brilliant voice acting and an authentic soundtrack. It's funny and sweet, and the love story will keep players hooked.
6 Goodbye, Doggy by Picogram
Be prepared: this game deals with the death of a beloved pet. Goodbye, Doggy is a moving little game about a newly departed family dog trying to bring peace to the humans left behind. As a doggy ghost, players will drift from room to room, trying to solve small problems. They can complete algebra homework for a grieving child, for example, and bring water to a mother trying to bake a loaf of bread.
While that sounds depressing (and it is very sad), it's also incredibly sweet. Once players have solved the problems of each family member, they can drift up into the sky, enjoying the adorable soundtrack as their ghost-doggy floats in the clouds. It's a lovely, simple game about the lasting legacy of a beloved family pet. It deals with death and grief in a very gentle way.
5 P.E. Noire by Picogram
P.E. Noire is a funny point-and-click game about a surprisingly jaded bunch of elementary school students. The player controls a kid detective in charge of nailing another student for skipping P.E., but doing so will involve solving a series of puzzles. The player will need to deliver a ball, help a sad-looking student to cheer up, and find something to eat for a queasy kid in the hallway.
This is a fun little puzzle game with sharp and witty writing. A must-play for fellow P.E. dodgers …
4 Time Is Solid Here by AlgebraFalcon
A captivating horror puzzle game, Time Is Solid Here is set in a kind of strange, haunted art gallery. Cleaning the paintings will suck the player inside, and it will be their job to help the person inside move on. In the first painting, for example, the player must find their way around a maze, finding a series of cryptic notes, in order to report back to the old woman who can't seem to find her way to the center.
Time Is Solid Here has a moving story, an interesting soundtrack, and a series of puzzles to solve. It's a difficult game to place in one genre, and it's absolutely worth checking out.
3 A Normal Lost Phone by Dear Villagers
In A Normal Lost Phone, players will interact with the interface of a smartphone. Clicking on messages will bring up a series of worried text from someone's dad. A quick scroll upward will show that the phone seems to belong to someone called Sam. It's their birthday. They went somewhere, and it seems they haven't come back.
The puzzles are clever and satisfying to piece together. For example, finding the WiFi password hidden in messages and other apps will allow players to access Sam's emails, unlocking more information about who Sam is and their motivations. It's a sweet, moving game with an excellent soundtrack.
2 Six Cats Under by Team Bean Loop
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a poltergeist trying to herd a bunch of cats together? Here's the answer. Six Cats Under is a funny and sweet little game about the ghost of an elderly lady trying to take care of her cats before she moves on. Being a ghost, the player won't have a lot of strength to work with; instead, they'll have to manipulate the environment in subtler ways, like switching on a fan to loosen a leaf of catnip or gently wiggling toilet paper to entice a flighty kitty.
It's a very sweet game with some tricky little puzzles, and it's super-satisfying when players figure it out. Plus, it has gorgeous pixel art, which is always a bonus.
1 Good Morning! by Cnnmon
A good morning routine can make the world of difference, right? Good Morning! is a sweet little game that takes players through the process of getting ready for the day, in the form of some simple, relaxing puzzles. From clicking at the right moment to open their eyes to pour the right amount of tea, to trying to figure out the right outfit, this game is super relaxing.
It's over in less than 10 minutes, but it's a nice little game to check out if players have a few moments to spare. The visuals are cute, and the soundtrack is nice and chilled. Plus, it's free to play!