The Best Non-linear Games

Update : The Knowledge of Hermit added at rank #5.
1

Curse of the Sea Rats (2023)

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62
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X/s

Curse of the Sea Rats is a ‘ratoidvania’ platform adventure with lovingly crafted, hand-drawn animations. Embark on the epic journey of four prisoners of the British empire, transformed into rats by the notorious pirate witch, Flora Burn.


  • hand-drawn
  • cooperative
  • platform
  • non-linear
  • boss
  • local
  • metroidvania
  • pirates
  • multiple-endings
  • campaign
  • combat
  • exploration
  • empire
  • 2.5d
  • fight

2

Parasite (2022)

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early access Xbox One Xbox 360 Playstation 3 Linux PC Windows ps1

This is a roguelike open-world sandbox survival horror set in a modern city. Play as an --redacted-- parasite, possess human hosts, exploit and evolve them to help you survive in a hostile world, all to find out your one true purpose.


  • survival-horror
  • rogue-like
  • horror
  • rpg
  • traditional
  • modern
  • aliens
  • action
  • non-linear
  • illuminati
  • plat-former
  • adventure
  • choices
  • lovecraftian
  • sci-fi

3

Aggelos (2018)

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83
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows

Critically-acclaimed action-RPG that takes the template laid down by classics like Wonder Boy, nails the 16-Bit aesthetics for nostalgia fans, but updates the mechanics to feel fresh and modern. Explore a beautiful open world and plunder dungeons, caves and forests to help take down epic bosses!


  • metroidvania
  • retro
  • non-linear
  • rpg
  • arpg
  • adventure
  • sprite
  • survival

4

James Peris 2: The fountain of eternal drunkenness (2023)

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PC Windows

The long awaited new adventure by James Peris, after No License, No Control, Much more of everything! A point-and-click adventure with adult humor and a touch of hooliganism. Totally open gameplay and non-linear puzzles.

Buy

  • point-and-click
  • comic
  • visual-novel
  • cartoony
  • non-linear
  • comedy
  • book
  • adventure
  • detective
  • 2d
  • funny
  • puzzle
  • open-ended
  • story
  • hand-drawn

5

The Knowledge of Hermit (2023)

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Linux PC Windows

Knowledge is Power. Break the rules of the puzzles and collect knowledge EXP in this Non-Linear Top-down exploration action-adventure-puzzle game with Power Ups Abilities & Health Upgrades.

Buy

  • nonlinear
  • top-down
  • action-adventure
  • stylized
  • non-linear
  • puzzle
  • exploration
  • controller-support
  • logic
  • collectathon
  • hack-and-slash

6

Isoland 2 - Ashes of Time (2018)

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88
Review score
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IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch PC Windows Android Mac OS

Isoland 2: Ashes of Time is a puzzle game with a fascinating non-linear story, charming 2D hand-drawn art, numerous challenging puzzles, and unique twists. Besides numerous sci-fi references and easter-eggs hidden throughout the game, you’ll find things aren’t quite the same second time you play through the story. Come discover the lost history of this mysterious island.


  • adventure
  • puzzle
  • non-linear
  • entertainment
  • hand-drawn
  • story

7

Acalesia (2021)

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Nintendo Switch Xbox One

Our attractive protagonist wishes for just two things — to save the princess and to become rich. Actually, he’s doing it just to get rich, but if the princess Celinda will be saved in the process, let’s consider it a nice bonus! To get all the treasures of Acalesia this hipster with a shotgun will have to fight hordes of monsters, sneak through a myriad of devious traps and reveal a few secrets of survival.

Buy

  • rich
  • platform
  • survival
  • non-linear
  • post-apocalyptic
  • colourful
  • dungeon
  • 2d
  • boss

8

Please Hold Me (2021)

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PC Windows Mac OS

Meet Olivier, your new virtual friend with a lot of issues. He really needs you.

Buy

  • dynamic
  • non-linear
  • emotional
  • narration
  • interactive
  • visual-novel
  • point-and-click

9

Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood (2018)

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70
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Playstation 4

Enjoy the unique world, the epic classical background music, and the side-scrolling action of the Castlevania series! Remote Play requires PS Vita system and sufficiently robust Wi-Fi connection. Online features require an account and are subject to terms of service and applicable privacy policy (playstationnetwork.com/terms-of-service & playstationnetwork.com/privacy-policy).


  • gothic
  • non-linear
  • vampire
  • exploration
  • platform
  • farming
  • remake
  • boss
  • pixel
  • anime
  • retro
  • zombies
  • classic
  • old-school
  • controller-support

10

Diving City (2020)

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early access PC Windows

Diving City is an action RPG with strategy elements, featuring Karl, who has been trapped in Luvania, an underground megacity built by a mysterious civilisation, for reasons unknown. Karl will have to collect elemental cubes from the surroundings and create makeshift traps to unlock the way forward when facing the indescribable...

Buy

  • non-linear
  • rpg
  • dungeon
  • exploration
  • strategy

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