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.

Radio the Universe
Radio the Universe
realMyst: Masterpiece Edition
realMyst: Masterpiece Edition
Reprobate
Reprobate
On intimacy and voyeurism.
Return of the Obra Dinn
Return of the Obra Dinn
An interesting way of storytelling. Mechanically unique with a beautiful art style.
Rusty Lake Hotel
Rusty Lake Hotel
Sable
Sable
Samorost
Samorost
Short surreal flash game
Scanner Sombre
Scanner Sombre
Experimental game mechanic.
Scorn
Scorn
Symbolic game with an artstyle inspired by H. R. Giger and Beksiński.
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus
Cinematic with distinct art style. Experimental game design philosophy.
A Short Hike
A Short Hike
A warm meditation on life's common anxieties. Great traversal and art style.
Silent Hill
Silent Hill
On social regression, and drug abuse. Cinematic and symbolic.
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2
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.
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 3
Soma
Soma
Philosophical story on humanity; what it means to be human.
Somerville
Somerville
Cinematic presentation.
Sons of Saturn
Sons of Saturn
The Space Between
The Space Between
Arthouse game that reflects on intimacy and vulnerability.
Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line
A shooter game that baits its audience into an anti-war narrative
The Stanley Parable Demonstration
The Stanley Parable Demonstration
The Stanley Parable
The Stanley Parable
Meta-game with commentary on completionism and the relationship between game creators and players.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
Same as Stanley Parable, but also with additional commentary on the game industry.
Stories Untold
Stories Untold
SuperHot
SuperHot
Metagame storyline.
Superliminal
Superliminal
Syberia
Syberia
Syberia II
Syberia II
The Talos Principle II
The Talos Principle II
Teleforum
Teleforum
Cryptic narrative that seemingly works as a commentary on capitalistic work ethics and media's intrusiveness.
Telling Lies
Telling Lies
An experimental FMV game with a non-linear story. Even more unconventional than Her Story.
Tiny Echo
Tiny Echo
Titanic: Honor and Glory
Titanic: Honor and Glory
A complete re-creation of the Titanic.
To the Moon
To the Moon
Unsorted Horror
Unsorted Horror
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Via Negativa
Via Negativa
Short nihilistic meditation on emptiness and god.
Victim Doll
Victim Doll
(Really) Weird visual novel on insolvency, sex, and finding meaning in life.
Viewfinder
Viewfinder
Water Womb World
Water Womb World
Weird game on devotion.
We Become What We Behold
We Become What We Behold
Reflection on toxic online interactions.
What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch
Who's Lila?
Who's Lila?
Experimental gameplay mechanic where you contour your character expression. Lynchian cryptic story featuring various philosophical themes.

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