Game of the Year: Best PS5, PS4 Puzzle Game of 2023

Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Puzzle Game of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. In this new category, we're highlighting the best games that make solving puzzles their main gameplay element. These titles will test you in creative ways, resulting in a ton of satisfaction once solved.

Bronze Trophy: The Talos Principle II

Croteam brings back its light beam puzzles for an even more ambitious sequel that includes new ways to solve its testing brain teasers within a beautiful environment. Now you'll need to drill holes in walls, teleport between robot shells, swap items in and out, and even control gravity. Given The Talos Principle II can take at least 20 hours to complete, this is a game that'll test you for some time all the while maintaining an excellent level of quality.

Silver Trophy: Chants of Sennaar

In a year with many fantastic new puzzle games to speak of, Chants of Sennaar really sets itself apart. While the striking presentation catches your eye with its bright block colours and crosshatch shadows, it's the language-deciphering design that's most impressive. Each floor of the tower is inhabited by a group with their own language, and it's up to you to translate and understand them. This leads to some incredibly clever puzzle design, where you really have to use context clues and find shared meanings within certain symbols to progress. It's intelligent, unique, and satisfying — as all the best puzzle games are.

Gold Trophy: Cocoon

Cocoon channels the flawless puzzle design vibes of Limbo, Inside developer Playdead to create an experience all about a beetle that can jump in and out of worlds contained in the spheres it carries on its back. Incredibly inventive in execution, you'll use this mechanic to solve puzzles through orb placement and manipulation that can allow objects to pass into different worlds if positioned correctly. A few new mechanics and twists on the formula are introduced along the way, making for a

Platinum Trophy: Humanity

Humanity is the crème de la crème of the puzzle genre in 2023, a game all about guiding a queue of humans to a goal while you play as a dog. The imaginative setup from Enhance Games leads to some unique visual design in its many levels, but it's the puzzle-solving that sees it rise above anything else this year. While your goal may sound simple, it's what happens on the journey there that adds complexity.

You guide the line of humans by placing directional markers on the ground for them to follow, and then you'll need to contend with obstacles like weapon-wielding enemies, moving parts of the level, and turrets. The controls always remain really simple, so the charm of Humanity is that you always have access to everything you need to solve the level; you just have to figure out how to implement your actions in the right way. Constantly smart, innovative, and accessible, Humanity is a unique triumph in the puzzle genre that's just as essential of a playthrough as any big-budget AAA game.

Honourable Mentions: Tin Hearts and Viewfinder.

What was your favourite PS5, PS4 puzzle game of 2023? Place a vote in our poll and then explain your personal pick in the comments below. For further Game of the Year coverage, click the link.