10 Games That Are Basically Interactive Toys

Some of the best games available have very little to them. There can be very little in the way of story or gameplay, yet players can still be hooked even by the simplest of concepts. Some games are more like interactive toys for players to watch and experience rather than play. There aren’t many games like this, but the ones that are available are some of the most heartfelt games ever.

This shows that games don’t have to be action-packed and story-fuelled to connect with an audience. With this in mind, what interactive toy-like games and experiences are worth playing?

10 Osmos

An Atmospheric, Space-themed Puzzler

• Release Date: 17th of August 2009
• Developer: Hemisphere Games
• Platforms: Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS

Osmos is a beautiful and atmospheric puzzle game in which players start as single-cell organisms and must propel forward without colliding with any bigger organisms. There are a few different styles of level, but none of them ask much more of the player than that. With no real story in the game and no major objectives other than the one, this game is essentially a space-based physics toy.

Osmos is a beautifully simple game, perfect for players looking for a relaxing and fun experience.

9 The Plan

Experience Life As A Fly

• Release Date: 10th of February 2014
• Developer: Killbrite Studio
• Platforms: Linux, Windows, MacOS

The Plan is a very short game where players take control of a fly contemplating the end of its life. This may sound deep and philosophical, but really, the game is fairly basic. In its simplicity, though, it shines. The game takes the player on a journey, but not a hero’s journey. Rather, the player gets the experience of being a pest for a short while.

The Plan is a stunning and contemplative free game, which acts as an interactive toy as the player has to follow along with the trip as a dying fly.

8 Universe Sandbox

Create A Universe And Watch What Happens To It

• Release Date: 24th of August 2015
• Developer: Giant Army
• Platforms: Linux, Windows, MacOS

Universe Sandbox is exactly what the title makes it sound like. Players can create their own universe and watch as planets collide and the physics of it all comes together. There is a lot of customization options in this game, as players can literally create their own solar and star systems and watch how they interact. Even the climates on the planets players create can be modified to their will, meaning the only limit is their creativity.

Universe Sandbox is basically just a space simulator toy, but with this level of customization, it’s worth picking up.

7 Cooking Simulator

Become A Virtual Chef

Cooking Simulator is a game that puts players in the role of a chef. The sandbox mode acts most like an interactive toy, as players can cook whatever they want, in any way they want. If players want to serve completely burned food for a laugh, that’s an option. Equally, if players want to spend hours immersed in cooking their signature dish, they can do that too. The game is basically one big play kitchen.

Cooking Simulator is a fantastic and fun game for players who like the idea of cooking in theory, but not in practice.

6 Kerbal Space Program

Build Rocket Ships And Watch Them Crash

Kerbal Space Program is one of the most in-depth space games available for players, and while it can be mastered, players are much more likely to spend hours watching their carefully crafted rocket ships come crashing down. There is a career mode and a science mode (for unlocking new things) but sandbox is the most fun. The realistic physics make this game a real challenge and gives it a toy-like feel.

Kerbal Space Program can be taken very seriously, and players can perfect every aspect of their rockets. Alternatively, it can be a silly physics toy for experimenting.

5 Cook, Serve, Delicious!

Type Through The Lunch Rush

• Release Date: 8th October 2013
• Developer: Vertigo Gaming Inc.
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, Linux, Windows, iOS, MacOS

Cook, Serve, Delicious! is a game that seems like it’s about cooking at first glance, but it’s actually a typing game that just happens to be based in a restaurant. During rush hour, nearly endless tasks have different keys to press, which can quickly become overwhelming. There is a ‘story’ of sorts involving players leveling up the restaurant, but for the most part, this game really is just a typing toy.

Cook, Serve, Delicious! is a frustrating yet fun experience for players needing to brush up on their keyboards.

4 PowerWash Simulator

Clean The Most Disgusting Environments

PowerWash Simulator is a game about power washing. It may sound boring, but oddly enough, it’s a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours. Players take on jobs from customers and use their power washers to complete them. It’s that simple. Players gain experience and reputation as they complete more jobs, but at its core, this is an interactive cleaning toy designed to put the fun back into cleaning extraordinary amounts of mess.

PowerWash Simulator is a game for players looking for an oddly relaxing and satisfying gaming experience.

3 Emily Is Away

Talk To, And Get Rejected By A Virtual Woman

• Release Date: 20th November 2015
• Developer: Kyle Seeley
• Platforms: Linux, Windows, MacOS

Emily Is Away is the first of a series, and while the later games offer players more agency, this game really is just an interactive toy based on MSN Messenger. Players talk to a girl named Emily in each chapter of the game, watching as her relationship status changes and her friendship with them grows. Unfortunately, this story doesn’t have a happy ending, and none of the choices matter. However, it’s still worth a playthrough.

Emily Is Away is a devastating interactive-toy-style game that puts players into bad situations and refuses to solve them.

2 Mountain

Watch a mountain as it changes

• Release Date: 1st July 2014
• Developer: David OReilly
• Platforms: Linux, Windows, iOS, MacOS

Mountain is a game that is barely even a game at all. Players must simply watch their mountain and see what changes. There is no way to interact with it, either, so the player has no control over anything. It’s a serene game about change as observed on a mountain; there really isn’t much else to it. It’s the most relaxing yet existential interactive toy available.

Mountain is not the game for players seeking a lot of action, but it’s definitely worth picking up to just watch how the mountain changes over time.

1 Little Inferno

Throw Toys Into The Fire To Stay Warm

• Release Date: 18th November 2012
• Developer: Tomorrow Corporation
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, Linux, Windows, iOS, MacOS, WiiU

Finally, one of the most well-known games of this type is Little Inferno. The concept of the game is simple, as players must burn things to stay warm. There’s a catalog of toys to buy just so they can go on the fire, and players will occasionally receive letters from the outside world with some hints of story in them. At its heart, though, this game is really a toy fireplace. So, get cozy in this nuclear winter.

Little Inferno is a cozy game with very little to do, but that makes it interesting. The experience of burning toys will stay with the player for a long time.

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