The Best Nonlinear Games for Xbox One

Update : The Mobius Machine added at rank #11.
1

Q.U.B.E. 10th Anniversary (2022)

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84
Review score
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Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

Entirely rebuilt from the ground up, Q.U.B.E. 10th Anniversary is the ultimate celebration of the decade-old original, bringing refined visuals, completely redesigned and revised gameplay sections, and a whole new chapter to the award-winning, brain-twisting first-person puzzler.


  • nonlinear
  • soundtrack
  • collectathon
  • puzzle
  • linear
  • logic
  • minimalist
  • narrative
  • 3d
  • action-adventure
  • first-person
  • mystery
  • atmospheric
  • controller-support
  • physics

2

Terraformers (2022)

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87
Review score
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early access Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One Linux PC Windows Mac OS m

Transform Mars into a habitable planet in Terraformers. With challenging strategizing and resource management, explore the planet and expand population, all while watching the stunning new natural wonders build up before your eyes. Take on different scenarios and bonuses and create a thriving utopia. Get lost in the addictive puzzle-like game with unique replayability and rewarding graphics and UI.


What we like:
  • Focus on strategy
  • Various difficulty levels
  • Unique victory conditions
  • Nice graphics and UI
  • Rich soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Only one way to lose the game
  • Some bugs present
  • Game can become repetitive

  • turn-based
  • mars
  • space
  • resource-management
  • science
  • rogue-like
  • nonlinear
  • card
  • procedural
  • board-game
  • colony
  • sci-fi
  • choices
  • simulation
  • management

3

Teacup (2020)

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96
Review score
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Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One PC Windows

Teacup is a short and wholesome narrative adventure game with a focus on exploration and non-linear progression. You play as the titular Teacup, a shy and introverted young frog who loves drinking tea and reading. The day before she is to host a tea party at her house, she realizes she is completely out of tea, and thus must venture into the woods around her to find the herbs she needs to restock her pantry. During your adventure you will meet the charming inhabitants of the forest. Some are talkative, some are grumpy, but all of them will lend you an ear on your adventure. Explore this gorgeous watercolor world filled with friendly animals, playful minigames, puzzles, and beautiful, calming wilderness.


  • nonlinear
  • scroller
  • cute
  • exploration
  • adventure
  • narrative
  • relaxing
  • horror
  • family-friendly
  • colourful
  • coffee
  • story
  • non-linear
  • funny
  • 2d

4

Alien Hominid Invasion (2023)

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84
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X/s Xbox One PC Windows

Old friends and bitter enemies await as you invade Earth alongside a Mothership full of alien friends! Blast, beam, and bite your way through an endless swarm of enemies as you and up to three of your fellow hominids cause mayhem with a huge arsenal of weapons, mutations, and acrobatic maneuvers.


  • cooperative
  • nonlinear
  • beat-em-up
  • scroller
  • shoot-em-up
  • rogue-like
  • aliens
  • procedural
  • pve
  • run
  • multiplayer
  • online
  • cartoony
  • gun
  • non-linear

5

Manifold Garden (2019)

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92
Review score
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Mac OS IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.


  • abstract
  • surreal
  • philosophical
  • nonlinear
  • puzzle
  • psychedelic
  • experimental
  • minimalist
  • multiple-endings
  • first-person
  • atmospheric
  • exploration
  • relaxing
  • colourful
  • mystery

6

Astronite (2022)

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70
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows

Astronite is a 1bit metroidvania that combines action, exploration, puzzles and platforms. Recover the planet where you and yours lived before it was invaded by strange creatures.


  • 8-bit
  • platform
  • souls
  • nonlinear
  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • scroller
  • music
  • precision
  • action-adventure
  • open-world
  • pixel
  • sci-fi
  • exploration
  • shooter

7

Zapling Bygone (2022)

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74
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Xbox Series X PC Windows Playstation 4

Zapling Bygone is a twisted metroidvania where you murder your foes and steal their abilities by wearing their skulls and absorbing their consciousness into your hive-mind.


  • metroidvania
  • souls
  • nonlinear
  • scroller
  • platform
  • psychological
  • 2d
  • pixel
  • horror
  • boss
  • action-adventure
  • aliens
  • sci-fi
  • atmospheric
  • precision-platform

8

The Inheritance of Crimson Manor (2022)

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82
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One

Explore a beautiful and Enigmatic Victorian Manor with a dark secret, In this gothic horror story first person exploration puzzle game filled with fine art, secret passages and mysterious mechanical puzzles playing as the executor of the last will from the enigmatic Railroad Magnate Hadley Strange.


  • escape
  • room
  • horror
  • walking-simulator
  • puzzle
  • nonlinear
  • gothic
  • narration
  • first-person
  • logic
  • exploration
  • mystery
  • 3d
  • investigation
  • inventory

9

Of Bird and Cage (2021)

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71
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Windows

Of Bird and Cage is a unique metal album presented through a two-hour-long story-driven game. Play music in a brand-new way. Featuring famous artists like Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N' Roses), Rob van der Loo (Epica), Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation), and many others!


  • nonlinear
  • music
  • emotional
  • modern
  • choices
  • fiction
  • interactive
  • multiple-endings
  • quick-time-event
  • stylized
  • psychological
  • dark
  • first-person
  • drama
  • story

10

Castle on the Coast (2020)

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78
Review score
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Mac OS Xbox One Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows

A hand-drawn, retro 3D collectathon. Parkour through a magic castle as George the Giraffe! String together sweet moves to explore crystal caverns, stone laden halls, and trippy alternate dimensions.


  • cozy
  • 3d
  • collectathon
  • nonlinear
  • platform
  • emotional
  • hand-drawn
  • parkour
  • cute
  • cartoony
  • retro
  • family-friendly
  • stylized
  • comedy
  • action-adventure

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