Get that grey matter ready for a gargantuan amount of puzzle gaming goodness with the beginning of the week-long Cerebral Games Showcase! Produced by publisher Draknek & Friends, the showcase runs from today, May 29th, to Wednesday, June 5th, and will feature over 300 puzzle games! To kick off the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase, we got the first-ever Thinky Direct, hosted by Thinky Games.
On the official Thinky Games website, it describes the Direct as “a brand new event showcasing exclusive trailers and announcements for some of the most exciting thinky games. Our hope is that this event becomes one of the biggest events of the year for fans of puzzles and problem solving!”
Here are all the announcements from the Thinky Direct 2025.
The Mermaid Mask (PC, Xbox, PlayStation)
The Mermaid Mask, the upcoming title from SFB Games, developers of 2024’s Indie horror darling Crow Country, got a new trailer.
The sequel to Tangle Tower sees players take on the roles of Grimoire and Sally again as they try to solve the mysterious death of Magnus Mortuga, captain of the world’s strangest submarine. Featuring a fully-voiced cast, hand-painted environments, and with every clue realised as a 3D object, prepare to dive deep into the murky mysteries of The Mermaid Mask.
There is a demo for The Mermaid Mask available on PC(Steam).
Echo Weaver (PC, Xbox)
Akupara Games’ upcoming “Metroid-brain-ia” Echo Weaver also received a new trailer, showing fans more of this upcoming game’s blend of action and puzzle gameplay.
As the last of the Weavers, it is up to you to solve the mystery nestled within the time loop you find yourself caught up in. Time is currency, as you collect it to prolong your run and spend it to heal, trade, and unlock new areas. There are no upgrades or skills to unlock, just secrets to uncover that will help you understand what you were always capable of. Explore what remains of this collapsed Utopia. Uncover the mystery. Perfect the loop.
Parallel Experiment (PC)
The 2-player co-op puzzle game Parallel Experiment, developed by Eleven Puzzles, has a new release date and will be launching on PC and Mobile on June 5th!
Play as two detectives, Ally and Old Dog, as they become the new guinea pigs in the Cryptic Killer’s twisted experiment. Work together in this Noir-inspired Point-and-Click detective game, with each player only having half of the puzzle. Compete in fun side games, communicate with each other through the game and voice chat, and even wind each other up with silly interactions. Can you work as a team to solve this new chapter in the case of the Cryptic Killer?
There is a demo for Parallel Experiment available on PC(Steam).
Sunken Stones (PC)
The next game to get a release date was Sunken Stones, which will be heading to PC on July 18th!
Developed by Spritewrench, Sunken Stones is a turn-based puzzle/strategy game about pirates and plunder. Choose your captain, assemble your rag-tag crew of brigands, and defeat your enemies in turn-based combat across a 5×5 grid. Master a pirate-themed elemental system involving Salt, Smoke, and Steel, all while collecting as much booty as you can. But beware, for your plunder is cursed, and as your stash grows, so does the curse, and your crew becomes more afflicted.
There is a demo for Sunken Stones available on PC(Steam).
He Who Watches (PC)
Danga Games, the developers of He Who Watches, their upcoming first-person puzzle platformer, announced that the game would be released later in 2025.
Show off your spatial awareness and reasoning in He Who Watches as you defy gravity to walk on walls to get a completely different perspective. Use your bow to interact with objects from a distance, but be careful, you only have one arrow in your quiver; thankfully, you can recall it at will. Delve deeper into the dungeon, and master the mental maze that awaits.
There is a demo for He Who Watches available on PC(Steam).
EMUUROM (PC)
Another title to confirm a release later this year was EMUUROM, the pixel art puzzle adventure from gorbware.
Explore and document the ancient homeworld of EMUUROM before it’s lost forever. Discover rules, gather information, and use that gained knowledge to find new paths forward. Scan creatures and record your findings in the EMUUDEX, who knows when it might come in handy? There are a plethora of secrets hidden in plain sight, and as you gain a better understanding of the world around you, the hidden machinations of the EMUUROM creatures begin to unfold…
There is a demo for EMUUROM available on PC(Steam).
Strange Antiquities (PC)
Strange Antiquities, the upcoming cozy puzzle game developed by Bad Viking, a dev team of two brothers, is getting a new demo on June 5th!
In this follow-up to Strange Horticulture, you become the custodian of a store dealing in occult antiquities. Explore the quaint and gloomy town of Undermere, where strange goings-on and dark mysteries abound. Find and identify arcane artefacts, use your collection to aid the townsfolk with their unusual problems "” and remember to pet your cat!
The demo for Strange Antiquities is available on PC(Steam).
868-BACK (PC)
868-BACK, the new game from Indie artist Michael Brough, the sequel to his 2013 release 868-HACK, got a new trailer today!
868-BACK is a computer-hacking strategy game. Sneak into servers, steal glittering data, fight hostile tasks, expose the megacorps, and find the Mainframe. It’s inspired by roguelike dungeon crawlers "” but the dungeons are computer servers, and your weapons are illicit software tools. It’s a game of taking risks. Every nasty situation you find yourself in is your own fault. 868-BACK is expected to be released sometime in 2025.
Is This Seat Taken (PC)
Poti Poti Games and Wholesome Games Presents also dropped a new trailer today for the upcoming Is This Seat Taken?
Is This Seat Taken? is a logic puzzle game where you play matchmaker for groups of hilariously particular people. Each character has pet peeves that make seating them a delightful challenge. Find the perfect spot for each person to unlock new levels in this cozy, silly, and relatable experience.
There is a demo for Is This Seat Taken? available on PC(Steam).
Kiko’s Apple Adventure (PC)
Kiko’s Apple Adventure, the Sokoban-style game developed by PawPaw Games, is out today on PC!
Join Kiko the bear rafting through diverse islands, pushing apples onto rafts to solve puzzles. A moving block puzzle game, or Sokoban-inspired, Kiko’s Apple Adventure offers simple gameplay with a smooth difficulty curve. Cleverly deal with enemies for a fun and cozy apple pie adventure! Enjoy a laid-back, cozy 2-4 hours of gentle puzzling, with over 50 levels of apple-collecting cuteness!
Bonfire Peaks (PC, PlayStation, Switch)
Want something else that was released today? How about DLC Parts 2 and 3 for Bonfire Peaks, the voxel art puzzle game from Corey Martin and Draknek & Friends?
Move onwards, move upwards, and leave nothing behind.
Bonfire Peaks is a puzzle game about closure, where you set your belongings ablaze to continue, unburdened. A game filled with richly rewarding challenges and surprising new mechanics that'll keep sparking your interest right through to the end.
There is a demo for Bonfire Peaks available on PC(Steam).
City Of Voices (PC)
City of Voices, a new Golden Idol-like deduction game from one of the writers and designers of The Rise of the Golden Idol, also got a demo today!
A short Golden Idol-like deduction game about a young girl who is catapulted from her suburban life into the mysterious world of the ancient Maya. Investigate a series of moments frozen in time. Examine clues and solve puzzles to uncover a story full of twists and turns.
The demo for City of Voices is available on PC(Steam).
Shape Sender Deluxe (PC)
Dead Teapot’s upcoming physics-based puzzle game Shape Sender Deluxe will have a demo available to try during the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase (May 29th – June 5th).
Solve physics puzzles with magnets, springs, portals, fans, and more while your new best friend Sendy helps you along the way! But maybe keep an eye on him, he's been acting a little ...strange lately.
The demo for Shape Sender Deluxe is available for a limited time on PC(Steam).
The Button Effect (PC)
The upcoming first-person puzzle game The Button Effect, developed by Frycandle, also got a demo today, but will be available after the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase.
Every button has a purpose. In this short, minimalist first-person puzzler, you explore a dense, interwoven architecture - a museum, full of hidden connections and spatial insights.
The demo for The Button Effect is available on PC(Steam).
Railbound (PC, Xbox, Switch)
Developer Afterburn has been busy, with their first announcement being new content coming to the train-based puzzle game, Railbound. This update adds a level editor to the game and allows players to make and share their own levels!
Railbound is a comfy track-bending puzzle game about a pair of dogs on a train journey around the world. Connect and sever railways across the world to help everyone reach their homes and solve over 240 clever puzzles ranging from gentle slopes to twisted passageways.
Pup Champs (PC, Xbox, Switch)
Afterburn’s second announcement was for Pup Champs, the cozy tactical puzzle game about scoring goals. The game has received a free update of new, more challenging levels for those players looking to be top dog!
Each chapter brings in unexpected challenges – balls get stuck in the mud, monkeys mimic your movements, bunnies react to passes, and more! Where some players see an obstacle, a skilled coach can spot an opportunity…
Isles Of Sea And Sky (PC, Switch)
Another game getting more content is Isles of Sea & Sky, the puzzle adventure game from Cicada Games. Titled the Mysterious Update, it is planned to be released in July.
Solve innovative block puzzles while unearthing a mystifying story, gaining new friends that change the puzzle landscape, and unlocking powers that provide more options for how you choose to progress through the enigmatic Isles of Sea and Sky.
Birdigo (PC)
Birdigo, the upcoming roguelike deckbuilder from John August, Corey Martin & GameTeam 6, got a new trailer as part of the Thinky Direct.
Build words and deploy game-changing cards in this roguelike deckbuilder from the creators of AlphaBirdsâ„¢. Use savvy and strategy to guide your flock on their epic migration.
There is a demo for Birdigo available on PC(Steam).
NONOLITH (PC)
One of the bigger announcements from the Thinky Direct was the reveal of Nonolith, a new puzzle/platformer Metroidvania being developed by JUSTCAMH, with a release planned for 2026.
Discover the countless secrets of the NONOLITH. Copy and paste blocks to reach new areas, and master hidden mechanics that let you do the seemingly impossible. You are very powerful, you just don’t know it yet.
CIPHER ZERO (PC)
Zapdot’s CIPHER ZERO, a minimalist logic game, got a new trailer today. Can you solve for ð’™?
Experiment with curious glyphs to infer their rules. Delve into over 300 hand-crafted puzzles to solve at your own pace. Explore several locations that evolve and grow with your understanding. Vibe with an immersive, chill soundtrack that reacts to your actions and experiences in the game.
There is a demo for CIPHER ZERO available on PC(Steam).
Spooky Express (PC)
Last but by no means least, Spooky Express, the next game from Draknek & Friends, and the follow-up to Cosmic Express, got a demo today!
Plan the train route for the world's spookiest theme park! Transport monsters to their destinations "” but don't let them bite the passengers, or you'll have a grave problem!
The demo for Spooky Express is available on PC(Steam).
Those are all the announcements from the first-ever Thinky Direct; a strong start to the week-long Cerebral Puzzle Showcase! Be sure to check out any of the games featured in the Thikny Direct, and remember to wishlist any you are interested in; it really helps out the developers.
You can watch the Thinky Direct in its entirety on the official Thinky Games YouTube channel.
There are many more showcases coming up over the next couple of weeks, and the GSC team will be doing its best to cover as many as we can. Be sure to check back for more news from the upcoming Summer Games Fest, the Xbox Showcase, and more!
What games are you interested in from the Thinky Direct? Let us know in the comments below.
