Best Experimental games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated experimental games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free experimental games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
I Did Not Buy This Ticket
Weep for the dead! In this short psychological horror story, play as a professional mourner travelling between funerals. Ride a nightmarish bus whose destination depends on how you choose to face your traumas.
Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1
The most relaxing horror game you'll ever play. Anemoiapolis exists in the uncanny valley of American architecture -- endless carpeted floors and lonely malls. Escape for your life, and enjoy the scenery.
Warsim: The Realm of Aslona
Warsim is a deep, rich text based kingdom ruling sim unlike anything else, complete with charming ASCII graphics. Navigate the millions of different procedurally generated races, events and areas with a huge emphasis on player choice. Don't let its look fool you, there is depth in every direction.
14 Minesweeper Variants
Minesweeper but the rules are changing.
Title_Pending
Congratulations! You've been hired by an up and coming Game Development Studio to play-test their New Game (which as of now does not have a title). Not only that, you'll get to talk with the Lead Developer of the project, Matthew Stanton, who will give insight on his team's creative process.
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?
Occupy White Walls
A game about building art galleries may sound boring until you realise that just about anything can be an art gallery... Add in cutting edge AI, extremely creative community, Unreal graphics, and did we mention it's free?
SCP Strategy
Take control of the SCP Foundation. For the general good, find, contain, and protect SCP objects. Develop your foundation and protect it from hostile organizations, in the last resort destroy them and capture SCP objects held there.
Car Detailing Simulator
Car Detailing Simulator, you get a chance to renew any car and restore its splendor at the request of demanding customers! A nice and well-groomed vehicle can be the pride of every human being! Clean, polish and marvel at your creations in this highly realistic game where every little detail counts!
The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king
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...
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.
Hyperbolica
Hyperbolica is a whimsical Non-Euclidean adventure with mind-bending worlds full of games, puzzles, mazes, and secrets! Immerse yourself in reality-warping geometries where lines can never be parallel, horizons are curved, and space grows exponentially.
My life as an archeologist
Click your way through 100 levels of archeological treasure hunting, loot and improve your equipment, uncover build-defining artefacts on every boss, choose between three different classes and find the one that best fits your playstyle! Research monsters cards and improve every run!
Animaze by FaceRig
Livestream, chat, or create videos as world-class 2D and 3D avatars. Use one of the over 60 avatars provided or import your own 2D, 3D, VRM, or Ready Player Me model. Animaze is powering PuffPuff, one of the top real-time mocap virtual beings on TikTok with 4.7 million followers.
Moncage
Moncage is a unique puzzle adventure game where you explore a fascinating world trapped inside a mysterious cube. With each face displaying a unique scene, you’ll have to leverage the illusions and discover the hidden links to solve the puzzle.
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...
Midnight Protocol
Midnight Protocol is a tactical narrative-driven RPG with unique keyboard-only controls. Hack into servers, beat security systems and discover encrypted secrets while you try to find answers to why and how you got doxxed.
Cloud Gardens
A chill game about using plants to overgrow abandoned wasteland dioramas
Disillusion
A mysterious muse calls upon you to investigate a Large tower in an oneiric land.
Townscaper
Instant town building toyMost played experimental games on Steam
Take a look at the top experimental games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. 14 Minesweeper Variants
Minesweeper but the rules are changing. 14 Minesweeper Variants is a puzzle, logic and minimalist game developed by Alith Games and Artless Games and published by Artless Games. Released on November 14th 2022 has received 1,213 reviews of which 1,177 were positive and 36 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played experimental game, thanks to its 246 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.2
1,177
36
246
players
2. Townscaper
Instant town building toy Townscaper is a experimental, building and relaxing game developed by Oskar Stålberg and published by Raw Fury. Released on August 26th 2021 has received 20,919 reviews of which 19,998 were positive and 921 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.3
19,998
921
99
players
3. Nucleares
Nuclear Reactor Simulator: Take Control. Prevent Disaster. Power the World. Nucleares is a simulation, realistic and experimental game developed and published by Iván Marcelo Pretti. Released on March 13th 2023 has received 667 reviews of which 543 were positive and 124 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played experimental games.
7.7
543
124
51
players
4. Comedy Night
Tell jokes, sing songs, make friends or heckle. Comedy Night captures the fun experience of a real comedy club. Comedy Night is a casual, comedy and experimental game developed and published by Lighthouse Games Studio. Released on August 24th 2017 has received 9,125 reviews of which 6,817 were positive and 2,308 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played experimental games.
7.3
6,817
2,308
31
players
5. 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 is a visual novel, psychological horror and horror game developed by Nikita Kryukov and published by Missing Calm. Released on August 26th 2020 has received 29,174 reviews of which 28,218 were positive and 956 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.5
28,218
956
19
players
6. Understand
Understand is an experimental puzzle game about guessing rules. In each level, you have to figure out the rules through trial and error, then draw a line satisfying all rules. Understand is a abstract, minimalist and logic game developed and published by Artless Games. Released on October 30th 2020 has received 723 reviews of which 657 were positive and 66 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played experimental games.
8.5
657
66
19
players
7. Progressbar95
Progressbar95 is a unique indie game with a strong nostalgic vibe. It turns vintage GUI elements like panels, buttons and icons into game elements! Simple and addictive gameplay based on dozens of mini-games and puzzles. The game will make you smile! Progressbar95 is a casual, arcade and experimental game developed by Igor Uduslivii and published by Spooky House Studios UG haftungsbeschraenkt. Released on September 08th 2020 has received 2,861 reviews of which 2,751 were positive and 110 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.2
2,751
110
16
players
8. Heliborne Collection
Rotary-wing aviation and helicopter combat with a dynamic battlefield and the support of ground forces. Appreciated for MMO elements and an addictive gameplay loop. Use tactics and make strategic decisions or fly around and shoot in historically accurate maps. Heliborne Collection is a military, flight and multiplayer game developed and published by Klabater. Released on October 12th 2017 has received 3,854 reviews of which 2,845 were positive and 1,009 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played experimental games.
7.2
2,845
1,009
8
players
9. HyperRogue
A truly non-Euclidean tactical puzzle/roguelike! HyperRogue is a traditional roguelike, psychedelic and turn-based tactics game developed and published by Zeno Rogue. Released on January 16th 2015 has received 450 reviews of which 433 were positive and 17 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played experimental games.
8.9
433
17
7
players
10. The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king
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... The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king is a free to play, indie and short game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2022 has received 8,544 reviews of which 7,761 were positive and 783 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played experimental games.
8.8
7,761
783
7
players
Best deals on experimental games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of experimental games available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted experimental games.
1. Radio Commander
Use the radio to give commands to the soldiers on the battlefield. Keep track of the situation based on their voice reports only. Lead US platoons to clash with Vietcong in a realistic, innovative approach to the RTS genre. Make hard choices in a narrative driven experience, and face the outcome. Radio Commander is a simulation, singleplayer and wargame game developed by Serious Sim and published by Games Operators and PlayWay S.A.. Released on October 10th 2019 has received 1,888 reviews of which 1,366 were positive and 522 were negative resulting in a rating of 7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 92% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for experimental category.
7
1,366
522
-92%
17.50€
1.40€
2. SCP Strategy
Take control of the SCP Foundation. For the general good, find, contain, and protect SCP objects. Develop your foundation and protect it from hostile organizations, in the last resort destroy them and capture SCP objects held there. SCP Strategy is a strategy, simulation and management game developed by LUXO Interactive and published by LUK KUS SOFT. Released on May 05th 2022 has received 542 reviews of which 446 were positive and 96 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 89% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in experimental games.
7.7
446
96
-89%
6.89€
0.75€
3. Californium
Taking the form of a first-person experience of a bad trip, Californium pays homage to sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick by transporting you into the life of a writer searching for his own identity. Explore, solve the riddles and conduct your investigation. Will you find what’s behind the simulacra ? Californium is a psychedelic, sci-fi and experimental game developed by Darjeeling, Nova Production and ARTE France and published by ARTE France. Released on February 17th 2016 has received 383 reviews of which 269 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 87% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in experimental games.
6.7
269
114
-87%
5.99€
0.77€
4. The Franz Kafka Videogame
An original puzzle/adventure game inspired by the writings of Franz Kafka. The Franz Kafka Videogame is a adventure, surreal and indie game developed by Denis Galanin (mif2000) and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 06th 2017 has received 831 reviews of which 538 were positive and 293 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for experimental games.
6.3
538
293
-85%
6.99€
1.04€
5. BE-A Walker
Take control of a huge mech on an alien planet! Shoot and trample the natives, avenge your brother, or forgive his killers? Join the rebels to restore peace on the exotic planet of Eldorado. BE-A Walker is a shoot 'em up, difficult and experimental game developed by Tequilabyte Studio and published by Games Operators and PlayWay S.A.. Released on May 07th 2020 has received 607 reviews of which 448 were positive and 159 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 77% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for experimental games.
7.0
448
159
-77%
8.09€
1.86€
6. Sunlight
Traverse a harmonious hand painted forest in this first person hike. ☀️The trees guide you with gentle whispers, as you explore a philosophical story. Sunlight is a adventure, experimental and walking simulator game developed and published by Krillbite Studio. Released on January 14th 2021 has received 401 reviews of which 303 were positive and 98 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for experimental games.
7.1
303
98
-75%
4.00€
1.00€
7. Townscaper
Instant town building toy Townscaper is a experimental, building and relaxing game developed by Oskar Stålberg and published by Raw Fury. Released on August 26th 2021 has received 20,919 reviews of which 19,998 were positive and 921 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for experimental games.
9.3
19,998
921
-70%
5.90€
1.77€
8. Schastye
A miniature frozen between the atmosphere of a small room and Castaneda with Lovecraft. The story of radical spiritual practices in the search for truth among panels and stacks. Schastye is a experimental, adventure and visual novel game developed by Garage Heathen and published by Missing Calm. Released on August 27th 2020 has received 418 reviews of which 290 were positive and 128 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 51% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for experimental games.
6.6
290
128
-51%
0.99€
0.49€
9. 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 is a visual novel, psychological horror and horror game developed by Nikita Kryukov and published by Missing Calm. Released on August 26th 2020 has received 29,174 reviews of which 28,218 were positive and 956 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a 50% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for experimental games.
9.5
28,218
956
-50%
1.49€
0.74€
Free experimental games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play experimental games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play experimental games.
1. The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king
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... The one who pulls out the sword will be crowned king is a free to play, indie and short game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2022 has received 8,544 reviews of which 7,761 were positive and 783 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free experimental games on Steam.
8.8
7,761
783
7
players
2. Port of Call
Imagine waking up on a small dock with no recollection of who you are or how you got there. The first person you find is a grumpy, old man who enlists you to work on his ferry boat which seems to have materialized behind you. Port of Call is a indie, adventure and free to play game developed and published by Underdog Games. Released on August 28th 2015 has received 1,245 reviews of which 1,099 were positive and 146 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free experimental games on Steam.
8.4
1,099
146
2
players
3. MetaWare High School (Demo)
How do you see the world when nothing is real? An experimental metafictional visual novel. MetaWare High School (Demo) is a visual novel, philosophical and experimental game developed and published by Not Fun Games. Released on April 02nd 2020 has received 676 reviews of which 655 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free experimental games on Steam.
9.0
655
21
1
players
4. Interstate Drifter 1999
Drift between the states, collect bits, beat rivals and get a high score. Interstate Drifter 1999 is a racing, experimental and arcade game developed and published by Ultimo Games. Released on September 16th 2020 has received 306 reviews of which 293 were positive and 13 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free experimental games on Steam.
8.8
293
13
5. The Flood
The Flood is a peaceful 5 minute narrative experience in which you pilot a little boat down a river. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes we should stop worrying about our destination and just enjoy the journey. The Flood is a free to play, indie and relaxing game developed and published by Ondrej Angelovic. Released on March 30th 2018 has received 1,220 reviews of which 1,023 were positive and 197 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free experimental games on Steam.
8.0
1,023
197