The gaming industry has seen tremendous growth in the last decades and the major reason for the success is the launch of engaging and popular gaming franchises from popular game developers. However, the growth is not only the contribution from old and popular game developers but also a lot of new and independent developers as well, who have tried to provide something new in the genre and establish a name for themselves.
The best indie games are popular and available on almost every platform right now. These indie games have been a great example of mentioning that great games not only come from popular gaming studios and developers. independent developers have also developed games that have been regarded as the best indie games of all time. Independent game developers create games based on different budgets and genres.
Therefore, you will find many games under the indie game segment, and definitely, something that will interest you. The indie game community has gained so much popularity because they have been able to create competitive games when compared to big gaming developer studios and have been able to provide great graphics, storylines, and gameplay for the users.
Due to the improvement in technology and available graphic software, these independent studios have been able to create some great games which are now a benchmark for the entire gaming industry. It is why we have a list of the 30 most popular indie games that you should definitely try at least once. These best indie games of all time provide something for everyone in different genres that will keep you hooked on them.
Our List on Best Indie Games of All Time
Journey
Platforms: PS3, PS4 and PC
Journey is regarded as one of the best indie games that you can get your hands on. The game is visually stunning and does not include any kind of dialogue for the players. The game takes you on a journey that will help you make your way to the top of the mountain. You can not only play alone and advance further, but you can also choose to meet other players in the game and advance with them. The simplicity and the visuals of the game make it one of the best games in its genre.
Undertale
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS Vita, and PC
The game is based on RPG-style gameplay, where your mission will be to make your way out of the underground world and make it to the surface. One way, you will be able to kill the enemies and interact with others to recruit them as your allies, which will be helpful to fight the enemies. The game also provides you with a lot of challenging puzzles that include dragons, dungeons, and monsters. You can either choose the path of peace or destruction to play the game.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
The game is about saving the world from the darkness and also brings a lot of audio and visual details into the game. It is a well-balanced game with challenges and puzzles for the players to solve. The difficulty level makes the game challenging and allows you to collect items and rewards to remove the darkness. It is a great game and among the most popular on the best indie games list.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
Now, this is certainly one of the best indie games of all time when it comes to the RPG genre and has been developed by Larian Studios. The game gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to deciding the story of your character. You can control the development of characters and your actions have a big effect on the story. The game also has the first part, but the second part only improves on it and is much better to play as well.
Celeste
Platforms: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One
When it comes to gameplay with simplicity, yet a lot of artistic design, Celeste comes into the picture. The game is being developed by a Canadian gaming studio and lets the player reach the top of the mountain while facing certain challenges. The major standing point of the game is the detailed level of design and the artistic beauty it brings along. The game would really engage you in itself for hours. Definitely one of the best indie games that you can try
Don’t Starve Together
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, and PC
One of the very engaging games from an independent developer is Don’t Starve Together. The game allows the player to survive the harsh conditions of the environment and survive for as long as possible. The game brings in great graphics and a lot of challenges to engage the user. It makes the list of best indie games because of its intense gameplay and overall user interface.
Cuphead
Platforms: Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
When it comes to independent gaming developers and studios, one game stands out among all and that is Cuphead. It has been considered one of the best indie games of all time. The game is a delight when it comes to visuals and graphics. The graphics bring the retro feel from the early 90s while still having great shooting mechanics which makes defeating the enemies challenging. The game is extremely difficult while facing the boss and does take a bit of practice for the players to get used to.
Katana ZERO
Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch
It is one game that will thoroughly test your gaming skills as even a single hit will end the life of your player. Considered among the best indie games, it brings in a lot of elements with great graphics at the same time. You will also have certain capabilities like manipulating time, dodging, return shots, and more. This game will not only increase your reflexes but also your accuracy.
Terraria
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, and PC
The game is considered to be the best indie game of all time and has millions of fans across the world. One of the major reasons for its popularity has been its availability on multiple platforms. The game is very similar to the Minecraft world, but all in 2D. The player is allowed to explore and build their own place and fight enemies for reward. Definitely, a game to try for players who like Minecraft.
SUPERHOT
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
The game is based on precision and provides a lot of tools for the players to use. The game is basically a shooting genre platform where the player enters a virtual world where if they move, everything else moves very fast, and if they stop, everything else moves slow. It will be great fun to play game for everyone.
No Man’s Sky
Platforms: PC, Xbox One and PS4
It is definitely among the list of best indie games of all time and will engage you for hours. The game takes you on a space exploration where you will have the opportunity to visit millions of planets. The has been improved and polished over the years since its release in 2016 and is one of the coolest open-world survival games out there.
The Witness
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, and Android
If you like solving puzzles, then this game is for you. The game includes hundreds of puzzles to solve and the difficulty level also rises as you progress. The level of difficulty rises to a point where you will have to spend hours just to get through one level. The game does allow you to try various strategies to beat it and it is not necessary to beat all levels to reach the end.
Papers, Please
Platforms: PC, iOS, and PS Vita
This is one of the most unique listings in the indie games list. The game allows you to be an immigration officer and gives you the authority to allow certain people to enter the country or deny them entry. The decision that you take would also affect the life of the character. However, you have to be very sure and strict as the character as you will face terrorists as well, trying to pass through immigration.
Slay The Spire
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, iOS, and Android (in 2020)
The game is a mix of three genres, which are card games, action fighting, and chess. It is one of the most addictive games that you will come across and brings strategy, action, and roguelike gameplay, all in one. The game will provide you with a very unique experience that any other game in this genre.
Path of Exile
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, and PC
The game was released in the year 2013 but is hugely popular among people now. The game is completely inspired by Diablo, which is one of the most popular games. It offers intense gameplay along with customization options and character evolutions. The game can be enjoyed alone and can also be played with friends. You can also experiment with different players available in this game to create your own customized character.
Stardew Valley
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android
You are a farmer and you will have to carry out various activities on the farm to make sure that it remains productive. It is basically the whole theme of fame and provides you with many options to create a farm of your choice. It will also offer many other adventurous side missions that you can play.
Disco Elysium
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
It is one of the best role-playing games in the indie game genre, which has been developed and published by ZA/UM. It focuses on freedom of action for the character and allows the user to be a detective to solve crimes. The character of a detective is drunk and differs from amnesia, due to which it becomes difficult to solve crimes, and you will help him. You can interact with other characters, and search for clues and evidence to find the guilty.
Minecraft
Platforms: PC, Android, iOS, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo 3DS
It is considered to be the best indie game of all time and there are many reasons that support it. Minecraft provides you with an open world to build your own character, area, and a lot more, in 3D pixelated graphic format. Minecraft is available on almost every platform which makes it one of the most popular games in the segment. You can freely build anything and fight enemies in various environments.
This War of Mine
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
It is a war survival game that allows you to use both strategy and management at the same time. The game also includes many elements of a survival game which makes it a lot more challenging. The civilians have been struck by war and now they have to survive the harsh condition and destruction in any way possible. They will have to collect resources and food to survive and make certain challenging decisions as well.
What Remains of Edith Finch
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
The game was released in 2017 and was developed by Giant Sparrow. It brings in the secretive and exploration vibes in the game by allowing the player to explore the family mansion that they have acquired through family possessions. The best part about the game is that each story is told in a different way and to solve the mystery, the gameplay will also be different.
Night in the Woods
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
The title is exactly what the gameplay would be for this best indie game. The single-player genre in this game represents the life of millennials and allows you to represent themes associated with relationships, emotions, love, and a lot more. The character is cat Mae who returns to the town to find out everything has changed and then it allows the character to unravel mysteries that will take them to their loved ones.
Subnautica
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
Subnautica is one of the best survival games from any independent gaming developer till now. The game takes you to a planet where everything is after you to end your life. However, by crafting and exploring, you will be able to defeat all odds and escape the planet. It has some of the best graphics and is a really immersive and engaging game.
Inside
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
The game was released in 2016 and since then it has gained a lot of popularity due to the way the story was conveyed to the users. It basically represents a dystopian society where you play the character of a little boy. You cannot stay still and will have to run, swim, jump, and do a lot more to solve the puzzles. The game also brings a touch of terror which makes it a lot more engaging.
The Stanley Parable
Platforms: PC
The game is a great choice for people who are looking for a different kind of gameplay. The entire story is kind of chaotic and does not happen in order which makes it intense and interesting. The gameplay might feel different to every other person, but there is a lot to discover in this game as it brings something new to every task it has.
Hotline Miami
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, and Xbox One
The game is based on the shooting genre in the wild west and has the 90s kind of vibe to it. The game brings in great graphics and mechanics at the same time. It will make you remember the old arcade-style of shooting games that we played years before and is definitely one of the best indie games of all time.
Braid
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, and PC
The game serves as a tribute to epic games like Super Mario World, due to which it becomes a game that is full of colors and engaging gameplay. It does not have very good gameplay mechanics, but it does cover it up with the user interface. It has some really good sound effects along with nice and easy gameplay.
Baba Is You
Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PC
Baba is You is one of the best indie games and also one of the unique and original ideas in a game that we have seen in this category. The game has a lot of puzzles that you will solve using phrases and words. It also allows you to overcome obstacles, and reach your goal after a hard and difficult round of gameplay.
Super Meat Boy
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch
This is known to be the best indie game of all time by any independent developer and surely one of the games that you really need to play. It is a fast-paced game where you will be represented by a piece of meat, and you will have to run, jump and save yourself from being chopped off to complete the round. It has great mechanics, controls, and gameplay and is surely one game that you do not want to miss at any cost.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch
It is an RPG game that is playable on a 2D platform. The game is one of the best in its genre and has a lot of artistic graphics which will bring you in awe with this game. The game comes with an original plot and storyline and has a reference to a lot of other games in terms of elements.
SOMA
Platforms: PC, Xbox One and PS4
Last on our list is SOMA which is a great survival and horror genre game. The game will bring in a lot of surprises for the player in terms of horror and force them to explore the area for elements that are required for the progress. The graphics are dark and great, which represents the horror theme of the game. You will regularly face dangers from which you will have to run away and survive.
Verdict
So here are some of the best indie games of all time that you can play on multiple platforms, they are available on. Although they are not backed up by the name of big gaming developers studios like EA or Ubisoft, you can be assured that they will provide you with a gameplay experience like no other.
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