Best Experimental Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,459 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 2/19/2025.
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 127,786 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 123,850 positive reviews and 3,936 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. 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 #2 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,547 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,337 positive reviews and 210 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 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 | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 3/15/2022 |
| Franchise | Secret Mode |
| Developer | Animal Uprising |
| Publisher | Secret Mode |
| Steam App Id | 1424330 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,304 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,897 positive reviews and 407 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 |
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 7,618 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,501 positive reviews and 117 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. Magic Archery
Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic.
Magic Archery 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 4,821 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,768 positive reviews and 53 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 10/4/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2905170 |
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 17,370 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,951 positive reviews and 419 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. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 12/14/2017 |
| Developer | Buried Signal |
| Publisher | Annapurna Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 557600 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Experimental games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,913 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,750 positive reviews and 163 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 |
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 9,619 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,420 positive reviews and 199 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 | 9/15/2022 |
| 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 9,892 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,682 positive reviews and 210 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 10,078 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,859 positive reviews and 219 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 757 | 10/19/2021 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 149 | 3/15/2022 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 283 | 9/23/2024 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 10 | 11/22/2023 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 105 | 10/4/2024 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 23 | 12/14/2017 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 5 | 9/12/2019 | 95 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 29 | 9/15/2022 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 80 | 8/13/2024 | 95 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 287 | 10/7/2020 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,178 | 4/4/2024 | 95 | $2.39 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3 | 8/26/2020 | 95 | $1.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 5 | 12/22/2022 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/9/2023 | 94 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 440 | 12/14/2023 | 93 | $4.19 | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 8/26/2021 | 93 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 54 | 5/9/2024 | 93 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 17 | 1/4/2016 | 93 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 17 | 1/29/2020 | 92 | $12.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 36 | 10/20/2020 | 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. (2025, February 19). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). Inscryption on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 5). Wobbledogs on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). Tiny Glade on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 15). Juice Galaxy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 8). Magic Archery on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). Gorogoa on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 16). Trombone Champ on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 18). Nodebuster on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 16). Virtual Cottage on Steam. Steam Store.