SpaceChem

At age 13 this game and Codex of Alchemical Engineering subconsciously converted me to a programmer. I've only got 3 hours on steam but on my dads tablet I played for hundreds of hours, so much that he got real sick of me asking to use it. It's the quintessential zach-like. A very limited set of tools from which incredible complexity can emerge. Never too overwhelming, but still plenty challenging. And it holds up. Even in 2026 I can't recommend it enough.

Don't be misled by the primitive graphics, this is excellent Zach. Great 1024x768 on Steam Deck.

むずかしいけどおもしろいっ 追記）やっとさいごまでいけた！うれしい！自力でがんばりました！

This is a very complex, very rewarding game with a lot of content. I genuinely believe that solving the puzzles in SpaceChem can enhance the way you approach problems in real life. My only qualm is that the controls are pretty bad. Not only are they awkward, but even simple things like mouse sensitivity cannot be changed in the options. Even though the game is available on GeForce Now (nice!), it can't be played there because the mouse sensitivity is so weird. The controls can be fixed with Steam Deck/Controller + Steam Input, especially using the virtual menu feature, but that is not a merit to the game itself.

The GOAT of Zachtronics.

Strong Factorio vibes. This is the game I'd use, if I have to introduce someone to programming, without them noticing. On a surface this feels like a puzzle game, but you're basically writing code, you just don't realize it.

This genuinely might be the pinnacle of perfection for a puzzle game

Nearly 22hrs of gameplay over 9 years and haven't even made it halfway through the fourth level. Game is too hard and the brain is fried. 10/10

Too many puzzle for tiny little monkey brain

Pretty obscure. Come for the TF2 Items, stay for something better. [h1]YOU WILL NEED A GUIDE.