- #1 TIS-100
97% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 4,085 reviews2015
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 52%
TIS-100 is an open-ended programming game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infinifactory, in which you rewrite corrupted code segments to repair the TIS-100 and unlock its secrets. It’s the assembly language programming game you never asked for!
Why similar: Puzzle 52.1%, Indie 47.9%
- #2 Last Call BBS
96% matchVery Positive92% of 1,575 reviews2022
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 14.8 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Boot up your Z5 Powerlance and dial into Last Call BBS, the last game from Zachtronics! The Barkeep’s loaded up his retro computer with a full set of puzzle games for you to download and play. No need to worry about copy protection, they’re all fully cracked and ready to enjoy!
Why similar: Puzzle 100%
- #3 SHENZHEN I/O
96% matchVery Positive95% of 4,484 reviews2016
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 11.4 hrs≥1hr: 61%
BUILD CIRCUITS. WRITE CODE. RTFM.
Why similar: Puzzle 53.1%, Indie 46.9%
- #4 SpaceChem
95% matchVery Positive92% of 5,076 reviews2011
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.7 hrsMean: 4.2 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
Why similar: Puzzle 60.9%, Indie 39.1%
- #5 Opus Magnum
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 7,034 reviews2017
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 13.3 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine!
Why similar: Puzzle 51.9%, Indie 48.1%
- #6 Turing Complete
93% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 5,345 reviews2021
Dev: LevelHead
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 12.4 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Learn CPU architecture with puzzles
Why similar: Puzzle 100%
- #7 Kaizen: A Factory Story
92% matchVery Positive93% of 705 reviews2025
Dev: CoincidencePub: Astra Logical
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.1 hrsMean: 7.5 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Kaizen is an open-ended puzzle automation game from the original Zachtronics team, set in 1980s Japan. Design, build, and optimize production lines to create iconic products, like calculators, camcorders, and arcade machines.
Why similar: Puzzle 50.7%, Indie 49.3%
- #8 Silicon Zeroes
94% matchVery Positive87% of 282 reviews2017
Dev: PleasingFungus Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 10.2 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Build hardware. Solve puzzles. From the creator of Manufactoria, a new open-ended puzzle game set in Silicon Valley's first startup.
Why similar: Indie 70%, Puzzle 30%
- #9 Infinifactory
91% matchVery Positive95% of 2,472 reviews2015
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.7 hrsMean: 8.8 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Infinifactory is a sandbox puzzle game by Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem and Infiniminer. Build factories that assemble products for your alien overlords, and try not to die in the process.
Why similar: Puzzle 52.1%, Indie 47.9%
- #10 MOLEK-SYNTEZ
91% matchVery Positive89% of 687 reviews2019
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 52%
Use the MOLEK-SYNTEZ to create small molecules with various pharmacological effects from the comfort of your small Romanian apartment.
Why similar: Puzzle 50.2%, Indie 49.8%
- #11 Quantum Odyssey
89% matchVery Positive93% of 135 reviews2025
Dev: Quarks Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Design, optimize, and reverse-engineer real quantum algorithms in an open-ended Zachlike puzzle game. Solve 500+ optimization challenges, hack player creations, and master quantum logic without coding.
Why similar: Puzzle 100%
- #12 Replicube
88% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 694 reviews2025
Dev: Walaber Entertainment LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 70%
Replicube is an open-ended programming puzzle game/toy about writing code to replicate 3D voxel-based objects. Solve puzzles, pursue leaderboard glory, or just make art to share with the in-game community.
Why similar: Puzzle 100%
- #13 Comet 64
90% matchMostly Positive76% of 187 reviews2021
Dev: Onur AyasPub: what sorceress this
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 36 minMean: 4.2 hrs≥1hr: 40%
Comet 64 is a programming puzzle game. The year is 1984. All you got is a Comet 64 home computer and the operator's manual it came with.
Why similar: Indie 55.6%, Puzzle 44.4%
- #14 Prime Mover
89% matchVery Positive89% of 214 reviews2018
Dev: 4Bit Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Retrace the path of the Prime Mover to uncover the story of the Byte of Burden! Prime Mover is an open-ended puzzle game about designing circuit boards.
Why similar: Indie 61.5%, Puzzle 38.5%
- #15 EmuDevz
86% matchVery Positive89% of 65 reviews2026
Dev: [r]labs
Windows · Mac · Linux
A game about building emulators! Implement your own NEEES core in JavaScript, get instant feedback with unit/video tests, build the graphics unit in real time, learn 6502 assembly, debug test ROMs, and have fun with the included homebrew games!
Why similar: Puzzle 55%, Indie 45%
- #16 OCTOPTICOM
87% matchVery Positive95% of 56 reviews2018
Dev: UP DEVELOPMENT LTD.
Windows · Linux
OCTOPTICOM is an open-ended puzzle programming game about designing and optimizing optical computing devices. Use lasers, mirrors, filters and other components to read, transform and write sequences of colored squares.
Why similar: Indie 66.5%, Puzzle 33.5%
- #17 One Dreamer: Prologue
85% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 797 reviews2020
Dev: One Dreamer CompanyPub: F2House
Windows · Mac · Linux
Modify the world around you with pseudocode as you journey through blended realities and discover why Frank became a game developer in the first place.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #18 The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection
84% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 995 reviews2022
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 45.0 hrs≥1hr: 72%
The Zachtronics Solitaire Collection is here! Inside you will find all seven Zachtronics solitaire games, updated with new 4K graphics, plus one brand new Tarot-themed solitaire variant only available here.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #19 an unplayable game?!
82% matchVery Positive95% of 104 reviews2025
Dev: ./badgames.zip
Windows
a game about accessibility settings that's just a *bit* too hard for you to play effectively. 10-15 minutes in length with 30+ minutes of developer commentary!
Why similar: Puzzle 100%
- #20 Magnibox
84% matchVery Positive96% of 55 reviews2019
Dev: Joseph Gribbin
Windows · Mac
A puzzle game about magnets designed for human brains.
Why similar: Indie 78.5%, Puzzle 21.5%
- #21 Jacob
86% matchMostly Negative36% of 102 reviews2016
Dev: Duck Duck ZeusPub: Centre For Longitudinal Studies
Windows
Jacob: an evidence-based puzzle
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #22 MHRD
83% matchVery Positive89% of 445 reviews2017
Dev: Funghisoft
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 5.2 hrs≥1hr: 76%
MHRD is a hardware design game, in which you design various hardware circuits in a hardware description language. The hardware circuits you design get more complex as you go until you create a fully functional CPU design.
Why similar: Indie 71.4%, Puzzle 28.6%
- #23 Retro Gadgets
81% matchVery Positive90% of 512 reviews2022
Dev: Licorice ehf
Windows
Median: 42 minMean: 62.4 hrs≥1hr: 47%
Retro Gadgets is a sandbox where you build, code, and customize gadgets inspired by old-school electronics.
Why similar: Puzzle 78.6%, Indie 21.4%
- #24 Glitchspace
82% matchMostly Positive73% of 379 reviews2016
Dev: Space Budgie
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 48 minMean: 20.0 hrs≥1hr: 46%
Glitchspace is about reprogramming the game to solve puzzles. Trapped in an abstract cyberspace world, your way forward uses visual programming to edit environmental geometry, whilst unlocking key programming concepts along the way.
Why similar: Indie 60.9%, Puzzle 39.1%
- #25 EXAPUNKS
80% matchVery Positive95% of 1,878 reviews2018
Dev: Zachtronics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 12.0 hrs≥1hr: 58%
The year is 1997. You used to be a hacker, but now you have the phage. You made a deal: one hack, one dose. There’s nothing left to lose… except your life.
Why similar: Indie 50.5%, Puzzle 49.5%
- #26 Prove You Can Win
79% matchVery Positive85% of 54 reviews2025
Dev: zqh games
Windows · Mac
This is a puzzle game like a mathematical book, based on logic and deduction. In this game, you don't need to beat the level, but need to prove it is beatable. Your goal is not to win, but to prove you can win.
Why similar: Puzzle 58.8%, Indie 41.2%
- #27 Learn Programming: Python - Retro
81% matchMixed69% of 59 reviews2021
Dev: Niema Moshiri
Windows
A terminal-based game for learning and practicing how to program in Python.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #28 RYB
79% matchVery Positive90% of 646 reviews2016
Dev: FLEB
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 54%
RYB is a logic puzzle game that plays like a combination of sudoku and minesweeper.
Why similar: Indie 71.6%, Puzzle 28.4%
- #29 FrankenStorm TD: Prologue
78% matchVery Positive88% of 355 reviews2021
Dev: Doodad Games
Windows
Roguelite TD: all towers & enemies start the same, but you have 1 choice per wave affecting BOTH and stacking up for dramatic variance. Gradually salvage and make some choices permanent to build deeper strategies. Also a unique mazing challenge where wires and towers must be linked to a power source
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #30 The Qubit Factory
76% matchVery Positive98% of 51 reviews2025
Dev: Logical Basis
Windows · Mac
The Qubit Factory is an open-ended puzzle game incorporating real-life concepts from the cutting-edge field of quantum computing. Design and build logic circuits that manipulate bits and qubits (quantum bits) to solve devious computational challenges!
Why similar: Puzzle 62.9%, Indie 37.1%
- #31 Move Code Lines
78% matchVery Positive81% of 91 reviews2020
Dev: Fewjix
Windows
Move Code Lines is a game where you fix programs and make them print needed output. But the only way you can achieve that is to change the order of lines in those programs, and set custom input.
Why similar: Indie 52.9%, Puzzle 47.1%
- #32 A Book of Beasts and Buddies
77% matchVery Positive95% of 409 reviews2018
Dev: Squiddershins
Windows
A Book of Beasts and Buddies is an interactive beastiary of curious creatures.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #33 ABI-DOS
74% matchVery Positive93% of 428 reviews2024
Dev: ABI.DOS.SOFTWARE
Windows
Build the most advanced operating system ever created! Can you master the fictional simulation language of this mind-bending machine? Design circuits, automate UBITS (coloured mobile data blocks), and optimize your system. The Admin is always watching, and he’s not what he seems.
Why similar: Puzzle 56.3%, Indie 43.7%
- #34 A=B
75% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 915 reviews2022
Dev: Artless Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 9.6 hrs≥1hr: 66%
A=B is a programming puzzle game with only one instruction: A=B, which means replacing A with B.
Why similar: Puzzle 56.9%, Indie 43.1%
- #35 Tactical Nexus
77% matchVery Positive96% of 246 reviews2019
Dev: Team-Tactical Nexus
Windows
Niche Puzzle RPG that can be played for 10,000 hours. A resource management game with overwhelming "functionality" to conquer games with overwhelmingly high difficulty. This game is inspired by Tower of the Sorcerer. (The free main package can only be played for just 1000 hours.)
Why similar: Indie 66%, Puzzle 34%
- #36 Pudding
76% matchMixed46% of 50 reviews2024
Dev: Oda
Windows
This is a game about pudding :)
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #37 Cypher
74% matchVery Positive90% of 941 reviews2018
Dev: Matthew Brown
Windows
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 2.9 hrs≥1hr: 49%
Cypher is a first person puzzle game about cryptography.
Why similar: Puzzle 51.1%, Indie 48.9%
- #38 Indie Dev Story
72% matchVery Positive83% of 111 reviews2024
Dev: CBgameDev
Windows
Indie Dev Story - Quit your job to become an indie developer and make your first game!
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #39 Copy Editor: A RegEx Puzzle
75% matchMixed54% of 59 reviews2021
Dev: Christopher JarvisPub: Cinq-Mars Media
Windows · Mac · Linux
Copy Editor is an intricate puzzle game that teaches you Regular Expressions (RegEx), commonly used in computer science and language theory. Build complex rules that process and revise famous texts for your wacky and demanding publisher!
Why similar: Puzzle 65.9%, Indie 34.1%
- #40 14 Minesweeper Variants
70% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 1,629 reviews2022
Dev: Alith GamesPub: Artless Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 9.2 hrsMean: 37.2 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Minesweeper but the rules are changing.
Why similar: Puzzle 57%, Indie 43%
- #41 Contraption Maker
73% matchVery Positive91% of 1,311 reviews2014
Dev: Kevin RyanPub: Top Meadow
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 4.7 hrs≥1hr: 85%
The spiritual successor to The Incredible Machine from its original designer and programmer. Play 100s of puzzles. Build and share elaborate contraptions with an huge variety of parts and critters.
Why similar: Puzzle 57.8%, Indie 42.2%
- #42 Human Resource Machine
71% matchVery Positive94% of 4,667 reviews2015
Dev: Tomorrow Corporation
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Program little office workers to solve puzzles. Be a good employee! The machines are coming... for your job. From the creators of World of Goo and Little Inferno.
Why similar: Indie 55.3%, Puzzle 44.7%
- #43 HackyZack
73% matchMixed66% of 257 reviews2017
Dev: Spaceboy Games
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 4.6 hrs≥1hr: 94%
You are Zack. Juggle balls with unique properties through platforming puzzles to a goal at the end of each stage. Help Zack fill his treasured book of stickers to unlock optional challenge levels, where you race against the timer to destroy targets as fast as possible.
Why similar: Indie 82.5%, Puzzle 17.5%
- #44 Bamboo EP
73% matchVery Positive83% of 72 reviews2016
Dev: Sokpop Collective
Windows
A collection of bamboo themed games.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #45 Trash Bomber
69% matchVery Positive94% of 216 reviews2022
Dev: Kiepska Spółka
Windows
Inspect randomly generated piles of trash, poured into the incinerator. Find all the objects that aren't allowed to be burned down, and... BLOW THEM UP!
Why similar: Puzzle 57.6%, Indie 42.4%
- #46 Beglitched
71% matchVery Positive91% of 124 reviews2016
Dev: Hexecutable
Windows · Mac · Linux
Beglitched is a game about insecurity, in our computers and ourselves.
Why similar: Indie 74.4%, Puzzle 25.6%
- #47 Neon Noodles
69% matchVery Positive81% of 108 reviews2023
Dev: Vivid Helix
Windows · Mac · Linux
In a future where food is the ultimate symbol of status, you are a recipe programming technician for a ruthless aristocracy. Create, test and optimize your culinary machines in this deliciously dark zach-like!
Why similar: Indie 51.8%, Puzzle 48.2%
- #48 Island Marauder
70% matchVery Positive81% of 183 reviews2019
Dev: MSOL
Windows
Indie Puzzle Game
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #49 Algotica Iterations
72% matchMixed53% of 177 reviews2017
Dev: Alexander Goodwin
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 3.4 hrs≥1hr: 93%
Algotica is an educational puzzle game about programming with cute lowpoly graphics. If you wanted to start learning programming but think that it too difficult to understand or just don't have enough time or not sure that you need it - this game is a good start point for you
Why similar: Indie 67.8%, Puzzle 32.2%
- #50 7 Billion Humans
67% matchVery Positive94% of 2,115 reviews2018
Dev: Tomorrow Corporation
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 11.5 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Automate swarms of office workers to solve puzzles inside your very own parallel computer made of people. A thrilling followup to the award winning Human Resource Machine. Now with more humans!
Why similar: Indie 54.8%, Puzzle 45.2%
- #51 LogicBots
70% matchMostly Positive79% of 185 reviews2017
Dev: Incandescent Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 4.7 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Design, build and wire up your own unique robot to complete challenging logic puzzles. LogicBots is a puzzle game where robots are used to complete the various levels.
Why similar: Indie 64.4%, Puzzle 35.6%
- #52 Mech Engineer
66% matchMostly Positive74% of 938 reviews2024
Dev: KiberKrekerPub: MicroProse Software
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 50%
A dark sci-fi mech assembling manager with semi-auto battles against mutating, alien bio-weapon.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #53 Brainmelter Deluxe
69% matchPositive98% of 52 reviews2019
Dev: Cosmocat
Windows
Melt your brain with this twisted take on the platform genre!
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #54 Break Arcade Games Out
67% matchVery Positive94% of 216 reviews2019
Dev: Dan Zaidan
Windows
What if Breakout was the only arcade game people could make? An open-source game, written entirely on a live stream.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #55 Pixel Puzzles Mosaics
68% matchVery Positive88% of 129 reviews2017
Dev: Pixel Puzzles
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 5.1 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Pixel Puzzles Mosaics is a nontraditional puzzle game.
Why similar: Indie 67.8%, Puzzle 32.2%
- #56 Decently Bad Tower Defense
68% matchMostly Positive76% of 146 reviews2020
Dev: Pretty Bad Studios
Windows
This is a bad short Tower Defense game made from scratch as a new game developer. This game does all the basic things you expect from a tower defense. We have 3 types of enemies and 3 types of tower to destroy them with. Strategic placement of the towers will make your victory certain.
Why similar: Indie 100%
- #57 CHR$(143)
66% matchVery Positive96% of 80 reviews2021
Dev: Nicolas Jean
Windows · Linux
A rich and challenging physics-based puzzle /logic /construction /programming game! Master ballistics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemical and nuclear reactions, use automation bricks, build structures, machines, vehicles, produce power, solve puzzles, pierce the fog and defeat CHR$!
Why similar: Puzzle 60.4%, Indie 39.6%
- #58 Krai. Digital-poetry vol. 1
65% matchVery Positive90% of 183 reviews2022
Dev: KRAIPub: KRAI, ИЛЬЯМАЗО
Windows · Mac
KRAI. DIGITAL-POETRY VOL.1 The first collection of digital-poetry Krai. Created by variously gone-mad poets. 5 games. Curator: Ilia Mazo.
- #59 Better Minesweeper
62% matchVery Positive96% of 78 reviews2026
Dev: Pyrite Standard
Windows · Linux
A modern take on classic Minesweeper, focused on quality-of-life improvements, flexibility, and customization.
Why similar: Puzzle 50.3%, Indie 49.7%