What are the very best indie video games? The nice indie growth triggered by digital distribution over a decade in the past turned out to be extra of a Huge Bang, firing small-team improvement right into a plethora of instructions that now defy easy categorisation. The sheer quantity is intimidating, so we’ve loads to select from when compiling our record of the very best indie video games. Maybe an excessive amount of.
However we should always take inventory to understand every little thing indie improvement has given us. A number of the video games listed under have been in-built a weekend by first-time coders, whereas others have been crafted by former triple-A creators who’ve instilled their impartial work with the identical technical requirements. They barely have something in frequent however a wholesome dose of idiosyncrasy and concepts that make Steam value spelunking and make our record of the very best PC video games.
The most effective indie video games in 2025 are:
Peak
The time period ‘friendslop’ will get thrown round rather a lot these days, and we’ll battle anybody who ascribes it to Peak. In any case, Peak is peak. Aggro Crab’s co-op climber is without doubt one of the greatest indie video games we have performed all 12 months, and can solely set you again a couple of bucks for the privilege.
Get together up, case the joint for provides that’ll enable you survive your perilous journey via a number of zones, to the highest of the mountain. It is fraught with horrors, not least the truth that you’ll be left to die by the individuals closest to you and not using a second thought, again and again. It is good, sincere enjoyable, and has shortly turn into a favourite throughout the PCGN ranks.
In case you do take to the mountain, arm your self with info, be it learn how to revive in Peak, the Peak Capybara location, or, for the musically minded, what the bugle does in Peak.
Blue Prince
A slow-burn puzzle recreation that sees you weaving your approach via a manor to seek out the elusive room 46. The difficult factor with Blue Prince is that the manor is totally clean in the beginning of every day, with rooms solely forming when you attempt to enter them.
You could have a selection of three room blueprints every time you open a door; some rooms are overt puzzles, some have helpful objects, and a few are useless ends that threaten to destroy as we speak’s run. You go so far as you may, you uncover as a lot as potential, and on the finish of the day, you sleep, and the entire thing begins anew.
The environment is eerie, the story is compelling, and ensure you deliver a pad and pen together with you as a result of some puzzles do not make themselves recognized till you are hours in. Try our Blue Prince evaluate if you wish to know extra.
1000xRESIST
Fellow Traveller has copped a repute as an indie writer that constantly delivers acclaimed experiences, and 1000xRESIST is one more feather in its tasteful cap. This sci-fi story recreation is ready in a dystopian future following an alien invasion that wipes out most of humanity. Its remnants, a clone society that worships the mysterious ALLMOTHER, await her name on the entrance strains of battle. Our 1000xRESIST preview describes this pseudo-deity as “jealous, bitter, indignant, and so deeply human” – in brief, she’s a teenage lady.
Sundown Customer’s collective abilities in movie, theater, and music collide with their lived expertise within the Asian-Canadian diaspora to craft a story that spans identification, faith, language, and intergenerational trauma. It is a visible novel, but it surely’s additionally a lot greater than that. It even made our high ten in PCGamesN’s GOTY Awards 2024, the place Ed calls it “‘good’ in a approach that videogames are not often good.”
The Rogue Prince of Persia
The Rogue Prince of Persia is the newest recreation from Evil Empire, the builders behind the critically acclaimed Lifeless Cells DLC. It is a roguelike platformer that focuses on producing fast-paced motion sequences, the likes of which Prince of Persia followers ought to be aware of. That includes a singular artwork fashion, acrobatic fight strikes, and waves of enemies to blast via, you are at all times in for a high-octane deal with with every run.
The Rogue Prince of Persia launch date is not due till later this 12 months, however followers of the ol’ Prince can get their arms on the early entry model. The sport has been via a number of main updates, with the November replace introducing among the largest modifications but. Probably the most noticeable change has seen the Prince’s pores and skin colour change from purple again to brown, as Evil Empire addresses one of many largest criticisms they’ve confronted from followers. Learn our Rogue Prince of Persia early entry evaluate to see what we considered the sport earlier than among the main updates passed off.
UFO 50
Derek Yu, the developer behind the Spelunky collection, does not miss in the case of creating smash hits. All the things he touches appears to show to gold, and his newest undertaking alongside the small staff at Mossmouth has put collectively UFO 50, a set of video games for a fictional 8-bit console. These aren’t simply one-off mini-games such as you’d see in one thing like Wario Ware, these are the sorts of experiences you may discover on a console just like the NES.
One in all our private favorites is Mortol, a puzzle and platformer, the place you undergo ranges with a restricted variety of models. It’s good to make every dwell depend as you may solely carry out one motion per life, so if there are spikes in your path, it’s a must to flip right into a stable block to create a secure passageway. Starting from single participant, co-op, and multiplayer titles, UFO 50 approaches the 8-bit format with the learnings of contemporary recreation design. Every one of many video games in UFO 50 might simply be modernized and reinvented as a full-blown title, however they’re packaged on this great assortment of video games to provide you hours of enjoyable.
Hades 2
Developer Supergiant’s newest is an impossibly moreish roguelike and the follow-up to the 2020 breakout. As an alternative of enjoying as Zagreus, you play as his sister, Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, on her quest to defeat the Titan of Time, Chronos, and save her household.
The vicious, hard-as-nails fight is an absolute pleasure to experiment with, but it surely’s Hades’ solid of bickering gods that makes its cyclical nature sing. You may relish any likelihood to speak together with your Olympian kinfolk, particularly as doing so affords gameplay advantages and grants you a larger understanding of Supergiant’s refreshing tackle Greek mythology. Our Hades 2 evaluate raves in regards to the sequel to the hit indie recreation, with larger upgrades, open world areas, and a bunch of latest gods and characters, and you do not even have to play the primary one to get pleasure from!
Animal Nicely
Animal Nicely could be one of the vital densely packed Metroidvania video games to be launched in a very long time. On this non-linear expertise, gamers should work out methods to make the most of all of the objects they decide up on their journey, discovering strategies to work together with particular objects, blocks, and weapons.
Billy Basso, the only real developer of Animal Nicely, has defined that each merchandise within the recreation has a twin function, with the promise that, “The primary recreation is just the start. Gamers shall be discovering hidden puzzles for years”. Learn our Animal Nicely evaluate to see what we considered the sport.
Pacific Drive
Followers of the supernatural ought to take a look at Pacific Drive. This primary-person survival recreation duties you with uncovering the thriller behind an deserted analysis web site within the Pacific Northwest. With all of the Anomalies creeping round, traversing on foot is ill-advised, so that you’re inspired to assemble gear to repair up a battered previous automobile. With sufficient modifying, crafting, and upgrading, that exact same automobile might be the distinction between life and demise.
Whereas it isn’t a horror recreation per se, Pacific Drive actually does not make a fast getaway from its paranormal threats straightforward. You may possible fumble with the controls every now and then. Nonetheless, if you’re not revving the engine with the handbrake on, you may cruise alongside to a catchy soundtrack of American people and classic rock to distract you from the terrors bounding towards you. The primary enchantment of Pacific Drive is discovering one thing new round each nook: a clue to the thriller you are making an attempt to resolve, a brand new half on your automobile, or a by no means earlier than seen adversary. In case you thrive on unpredictability, then it is best to undoubtedly hop into the driving seat.
Sheepy: A Brief Journey
Platform video games have been the cornerstone of a number of indie actions over the past couple of many years, with the likes of Cave Story, Braid, Fez, and Spelunky exhibiting the world how far they’re prepared to take this beloved style. Sheepy: A Brief Journey is a free PC recreation a few discarded lovely sheep plush that is given sentience, and admittedly, we predict it is a must-play.
As you descend right into a derelict facility, you uncover an ideal thriller about those that got here earlier than via tape recordings and scattered notes. Dilapidated tunnels result in platforms that crumble beneath your toes or lifts that crunch into gear as they journey downward. In contrast to different indie gems resembling Limbo, Sheepy: A Brief Journey does not have tense horror set items however nonetheless offers a haunting, melancholic expertise because of its stunning soundtrack. The whole recreation should not take greater than about an hour or so, and we’re positive you may find it irresistible as a lot as we do. Simply watch out of Patches.
Balatro
Whether or not you are a Poker fan or not, Balatro takes the basic card recreation to a different stage by introducing extra playing cards and mechanics wanted to assist break the sport. For instance, you can construct a deck the place you are trying to create as many four-of-a-kind arms as potential. In Balatro, you may clone your favourite playing cards to make sure you have the next likelihood of having the ability to play this hand extra usually.
There are many mechanics in place that make it straightforward to create highly effective synergies, and it is really easy to begin up a brand new run in case your final save does not go to plan; Balatro is so addictive when you begin to perceive the way it works. Happily, that does not take too lengthy, as the sport is extremely straightforward to select up and be taught.
Palworld
Palworld, a form of Pokemon PC recreation with weapons and Ark survival mechanics, was an immediate hit, smashing participant quantity information in its first week of launch. Made by PocketPair Inc, the Japanese developer behind the comparatively unknown Craftopia, Palworld offered an sudden begin to final 12 months, met with controversy and criticism over its similarities to different video games, in addition to unmitigated reputation. It appears the survival recreation affords Pokemon followers what they’ve at all times needed in all of the methods Palword differs from Pokemon itself.
Towards the Storm
Towards the Storm places a welcome spin on metropolis constructing video games by introducing roguelite parts that guarantee no two settlements are ever the identical. You’re the Scorched Queen’s Viceroy on this darkish fantasy, tasked with increasing her territory via the wilderness and claiming any treasures you may discover for her personal. Your growth is not only for glory, although – it is also to make sure that the Queen’s kingdom survives the titular Blightstorm wreaking destruction throughout the land.
Our Towards the Storm evaluate describes town builder as “extremely partaking, delectably rewarding, and suitably irritating.” Whereas it does undergo from UI bloat and a slight studying curve to beat, when you become familiar with its micromanagement programs you may anticipate a “near-perfect roguelike technique recreation” with ample replayability.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars is a beautiful turn-based RPG stuffed with thrilling journey. You may play out the story of two kids tasked with utilizing their solar and moon powers mixed to make use of a brand new, highly effective magic known as Eclipse to defeat the large, unhealthy, Fleshmancer. Alongside the partaking story, the soundtrack is wonderful and may have you delaying your decision-making simply to groove alongside. There are many collectibles to seize alongside the best way in case you’re a completionist, just like the Rainbow Conches and the Sea of Stars relics, which all have completely different makes use of.
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a story RPG that is concurrently out of this world and heartbreakingly human. You’re Sol, the titular teenage exocolonist together with your complete life forward of you on the alien world of Vertumna IV. This coming-of-age story is a heady concoction of visible novels and deck constructing mechanics as you resolve how Sol spends every day of their fleeting childhood. Are they a studious golden baby with a part-time job, or a rebellious teen who prefers to slack off with their friends? There are not any unsuitable selections, however every one shapes Sol’s life expertise, their relationships, and the colony’s survival.
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist copped a TGA nomination within the Video games for Impression class in its launch 12 months, and later took house the award for Finest Gameplay on the Video games For Change Awards 2023. It is also earned a well-deserved spot on our record of the very best LGBTQIA+ video games because of its inclusive relationship sim parts and genuine solid of characters. Accolades apart, it additionally affords staggering replayability, although we’ll allow you to uncover the particulars your self.
Dredge
This indie horror fishing recreation (you heard that proper) made fairly the splash earlier this 12 months with its distinctive artwork fashion, compelling narrative, and fishing mechanics, making it equally components terrifying and enjoyable. Unravel a heart-breaking thriller by upgrading your fishing boat to discover new islands and chat to the residents, trawl for uncommon jewels and artifacts, and analysis new gear. Dredge is a superb Steam deck recreation, too!
Norco
This journey recreation takes place in the true city of Norco, Louisiana as a seek for your lacking brother shortly spirals right into a thriller that spans generations. Akin to video games like Kentucky Route Zero and Beneath a Metal Sky, Norco’s stand-out pixel artwork and highly effective themes of capitalism, local weather change, and the impression of our selections sooner or later make this one among greatest story video games on PC.
As with most level and click on video games, the gameplay is not difficult, and the true journey is experiencing the story via narration that seems on a aspect bar the place you may decide your subsequent transfer and discover out extra about your environment, whether or not that is interacting with objects or speaking to the characters you meet alongside the best way.
Terraria
This sandbox recreation hasn’t slowed in reputation because it arrived because the ‘2D Minecraft’ again in 2011. Primarily, you are by no means in need of one thing to do on this spellbinding indie recreation. You may make your individual targets by setting targets, resembling constructing Terraria homes, combating one of many many Terraria bosses, and even exploring the depths of the lethal dungeons.
Finishing objectives unlocks NPCs and also you basically construct your individual village to deal with them, with every NPC offering completely different advantages, resembling a Wizard for potions or a Nurse for therapeutic. In case you attain the top, no downside, there’s an professional stage that provides much more bosses, enemies, biomes, and objects. Although Terraria actually is not as enjoyable as its blocky comparability, you may at all times strive a spot of Terraria fishing to ease you in.
The Binding of Isaac Rebirth
A randomly generated motion RPG with roguelike parts, The Binding of Isaac Rebirth is the sequel to the primary recreation, which has the identical premise. The sport follows Isaac via an unknown world as he makes a fast escape right into a lure door hidden in his bed room to flee his religious Christian mom hellbent on sacrificing him.
As Isaac, you purchase superhuman skills and discover hidden treasure as you battle off droves of enemies, uncover secrets and techniques, and hopefully escape to security. The maze of rooms and variations of creatures make this a troublesome recreation, but it surely’s value scrappily making your option to the a number of endings the sport has to supply.
Wildermyth
In case you’ve ever needed to play via a tabletop roleplaying marketing campaign with associates while not having a dungeon grasp to craft your story, Wildermyth is the right resolution. As your distinctive cohort of heroes set out into the world, they encounter all kinds of adventures that form their identification and private narrative – and as every story is procedurally generated, you find yourself enjoying via a story that is completely distinctive.
Your characters age, fall in love, and finally die, however you may hold their legacies alive in subsequent playthroughs. It is a storytelling marvel, with stunning papercraft artwork and countless replayability.
Inscryption
Inscryption is a card recreation at first look, however there’s rather more hiding beneath the floor. The preliminary gameplay is a combination between Slay The Spire and lane-based card video games, although it tends in direction of the macabre as you might want to sacrifice smaller animals to play larger and higher beasts to wipe out your opponent.
This unsettling environment escalates as you start to look at the creepy log cabin you are enjoying in; Inscryption can be partially an escape room recreation the place you have to decipher cryptic clues to seek out your approach out. Earlier than lengthy, it is obvious that nothing is because it appears, and unravelling the thriller takes you on an sudden journey.
The most effective factor about Inscryption is that when you’ve got performed via the marketing campaign, you may hold enjoying. Opting into the beta for the free DLC, Kaycee’s Mod, turns the cardboard recreation right into a roguelike, including new playing cards and occasions to maintain the sport feeling recent – and handicaps to make every run more difficult to finish. In case you like tales with conspiracies and darkish secrets and techniques, Inscryption is nicely value investigating.
Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium was arguably the very best indie recreation of 2019. Dumping you into the dirty footwear of a detective after an amnesia-inducing evening of consuming and instantly charging you with investigating a grizzly homicide. With no conventional fight to talk of, Disco Elysium is all about wrestling with your individual psyche as a way to type the form of detective you need to be, after which using this fractured character to get solutions from suspects.
This would not work if it weren’t for some phenomenal writing, and on this respect Disco Elysium is a peerless RPG. With numerous conversational threads to select at in any given encounter, the truth that every one among them is brimming with character is what makes this detective recreation so particular.
Valheim
Valheim’s enchanting visible fashion and dreamlike Norse setting set it other than the pack of co-op survival video games. The survival mechanics are comparatively forgiving, so you may increase mead halls and roundhouses in relative tranquility, watching the sundown wash throughout the sky because the mist rolls in.
Vikings looking for a problem, although, can set sail throughout the procedurally generated wilderness, trudging via swamps and scrambling over freezing mountains to defeat a collection of Valheim bosses as a way to deliver house hordes of trophies and gold. Simply remember that boar loves you.
Demise’s Door
Demise’s Door is an action-adventure recreation impressed by classics like The Legend of Zelda and Darkish Souls. You play as a crow accountable for reaping the souls of monsters for the Reaping Fee Headquarters, a mysterious but surprisingly bureaucratic group.
These monsters aren’t prepared to surrender their lives, and so they’re able to put up a battle as a way to hold them. Make your approach via dungeons, cemeteries, and overgrown ruins as you clear up puzzles and defeat smaller enemies alongside the best way.
Demise’s Door’s stunning visible fashion together with sturdy fight mechanics actually units it aside. Enemies are powerful to take down, however the problem is completely balanced; the fight feels implausible as each slash of your sword has weight behind it.
Spelunky 2
There’s at all times the hazard with a sequel, notably with a recreation that’s so beloved, that it may not dwell as much as individuals’s unrealistic expectations. Spelunky 2 manages to construct on every little thing that made the unique particular, and it takes issues a step additional with an expanded world, crammed with mysteries and surprises alongside the best way.
The Spelunky video games are recognized for his or her punishing problem, but it surely’s the satisfaction you get if you clear a troublesome zone that makes every stage really feel such as you’ve reached a milestone. Whereas the primary recreation included co-op options, Spelunky 2 as soon as once more improved on this with cross-platform and on-line performance, making it straightforward to play with as much as three extra spelunkers. Look via our Spelunky 2 evaluate to be taught precisely what makes Mossmouth’s sequel so spectacular.
Stardew Valley
There’s numerous love for Harvest Moon among the many PC group regardless of the collection being unique to Nintendo consoles. That is why Stardew Valley captured the hearts and minds of so many. A cute role-playing administration recreation, it performs to the farming strengths of the favored Harvest Moon video games, whereas concurrently being its personal model of charming.
You may start life in Stardew Valley with an inherited farm in dire want of restore. As you plant new crops and inject life into your land your focus will shift to exploration of the world round you. The valley is in comparable want of loving consideration, and it makes for the right undertaking to unwind with evening after evening. Whereas Stardew Valley is without doubt one of the greatest single participant video games, it is also house to a fabulous co-op mode – in case you are after some co-op video games – and a spot to experiment with the plethora of Stardew Valley mods. Bursting with character, Stardew Valley is an unmissable journey for anybody craving the village life.
Undertale
In a conventional RPG, you’d make a begin by exploring the outskirts of a troubled city earlier than you start to bolster the arsenal of your chosen character. It is a secure assumption that you’re going to be fixing any issues you encounter with fists, swords, or magical skills. In Undertale, nonetheless, homicide might be handled as a final resort – as we sincerely hope applies to you in actual life.
This 16-bit indie is without doubt one of the greatest RPGs round, you may subdue, pacify, and even flirt with enemies that stand in your approach. The way you method every little thing that stands in your approach all through the sport really impacts the story and the way characters deal with you sooner or later. Depart enemies alive and so they’ll present up later and possibly make associates with you. However, in case you’d relatively go together with the same old bloody homicide then that is simply as legitimate.
Talking of the story, you play a child who falls into the world of monsters, after which has to discover a option to escape. What ensues is an endearing journey that is constantly well-written, stuffed with memorable characters and one-liners you may commerce with associates, and a beautiful soundtrack as well.
Celeste
The mountaineer that pulled at everybody’s heartstrings, Celeste wasn’t simply the most effective indie video games in recent times, it was our decide for the very best PC recreation of 2018. Its pinpoint, easy controls make it a superb and difficult platformer, whereas its narrative takes the style to an entire new stage.
You play as Madeline who has determined to beat the icy mountain Celeste by reaching its summit. You may fail numerous instances to Celeste’s difficult ranges, however because of a fast respawn time and a few considerate messages of encouragement, Celeste spurs you on even when it will get powerful. If the difficult gameplay of Celeste places you off enjoying, then there is no want to fret as there are a number of assists you may activate so that you’re free to benefit from the story no matter your talent stage.
Thus ends our roundup of the very best indie video games on PC. Make sure to hunt down our record of previous PC video games if you wish to take that indie vibe one step additional and go full hipster. With that record of cultural highlights finished and dusted you are free to go and play outdoors, or return to your favourite triple-A multiplayer video games – whichever you favor.