Howdy, folks! Here we have another list of free and experimental thinky games for you — this time, those that came out during October (slightly delayed, sorry).
Of course, you may have already seen Alan's thinky highlights from Ludum Dare, which we've summarized below, but since then we've also found some other great Ludum Dare games for you to check out. On top of those, we also have plenty more fascinating games to try out, like a book of 12 strange word searches, a cryptic puzzler about numbers, and a game about guiding a cat around by moving the level tiles (mechanics like this always remind me of Labyrinth!).
I'm sure you'll find something delightful below — enjoy!
Our Ludum Dare highlights
Alan Hazelden shared his 12 thinky highlights from the most recent Ludum Dare game jam — I'll repeat the list here, but please take a look at the original article for more details! We also have some bonus thinky games from Ludum Dare just below!
- Stretchmancer by Choo
- Hope Falters by Jeremy Ryan
- CERT by tjm
- Terminal Noise by Fusionnist
- QPCA-77B by Dashing Strike
- Stingy Seating by Steven Miller
- World Weaver by JUSTCAMH
- Bit Golf by badcop
- Clearing Space by Sévan
- Micromachines by Holy Black Cat
- Hazel & Hector by cassowary
- Picky Plants by Chybby
Misplaced Tie (Ludum Dare)
Developed by knexator for Ludum Dare 54.
Find a Misplaced Tie in a Limited Space! Inspired by the classic escape room flash games.
Hexle (Ludum Dare)
Developed by PUNKCAKE Délicieux for Ludum Dare 54.
Hexle is a small number-guessing puzzle game based on Sudoku! Each number can only appear once per line and per 4x4 square, but also binary restrictions apply inside of each square, limiting the numbers that can be placed on any one tile.
Limitisland (Ludum Dare)
Developed by Krzyhau for Ludum Dare 54.
Limitisland is a top-down survival-sokoban-like escape-room puzzle game, where you have to navigate within the limited space of a little island to find a way to save yourself before the island drowns! Now, why does it drown, you may ask? It’s because of your fat little body that shakes the entire island every time you move, which means there’s a limited amount of spaces you can traverse before collapsing the brittle terrain below your feet.
Quetzals & Ladders (Ludum Dare)
Developed by digitarium for Ludum Dare 54.
12 Word Searches
Developed by Playcebo.
A book of 12 small puzzles that get trickier as you progress.
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Play 12 Word Searches
- (PDF)
0123456789
Developed by matrix67.
A blinking "1" on a grid of cells that can be toggled between 3 colors. A cryptic game about figuring out both the rules and the objective.
METRONOME
Developed by unsuspiciousperson.
Originally built somewhat jokingly as a demonstration of violently abusing PuzzleScript's realtime features - now expanded into a short game of a couple hours' length, METRONOME is a bravely unique puzzle platformer game that nobody wanted and nobody needed(?).
Katti
Developed by Kultisti.
move around, shift the world
make yourself a new path home
Dancing Duelists
Developed by Mega Crit.
🎵A deckbuilding autobattler dance off with a BUMPIN' soundtrack🎵
Sokilidae
Developed by tjm for Trijam #242.
The hummingbird sokoban clone you've been waiting for!
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