Physics-based puzzle games challenge players to manipulate objects and environments using realistic simulations—think Portal, World of Goo, Human: Fall Flat, or Poly Bridge. Developing such games requires precise and flexible tools that simulate gravity, collisions, joints, and object behavior.
Most game engines now come with built-in physics engines:
- Unity uses NVIDIA PhysX, supporting rigid bodies, joints, raycasts, and 2D/3D collision detection.
- Unreal Engine offers both PhysX and its custom Chaos Physics system for more complex physical simulations and destruction mechanics.
- Godot has separate 2D and 3D physics systems with features like kinematic and rigid body nodes, areas, and collision layers.
For puzzle mechanics, developers often use:
- Physics joints (hinge, spring, distance) to build contraptions or machines
- Ragdoll setups for character-based physics puzzles
- Dynamic materials with properties like friction, bounciness, and mass
- Constraints to limit movement or create puzzles around motion control
Toolkits like Ferr2D for Unity (for flexible 2D terrain) or Obi Rope/Fluid (for simulating ropes and soft bodies) help expand the possibilities for puzzle physics.
Physics-based puzzle games often benefit from visual scripting, enabling rapid prototyping of new interactions without coding everything from scratch.
The key to success in this genre lies in balancing realistic simulation with player control—making puzzles that feel intuitive, surprising, and satisfying to solve. With the right tools, even a bouncing ball or swinging rope can become the heart of a compelling puzzle.
