Artful / Thoughtful / Experimental / Unique Games
Artsy stuff I've played. I'll start adding a short description note to each game explaining why I included them.
Disclaimer: Not all of these are successful at what they're aiming, but they at least tried to stand out or be somewhat meaningful or compelling.
Disclaimer: Not all of these are successful at what they're aiming, but they at least tried to stand out or be somewhat meaningful or compelling.
142 Games
Text-heavy with experimental game design and mechanics. Challenges your beliefs and moral compass. Features various themes from addiction, hope, loneliness, acceptance of loss, morality, etc.
Same as Silent Hill 1; cinematic and symbolic. A self-reflection on the main character featuring various themes: Grief, trauma, lust, masculinity, mental illness, etc.
Cinematic with distinct art style. Experimental game design philosophy.
An interesting way of storytelling. Mechanically unique with a beautiful art style.
Experimental storytelling, with a game mechanic that also works on a meta-level.
A unique representation of trauma.
An impactful story about memories, family, tragedy, life. Experimental game mechanic that uses your eyes to play.
Same as Stanley Parable, but also with additional commentary on the game industry.
On social regression, and drug abuse. Cinematic and symbolic.
A warm meditation on life's common anxieties. Great traversal and art style.
Commentary on capitalism, objectivism, and the player experience.
On the relationship between art and the artist.
Metanarrative that works as a critique of players that enjoy violent games.
Philosophical story on humanity; what it means to be human.
Same as Dark Souls, but highlighting Maiden Astraea, and the Tower of Latria lore.
Arthouse surreal game on various themes: Poverty, solitude, addiction, relationships, etc. Dream logic with no real plot.
Experimental gameplay mechanic where you contour your character expression. Lynchian cryptic story featuring various philosophical themes.
(Really) Weird visual novel on insolvency, sex, and finding meaning in life.
Experimental gameplay loop, and narrative on human connection.
A digital museum.
Obscure cathartic game on depression, loneliness, and trauma.
On bureaucracy, authoritarianism, morality. Gamifies work routine.
Reflection on the cycle of violence, nationalism, propaganda, and the film industry.
Cinematic presentation. On freewill and authority.
A warm meditation on hope. Death mechanic also reflects on the theme.
Arthouse FMV game with experimental non-linear storytelling. On art, sexism, and exploitation.
Meta-game with commentary on completionism and the relationship between game creators and players.
Unique gameplay loop. A range of detailed environments.
Unique art style with hand-drawn textures. Cinematic story portrayal.
Well written text-based horror game. Like an A24 movie turned into text.
On escapism and loneliness. About trying to find meaning in life.
Experimental use of the medium. One of the most well known walking-sims.
Autobiographical story on sex work, trauma and being transgender.
Metanarrative that links the protagonist and the player experience. Emotional story on tragedy and escapism.
Portrays the effects of psychosis, while building gameplay design around it.
A metaphor for capitalism. Distinct art style.
Works as a metaphor for grief. Interesting art style.
Cinematic presentation, interesting art.
A shooter game that baits its audience into an anti-war narrative
Visual mindfuckery.
Metagame storyline.
Liminal game where you can use its environments as a sort of photo-playground.
Experimental levels and boss visual designs.
An "artistic experience" with distinct art style/ambiance. Seemingly works as a metaphor for...something, maybe?
Arthouse game that reflects on intimacy and vulnerability.
Weird Lynchian game with a non-definitive narrative.
Meta-game on friendships and loneliness.
An esoteric game that works as a metaphor for industrialization.
Weird game with interesting art style and traversal mechanics.
Interesting art style and sound interactions. FREEDOM.
An experimental FMV game with a non-linear story.
Weird game on devotion.
A game simulating the experience of being on a commercial flight.
On strangeness and parasocial links.
Gameplay works as a metaphor for chemotherapy. Anti-smoking sentiments.
Somewhat-emotional and visually interesting walking (swimming) simulator.
Cinematic retro game with great imagery and framing.
Bridges the gap between the videogame medium and the documentary genre.
Silent cinema framing
A digital museum made of the dev's saved images from 2017.
Short visual novel portraying OCD/Anxiety disorder.
A nihilistic narrative on existentialism.
Cryptic narrative that seemingly works as a commentary on capitalistic work ethics and media's intrusiveness.
Cinematic presentation.
One that popularized the walking-sim genre. On love, queerness, and growing up.
Arthouse cinematic game with a cryptic Lynchian story.