Puzzle Games, Do you enjoy them? Options

[Genten]

There is already a topic about puzzles that I've read over here but it was mostly about puzzle elements in RPGs. I'd like to see how many people are interested in games that are more puzzle-based instead of a standard RPG with puzzle elements.

Some of my favorite RPGMaker games are Ib and Ao Oni. Both are horror games wherein players progress by solving puzzles. Any battle system is simply enemy avoidance; the characters have no way of fighting back and must avoid any foes. The game makes the player solve puzzles to progress. These games still have a plot, but it's not based on defeating bosses or such. I'm curious if anyone is interested in these sorts of games because I've never seen anything similar posted in the project forum. Is it because the difficulty of programming such a thing is too high, or is there simply no interest?

My basic question is, what do you think of games (perhaps RPG games if you've played them) that are puzzle focused and do not include standard monster fights compared to games that add puzzles as a small element,as in a straight RPG game? Straight RPG game being one where the main element is fighting monsters, clearing dungeons, defeating boses, etc.

[vvalkingman]

Well, I am designing a game that is about a thief that uses their intelligence and speed to steal things from vaults which is pretty puzzle heavy. I recall an old school snes game called Lufia 2 Rise of the Sinistrals which is a puzzle heavy rpg which makes use of standard menu based battle system but a puzzle system that works with tools found throughout dungeons and the world. When I think about this kind of idea I'm also reminded of Phi Brain, an anime about geniuses that solve deadly puzzles. The concept, if done correctly, could be quite interesting. It is a niche market depending on the difficulty of the puzzles and the kind of puzzles. To answer your question, it might be a nice change of pace. But I can't stress how a good story/hook is key. My opinion anyway.