Puzzle games come in various forms, from classic brain-benders to innovative experiences that push the boundaries of the genre itself. Promising mental workouts and the joy of epiphany, these games are a testament to human creativity and intellect. We've selected the very best that PC gaming has to offer for puzzle enthusiasts. Let's dive into a world of riddles, logic, and problem-solving with the ten best puzzle games for PC, each chosen for their unique challenges and engaging gameplay.

1. Portal 2

Portal 2 is a masterpiece of game design, blending a darkly comedic narrative with ingenious physics-based puzzles. Through the use of a portal gun that defies the laws of space, players solve complex spatial challenges while uncovering the mysteries behind the Aperture Science Labs. Its co-op mode brings an additional layer of complexity and joy, making it a timeless favorite among puzzle gamers.

2. The Witness

The Witness is a serene yet fiendishly complex game set on an enigmatic island filled with hundreds of puzzles. Each challenge seamlessly integrates with the beautiful surroundings, encouraging players to pay close attention to the world around them. With puzzles that often leave gamers awestruck at their own ingenuity upon solving, The Witness is a monument to non-verbal teaching and learning in games.

3. Baba Is You

Baba Is You is an innovative indie puzzler where players manipulate the rules of the game to solve challenges. By pushing blocks that represent different rules, you can redefine goals, controls, and even the game logic. Baba Is You encourages an outside-the-box approach to its puzzles, proving to be as clever as it is charming.

4. Fez

With its unique 2D-to-3D shifting perspective, Fez is a charming puzzle platformer that requires spatial awareness and a keen eye for detail. Players rotate a seemingly flat world to navigate 3D structures, uncovering secrets and solving puzzles that play with perception and dimension. Fez's whimsical world and brain-teasing design make it a standout in the genre.

5. Braid

Braid's time-manipulating puzzles offer a poignant exploration of consequence and regret. Through reversing, hastening, and creating parallel realities, players unravel complex puzzles interwoven with a narrative that is as thought-provoking as the challenges themselves. Braid remains a shining example of how gameplay mechanics can tell a story and engage the mind.

6. Talos Principle

The Talos Principle combines philosophical pondering with intricate puzzle-solving. Players assume the role of a sentient robot navigating a series of complex environments, utilizing technology, logic, and sometimes even light carries to unlock the path forward. The game's philosophical undertones raise existential questions that complement its intellectual gameplay.

7. Return of the Obra Dinn

Return of the Obra Dinn is a unique blend of puzzle and detective work. Players take on the role of an insurance investigator, tasked with piecing together the events that led to the abandonment of a ship and the fate of its crew. With its distinctive monochromatic graphics and deductive reasoning challenges, Obra Dinn offers an investigative experience unlike any other.

8. Stephen's Sausage Roll

Stephen's Sausage Roll is a deceptively simple-looking game that hides complex and gratifying puzzles. The goal is to grill sausages perfectly by rolling them around mazes without overcooking—a task that requires precise planning and manipulation. Its quirky concept belies the depth and difficulty of the puzzle design, making it an unexpected gem.

9. Opus Magnum

Opus Magnum by Zachtronics allows players to step into the shoes of an alchemist, engineering complex solutions to transmute elements. Through a visually stunning and flexible puzzle engine, players construct elaborate machines to complete their tasks. This game is known for its open-ended solutions, challenging players' creativity and logic in equal measure.

10. The Room Series

The Room series invites players into a world of intricate puzzle boxes and enigmatic devices. With a focus on tactile mechanics, each game in the series builds on the last with increasingly elaborate challenges and a tantalizing narrative that pulls you deeper into its mysteries. The Room games boast an atmosphere that's both eerie and compelling, offering a truly immersive puzzle-solving experience.

These ten puzzle games represent the pinnacle of cerebral gaming on the PC platform. Each game offers a distinct twist on the puzzle genre, promising hours of head-scratching challenges and that unrivaled satisfaction that only solving the toughest of puzzles can provide. From abstract philosophical adventures to quirky indie darlings, there's a world of puzzles waiting to be conquered.

Expand this outline by fleshing out each paragraph, comparing different aspects of the games, exploring the art style, sound design, influence on the genre, or community and mod support to reach the required word count.