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
Beholder 3
When a high-ranking security officer saves you from prison, you end up a pawn in her schemes. Now you must eliminate anyone standing in the way of her secret plans and try to get your life back while working two jobs. No tenant, employee or superior is safe from your spying.
Who's Lila?
A reverse-detective adventure, where you control your character's face
Tiny Combat Arena
Tiny Combat Arena is an approachable combat flight simulator sporting a stylized look and various game modes. Dogfight your way in the Arena and in Quick Action or craft your own scenarios and take part in a vast war with objectives and friendly armies to support.
PowerSlave Exhumed
PowerSlave Exhumed is a KEX Engine port of the classic console game perfectly blending both the PlayStation & Saturn versions
The Heilwald Loophole
The Heilwald Klinikum used to be one of the most renowned medical facilities in Germany. That all changed when that curious loophole appeared...
SCP: Nine-Tailed Fox
You are a leader of Foxtrot Unit 1 "Nine-Tailed Fox", a highly trained force tasked with re-containing a multitude of terrifying anomalous monsters that have broken loose inside of a top-secret research facility.
I'm on Observation Duty 4
A spot the difference -type of puzzle horror game about monitoring live surveillance camera footage and spotting anomalies. Anomalies range from furniture movement to intruders. Fix anomalies by filing reports. You will need sharp eyes and good memory. The goal is to survive the entire night.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
At the close of the Iraq War, Special Forces hunting for weapons of mass destruction unearth something far deadlier – a buried Sumerian temple containing a nest of unearthly creatures. To survive the night below, they must forge a brotherhood with their enemies from the world above.
Fractal Block World
This is a surreal exploration game. Explore a massive fractal with great complexities. You can shrink infinitely to go deeper into the fractal. Or you can become larger by growing. Inner space awaits you in this infinite world.
Eye of the Temple
Embark on a VR adventure to explore a vast and treacherous temple and uncover the ancient legend of the Eye. Keep your balance as you step between moving blocks, dodging hazardous traps and solving environmental puzzles with just your torch and whip in hand.
Book of Travels
Ready your pack, grab your walking stick and step into a world of mystery. Craft your character and immerse yourself in the enchanted lands of Braided Shore. Set your own goals and adventure alone or together with Travellers you meet on the road in this serene TMORPG.
Gamedec - Definitive Edition
Gamedec is a single-player cyberpunk isometric RPG. You are a game detective, who solves crimes inside virtual worlds. Use your wits to gather info from your witnesses and suspects, getting to the bottom of deceptive schemes. The game continually adapts to your decisions and never judges.
Serin Fate
Evil is afoot... Wielding your new Magic, bound into mysterious Monster-infested lands to uncover ancient relics and restore the Fate Stone. Along the way, explore the depths of every nook to find creatures, garner ingredients, train in Witchery, and craft new equipment.
Purrgatory
A slice-of-death visual novel about making friends, cracking cat puns, and waiting for eternity to pass.
Road 96 🛣️
Hitchhike your way to freedom in this crazy procedurally generated road trip. No one's road is the same!
Vomitoreum
Vomitoreum is an FPS Metroidvania with a focus on atmosphere and horror, inspired by the paintings of Zdzisław Beksiński.
Chernobylite Complete Edition
Chernobylite is a science-fiction survival horror RPG. Set in the hyper-realistic, 3D-scanned wasteland of Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone, explore a non-linear storyline in your search to uncover the truth of your tortured past.
HighFleet
Battle for survival in the skies of a mysterious future Earth in this unique action-strategy game mixing arcade combat, exploration, management and diplomacy. As giant flying ships wage spectacular aerial warfare, a prophecy tells of one who will save the world – could it be you?
Idol Manager
Idol Manager is a business sim about conquering the entertainment industry using any means you deem necessary.
Til Nord
Discover a sublime open world on your snowmobile! Drive among the frozen environment of Snøfall øyer to discover beautiful vistas, time trials and quests that permanently change the open world in Til Nord; a free snowmobile driving game for PC.
Legend of Mana
The HD Remaster of Legend of Mana is coming to Steam. Meet a colorful cast of characters, use the unique "Land Make" System to build the World Map, and square off against fearsome monsters in the vibrant world of Fa’Diel.
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 75% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in nonlinear games.
8.8
404
19
-75%
19.50€
4.89€
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€