Think Outside the Box: Our Faves From Steam’s ‘Box-Pushing Fest’

1989 puzzle game "Chip's Challenge" protagonist (as seen on original cover art) positioned over gameplay image. The game and its sequel are available via Steam's Box-Pushing Fest.

Steam’s seasonal sales are truly something special, but I’d argue their intermittent niche deals reign supreme.

Currently, the web-based video game retailer is hosting “Box-Pushing Fest,” a special promotion that puts the spotlight on puzzle games, where players push crates and containers to progress.

The weeklong deal, previously named “Sokoban Fest” after the 1980s Japanese puzzle game of the same name, runs through April 28. If you’re a fan of traditional mind exercises like Sudoku or crosswords, or you’re a Type A obsessed with organizing and tidying, these rewarding head-scratchers might be right up your alley.

DUSK ’82: ULTIMATE EDITION (2021)

Image Credit: New Blood Interactive, David Szymanski.

DUSK ’82 is a simple but addictive action-puzzler demake of the cult shooter DUSK, inspired by classics like Chip’s Challenge and Sokoban.”

Developer: David Szymanski

Price: $1.74 (yes, really)

Baba Is You (2019)

Image Credit: Hempuli Oy.

Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!”

Developer: Hempuli Oy

Price: $14.99

Sokobos (2022)

Image Credit: Daisy Games.

Sokoban meets Greek tragedy! Sokobos is a minimalistic & challenging puzzle game that expands on the classic block-pushing formula.”

Developer: Daisy Games.

Price: $3.24 (!!!)

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Void Stranger (2023)

Image Credit: System Erasure.

This pixelated puzzler’s minimal yet menacing blurb reads, “Place your faith and embrace the Void.” Feeling froggy enough to find out what that means?

Developer: System Erasure

Price: $9.23

Chip’s Challenge 2 (2015)

Image Credit: Niffler Ltd.

Like Chuck Sommerville’s retro PC staple Chip’s Challenge (available for free on Steam!), gamers lead key-yielding crate-mover Chip and love interest Melinda through a hazard-laden maze so challenging that, if you’re anything like me, you may have to step away and count to 10.

Developer: Niffler Ltd.

Price: $1.24 (take a Baby Aspirin beforehand)

Couch Installation Service (2020)

Image Credit: Ilya Tishchenko.

Assume the role of a hard-working mover tackling room rearrangement in cute 3D box-pusher Couch Installation Service. All the organization and smug satisfaction of a job well done without breaking a sweat.

Developer: Ilya Tishchenko

Price: $2.79 (much cheaper than real movers)

Stephen’s Sausage Roll (2016)

Image Credit: increpare games.

As we all gear up for summer, I can’t think of a more appropriate title than this! Roll sausage links onto the right tiles to grill ’em up. Save this bad boy for a rainy day, when the real grill is a no-go.

Developer: increpare games

Price: $8.99

Patrick’s Parabox (2022)

Image Credit: Patrick Traynor.

Sweet, sweet synth soothes the soul as you push matryoshka-like boxes to explore a charming and cubey world. In this award winner, Solo developer-publisher Patrick Traynor (hey, I get it now!) reimagines and revitalizes a classic genre for a new, modern audience.

Developer: Patrick Traynor

Image Credit: Patrick Traynor.

Price: $11.99 (this one’s 40% off!)

Room to Grow (2021)

Image Credit: Mischka Kamener.

Your green thumb might not come in handy here, but it’ll still charm the socks off ya. In Room to Grow, players assume the role of an angular potted succulent slowly but surely making its way to the desert. MS Paint-y animation and whimsical music manage to make this one even cuter, which, frankly, I thought impossible.

Developer: Mischka Kamener

Price: $2.49 (you can’t overwater this one)

Lab Rat (2025)

Image Credit: Klei Publishing.

“A metrics-obsessed AI will monitor, profile, and entertain you as you progress through over a hundred genre-bending puzzles in this delightfully satirical adventure.”

Developer: Chump Squad

Price: $15.99

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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.

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