The best indie games for every genre, from platformers to RPGs – Reader Features

A reader created a list of what he considers to be the best indie video games, ranging from classics like Limbo and Celeste to newer titles like Blue Prince.

The increasing budgets and time required to create triple-A titles has resulted in the industry becoming less risk-averse and increasingly reliant on shady tactics, such as loot boxes and microtransactions to generate profits.

Luckily, indie games have stepped up to the plate in providing new and exciting experiences, and are often available at a cheaper price.

So here’s my ultimate guide to the best indie games in every genre.

Platformer

Famous games: Celeste, Inside, Limbo, Pizza Tower, Super Meat Boy

Winner: Neon White

There are some strong competitors here, but Neon White’s unique mix of shooting and sprinting combined with its excellent level design ensures that it is able to outclass its opponents.

Action

Famous games: Cuphead, Katana Zero, Superhot, Super Time Force, Vampire Survivors

Winner: Sifu

Sifu can be a very difficult game at times, but thanks to the extremely satisfying combat mechanics and a unique system where your character ages every time you die, it’s worth investing some time in this excellent action title.

Adventure

Notable Plays: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Death’s Door, Dredge, Journey, Tunic

Winner: Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds provides almost no guidance on what you should do and instead lets players go in whatever direction they choose to piece together the mysteries of this universe, it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Role playing game

Notable Games: Divinity: Original Sin, Sea of ​​Stars, Undertale, West Of Loathing, Wildermyth

WINNER: CLIR OBScur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur would have deserved praise even if the game had come from a major studio, but the fact that such a small team created a role-playing game with gameplay, visuals, and audio this good is surprising.

Metroidvania

Notable Games: Animal Well, Hollow Knight, Gucamelee, The Messenger, Salt & Sanctuary

Winner: Ori And The Blind Forest

There is often debate about whether this is truly an indie game, but there is no real argument about the quality of the game. The controls are tight, and when you add in the beautiful graphics and beautiful musical score, you have one of the best metroidvanias money can buy.

like naughty

Notable Games: Cult of the Lamb, Dead Cells, Circle Heroes, Hades 2, Binding of Isaac

Winner: Hades

In what is arguably the most crowded genre in the indie gaming world, Hades’ excellent combat, endless variety of weapon/upgrade combinations, and cleverly structured narrative ensure this game remains at the top.

Confusing

Famous Games: Braid; The paper, please; Pony Island; Return of the Obra Dinn; Golden Idol Case

Winner: Blue Prince

There’s no shortage of interesting puzzle games from indie developers, but for my money, Blue Prince takes the crown thanks to its more open-ended gameplay and endless secrets waiting to be discovered.

Strategy

Notable Games: Frostpunk, FTL, Stacklands, Tactical Breach Wizard, The Banner Saga

Winner: Into the Breach

With most missions lasting a maximum of just five turns, Into The Breach ensures that every move you make is crucial and ultimately manages to distill the genre down to its purest form.

Deck Builder

Notable Games: Balatro, Inscription, Monster Train, Monster Train 2, Shogun Showdown

Winner: Slay the Spire

For pure addictiveness, Balatro can’t be beat, but Slay The Spire just offers more variety and depth and in my opinion remains the best deck builder available.

Story

Famous Games: Citizen Sleeper, Road 96, The Stanley Parable, What Remains Of Edith Finch, Kentucky Route Zero

Winner: Disco Elysium

The success of a narrative-led game relies almost entirely on a well-written script and interesting characters, and Disco Elysium absolutely succeeds at both. The fact that events can unfold very differently depending on the player’s choices also provides a level of replayability that games in this genre rarely have.

Crafting/Survival

Notable Games: Don’t Starve, Stardew Valley, Terraria, A War of Mine, A Year’s Road

Winner: Subnautica

Another genre that’s very popular in the indie world, especially on PC, but Subnautica is at the top thanks to its more scripted storyline and highly detailed game world.

By reader drlowdon

Reader features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

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