Virginia

This is going to sound pretentious as hell, but Virginia feels less like a video game and more like an art piece to me.
If you don't want to pick apart symbolism and you hate David Lynch, then you should look elsewhere.
However -- if you're open to it, Virginia is really incredible.
The story is dialogue-free, frequently confusing, and rarely told literally.
The writing has a very "show, not tell" mentality; in a way, the "gameplay" emerges from the satisfaction of picking apart what exactly is happening in each scene.
On my first playthrough of Virginia in 2017, everything went over my head, and I walked away feeling like I had just sat through a dull and confusing acid trip for two hours. It is totally possible that you will feel that way too.
But: having given it a second chance with the knowledge that it was not going to be easy viewing, I've come away feeling that Virginia is a uniquely enjoyable experience that uses the medium of video games to tell a story in a way I've never seen before.
If you, like me, intentionally seek out games that do new and exciting things, you should really try out Virginia.

This is an interesting and original thriller/walking simulator with an unconventional way of telling the story. The graphic style is quite creative and the music is just amazing.
Recommended for David Lynch fans and lovers of storytelling (buy it on sales, it is too short).
✪✯✪✯✪✯✪ 6.9 / 10 ✪✯✪✯✪✯✪
=^._.^= ∫

If you're expecting a mystical Lynchian experience - don't. In its trippier moments Virginia is not surreal but allegorical. This is a game full of drama and objective narrative that is only obscured by absence of character speech and fast Thirty Flights of Loving-style montage. It's just a dramatic police-buddy story. However, telling a tale using exclusively animations and environmental setpieces is a challenge of its own - one that was succsessfully overcome in this game.
Music, though... It almost never ceases. Which is detrimental both to rhythm and tension.
It's a good and almost unique game with a lot of effort put into it. It's also short and cheap, especially on sale, so give it a go, why not?
PS
But if you are still looking for a mystical Lynchian experience, play Paratopic.

Like many, I was confused on whether or not to recommend this game. I will start by saying that its more of an enjoyable sit through watching a movie-type game, rather than playing a game. I enjoy doing these every once in awhile. I played a similar type game called Manifest 99 which is more of a watch and play on the VR. I recommend both on the visual art alone.
To summarize the game, you're an FBI agent Anne, who's set on a case to find a missing teenage boy. The game eludes to the idea you'll be working with a partner in the case to solve it, however, the story near the ending hours open up this strange series of events.
This is why I think many players might have difficulty liking this game. Items you can read in the game, you're hardly given enough time to read them. You are cut off from looking around for too long. The end series sequences make a little sense, but not a whole lot unless you understand what the developers were thinking. I happened to like this game because from an artistic stand point, it is unique and interesting. However, the ending did leave me a bit confused.

This game owns.Y'all just don't understand the desire to go on an investigation with a tough FBI agent who slowly warms up to you and bakes you breakfast and buys you a buffalo plush while you wear her wedding ring to get rid of drunk guys, but play with where it was once you finally give it back.

This game is light on traditional "gameplay" mechanics, but I recommend it to anyone looking for interesting stories with an open mind about what games can be. For the low asking price, and roughly movie-length (~2 hour) run time, I see no reason not to give it a shot. It doesn't overstay it's welcome, but it's also not forgettabley short, either. It respects your time.
Virginia is a first person, narrative-focused mystery experience. If you pay attention to the details and take your time, there is a lot to get out of it. It does quite a bit of jumping around, so if the player isn't really taking it all in, it will get confusing quickly. The themes are very Twin Peaks-esque, involving things like: The FBI, missing persons, intrigue, cover ups, the church, the government, nature, friendship, family, loss, regret, career vs. happiness, etc...
The gameplay is part walking simulator, part first person vignette movie (like Blendo Games' "Thirty Flights of Loving"). Most of the time you are looking for a particular item to interact with that will progress the story, but there are a few optional objects to find and interact with that change bits of the environment/story in small ways (and unlock Achievements).
I love seeing experimental pieces like Virginia on the games market. It really helps flesh out the boundaries of the medium and gives me a lot to think about as a game designer.

I genuinely don't understand the mixed reviews for this game. Sure it's not filled with the typical "gameplay" but I absolutely loved the way this game tells its story. I'm especially a big fan of its use of symbolism! If you're interested in experiencing a pretty good linear story go check this one out!