Computer puzzle game
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Computer puzzle game is a genre of computer games that emphasize puzzle solving. The types of puzzles involved can involve logic, strategy, pattern recognition, sequence solving, word completion or, in some cases, just pure luck.
Before there ever were video games (as we would recognise them) there were jigsaw puzzles and the Rubik's Cube, today's puzzle game forefathers. The genre can be difficult to describe: the gameplay is usually abstract (but not always) often involving arranging geometric shapes to fulfil some goal or constraint. Often edge matching or colour matching plays an important role. Puzzle games usually strive to have a pick-up-and-play accessibility to them and to have an addictive quality.
A range of puzzle games that are relatively easy to develop can be found from dedicated arcade units, to home video game consoles, to personal digital assistants and mobile phones. On the other hand, many puzzle games are related to or based on (often difficult) mathematical problems in geometry, arithmetic, logic, encryption and other areas.
Hundreds of freeware computer puzzle games have been published worldwide based on the Zillions games development environment.
Tetris is widely regarded as the pinnacle of this genre, despite not having any real advertising nor a cute character to garner attention. Solitaire and Minesweeper are worth mentioning because of the huge installed user base (they come bundled with the Microsoft Windows operating system).
See also
Puzzle computer games are usually listed at the page for the puzzle sub-type or sub-sub-type they belong to, see the puzzle page as starting point. Additionally, there is a separate list of all computer puzzle games:
External links
- Puzzle Games (http://www.games2download.com/puzzle-games/free-puzzle-games.htm) A webpage with computer puzzle games to download
- Atlantis Games (http://karl.kiwi.gen.nz/)
- Computer Puzzle Games Download (http://computer-puzzle-games.windows-games.com/) Puzzle games for windows computer
- Games to train your brain (http://en.ludanto.org/) Puzzle games to play online
- Games with mathematical content (http://www.cut-the-knot.org/games.shtml)
- Zillions of Games (http://www.zillions-of-games.com/)
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