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
Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution
Play with evolution! Species: ALRE is a scientifically-grounded, emergent simulation of natural selection. Creatures evolve and speciate in response to in-game mutation and selection forces, allowing you to experience and tinker with evolution in real-time.
Wandersong
A musical platforming adventure with an emotional story. Play as a silly bard and use music to interact with everything on a journey around the world. Along the way you'll explore, solve puzzles, and meet a huge cast of characters!
Music Racer
Music Racer is a musical arcade game, where you get to race at full speed while dodging obstacles to the rhythm of the music.
OK/NORMAL
OK/NORMAL is a short, experimental third-person horror experience, inspired by early 3D console games of the 90's. Journey through a dark, disjointed, dreamlike dimension with your cloud companion! Remember a good diet, take your medicine, and you should be fine!
Golfing Over It with Alva Majo
The higher you climb, the bigger the fall.
Apocalipsis
Apocalipsis is a point-and-click adventure game, in the vain of Samorost and Machinarium, where all puzzles have a hidden meaning. With a unique artstyle inspired by 15th century engravings it tells a story about heartbreak, redemption and, quite literally, the end of the world.
Indecision.
A haiku platformer. It's short and vague.
Scavenger SV-4
Scavenger SV-4 is a highly replayable atmospheric first-person science fiction game. Part simulator, part roguelike, it has elements of action, combat, resource management, and a dash of horror. It is not quite like any game you have played before.
A Raven Monologue
A Raven Monologue is a short experimental silent story about a raven that does not know how to croak and his relationship with the people in the town.
Banyu Lintar Angin - Little Storm -
Banyu Lintar Angin is a series of experimental illustrations about three siblings, living together independently in a rural Indonesian environment.
Yume Nikki
This is a game in which you traverse the extremely dark world inside a dream.
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.
A Mortician's Tale
A Mortician's Tale is a short, story-driven game about a mortician tasked with running a funeral home.
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.
SORE
Mystical puzzle quest game in a gloomy minimalism style will tell you a story of a person who's got himself into a camera, and from which there is no way out it seems. Experimental gameplay diluted with a pinch of a philosophy, that's what SORE is.
Comedy Night
Tell jokes, sing songs, make friends or heckle. Comedy Night captures the fun experience of a real comedy club.
The Shrouded Isle
Includes the Sunken Sins free DLC! Your Excellency, in this short game, we prepare for the awakening of our Lord. He hungers for human sacrifice. Sinners try to hide their dark secrets, but all must be purged...
All You Can Eat
Meet a modern hero of our times, a man so lazy he decided to quit his job and just spend his life inside an All-you-can-eat diner. As years go by, his freeloading nature becomes legend, but then a tragedy occurs - the diner is about to close down! Will he settle down and get a regular job? Never!!!
Pixel Sketch
Become the best painter in the universe in this colorful online game!
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 June 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 1,266 reviews of which 1,229 were positive and 37 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
1,229
37
89
players
2. Nucleares
Nuclear Reactor Simulator: Take Control. Prevent Disaster. Power the World. Nucleares is a simulation, realistic and first-person game developed and published by Iván Marcelo Pretti. Released on March 13th 2023 has received 704 reviews of which 574 were positive and 130 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
574
130
38
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 21,028 reviews of which 20,101 were positive and 927 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
20,101
927
34
players
4. 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 29,935 reviews of which 28,937 were positive and 998 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.5
28,937
998
19
players
5. 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 2,955 reviews of which 2,841 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.2
2,841
114
15
players
6. 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 9,151 reviews of which 6,822 were positive and 2,329 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played experimental games.
7.3
6,822
2,329
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 3,869 reviews of which 2,856 were positive and 1,013 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
2,856
1,013
13
players
8. 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 2,214 reviews of which 2,104 were positive and 110 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played experimental games.
9.1
2,104
110
6
players
9. Disillusion
A mysterious muse calls upon you to investigate a Large tower in an oneiric land. Disillusion is a adventure, rpg and experimental game developed and published by Disillusion Dev. Released on August 30th 2021 has received 645 reviews of which 614 were positive and 31 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
614
31
6
players
10. 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 453 reviews of which 435 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played experimental games.
8.9
435
18
6
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 June 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 1,907 reviews of which 1,378 were positive and 529 were negative resulting in a rating of 7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 97% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for experimental category.
7
1,378
529
-97%
16.79€
0.57€
2. 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 837 reviews of which 540 were positive and 297 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in experimental games.
6.3
540
297
-96%
6.99€
0.33€
3. 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 409 reviews of which 309 were positive and 100 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in experimental games.
7.1
309
100
-94%
3.99€
0.24€
4. 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 619 reviews of which 457 were positive and 162 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for experimental games.
7.0
457
162
-94%
8.19€
0.56€
5. 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 386 reviews of which 271 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for experimental games.
6.7
271
115
-92%
5.99€
0.52€
6. 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. Thirty Flights of Loving is a first-person, experimental and walking simulator game developed and published by Blendo Games. Released on August 20th 2012 has received 1,826 reviews of which 1,152 were positive and 674 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for experimental games.
6.2
1,152
674
-90%
4.99€
0.50€
7. Indecision.
A haiku platformer. It's short and vague. Indecision. is a experience, experimental and surreal game developed and published by bilge. Released on February 08th 2018 has received 626 reviews of which 532 were positive and 94 were negative resulting in a rating of 8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for experimental games.
8
532
94
-86%
2.99€
0.44€
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 3,869 reviews of which 2,856 were positive and 1,013 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for experimental games.
7.2
2,856
1,013
-80%
29.99€
5.99€
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 453 reviews of which 435 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for experimental games.
8.9
435
18
-70%
9.75€
2.95€
10. 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 21,028 reviews of which 20,101 were positive and 927 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 66% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for experimental games.
9.3
20,101
927
-66%
5.99€
2.09€
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 June 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 8,614 reviews of which 7,817 were positive and 797 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
7,817
797
6
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 1,251 reviews of which 1,102 were positive and 149 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
1,102
149
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 679 reviews of which 657 were positive and 22 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
657
22
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 308 reviews of which 295 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
295
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 1,224 reviews of which 1,026 were positive and 198 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
1,026
198