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
6180 the moon
Simple space, dynamic jump. 6180 the moon offers a fresh, unseen game play style by connecting the top and bottom of the screen.
Color Symphony
Color Symphony is a game program utilizing the human recognition ability and visual senses, and various colors are used to play the game by changing colors to disrupt the cognition or to strengthen the cognition. The player can control the enemy, eliminate obstacles or build new roads with different colors.
The Novelist
The Novelist asks one central question: can you achieve your dreams without pushing away the people you love? The game focuses on Dan Kaplan, a novelist struggling to write the most important book of his career while trying to be the best husband and father he can be.
9.03m
The media is quick to put figures to death tolls in such disasters, and 9.03m tries to remind people of the individuals behind those figures. 9.03m is set on Baker Beach in San Francisco, where debris from the tsunami has washed ashore in the years following the tsunami. To play, you must find the butterflies.
Kentucky Route Zero: PC Edition
KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it.
Proteus
Proteus is a game about exploration and immersion in a dream-like island world where the soundtrack to your play is created by your surroundings. Played in first-person, the primary means of interaction is simply your presence in the world and how you observe it.
Half Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax Ultimate Boy
The world is at an end, and you have 30 seconds to save it!
Closure
In the dark and mysterious world of Closure, only what you see exists. Manipulate lights to phase objects in and out of reality in this multiple-award-winning puzzle game. Play as a strange spider-like demon who explores the stories of three human characters through beautiful, eerie environments such as a decrepit factory, a murky...
The Basement Collection
A collection of 9 award winning indie games from the creator of "Binding of isaac" and "Super Meat Boy"!
Thirty Flights of Loving
Explore the world of Thirty Flights of Loving through a first-person short story. Take a deep dive with high-flying schemers, lovelorn criminals, and more stray kittens than you can shake a stick at.
Before the Echo
Before the Echo combines elements of both rhythm and role-playing games to create an entirely unique experience.
Hammerfight
Hammerfight is about 2D battles of flying machines equipped with various slashing, piercing and blunt weaponry.A unique combat system is based on realistic physics simulation, and it ties the movements of the rider to the movements of your mouse. As you wave the mouse, your rider swings his warhammer, smashing the foe into the wall!
And Yet It Moves
And Yet It Moves is a puzzle-platformer, set in a unique world, made of ripped paper. Within the paper-collage you can jump, run and last but certainly not least: rotate the world. Learn how to apply the physical consequences of rotation to master the many tricky situations you may encounter.
Uplink
Uplink lets you play as a freelance hacker tackling risky contracts for corporations. Break into systems, steal data, sabotage rivals, and upgrade your gear. Support factions or go rogue in this immersive, strategy-driven hacking simulation game where your choices shape the outcome.Most 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 16th 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 currently holds the #1 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.2
1,177
36
81
players
2. 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 #2 spot among the most played experimental games.
7.7
543
124
59
players
3. 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 20,949 reviews of which 20,029 were positive and 920 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.3
20,029
920
43
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
27
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 29,285 reviews of which 28,325 were positive and 960 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
28,325
960
18
players
6. 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 2,872 reviews of which 2,761 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.2
2,761
111
15
players
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played experimental games.
7.2
2,845
1,009
9
players
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played experimental games.
8.5
657
66
5
players
9. 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. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played experimental games.
7
1,366
522
4
players
10. Cloud Gardens
A chill game about using plants to overgrow abandoned wasteland dioramas Cloud Gardens is a nature, sandbox and atmospheric game developed and published by Noio. Released on September 01st 2021 has received 2,210 reviews of which 2,098 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.1
2,098
112
3
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 16th 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 540 reviews of which 444 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
444
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 403 reviews of which 305 were positive and 98 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for experimental games.
7.2
305
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 20,949 reviews of which 20,029 were positive and 920 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
20,029
920
-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 421 reviews of which 292 were positive and 129 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
292
129
-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 29,285 reviews of which 28,325 were positive and 960 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
28,325
960
-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 16th 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
2
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
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