Puzzle games require the player to solve logic puzzles or figuring out of a solution, which often involves solving enigmas, mazes, navigation, learning how to use different tools, and the manipulating of objects.

This genre frequently crosses over with adventure and educational games. Puzzle is a very inclusive genre, and is often used as default for games not easily categorized, especially those with abstract concepts. Most often there is a visual or sonic element to the puzzles as well, or at least some verbal description of them.