experimental video games

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Experimental.

Games that defy the traditional approach to game design and offer unique, interesting and often strange experiences.

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Explore games tagged Experimental on itch.io. Games that defy the traditional approach to game design and offer unique, interesting and often strange experiences. · Upload your games to itch.io to have them show up here.

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Best Experimental Games on Steam

Steam currently has 1,425 Experimental games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score . Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Experimental game rankings were last updated on 11/16/2024 .

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

• Free experimental games on Steam
• Best experimental Steam Deck games
• Best experimental Linux games on Steam
• Best experimental Steam games for Mac OS
• Free Steam games
• Most played Steam games
• Best rated Steam games

1. Inscryption

Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...

Inscryption holds the #1 spot for "best Experimental game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96 . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 122,875 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 119,079 positive reviews and 3,796 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows , Mac , and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Inscryption on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

2. Wobbledogs

A 3D pet simulation where you raise your own personal hive of mutating dogs, physically simulated all the way down to their guts! Wobbledogs is a casual and chill sandbox for players of all ages who want to care for their very own virtual pets in a surprising, unique, and stress-free environment.

Wobbledogs has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #2 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,832 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,634 positive reviews and 198 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Wobbledogs on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

3. Juice Galaxy

Juice Galaxy is a happy place to fly around and smack things and drink juice. And explore things. And just, flip around doing stuff.

Juice Galaxy has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #3 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,442 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,355 positive reviews and 87 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows , Mac , and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Juice Galaxy on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

4. Gorogoa

Gorogoa is an elegant evolution of the puzzle genre, told through a beautifully hand-drawn story designed and illustrated by Jason Roberts. Winner of Debut Game at the 2018 BAFTA Games Awards, as well as Best Mobile Game and the Innovation Award at the GDC 2018 Choice Awards.

Gorogoa has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #4 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,797 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,399 positive reviews and 398 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

5. Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to)

A game about writing nice letters to real people. Write and receive encouraging letters in a cozy room. Trade stickers and listen to chill music. We're all in this together. Sometimes all you need are a few kind words.

Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #5 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,833 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,672 positive reviews and 161 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows , Mac , and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

6. Trombone Champ

Honk, blow, & toot your way through over 60 songs, collect all 50 unique Tromboner Cards, and uncover the mysteries of the Trombiverse. Do you have what it takes to become the true Trombone Champ?

Trombone Champ has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #6 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,275 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,087 positive reviews and 188 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Trombone Champ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

7. Virtual Cottage

Virtual Cottage gives you a comfy place to rest and be productive without any distractions. Open the game, set yourself a goal and enjoy the atmosphere.

Virtual Cottage has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #7 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,792 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,581 positive reviews and 211 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows , Mac , and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Virtual Cottage on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

8. Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk

A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.

Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #8 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 26,846 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 25,996 positive reviews and 850 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $1.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows , Mac , and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

9. Nodebuster

Nodebuster is a short, experimental incremental game about busting nodes and destroying reality.

Nodebuster has achieved a Player Score of 95 , placing it in the #9 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,744 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,608 positive reviews and 136 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Nodebuster on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

10. Magic Archery

Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic.

Magic Archery has achieved a Player Score of 94 , placing it in the #10 spot for the best Experimental games . Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,561 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,538 positive reviews and 23 negative reviews — making it " Overwhelmingly Positive " on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.

More Experimental Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Experimental games available on Steam.

Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.

• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 16). Steam Store . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 16). Inscryption on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, October 28). Wobbledogs on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 7). Juice Galaxy on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, October 17). Gorogoa on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, October 30). Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 4). Trombone Champ on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Virtual Cottage on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 16). Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 17). Nodebuster on Steam . Steam Store .
• Valve Corporation. (2024, November 14). Magic Archery on Steam . Steam Store .

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The Best Experimental Games

• Paradise Marsh
• The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king
• Manifold Garden
• My Dream is a Lost Memory
• What The Car?
• Depanneur Nocturne
• Release date: New first
• Review score: Best first
• IOS (iPhone / iPad)
• PS4 (Playstation 4)
• PS5 (Playstation 5)
• Xbox Series X
• Oculus Rift

Townscaper (2020)

Townscaper is a relaxing and creative town-builder game that lets you design your own picturesque floating towns with ease. With its colorful blocks and shapes that you can mix and match, you can create your dream villages whether you’re fidgeting or multitasking. The absence of missions or objectives allows you to immerse yourself fully in your creative flow and design your perfect idyllic town in no time. Get Townscaper for a soothing and creative gaming experience!

• Simple mechanics
• Stress-free
• Perfect for fidgeting
• Limited building tools and updates
• Lack of variety in buildings and structures
• Unsymmetrical grid pattern
• No greenery except in enclosed areas
• Building larger structures can be tedious
• city-building
• experimental
• family-friendly

Paradise Marsh (2022)

Stars have vanished from the sky and scattered around in a perfect wetland crawling with wildlife... Catch bugs and chat with delightful characters while wandering through peaceful scenery. But don't lose sight of the night sky, the constellations need help!

• walking-simulator
• exploration

Tandis (2022)

Tandis is a short puzzle game where you discover mind-bending geometric forms.

• illustration
• psychedelic
• development

The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king (2022)

Are you The Rightful King™ or just a filthy peasant? The sword is waiting for you to lift it, but it gets longer and heavier each time some else succeeds...

• instrumental
• atmospheric

Manifold Garden (2019)

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.

• philosophical
• multiple-endings
• first-person

My Dream is a Lost Memory (2022)

My dream is a Lost Memory is a short interactive story about having Déjà vu, realizing that this Déjà vu came to you because of a dream, and then wondering if that dream is actually a memory. It's a story about work, limitations and self-respect.

• visual-novel
• point-and-click
• interactive

Nauticrawl (2019)

A stolen, enigmatic machine is your only way out. It's likely to kill you, but so will the hostile planet you're escaping. Pull levers, hack devices, and puzzle out how to pilot the Nauticrawl to freedom in this unusual atmospheric adventure... or die trying.

• genre-defying

What The Car? (2024)

An absurdly silly adventure full of racing, laughs, and unexpected surprises. Roll, sprint, jump, fly and sneeze your way to victory on the racetrack and beyond!

• action-adventure

Depanneur Nocturne (2020)

A short exploration game about poking around a convenience store and finding a gift with the help of its owner. But sometimes the perfect gift finds you.

• conversation
• supernatural

Sunlight (2021)

Traverse a harmonious hand painted forest in this first person hike. ☀️The trees guide you with gentle whispers, as you explore a philosophical story.

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