Any Good Puzzle Resources?

[Retreater]

I have a player who mostly likes combat but also enjoys physically manipulative puzzles in the game. (Not riddles.)
Things like "arrange these colored stones into a specific pattern to unlock the door."
Does anyone have good resources for things like this?
We're currently playing a sci-fi game, so if it can be altered to a sci-fi theme, that would be even better.

 

[TiQuinn]

Not really a resource but there was a series of mobile games called The Room several years ago that was lovecraftian horror adjacent and had a number of good puzzles that involved manipulating items in various locations that I’ve borrowed ideas from before.

You may be able to do a search on walkthroughs of those games that might be useful.

 

[CleverNickName]

I know it wasn't quite what you were looking for, but: how about an actual jigsaw puzzle?

Before the pandemic when we used to game together in person, I purchased a blank 24-piece wooden puzzle like this one. I assembled it, drew a map on one side of it and wrote a riddle on the back, and then handed it out piece-by-piece to the players as they completed a series of different quests.

I remember the whole project costing about $10 after shipping.

Wooden Plain Blank Puzzle

Wooden Plain Blank Puzzle

www.createjigsawpuzzles.com

 

[aco175]

My kids liked this game on vacation or in the back of the car. You would slide the pieces around on the board in order to get the red car to get to the exit. It scaled from 1-100 in difficulty.

 

[Lisondava]

I like using riddles tied to the setting—stuff like inscriptions, local sayings, or old legends that hint at solutions. Makes it feel more natural and gets players thinking in-character.

 

[payn]

I know it wasn't quite what you were looking for, but: how about an actual jigsaw puzzle?

Before the pandemic when we used to game together in person, I purchased a blank 24-piece wooden puzzle like this one. I assembled it, drew a map on one side of it and wrote a riddle on the back, and then handed it out piece-by-piece to the players as they completed a series of different quests.

I remember the whole project costing about $10 after shipping.

View attachment 392831

Wooden Plain Blank Puzzle

Wooden Plain Blank Puzzle

www.createjigsawpuzzles.com

If you know someone or have a 3D printer yourself, you can probably make things like this for pennies.

Jigsaw puzzle 29 - level 10 by elodobry

If you looking for a challenge this jigsaw puzzle is for you. I was browsing through web and I found a nice looking puzzle called ,,puzzle 29

www.thingiverse.com

 

[Wolfpack48]

The Myst series of computer games are great in this regard - maybe pick up some of the solution books that circulated when these were out. Riven, Exile, Obduction in particular has an SF theme.

 

[AnotherGuy]

You could run through some of the Dark Parable puzzles which are free on YouTube.
Some of them are suited for younger players but they may prove inspirational.
I'm also a fan of the soundtracks of the ones my wife has played (the first 5)