In urgent need of suggestions 😊

[Cindy874]

[Mod edit: OP, please message a moderator if you need this thread reopened.]

Good Evening. Its my father's birthday coming up end of October. My father is an engineer in a highly specialised field. I'm thinking of gifting him a computer game that can really test him when it comes to problem solving. Is there any games on the market that is orientated around science or complex physics and engineering problems that challange the user to find the solutions? I hope I have expressed myself easy enough. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[drunkpunk]

The first game that comes to mind is Factorio.

Factorio on Steam

Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really...

store.steampowered.com

 

[Johnway]

Spacechem although a bit basic might fit the bill. Its not exactly the most visually exciting but its like running an automated factory to produce elements. pretty cheap.

i suppose out of left field, i would try antichamber. its not heavy on the puzzle side of things but its pretty compelling combined with the various puzzle elements.

 

[Alm]

The game that sprung to mind for me was Kerbal Space Program:

Kerbal Space Program - Create and Manage Your Own Space Program

In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that fly (or don’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics

www.kerbalspaceprogram.com

I haven't played it myself if I'm honest but I have heard good things.

Edit: I probably should also say that it is designed for a wide range of ages.

 

[Mazer]

Satisfactory is very similar to Factorio but without the tower defence elements. It also has a lighter, more parodic tone which I enjoy.

 

[Frindis]

I would recommend testing out the demo from Main Assembly (Still in Early Access) on Steam. I'm not 100% sure if it is in the same ballpark, but in this game, you can engineer some pretty complex structures, in the air or on the ground. I have seen some using real-life schematics to build airplanes and I reckon in that area there would be some difficulty curves to get past engineering-wise.

 

[Oussebon]

Spacechem although a bit basic might fit the bill. Its not exactly the most visually exciting but its like running an automated factory to produce elements. pretty cheap.

Or from the same people, Opus Magnum:

Opus Magnum on Steam

Opus Magnum is the latest open-ended puzzle game from Zachtronics, the creators of SpaceChem, Infinifactory, and SHENZHEN I/O. Design and build machines that assemble potions, poisons, and more using the alchemical engineer’s most advanced tool: the transmutation engine!

store.steampowered.com

 

[Probably_Human]

It matters what kind of Engineer because there are literally hundreds of types.
But Primary games ones would probably be

Mechanical Engineering ( Infinifacotry, Human Resource Machine, Bridge Constructor Kerbal Space Program, Hard Space Ship Breaker )

Software Engineering (TIS-100 \ Shenzen IO - [ Basically anything Zachotronics Made ] )

Chemical Engineering ( Spacechem )

Generic Puzzle Games: Obduction, Portal 1 + 2, Keep Talking and No body Explodes, The Wittness,

Keep talking and No Body Explodes isn't single player, requires at least 2 people. But it is an extremely fun family \ friends game.

 

[Brian Boru]

Generic Puzzle Games:

Others Generally Challenging:
The Talos Principle + Sigils of Elohim + Road To Gehenna DLC
The Turing Test
The Swapper

 

[Zloth]

Talos Principle is a good one for... what would you call it? Spatial logic? It starts out really easy but it doesn't stay that way.

Kerbal Space Program is rocket science... with cute Kerbals to pilot your stuff.

 

[Pifanjr]

Space Engineers might be interesting if your dad knows how to code, at least a little bit.

 

[Brian Boru]

Talos Principle is a good one for... what would you call it? Spatial logic?

I'd call it hair pulling.

starts out really easy but it doesn't stay that way.

For sure. I don't think I finished it, must revisit in that twilight zone known as sometime.

 

[Dakkon]

I head Factorio is like crack so I would suggest that