Games that make you think

Systems worth calculating - routes, builds, economies with a real solvable shape underneath, none of it gated behind fast hands.

Filtered to Optimization ≥ 7/10 AND Execution ≤ 4/10 - thinking games, not twitch games with deep builds.

Portal 2 cover art
+1 edition

Portal 2

Pure Optimization · first-person puzzle

E
R
V
O
Portal 2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition cover art
+3 editions

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition

Pure Optimization · open-world RPG

E
R
V
O
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition
Fallout 76 cover art
+5 editions

Fallout 76

Pure Optimization · online action RPG

E
R
V
O
Fallout 76
Minecraft cover art
+1 edition

Minecraft

Pure Optimization · sandbox survival

E
R
V
O
Minecraft
Undertale cover art

Undertale

Pure Optimization · narrative RPG

E
R
V
O
Undertale
Stardew Valley cover art

Stardew Valley

Pure Optimization · farming life sim

E
R
V
O
Stardew Valley
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom cover art
+7 editions

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Pure Optimization · open-world adventure

E
R
V
O
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Dragon Age: Inquisition cover art
+2 editions

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Pure Optimization · action RPG

E
R
V
O
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Diablo IV cover art
+2 editions

Diablo IV

Systems & Chaos · loot-grind ARPG

E
R
V
O
Diablo IV
Baldur's Gate 3 cover art
+2 editions

Baldur's Gate 3

Systems & Chaos · turn-based CRPG

E
R
V
O
Baldur's Gate 3
Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords cover art
+1 edition

Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Pure Optimization · story-driven RPG

E
R
V
O
Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
Civilization VI cover art
+1 edition

Civilization VI

Pure Optimization · turn-based 4X

E
R
V
O
Civilization VI
Persona 5 Royal cover art
+3 editions

Persona 5 Royal

Pure Optimization · turn-based JRPG

E
R
V
O
Persona 5 Royal
Final Fantasy XIII cover art
+3 editions

Final Fantasy XIII

Pure Optimization · turn-based JRPG

E
R
V
O
Final Fantasy XIII
Terraria cover art

Terraria

Pure Optimization · 2D sandbox

E
R
V
O
Terraria
Death Stranding cover art

Death Stranding

Pure Optimization · traversal sim

E
R
V
O
Death Stranding
Outer Wilds cover art

Outer Wilds

Pure Optimization · exploration mystery

E
R
V
O
Outer Wilds
Deus Ex cover art

Deus Ex

Pure Optimization · immersive sim RPG

E
R
V
O
Deus Ex
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow cover art
+1 edition

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Pure Optimization · metroidvania RPG

E
R
V
O
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Hearthstone cover art

Hearthstone

Grand Arena · collectible card game

E
R
V
O
Hearthstone
Papers, Please cover art

Papers, Please

Pure Optimization · document inspection sim

E
R
V
O
Papers, Please
Heroes of Might and Magic V cover art
+2 editions

Heroes of Might and Magic V

Pure Optimization · turn-based strategy

E
R
V
O
Heroes of Might and Magic V
Cities: Skylines cover art

Cities: Skylines

Pure Optimization · city builder

E
R
V
O
Cities: Skylines
Prey (2017) cover art

Prey (2017)

Pure Optimization · immersive sim

E
R
V
O
Prey (2017)
Hitman 3 cover art
+6 editions

Hitman 3

Pure Optimization · stealth puzzle

E
R
V
O
Hitman 3
Plants vs. Zombies cover art

Plants vs. Zombies

Pure Optimization · tower defense

E
R
V
O
Plants vs. Zombies
No Man's Sky cover art

No Man's Sky

Pure Optimization · space exploration

E
R
V
O
No Man's Sky
The Outer Worlds cover art

The Outer Worlds

Pure Optimization · action RPG

E
R
V
O
The Outer Worlds
Path of Exile cover art

Path of Exile

Pure Optimization · theorycraft ARPG

E
R
V
O
Path of Exile
Satisfactory cover art

Satisfactory

Pure Optimization · factory automation

E
R
V
O
Satisfactory