Best Nonlinear 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 nonlinear games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals nonlinear games are available at the bottom of the page.

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Scratches - Director's Cut Dark Legends surround the old abandoned Blackwood house, secluded far away in the northern wastelands. For writer Michael Arthate, this cold, solitary atmosphere is fodder for his restless imagination. But Michael soon becomes distracted by the mysteries offered up, as he follows a trail exploring and delving into the secrets of the past.

Price 342.51€
Rating 7.7
Release 20 Apr 2011

Most played nonlinear games on Steam

Take a look at the top nonlinear games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.

1. Mind Over Magic

Mind Over Magic is a colony sim set at the site of a cursed magic school. Build and optimize your own magical academy, train powerful Mages, and master mighty relics in order to battle through the Underschool, a mysterious underground dungeon that holds the key to liberation from a deadly curse. Mind Over Magic is a survival, colony sim and building game developed by Sparkypants and published by Klei Publishing. Released on February 12th 2025 has received 3,477 reviews of which 3,068 were positive and 409 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played nonlinear game, thanks to its 653 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.5
3,068
409

653
players

2. Another Crab's Treasure

In a vibrant undersea kingdom on the verge of collapse, a hermit crab embarks on a treasure hunt to buy back his repossessed shell. The second game from AGGRO CRAB. Another Crab's Treasure is a souls-like, 3d platformer and funny game developed and published by Aggro Crab. Released on April 25th 2024 has received 17,139 reviews of which 16,158 were positive and 981 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 188 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among nonlinear games based on player count.
9.2
16,158
981

188
players

3. Islands of Insight

Seek out and solve 10,000+ puzzles at your own pace across this sublime puzzle game. Islands of Insight is a puzzle-platformer, nonlinear and puzzle game developed by Lunarch Studios and published by Behaviour Interactive Inc.. Released on February 13th 2024 has received 3,007 reviews of which 2,149 were positive and 858 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
7.0
2,149
858

44
players

4. Dreamcore

Step into the surreal with Dreamcore, a body-cam styled psychological horror game that plunges you into the eerie beauty of "liminal spaces." Unravel the mysteries of Dreamcore’s non-linear worlds and uncover its hidden secrets. Can you discover what lies beyond the edge of reality? Dreamcore is a exploration, walking simulator and psychological horror game developed by Montraluz and published by Tlön Industries. Released on January 23rd 2025 has received 740 reviews of which 649 were positive and 91 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
8.3
649
91

36
players

5. The Bible

A digital recreation of The Bible in Kinetic Novel form! Read through and save passages in any order with an original soundtrack, or listen through the greatest story ever told in audiobook form. Featuring an extensive Trivia section to find out how well you really know the stories of Old and New. The Bible is a singleplayer, relaxing and nonlinear game developed and published by Bible Games. Released on November 14th 2022 has received 983 reviews of which 864 were positive and 119 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
8.3
864
119

19
players

6. Spirit Realm

English version not ready Spirit Realm is a early access, rpg and open world game developed and published by 深圳市灵境互娱科技有限公司. Released on June 21st 2024 has received 603 reviews of which 481 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
7.5
481
122

19
players

7. Taiji

Solve puzzle panels and uncover the meaning of the symbols within. Explore a dense world where secrets are hidden in plain sight. Taiji is a puzzle, nonlinear and difficult game developed and published by Matthew VanDevander. Released on September 09th 2022 has received 1,250 reviews of which 1,143 were positive and 107 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
8.7
1,143
107

7
players

8. Majotori

How many lives will your ignorance ruin? Majotori is a trivia, multiple endings and nonlinear game developed and published by Majorariatto. Released on March 28th 2017 has received 1,909 reviews of which 1,844 were positive and 65 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
9.2
1,844
65

4
players

9. Turbo Kid

A nostalgic metroidvania adventure with insane weapons, skills, and pixel gore. Ride your BMX and blast your enemies as you discover the secrets of the Wasteland. Turbo Kid is a gore, action and narration game developed and published by Outerminds Inc.. Released on April 09th 2024 has received 423 reviews of which 404 were positive and 19 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
8.8
404
19

3
players

10. The Mobius Machine

Discover a vast alien world. Fight the ferocious local fauna and killer machines. Reveal its secrets and find a way to escape. The Mobius Machine is a side-scroller action adventure, with an emphasis on free-form exploration and intense combat. The Mobius Machine is a metroidvania, exploration and side scroller game developed and published by Madruga Works. Released on March 01st 2024 has received 354 reviews of which 303 were positive and 51 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played nonlinear games.
8.0
303
51

2
players

Best deals on nonlinear games on Steam

Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of nonlinear games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted nonlinear games.

1. Taiji

Solve puzzle panels and uncover the meaning of the symbols within. Explore a dense world where secrets are hidden in plain sight. Taiji is a puzzle, nonlinear and difficult game developed and published by Matthew VanDevander. Released on September 09th 2022 has received 1,250 reviews of which 1,143 were positive and 107 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for nonlinear category.
8.7
1,143
107

-99% 24.50€ 0.47€

2. Another Crab's Treasure

In a vibrant undersea kingdom on the verge of collapse, a hermit crab embarks on a treasure hunt to buy back his repossessed shell. The second game from AGGRO CRAB. Another Crab's Treasure is a souls-like, 3d platformer and funny game developed and published by Aggro Crab. Released on April 25th 2024 has received 17,139 reviews of which 16,158 were positive and 981 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 80% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in nonlinear games.
9.2
16,158
981

-80% 29.99€ 6.11€

3. Turbo Kid

A nostalgic metroidvania adventure with insane weapons, skills, and pixel gore. Ride your BMX and blast your enemies as you discover the secrets of the Wasteland. Turbo Kid is a gore, action and narration game developed and published by Outerminds Inc.. Released on April 09th 2024 has received 423 reviews of which 404 were positive and 19 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 76% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in nonlinear games.
8.8
404
19

-76% 19.50€ 4.87€

4. Mind Over Magic

Mind Over Magic is a colony sim set at the site of a cursed magic school. Build and optimize your own magical academy, train powerful Mages, and master mighty relics in order to battle through the Underschool, a mysterious underground dungeon that holds the key to liberation from a deadly curse. Mind Over Magic is a survival, colony sim and building game developed by Sparkypants and published by Klei Publishing. Released on February 12th 2025 has received 3,477 reviews of which 3,068 were positive and 409 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a 25% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for nonlinear games.
8.5
3,068
409

-25% 22.99€ 17.24€

5. Spirit Realm

English version not ready Spirit Realm is a early access, rpg and open world game developed and published by 深圳市灵境互娱科技有限公司. Released on June 21st 2024 has received 603 reviews of which 481 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a 20% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for nonlinear games.
7.5
481
122

-20% 9.75€ 7.80€