Hmm. Am I the only one who sees a difference between adventure games and puzzle games? To me, a puzzle game is one where that features a series of what are, essentially, mini-games with only a casual attempt to disguise them as part of the game’s general narrative. An adventure game has “puzzles” that involve figuring out ways to manipulate a (more-or-less) realistic enviroment.
In other words, a game that locks you in a room and makes you figure out how to escape by using a thimble and a piece of string to unlock the door is an adventure game. A game that locks you in a room and makes you figure out how to escape by playing Tic-Tac-Toe is a puzzle game.
Miller: I see what you mean. You’re probably right, but then I don’t know any suggestions Are there any other spooky puzzle games other than the 7th guest? (I hated the “knight puzzle”, by the way).
Also, the OP asked for games where you don’t “shoot and blow things up” which would probably give us enough leeway to extend the definitions to adventure-type games.
Darkhold: Ah, now I feel vindicated not bothering with Phantasmagoria again after it crashed.
Not sure if this fits what the OP is looking for… I’m a big fan of those online ‘escape the room’-type puzzle games. I find the Japanese ones generally well-made, in terms of graphics and atmosphere. The Privacy is one of my faves.