The Best Nonlinear Games for Xbox Series X

Update : The Mobius Machine added at rank #8.
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

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

Murderous Muses (2023)

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75
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Mac OS PC Windows

Solve a sinister murder by spending three reality-shifting nights in a haunted art gallery. An infinitely re-playable murder mystery blending deduction, exploration, puzzles, collectibles and FMV.


  • mystery
  • fmv
  • procedural
  • puzzle
  • detective
  • lovecraftian
  • lore
  • investigation
  • nonlinear
  • replay-value
  • resource-management
  • drama
  • supernatural
  • walking-simulator
  • exploration

8

The Mobius Machine (2024)

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ND
Review score
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j PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One

Discover a vast alien world. Fight the ferocious local fauna and killer machines. Reveal its secrets and find a way to escape. The Mobius Machine is a side-scroller action adventure, with an emphasis on free-form exploration and intense combat.


  • metroidvania
  • nonlinear
  • shooter
  • scroller
  • twin-stick
  • pve
  • underwater
  • exploration
  • space
  • action-adventure
  • aliens
  • robots
  • 3d
  • open-world
  • local

9

Orten Was The Case (2023)

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

Orten Was The Case - A free movement puzzle/adventure game where you play as a youngster stuck in a time loop with the simple task of saving the world from literal destruction.


  • manipulation
  • time
  • nonlinear
  • lore
  • metroidvania
  • 2.5d
  • humor
  • conspiracy
  • time-management
  • dystopian
  • choices
  • mystery
  • detective
  • dark
  • open-world

10

Bot Gaiden (2022)

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

Bot Gaiden is a vibrant 2D platformer built for speed. Take control of ninjabots Robyu and Bytron as they seek to recover the golden skulls from the hands of the mysterious Giorqio and his band of hench-bots. Race to the finish, because bosses get stronger with time.


  • comic
  • swordplay
  • nonlinear
  • cartoony
  • 2d
  • scroller
  • hack-and-slash
  • ninja
  • platform
  • book
  • action-adventure
  • colourful
  • hand-drawn
  • family-friendly
  • robots

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