These are games that are fun because of the atmosphere and plot more than the puzzles. These games are not too hard and not too easy. They generally have a big over-arching theme. I have included most horror and comedy games in other lists, as this list is more about wonder.
A game about magic, including stage magic. The opening scene is unique among IF, as you are required to complete a magic act that your PC knows well, even if you don't.
6. Babel by Ian Finley (1997) Average member rating: (152 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A mid-length game about memory, science, and ethics.
7. The Dreamhold by Andrew Plotkin (2004) Average member rating: (176 ratings)
MathBrush says:
I was never a fan of this tutorial game, but it has a strong feel of faded glory and regret.
8. Moon-Shaped by Jason Ermer (2006) Average member rating: (38 ratings)
MathBrush says:
While it is a little under-implemented, this game does a good job mixing various Grimm's fairy tale stories.
9. Hana Feels by Gavin Inglis (2015) Average member rating: (58 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A twine game about cutting. Very moving, with great use of graphics.
Teach a robot to be just like your best friend. A mid length game set in the world of Brain Guzzlers from beyond. Features excellent procedural generation of content such as poetry and recipe names.
11. To Spring Open, by Peter Berman and Yoon Ha Lee (as Two-Bit Chip) (2015) Average member rating: (18 ratings) MathBrush says:
A game whose chief problem is that it is far too short for the world that it paints.
12. For a Change by Dan Schmidt (1999) Average member rating: (115 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A bizarre game, where the author tried to use real words in the least understandable way possible. Feels like dream.
13. Metamorphoses by Emily Short (2000) Average member rating: (130 ratings)
MathBrush says:
I recently returned to this game after several years, and I was surprised at how much better it was than I remember. Similar to dreamhold, with a dreamy/metaphorical feel.
14. Zork III by Dave Lebling, Marc Blank (1982) Average member rating: (75 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A surprising change from the previous games. With a small total score and a big focus on ambiance, Zork III provides the most enduring images of the Zork trilogy. The focus here is on decay, trial, and renewal.
15. Dead Like Ants by C.E.J. Pacian (2009) Average member rating: (59 ratings)
MathBrush says:
You play an ant in red overalls who has to investigate five creatures. Toys with IF expectations.
16. Walker & Silhouette by C.E.J. Pacian (2009) Average member rating: (52 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A detective game by the great Pacian. A blend of romance, humor, and 1920's America.
Space exploration game. Short, mystic, and fun. An easy Plotkin's game.
18. Six by Wade Clarke (2011) Average member rating: (41 ratings)
MathBrush says:
This game recreates your childhood, not in the way that adults look at children, but the way that you looked at life then, when you felt like children mattered just as much as adults. Chase six of your friends, catching each in a different way.
19. Beautiful Dreamer by S. Woodson (2015) Average member rating: (35 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A long, long Twine game with a dreamlike atmosphere, a rich mythology, and a complete CYOA game within your game. Tons of optional material.
20. Distress by Mike Snyder (2005) Average member rating: (22 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A short shipwreck game that I found very satisfying. A strange world, strange creatures, all alone.
The atmosphere of this game is unlike any others I've played. Almost like an old Russian folk tale. You are a mute swordsman righting wrongs.
22. Andromeda Dreaming by Joey Jones (2012) Average member rating: (18 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A short, on-the-rails game that is essentially puzzleless. Great use of two worlds (real and dreaming) and incredible setting in a previously-undescribed part of the Andromeda universe.
23. Eurydice by Anonymous (2012) Average member rating: (37 ratings)
MathBrush says:
A beautiful, haunting modern retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. Short and sweet.
24. Mercy, by Chris Klimas (1997) Average member rating: (19 ratings) MathBrush says:
Like Vespers without the nastiness. Sickness, slow madness in a hospital during a pandemic.
25. shadows on the mirror by Chrysoula Tzavelas (2003) Average member rating: (26 ratings)
MathBrush says:
Ride in a car, handcufffed to a mysterious figure in black.
26. Aayela, by Magnus Olsson (1996) Average member rating: (24 ratings) MathBrush says:
