Best Experimental Games on Steam

Steam currently has 1,427 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 11/18/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

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 123,059 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 119,262 positive reviews and 3,797 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.

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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 10,861 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,663 positive reviews and 198 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $6.79 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 $6.79
Release Date 3/15/2022
Franchise Secret Mode
Developer Animal Uprising
Publisher Secret Mode
Steam App Id 1424330

3. 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 banner

Juice Galaxy 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 6,507 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,419 positive reviews and 88 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 Juice Galaxy on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 11/22/2023
Developer Fishlicka
Publisher J4D3D LLC
Steam App Id 1708150

4. 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 banner

Gorogoa 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 16,803 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,404 positive reviews and 399 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

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) banner

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 8,832 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,671 positive reviews and 161 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. 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?

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Trombone Champ 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 9,280 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,091 positive reviews and 189 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

7. 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 banner

Virtual Cottage 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 9,807 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,595 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).

Release Date 10/7/2020
Franchise DU&I
Developer DU&I
Publisher DU&I
Steam App Id 1369320

8. Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk

A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.

Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk banner

Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk 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 26,874 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,024 positive reviews and 850 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $1.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $1.49
Release Date 8/26/2020
Developer Nikita Kryukov
Publisher Missing Calm
Steam App Id 1392820

9. Nodebuster

Nodebuster is a short, experimental incremental game about busting nodes and destroying reality.

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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 6,863 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,726 positive reviews and 137 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).

Steam Price $2.99
Release Date 8/13/2024
Developer Goblobin
Publisher Goblobin
Steam App Id 3107330

10. 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 banner

Magic Archery 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 2,733 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,708 positive reviews and 25 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
Developer BarribobDev
Publisher BarribobDev
Steam App Id 2905170

More Experimental Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Experimental games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Inscryption steam charts
1,186
10/19/2021
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Wobbledogs steam charts
84
3/15/2022
95
$6.79
Steam Charts
Juice Galaxy steam charts
40
11/22/2023
95
Free
Steam Charts
Gorogoa steam charts
7
12/14/2017
95
$14.99
Steam Charts
Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) steam charts
5
9/12/2019
95
$4.99
Steam Charts
Trombone Champ steam charts
18
9/15/2022
95
$14.99
Steam Charts
Virtual Cottage steam charts
337
10/7/2020
95
Free
Steam Charts
Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk steam charts
5
8/26/2020
95
$1.49
Steam Charts
Nodebuster steam charts
98
8/13/2024
95
$2.99
Steam Charts
Magic Archery steam charts
141
10/4/2024
95
Free
Steam Charts
BABBDI steam charts
10
12/22/2022
94
Free
Steam Charts
Tiny Glade steam charts
485
9/23/2024
94
$14.99
Steam Charts
South Scrimshaw, Part One steam charts
1
6/9/2023
93
Free
Steam Charts
Townscaper steam charts
27
8/26/2021
93
$5.99
Steam Charts
(the) Gnorp Apologue steam charts
193
12/14/2023
93
$6.99
Steam Charts
Buckshot Roulette steam charts
2,297
4/4/2024
93
$2.99
Steam Charts
Pony Island steam charts
20
1/4/2016
93
$4.99
Steam Charts
Coffee Talk steam charts
37
1/29/2020
92
$12.99
Steam Charts
Manifold Garden steam charts
14
10/20/2020
92
$19.99
Steam Charts
1000xRESIST steam charts
10
5/9/2024
92
$19.99
Steam Charts
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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, November 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Inscryption on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Wobbledogs on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Juice Galaxy on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 17). Gorogoa 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, November 4). Trombone Champ on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Virtual Cottage on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 16). Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 19). Nodebuster on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 14). Magic Archery on Steam. Steam Store.

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