Best Experimental Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,433 Experimental games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Experimental game rankings were last updated on 12/10/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free experimental games on Steam
- Best experimental Steam Deck games
- Best experimental Linux games on Steam
- Best experimental Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Inscryption
Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...
Inscryption holds the #1 spot for "best Experimental game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 124,304 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 120,470 positive reviews and 3,834 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Inscryption on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 10/19/2021 |
| Franchise | Daniel Mullins Games |
| Developer | Daniel Mullins Games |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 1092790 |
2. Tiny Glade
Tiny Glade is a small diorama builder where you doodle whimsical castles, cozy cottages & romantic ruins. Explore gridless building chemistry as the game adorns your glades with procedural detail. No management, combat or goals: just kick back and turn forgotten meadows into lovable dioramas.
Tiny Glade has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,871 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,555 positive reviews and 316 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Tiny Glade on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 9/23/2024 |
| Developer | Pounce Light |
| Publisher | Pounce Light |
| Steam App Id | 2198150 |
3. Wobbledogs
A 3D pet simulation where you raise your own personal hive of mutating dogs, physically simulated all the way down to their guts! Wobbledogs is a casual and chill sandbox for players of all ages who want to care for their very own virtual pets in a surprising, unique, and stress-free environment.
Wobbledogs has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,015 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,817 positive reviews and 198 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Wobbledogs on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 3/15/2022 |
| Franchise | Secret Mode |
| Developer | Animal Uprising |
| Publisher | Secret Mode |
| Steam App Id | 1424330 |
4. 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.
Juice Galaxy has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,924 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,828 positive reviews and 96 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Juice Galaxy on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to)
A game about writing nice letters to real people. Write and receive encouraging letters in a cozy room. Trade stickers and listen to chill music. We're all in this together. Sometimes all you need are a few kind words.
Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,869 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,709 positive reviews and 160 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 9/12/2019 |
| Developer | Popcannibal |
| Publisher | Popcannibal |
| Steam App Id | 1070710 |
6. 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.
Gorogoa has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 16,949 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,543 positive reviews and 406 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.94 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $4.94 |
| Release Date | 12/14/2017 |
| Developer | Buried Signal |
| Publisher | Annapurna Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 557600 |
7. Buckshot Roulette
Play Russian roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun. Four enter. One leaves. Roll the dice with your life. Good luck!
Buckshot Roulette has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 77,054 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 74,376 positive reviews and 2,678 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Buckshot Roulette on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $2.99 |
| Release Date | 4/4/2024 |
| Franchise | CRITICAL REFLEX |
| Developer | Mike Klubnika |
| Publisher | CRITICAL REFLEX |
| Steam App Id | 2835570 |
8. Trombone Champ
Honk, blow, & toot your way through over 60 songs, collect all 50 unique Tromboner Cards, and uncover the mysteries of the Trombiverse. Do you have what it takes to become the true Trombone Champ?
Trombone Champ has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,429 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,236 positive reviews and 193 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Trombone Champ on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 9/16/2022 |
| Franchise | Trombone Champ |
| Developer | Holy Wow Studios LLC |
| Publisher | Holy Wow Studios LLC |
| Steam App Id | 1059990 |
9. Nodebuster
Nodebuster is a short, experimental incremental game about busting nodes and destroying reality.
Nodebuster has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,117 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,962 positive reviews and 155 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Nodebuster on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
10. Virtual Cottage
Virtual Cottage gives you a comfy place to rest and be productive without any distractions. Open the game, set yourself a goal and enjoy the atmosphere.
Virtual Cottage has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,878 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,666 positive reviews and 212 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Virtual Cottage on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Experimental Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Experimental games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,561 | 10/19/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 678 | 9/23/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 97 | 3/15/2022 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 70 | 11/22/2023 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 12 | 9/12/2019 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 108 | 12/14/2017 | 95 | $4.94 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,724 | 4/4/2024 | 95 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 35 | 9/16/2022 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 137 | 8/13/2024 | 95 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 341 | 10/7/2020 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 175 | 10/4/2024 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 15 | 8/26/2020 | 95 | $0.74 | Steam Charts | |
 | 9 | 12/22/2022 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 6/9/2023 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 339 | 12/14/2023 | 93 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 70 | 8/26/2021 | 93 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 27 | 1/4/2016 | 93 | $0.74 | Steam Charts | |
 | 50 | 5/9/2024 | 92 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 49 | 1/29/2020 | 92 | $12.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 21 | 2/23/2024 | 92 | $4.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 10). Inscryption on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 14). Tiny Glade on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 14). Wobbledogs on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 9). Juice Galaxy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 30). Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Gorogoa on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 13). Buckshot Roulette on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 12). Trombone Champ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Nodebuster on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 9). Virtual Cottage on Steam. Steam Store.