Summary
UFO 50’s massive collection of games is inspiring, to say the least. With this many games, you’re able to safely expect them to come in a wide variety of genres, and some of the best and most unique games in this retro collection of NES-inspired games are the puzzle titles, or the “thinky” games as they’re officially listed in-game.
Though puzzle-solving games are not necessarily what everyone thinks of when they imagine video games from the 1980s, UFO 50 has fantastically merged brain-teasing game design with the classic 40-year-old aesthetic that still lives on in the DNA of modern games. These eight titles are incredibly different from one another, which is a testament to UFO 50’s ability to be both diverse and daring.
8Block Koala
Pushing blocks is about as fundamental as puzzle-solving gets in video games, and that’s what Block Koala is all about. Your goal is to push the right numbered blocks into each other, which creates stronger blocks that will unlock the exit of each stage.
With its simple, cute graphics and audio, it feels like it could have beena Disney-themed game on the NES or the Sega Genesis. It also has an overworld that unlocks newer stages as you collect more stars, much like an older Mario game.
7Camouflage
Another animal-themed game is Camouflage, which has you in control of a lizard that can change into any color based on the terrain it is resting on. Each stage has you navigating through water, sand, dirt, and trunks to find your baby lizard and reach the end goal without getting eaten by prey.
Being a stealth game at heart, Camouflage has very simple controls and rules but is one of the more challenging puzzle games in UFO 50. The checkpoints are generous, but that’s only because death and failure can come very quickly.
6Attactics
Attactics is one of the more strategic games in the UFO collection. It’s not quite Fire Emblem or Advance Wars, but it manages to be a very deep game despite how simple the controls and premise are. Each level has you simultaneously defending and attacking, placing your troops in ideal situations based on what’s being thrown at you.
There are different soldiers, each with their own abilities. The spearman has a long horizontal reach, whereas the ninja can aim up and down. Each level goes out of its way to leave you outnumbered so only your wits can carry you to victory and glory.
5Rail Heist
Though Rail Heist might seem more of an action-packed game due to its Western theme, it is undeniably a stealth puzzle game at its core. Every level has you sneaking through cargo holds on a large train, searching for the loot that you need to steal.
With limited ammo per challenge, you need to think very carefully about which bandits and guards you want to take out - if you want to take out any at all. It gets challenging quickly, but it also provides a thrill during each escape sequence, which makes it a unique entry in UFO 50.
4Party House
You might be surprised to find out a game like this is really a deckbuilder in disguise, but it’s true. Party House is all about getting the best guests to attend your party. But doing so without causing too much of a ruckus that would attract the police or the fire department.
There are two main resources in this game: popularity and money. Pop allows you to invite newer guests with their own unique abilities, and money allows you to upgrade your living space so you’re able to throw bigger parties. If you can throw a 4-star party in 25 turns or fewer, consider yourself a party-throwing god.
3Night Manor
Night Manor is the only point-and-click adventure in all of UFO 50, which makes it particularly special. It’s also a horror game based off of some ofthe best old-fashioned horror titlesaround, like Clock Tower and Haunting Ground.
But at its core, Night Manor is a puzzle game, something that becomes clear very quickly. It will only take minutes of playing before your inventory is stacked with several random items that need to be used contextually or combined thoughtfully. Be sure to examine as many objects as you can, as it’s easy to miss an important detail that will save your life.
2Quibble Race
Quibble Race isn’t the only racing game in UFO 50, but it is the only one that has a large gambling element and feels a bit like a puzzler at heart. You’ll be betting on which little alien will win each race, but the twist is that you have access to a thug who can either cripple the opponents or provide your own racer with a little extra juice, so to speak.
There’s a lot of chance in this game, as some races will have debris falling from the sky, but knowing how to invest money in tips, loans, and trainers is key to coming in first place. Though there are many mechanics, it is surprisingly one of the easiest games in all of UFO 50 and would serve as a great introduction to the collection for anyone feeling intimidated by its size.
1Warptank
Warptank may look and sound like an action game in the style of Metal Slug, but it’s more like a puzzle platformer. You just happen to be in control of a tank that can teleport onto any parallel surface in the blink of an eye.
Warptank is a fantastic game that has diverse level design, great obstacles, solid music, creepy bosses and dozens of secrets. Though you do have a shoot button, you will be spending most of your time teleporting away from hazards. The perfect retro visual design and sleek controls make it feel like a lostclassic 8-bit game, and that’s what UFO 50 is all about.
