Best Minimalist 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 minimalist games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free minimalist games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Idle Fishing
Relax and catch fish in a beautiful environment. Hire skilled crewmates, invest in lucrative buildings, unlock many boats & upgrades. Dive into the challenge of the fishing mini-game for an interactive experience unlike any other!
Magic Research 2
Welcome to Magic Research 2, an incremental RPG from the creator of Magic Research. Learn countless spells, face powerful foes, and command a team of Wizards who can cast spells for you as you journey to find or create the Philosopher's Stone.
A Tower Full of Cats
A Tower Full of Cats is a hidden object game where you need to gather cats through the whole history of catkind... and beyond!
Coffee Caravan
Fuel your coffee passion in Coffee Caravan! As a cafe manager, brew, experiment with delicious recipes, and build your dream coffee business on wheels. Serve customers, unlock new flavors, purchase appliances, and enjoy your procedurally generated road trip in this roguelite experience.
100 Istanbul Cats
🐾 Join the cutest adventure in the Istanbul 🕌, Türkiye full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of Istanbul themed locations as you embark on a quest to find 100 adorable cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️♂️🐈✅
Aliya: Timelink
The player connects to a girl in distress in space thousands of years later? How will they resolve the crisis and discover the truth? Through the mechanism of real-time synchronization, the game breaks through the dimensional wall and creates an immersive dialogue across time and space.
Cats Hidden in China
Find 100 cats hiding in China in this cute hand-drawn hidden object game
Where Dragon Spirits 龙魂在哪里
The Dragon Spirits series crossover search game will keep your eyes busy. Find all the hiding Dragon Spirits. Well hand-drawn scenes filled with adorable dragons. Short gameplay that won't take up too much of the player's time. Very easy to grab all achievements.
Press Any Key
Just press any key.
Infection Free Zone
Choose any real region from the world. Choose your base of operations, then rebuild and readapt the buildings around you to create a self-sustaining settlement. Take charge of a group of survivors from your city. And when the night falls - Defend the zone from the infected!
Dice Kingdoms
Compete against friends in games filled with unpredictable twists and turns. Roll the dice to gather resources and test your adaptability. Lead your kingdom to success through military power, religious knowledge, or architectural ingenuity.
Minishoot' Adventures
Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends!
100 Funny Cats
🤡🎪🐾100 Funny Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the funny themed locations full of cats! 🤣🎈🐈 Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the Circus and Cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️♂️🐈✅
Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles
Bulwark: Evolution mixes elements of a chill builder with grand strategy and exploration elements. It's a genre bending experimental game that can be both a peaceful building experience or a total conquest with airships, warbirds and fortresses. It's up to the player to decide.
Lost:Antinomy
With just a swipe to the left or right, you can make all kinds of decisions. So, please embark on your own unique adventure tale through the continent of Astra!
FROM ASHES, BLOOM
A minimalist rogue-like tower defense where you protect Earth against humanity.
New Star GP
New Star GP is a fast and exciting arcade motorsport game with crisp retro visuals. Play career mode and work your way through decades of racing while upgrading your car and your support team... or chase high scores in championship mode on your own or in split-screen with up to three friends!
100 March Cats
🌸🌹🐾100 March Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the lovely themed 🌷🌸🐈 locations full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the women day places and Cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️♂️🐈✅
Winter Cats
❄️ Hidden Winter Cats - Find and paint 100 hidden cats in this big snowy location! Test your attention and relax in this cozy and free game 😺
100 Robo Cats
🤖🦾🐾100 Robo Cats - Join the cutest adventure in the Robot-themed 🔩🦿 locations full of cats! Explore the charming hand-drawn artwork of the Robo places and Cats as you embark on a quest to find 100 adorable cats hidden throughout the game. 🕵️♂️❌ Can you find them all? 🕵️♂️🐈✅Most played minimalist games on Steam
Take a look at the top minimalist games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Kingdom Two Crowns
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world. Kingdom Two Crowns is a tower defense, minimalist and city builder game developed by Stumpy🐙Squid, Fury Studios and Coatsink and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 11th 2018 has received 7,063 reviews of which 6,244 were positive and 819 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played minimalist game, thanks to its 625 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.6
6,244
819
625
players
2. Thronefall
A minimalist game about building and defending your little kingdom. Thronefall is a tower defense, strategy and city builder game developed and published by GrizzlyGames. Released on October 11th 2024 has received 20,200 reviews of which 19,525 were positive and 675 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 315 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among minimalist games based on player count.
9.4
19,525
675
315
players
3. Hexcells Infinite
Hexcells Infinite is an ambient logic puzzle game for PC, Mac and Linux. Hexcells Infinite is a puzzle, casual and indie game developed and published by Matthew Brown. Released on September 01st 2014 has received 4,411 reviews of which 4,284 were positive and 127 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 192 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among minimalist games based on player count.
9.3
4,284
127
192
players
4. Incremental Adventures
Lead your heroes in their neverending adventures! A minimalistic Idle game where combat is fully automated. It's up to you to make the most of that automation to reach extremely high numbers! Incremental Adventures is a idler, automation and text-based game developed and published by Gniller. Released on August 11th 2020 has received 774 reviews of which 605 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. With 109 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played minimalist games.
7.4
605
169
109
players
5. Mini Metro
Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. As new stations open, redraw your lines to keep them efficient. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving? Mini Metro is a strategy, puzzle and minimalist game developed and published by Dinosaur Polo Club. Released on November 06th 2015 has received 15,586 reviews of which 14,985 were positive and 601 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 102 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played minimalist games.
9.4
14,985
601
102
players
6. Patrick's Parabox
A mind-bending recursive puzzle game about boxes within boxes within boxes within boxes. Learn to use infinity to your advantage as you explore a deep and elegant system. Patrick's Parabox is a sokoban, puzzle and logic game developed and published by Patrick Traynor. Released on March 29th 2022 has received 4,234 reviews of which 4,202 were positive and 32 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played minimalist games.
9.5
4,202
32
98
players
7. 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 1,226 reviews of which 1,190 were positive and 36 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played minimalist games.
9.2
1,190
36
85
players
8. Kingdom: New Lands
Kingdom: New Lands builds upon the award-winning gameplay and mystery of Kingdom by introducing an abundance of new content to the IGF-nominated title while maintaining the simplicity and depth that legions of monarchs have come to experience and enjoy. Kingdom: New Lands is a tower defense, survival and base-building game developed by Noio and published by Raw Fury. Released on August 09th 2016 has received 11,694 reviews of which 10,055 were positive and 1,639 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played minimalist games.
8.4
10,055
1,639
57
players
9. Rift Wizard 2
Rift Wizard 2 is a tough as nails traditional roguelike wizard simulator. You play as an immortal amnesiac wizard who must journey through the cosmos to defeat his nemesis. Each run, you'll build a unique repertoire of spells, passive skills, and magical artifacts. Rift Wizard 2 is a traditional roguelike, magic and procedural generation game developed and published by Dylan White. Released on January 31st 2025 has received 507 reviews of which 462 were positive and 45 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played minimalist games.
8.5
462
45
48
players
10. SKALD: Against the Black Priory
SKALD:Against the Black Priory is a retro-style party-based RPG set in a grim-dark fantasy world of tragic heroes, violent deaths and Lovecraftian horror. Take a chance and roll the dice as you embark on a compelling story filled with deadly creatures, branching story and tactical, turn-based combat SKALD: Against the Black Priory is a strategy, singleplayer and minimalist game developed by High North Studios AS and published by Raw Fury. Released on May 30th 2024 has received 2,880 reviews of which 2,715 were positive and 165 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played minimalist games.
9.0
2,715
165
37
players
Best deals on minimalist games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of minimalist games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted minimalist games.
1. ABRISS - build to destroy
ABRISS is an atmospheric physics-destruction building game.Build structures from parts to let them crash into your targets. Unlock new parts, destroy more, witness entropy at its worst in digital-brutalist cityscapes. Build to destroy. ABRISS - build to destroy is a minimalist, logic and puzzle game developed by Randwerk and published by astragon Entertainment. Released on September 05th 2023 has received 492 reviews of which 420 were positive and 72 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 89% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for minimalist category.
8.0
420
72
-89%
14.73€
1.62€
2. THOTH
THOTH is a challenging twin-stick shooter you can conquer alone or cooperatively with a friend. Each stage is handcrafted to test coordination and puzzle-solving skills. Colorful minimalist graphics combine with an intense unnerving soundtrack, making for an exciting mix of art and arcade. THOTH is a action, indie and twin stick shooter game developed by Carlsen Games and published by Double Fine Presents. Released on October 07th 2016 has received 500 reviews of which 418 were positive and 82 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 80% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in minimalist games.
7.8
418
82
-80%
5.00€
1.00€
3. Quell
An enchanting game of logic and relaxation. Quell is a indie, puzzle and casual game developed by Fallen Tree Games Ltd and published by Green Man Gaming Publishing. Released on May 14th 2015 has received 435 reviews of which 423 were positive and 12 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 78% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in minimalist games.
9.0
423
12
-78%
3.99€
0.87€
4. Kingdom Two Crowns
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world. Kingdom Two Crowns is a tower defense, minimalist and city builder game developed by Stumpy🐙Squid, Fury Studios and Coatsink and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 11th 2018 has received 7,063 reviews of which 6,244 were positive and 819 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 74% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
8.6
6,244
819
-74%
20.23€
5.26€
5. Burly Men at Sea
A branching folktale misadventure about a trio of large, bearded fishermen. Shape a custom tale that begins again where it ends, through waters where lurk creatures from Scandinavian folklore. Burly Men at Sea is a adventure, casual and indie game developed and published by Brain&Brain. Released on September 29th 2016 has received 483 reviews of which 304 were positive and 179 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 68% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
6.1
304
179
-68%
9.63€
3.08€
6. OVIVO
OVIVO is a minimalistic platformer with unusual mechanics where everything is as simple as black and white. The journey in this metaphoric world is filled with illusions and hidden messages. OVIVO is a platformer, minimalist and difficult game developed and published by IzHard. Released on May 12th 2017 has received 460 reviews of which 414 were positive and 46 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 60% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
8.4
414
46
-60%
9.75€
3.90€
7. Mini Settlers
Mini Settlers is a minimalistic city builder! Settle islands, construct cities, and design efficient logistic networks to fulfill your buildings' needs and fuel population growth to adventure into new worlds. Mini Settlers is a early access, base-building and automation game developed by Knight Owl Games and published by Goblinz Publishing and IndieArk. Released on August 08th 2024 has received 356 reviews of which 331 were positive and 25 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a 49% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
8.6
331
25
-49%
12.86€
6.56€
8. The Ramp
A digital toy for skateboard loving people. Pure flow, no extra fluff. The Ramp is a skateboarding, sports and skating game developed by Paul Schnepf and published by hyperparadise. Released on August 03rd 2021 has received 1,482 reviews of which 1,371 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a 47% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
8.8
1,371
111
-47%
5.02€
2.66€
9. Mini Metro
Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. As new stations open, redraw your lines to keep them efficient. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving? Mini Metro is a strategy, puzzle and minimalist game developed and published by Dinosaur Polo Club. Released on November 06th 2015 has received 15,586 reviews of which 14,985 were positive and 601 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a 41% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
9.4
14,985
601
-41%
8.14€
4.80€
10. Rift Wizard 2
Rift Wizard 2 is a tough as nails traditional roguelike wizard simulator. You play as an immortal amnesiac wizard who must journey through the cosmos to defeat his nemesis. Each run, you'll build a unique repertoire of spells, passive skills, and magical artifacts. Rift Wizard 2 is a traditional roguelike, magic and procedural generation game developed and published by Dylan White. Released on January 31st 2025 has received 507 reviews of which 462 were positive and 45 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a 40% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for minimalist games.
8.5
462
45
-40%
19.50€
11.70€
Free minimalist games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play minimalist games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play minimalist games.
1. Incremental Adventures
Lead your heroes in their neverending adventures! A minimalistic Idle game where combat is fully automated. It's up to you to make the most of that automation to reach extremely high numbers! Incremental Adventures is a idler, automation and text-based game developed and published by Gniller. Released on August 11th 2020 has received 774 reviews of which 605 were positive and 169 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. With 109 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free minimalist games on Steam.
7.4
605
169
109
players
2. Hamster
Hamster is an idle clicker Game in which you click a Hamster to make him shiver. Each click has a random chance to make him shake a little more, or a little less. Can you make him go crazy? Hamster is a casual, clicker and idler game developed and published by Hamster Games. Released on June 28th 2024 has received 392 reviews of which 299 were positive and 93 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
7.2
299
93
6
players
3. RYB
RYB is a logic puzzle game that plays like a combination of sudoku and minesweeper. RYB is a indie, puzzle and free to play game developed and published by FLEB. Released on November 17th 2016 has received 420 reviews of which 380 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
8.4
380
40
2
players
4. Slider
Slide chunks of the world to solve puzzles and help others. Control an ever-growing set of tiles and mechanics. Explore nine unique areas, unravel the mysteries of the universe, and reconnect the world -- one slider at a time. Slider is a puzzle, adventure and logic game developed and published by boomo. Released on July 24th 2024 has received 326 reviews of which 317 were positive and 9 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
8.9
317
9
1
players
5. Word Game: Episode 0
Word game is literally a game of words. Player controls "I" to find clues between lines, delete words to change the meaning of sentences, or shift words to rewrite facts. “I” must be wise and brave enough complete the mission of words. May the best "I” win! Word Game: Episode 0 is a minimalist, indie and pixel graphics game developed and published by Team9. Released on January 14th 2021 has received 4,532 reviews of which 4,476 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
9.5
4,476
56
6. Micro Platformer
A minimalistic platformer with a 1x1 tileset. No enemies, no bullets, no lasers. Just sheer platforming. Micro Platformer is a precision platformer, difficult and minimalist game developed and published by Daveyyy. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 1,702 reviews of which 1,647 were positive and 55 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
9.2
1,647
55
7. Press Any Key
Just press any key. Press Any Key is a free to play, casual and clicker game developed and published by LostVolBytes. Released on April 17th 2024 has received 346 reviews of which 334 were positive and 12 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
8.9
334
12
8. Space Between Worlds
Did you ever pay attention to the importance of space? Space Between Worlds is a short puzzle game that expresses the concept of proximity and lets the player interpret the context and arc of the story. Space Between Worlds is a free to play, casual and indie game developed by 4H StudioLab and published by 4H StudioLab and GrabTheGames. Released on July 30th 2018 has received 474 reviews of which 452 were positive and 22 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
8.8
452
22
9. Home Wind
Home Wind is a minimalist, relaxing and cozy city builder about creating large settlements based on proximity tactics. All for free! Home Wind is a city builder, minimalist and strategy game developed and published by Adi Zhavo. Released on March 10th 2022 has received 806 reviews of which 728 were positive and 78 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
8.5
728
78
10. 5050
Each time you press the button, it will either double or lose all the points you’ve put in. How much will you risk? 5050 is a arcade, gambling and casual game developed by and published by Follow The Fun. Released on August 20th 2023 has received 323 reviews of which 283 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free minimalist games on Steam.
8.1
283
40