As much as we love our big-budget, triple A titles, there’s no denying the determination and integrity of indie game developers that want to share their experiences on a more intimate level. Whether last gen or not, these 15 games are sure to make your heart swoon, test your bladder control or give you one hell of a nostalgic trip.
15. Mundaun (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Mundaun Release Trailer
Imagine you drew a spooky cabin in the woods with pencil, then that nightmare came to life. Mundaun has you playing through an eerie, Swiss alps backdrop where you have to search for clues as to what happened to your grandfather before he burned to death.
This game is heavy on atmosphere, and pulls you in masterfully. You’ll be weaving through a desolate village where residents act strange as you uncover one disturbing and wrenching mystery. Whether the sepia aesthetic or the haunting music, Mundaun definitely knows how to creep you the hell out.
14. Cyber Shadow (Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5)
Cyber Shadow - Story Trailer | PS4
Well ain’t this a blast from the past? The world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms, and it’s up to Shadow to uncover what has happened.
Cyber Shadow has taken the classic 64-bit, side-scroller format and pumped it up with adrenaline perfection. Upon looking at the game, you’d never think it was made in the last 25 years, but it shines as one of the best side-scrollers out there with smooth controls and big epic boss fights. Relive the 90’s with this indie gem.
13. F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch (PC, PS4, PS5)
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4
Speaking of side-scrollers, here’s another for the indie classics, this time upgraded with 3D models. You play as a rabbit and former space pilot who needs to rise up against the robotic legion that has invaded Torch City.
There’s a surprising sense of harmony between the diverse layers of anthropomorphic space animals slashing and gliding their way through a chinese inspired, industrial backdrop. There’s a lot packed here in terms of level design, slick combat and stellar voice acting for an indie title from China that certainly deserves to be recognized.
12. No Man’s Sky (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series, PC, PS5)
No Man's Sky - Next Generation Update Trailer | PS5
While not always the favorite talk of the town, No Man’s Sky is still going strong so they must be doing something right. The initial innovation is not lost on players, where story is thin but exploration of infinite, procedurally generated galaxies still has fans gripped.
Even 6 years later, No Man’s Sky still offers tons of cool rewards, upgrades and exhibitions. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but no online game has been able to provide fans with the sense of wonder and surprise you get from discovering literal new worlds. This is the closest you can get to space travel and what better way to experience that than with friends online.
11. Death’s Door (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Death's Door - State of Play Oct 2021 Trailer | PS5, PS4
Like a storybook come to life, Death’s Door pumps you with atmosphere and eye-popping architecture. You play as a reaper crow on a quest to defeat monstrous titans in dank, dungeon worlds as you unravel the mystery of lost souls.
Gameplay is slick and to the point with engaging magical upgrades that compliments your melee attacks. In this Zelda-inspired world, Death’s Door knows how to balance somber melancholy with chipper humor and offers a well-balanced experience of comedy, contemplation and zany boss fights.
10. Chicory: A Colorful Tale (PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5)
Chicory: A Colorful Tale - Official Trailer | PS5, PS4
If our last entry was a storybook, then this is more like a colouring book come to life. Beloved artist, Chicory, has gone missing and it’s up to you to pick up her brush and fill in the colours of the world.
While it would have been fun just colouring in the world on its own, Chicory cleverly uses it’s paintbrush theme as a puzzle tool and fills you with charm and wonder as you name your character after your favorite food. If that wasn’t enough, there is a compelling story here with rich themes of tackling mental health issues and you’re own inner critic. Who knew a live-action colouring book could be so deep?
9. Bugsnax (PS4, PC, PS5)
Bugsnax - Launch Trailer | PS4, PS5
Another colourful, childrens-looking adventure with heavy themes of mental health and… climate change? You are a critter traversing the island of Snathtooth on the hunt of various species of bugsnax while also searching for your lost friend.
There’s a variety of fun and creative ways of discovering over 100 species of bugnsax and laying out traps for them to bring back to your camp. But this isn’t just a run-of-the-mill, cartoony adventure, as there is so much care put into the writing and character voices, you can tell just how passionate the developers were when crafting this adorably weird world.
8. Hades
Hades - Announcement Trailer | PS5
Greek mythology meets anime meets dungeon crawler gameplay?! Sign me up! You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades himself, who must slash his way through hordes of demons in the underworld in order to surface up to the mortal realm.
There is a great variety of melee and projectile weapons that are super satisfying to weild and brunt with. If you’re a lover of Greek myth then you’ll love getting to know the iterations of such established characters like Nyx, Dusa, Hypnos and the one and only, Hades. The anime style is stellar to watch and there’s a neat, coming of age story that mixes well with Zagreus' snarky demeanor.
7. Subnautica (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Subnautica Gameplay Trailer
It’s like if James Cameron directed a Ridley Scott movie again, only you don’t get the safety of watching anymore, but having to do the fighting yourself. You’ve crashed landed on an alien world and forced to dive it's dangerous oceans for survival.
Nothing gets your heart pumping like being lost in a watery grave, especially on an alien planet. There are all sorts of monsters and predators ready to devour you, and you have to make sure you collect enough resources to stay alive. Even 8 years later, and this indie gem still knows how to keep you on your toes -- or flippers.
6. It Takes Two (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series, PC, PS5)
It Takes Two – Official Gameplay Trailer | PS5, PS4
Like if Toy Story met Honey I Shrunk the Kids met… psychedelics? This is one trippy ride for a two player game and a whole lot of heart-warming fun. You (and perhaps a significant other) play as a married couple turned to dolls on an adventure to get back to reality.
Level design is super creative and a blast to traverse around, from giant bedrooms to lush gardens to outer space. There’s something special about having to work as a team and contemplate what it is to have a little give and take in a relationship like you would in a real marriage. Games like this prove that co-op gaming doesn’t have to die.
5. The Forgotten City (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
The Forgotten City - Accolade Trailer | PS5, PS4
That time a really cool mod became its own video game. Having begun as a mod for Skyrim, The Forgotten City is a standalone adventure where you traverse the colourful characters of ancient Rome and the dark mystery they seem to carry.
The architecture is a huge departure from Skyrim as you are encased in the rich, golden structures of Rome. The plot is engaging and keeps you coming back for more, especially considering the moral dilemmas you’re having to weave through via such captivating characters. If you like indie ambitions and ancient backdrops, you’ll definitely want to check this out.
4. A Plague Tale: Innocence (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5)
A Plague Tale: Innocence - Now in 4K UHD | PS5
Want an indie tale with a whole lot of endearment, look no further than A Plague Tale: Innocence. You play as an older sister having to protect her young brother from war and plague during the Victorian era.
This game knows how to make you feel close to your characters, which bolsters your own personal motive for moving forward. You’ll start out as just a simpleton, no training, no weapons, no nothing, just your drive to survive and protect the one you love. Eventually you’ll grow into a capable warrior in this immersive and touching tale.
3. Disco Elysium (Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4
Probably one of the most rewardingly rich indie games around. Disco Elysium has you playing as a detective, the type of detective of your choice, weaving through a war torn city full of mystery, misery, humor and deep dives into the macabre nature of the psyche.
There’s a great deal of RPG elements here used to masterful effect. The artwork is reminiscent of Picasso mixed in with noir-like atmosphere that really boosts the world DE is going for. And how’s this for a really ballsy game design? The game encourages dialogue over violence and yet still knows how to keep you engaged.
2. Little Nightmares II (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5)
Little Nightmares II - Gameplay Trailer | PS4
Don’t play this before going to bed. Little Nightmares II follows the events from the successful indie game, Little Nightmares, that has you traversing dark corners and ghoulish homesteads while everything tries to kill you.
Little Nightmares definitely knows how to create atmosphere and leave you longing for a bright and vibrant world. The character designs are creepy to say the least and will leave you cringing at their ghastly expressions. This is a dreadful game of hide and seek like you’ve never experienced.
1. Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS4, PS5, PC)
Kena: Bridge of Spirits - State of Play Trailer | PS5, PS4
Any indie game that manages to rival a triple A title like God of War definitely deserves commemoration. You play as Kena on a quest to aid spirits from moving on into the afterlife and save a forest village from an evil darkness.
While it may not have the polish of a triple A game, Kena’s smooth control scheme, wicked arsenal and swooning story is all you need to get lost in this whimsical adventure. Many games are rivaling Pixar studios and for an indie game to do that definitely puts it as one of the top indie games out there.
