10 Indie Games You Should Be Playing Right Now
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a 2D Metroidvania style action-adventure game developed by Team Cherry. I absolutely love the dark, atmospheric world of Hallownest that you get to explore. The gameplay is tight and responsive, allowing you to platform and slash your way through enemies and bosses. Unlocking new abilities opens up different parts of the vast, interconnected map. The hand-drawn art style is simply gorgeous. I find myself often stopping just to take in the sights. Hollow Knight offers a sense of mystery and wonder as you piece together the history of this fallen bug kingdom. It’s one of the best Metroidvania games I’ve ever played.
Cuphead
Cuphead is a run and gun action game with beautiful hand-drawn visuals inspired by 1930s cartoons. I was instantly charmed by the unique art style. The gameplay is focused on challenging boss battles that require learning attack patterns and exercising precise movements. As you defeat bosses, you collect their souls to pay your debt to the devil. The responsive controls allow you to dash, parry attacks, and fire your finger bullets to defeat foes. There is also a local co-op mode where you can team up with a friend. While Cuphead can be brutally difficult, the adrenaline rush you get from finally beating a tough boss is so satisfying.
Undertale
Undertale is an RPG that masterfully plays with gaming tropes and conventions. This game delighted me with its humorous writing, unique battle system, and lovable characters. Instead of attacking enemies, you can choose nonviolent options to resolve encounters peacefully. Your choices affect the story in meaningful ways, often subverting expectations. The excellent soundtrack and pixel art style create a nostalgic feel. Undertale has some truly emotional story moments that left a lasting impression on me. This is an RPG that has a lot of heart and charm. Definitely play it if you haven’t already.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a cozy life simulation RPG that lets you escape to a charming pixelated farm town. I love growing crops, decorating my farmhouse, and befriending the quirky townspeople. The open-ended gameplay allows you to tackle farming, fishing, mining, and crafting at your own pace. There’s always something relaxing to do in Stardew Valley. It’s the perfect game to unwind and lose yourself in for hours at a time. The delightful retro-style graphics and soundtrack further add to the comfy atmosphere. I always feel refreshed after playing some Stardew Valley. It’s an addictive and wholesome experience.
Celeste
Celeste is a precision platformer centered around an inspiring story of overcoming inner demons. I was instantly drawn in by the pixelart visuals and catchy synth soundtrack. The tight platforming controls are incredibly responsive as you dash and climb your way up a treacherous mountain. The challenging levels force you to think quickly and nail the perfect sequence of jumps, dashes, and air stunts. Dying repeatedly is part of the process as each death brings you closer to that euphoric victory. The story of Madeline dealing with anxiety and self-doubt adds surprising depth. Celeste made me feel both accomplished and moved. This indie platformer stands tall above the rest.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a roguelike action platformer with incredibly satisfying combat and responsive controls. I love exploring the gothic castle areas and hacking down enemies with finesse. Each run randomizes the level layout, enemies, and power-ups you find, keeping every run fresh. Unlocking permanent upgrades across runs provides a great sense of progression. The combat has incredible depth with tons of weapon types to master. I’m constantly impressed by how tight and polished the gameplay feels. Dead Cells combines the adrenaline-pumping action of a skillful combat game with the addictive quality of rogue-likes for a winning formula.
Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds is an open world mystery game focused on space exploration. I was hooked by the space physics simulation and intriguing time loop mechanics. You’re stuck in a 22 minute time loop, destined to watch the galaxy be destroyed. By exploring the solar system and learning from each cycle, you can gradually piece together how to prevent catastrophe. The space flight feels great and you can land anywhere seamlessly. What made Outer Wilds truly special was the “aha!” moments of discovery that left my mind reeling. Solving its cosmic mysteries gave me a profound sense of wonderment. This is a must-play for any science fiction fan.
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is a groundbreaking RPG with an emphasis on skill-based dialogue and open-ended freedom. I was blown away by how deep the writing and dialogue systems are. With dozens of skills, I could tackle scenarios in a variety of creative ways based on my character build. The bold art style and thoughtful writing bring this unique world to life. As an amnesiac detective, you must solve a murder case while also piecing together forgotten details of your identity. The story left me contemplating philosophical questions about the human psyche in a nuanced way. Disco Elysium gives you expansive freedom to truly roleplay whoever you want to be.
Return of the Obra Dinn
Return of the Obra Dinn is a mystery game with a striking 1-bit monochromatic visual style. You play as an insurance investigator piecing together the fates of a ship’s crew. The minimalist visuals and excellent sound design create an eerie atmosphere. Using the “moment of death” mechanic to listen in on the crew’s final moments is utterly captivating. Deducing the identities and causes of death feels genuinely detective-like. I loved the logical reasoning and attention to detail needed to solve each case. Return of the Obra Dinn stands out for its cryptic storytelling, original art direction, and challenging investigation gameplay.
Subnautica
Subnautica is an underwater survival/exploration game set on an alien ocean planet. It captures the thrill and terror of surviving in an unfamiliar underwater environment. As you gather resources and construct bases, you gradually explore deeper ecosystems that get more perilous. The ocean visuals and sound design make you feel immersed in the depths. Battling sea creatures, environmental hazards, and oxygen limits creates tense moments. But the sense of discovery from exploring coral reefs, caverns, and sunken alien ruins is mesmerizing. Subnautica’s mystery unfolds organically as you piece together details about the planet’s history. This is survival crafting done right.
