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.

Filters & Lists
Backrooms Rec. Dive into the mysteries of the Backrooms with a solo-developed survival game. Explore eerie hallways, uncover secrets alone or in multiplayer (up to 6 players), and take on unique challenges.

Price 6.89€
Rating 6.8
Release 06 Mar 2024
Zoonomaly You must survive a monster infested zoo while searching for key shards that unlock the truth to its origin. Collect all the key shards by solving puzzles throughout the grounds and put a stop to the monster mayhem.

Price 5.89€
Rating 7.3
Release 06 Mar 2024
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.

Price 19.50€
Rating 8.0
Release 01 Mar 2024
Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders is an action-adventure RPG with base-building elements, where you take on the role of a classic hero who stands up to the tyranny and injustice that haunts Sherwood. Fight, craft, steal, and of course help the local people grow and prosper.

Price 28.99€
Rating 6.8
Release 29 Feb 2024
The Fancy Pants Adventures: Classic Pack The classic Flash game series, compiled as the ultimate Fancy Pants fan collection - with updated visuals, loads of bonus features, and brand new Back Pages bonus levels. Follow along in Early Access, as creator Brad Borne brings these games back to their former glory. Run Fast, Run Fancy!

Price 8.19€
Rating 8.4
Release 18 Feb 2024
Caribbean Legend An open-world RPG, set in the Golden Age of Caribbean piracy. Embark on a 200-hour-long adventure, plunder cities and ships, explore the unknown, discover treasures, forge friendships, earn bounties on your head, and charm the ladies on your path to ultimate freedom!

Price -50% 14.49€
Rating 7.5
Release 15 Feb 2024
Islands of Insight Seek out and solve 10,000+ puzzles at your own pace across this sublime puzzle game.

Price 29.99€
Rating 7.0
Release 13 Feb 2024
My Recycling Center Operate, configure and expand your own recycling center in this first-person simulator! Work fast and sort the trash. Use the compactors to destroy the bulky waste. Earn satisfaction and cash to buy new containers and unlock new trash types. Use the second hand shop to sell re-usable items.

Price 14.95€
Rating 6.7
Release 01 Feb 2024
Departed Away Discover 'Departed Away,' a captivating visual novel where friendship intertwines with mystery. Uncover secrets, engage in verbal duels, and make choices that shape your story. Delve into emotional depth and intricate connections in this unique story.

Price 4.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 29 Jan 2024
Ultimate Ragdoll Game Ultimate Ragdoll Game is a Sandbox game without any limits. Have fun with ragdolls available in Steam Workshop and build your very own constructions using wide variety of blocks.

Price 2.99€
Rating 7.6
Release 26 Jan 2024
Kitten Burst Kitten Burst is an Adventure/Racing Game about a Flying Cat set in the year 200X. Explore Sites on the Web, Race through Circuits, & Battle Bullet Hell Bosses to Save Cyberspace.

Price 20.99€
Rating 9.0
Release 20 Jan 2024
TEST TEST TEST Escape a time loop as an overworked office employee by solving cryptic puzzles with alternate reality game elements.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.6
Release 17 Jan 2024
Tunnet Build, debug and optimize a computer network in an underground facility.

Price 5.89€
Rating 8.9
Release 01 Dec 2023
Juice Galaxy Juice Galaxy is a happy place to fly around and smack things and drink juice. And explore things. And just, flip around doing stuff.

Price 4.99€
Rating 9.5
Release 22 Nov 2023
Anode Heart A semi-open world, monster tamer RPG, set in a digital, futuristic environment, with fast-paced combat, a card minigame and focus on exploration.

Price 17.49€
Rating 8.4
Release 17 Nov 2023
Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game Colony Ship is a turn-based, party-based role-playing game set aboard a generation ship launched to Proxima Centauri. The game features a detailed skill-based character system, multiple ways to handle quests, choices & consequences, and branching dialogue trees.

Price 37.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 09 Nov 2023
The Invincible Rethink human’s dominion in The Invincible: a story-driven adventure set in a hard sci-fi world by Stanisław Lem. Discover planet Regis III as scientist Yasna, use atompunk tools looking for a missing crew and face unforeseen threats. Make choices in a philosophical story that’s driven by science.

Price -98% 0.78€
Rating 8.6
Release 06 Nov 2023
Alien Hominid Invasion Old friends and bitter enemies await as you invade Earth alongside a Mothership full of alien friends! Blast, beam, and bite your way through an endless swarm of enemies as you and up to three of your fellow hominids cause mayhem with a huge arsenal of weapons, mutations, and acrobatic maneuvers.

Price 19.50€
Rating 8.5
Release 01 Nov 2023
Cavern of Dreams Embark on a magical quest as Fynn the dragon to rescue your unhatched siblings from the mysterious Cavern of Dreams in this N64-style 3D platformer. Gain new abilities, meet unique characters, solve puzzles, and beware of the mysterious villain.

Price -93% 1.00€
Rating 8.8
Release 19 Oct 2023
Corn Kidz 64 The unauthorized, kid-friendly version of the classic Stephen King thriller (or maybe not, maybe it's just a game about one-horned goatbabies)

Price 6.89€
Rating 8.9
Release 16 Oct 2023
Definitely Not Fried Chicken Definitely Not Fried Chicken is a business management sim with a Twist! Grow your drugs trade through legitimate fronts by managing both sides of the business. Acquire new "businesses", meet new clientele, Develop more potent narcotics, make lots of money and leave a city in ruin!

Price -78% 4.81€
Rating 7.2
Release 29 Sep 2023
Pumping Simulator 2 A gas station management game, start by selling a car to raise funds and invest in an abandoned plot of land. Build, expand, and upgrade your gas station, diversify services, customize and manage time efficiently during peak hours. And maybe you will become rich

Price 11.79€
Rating 8.7
Release 12 Sep 2023
Untitled Ghost Game Free multiplayer 2D ghost hunting game that you can play with friends created by a small game dev team.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.5
Release 12 Sep 2023
Myths of Rules This is a text-based adventure puzzle game, where you must struggle to survive in a world filled with ghosts and urban legends. While collecting clues, you'll uncover the truth behind the world and find the way out. The game features a wealth of levels, unconventional rules, and a touch of horror.

Price 2.99€
Rating 8.5
Release 30 Aug 2023

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€