I'm always on the hunt for the best indie games and wanted to share some of my recent finds while also getting recommendations from others.
Recently I've been absolutely obsessed with Hades II - the combat feels so fluid and the art style is gorgeous. Another one that surprised me was Pacific Drive, which has this amazing atmospheric survival horror vibe with a driving mechanic that actually works really well.
What hidden gem indie games have you been playing? I'm especially interested in games with unique mechanics or storytelling approaches. Also, where do you find your indie game recommendations? I follow a few YouTube channels but always looking for more sources.
I think supporting indie developers is so important for keeping gaming diverse and innovative.
I've been playing a lot of indie games lately too! One that really surprised me was Dredge - it's this fishing game with Lovecraftian horror elements. The atmosphere is incredible, and the gameplay loop of fishing during the day and avoiding monsters at night is addictive.
Another one I loved was Cocoon from the lead gameplay designer of Limbo and Inside. The puzzle design is mind-bending in the best way possible. You carry worlds within worlds, and the way everything connects is brilliant.
For finding indie games, I follow a few curators on Steam who have similar tastes. Also, the More Like This" section on Steam store pages is surprisingly good once you find a game you love.
Have you tried Viewfinder? It's a puzzle game where you can use photographs to change reality. Some of the solutions made me feel like a genius when I figured them out.
I just finished Chants of Sennaar and it might be my favorite indie game of the year. It's a puzzle game about deciphering languages in a Tower of Babel setting. The satisfaction of finally understanding a new language system is incredible.
For unique mechanics, check out The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. You play as a witch who creates her own tarot deck, and the cards you create actually affect the story. Every playthrough is different based on your deck.
I find most of my indie game recommendations from YouTube channels like Skill Up and ACG. They cover a good mix of AAA and indie games. Also, the Nintendo Direct indie showcases are great for discovering what's coming to Switch.
Have you played Sea of Stars? It's a love letter to classic JRPGs with modern quality-of-life improvements. The pixel art is some of the best I've ever seen.
I've been diving into the indie horror scene lately. Signalis is an amazing survival horror game inspired by classic Resident Evil and Silent Hill, but with its own unique aesthetic and story. The atmosphere is thick and oppressive in the best way.
For something completely different, Planet of Lana is a beautiful puzzle-platformer with a touching story about a girl and her alien companion. The art style is painterly and the soundtrack is gorgeous.
I get a lot of my indie game recommendations from itch.io bundles and sales. You can discover so many experimental games there that never make it to Steam. Also, following indie developers on Twitter has led me to some amazing games during development.
Venba is another recent favorite - a cooking game about an Indian immigrant family. It's short but incredibly heartfelt and made me cry.
As an RPG fan, I've found some incredible indie RPGs recently. Chained Echoes is probably the best indie JRPG I've played in years. It feels like a SNES classic but with modern sensibilities. The combat system is deep without being overwhelming.
For unique storytelling, Citizen Sleeper is phenomenal. It's a narrative-driven RPG set on a space station where you play as an escaped android. The writing is some of the best in gaming, and your choices really matter.
I discover most indie games through word of mouth in gaming communities. When multiple people whose opinions I trust recommend something, I pay attention. Also, Game Pass has been amazing for trying indie games risk-free.
Tunic deserves a mention too - it's like Zelda meets Dark Souls with a fox protagonist. The way it reveals its mechanics and world is masterful.
For co-op indie games, my group has been loving PlateUp! It's like Overcooked meets roguelike restaurant management. Each run you build your restaurant layout differently, and the chaos of cooking while managing customers is hilarious with friends.
Lethal Company has been our recent obsession too. The horror-comedy vibe when you're exploring abandoned moons with friends is unmatched. The proximity chat makes for some amazing moments when someone gets grabbed by a monster.
I find indie game recommendations mostly from Steam's discovery queue and watching streamers play smaller games. Twitch has been great for seeing games in action before buying.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is worth checking out if you liked Jet Set Radio. The movement feels amazing, and the soundtrack is full of bangers.