Whether you are a newcomer to the world of indie gaming or a seasoned pro, you know there are a lot of options out there. But how do you narrow down the list of titles that are truly great?
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
Developed by Snoozy Kazoo, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a fun, Zelda-esque top-down adventure game. The game features a fun protagonist in the form of Turnip Boy, a tan vegetable with three green leaves on his head.
In the game, the titular Turnip Boy must travel to several locales to complete a series of tasks. He will have to run errands for Mayor Onion and other characters, fetch items, solve puzzles, and battle monsters. This game is a fun way to add some veggies to your diet.
Papers Please
Developed by Lucas Pope, Papers Please is an award-winning indie game that has been released for iPad, PlayStation Vita, PC, Mac, and Android. The game tells the story of an immigration inspector in a fictional eastern bloc country in the 1980s. It is a simulation game that allows players to make decisions and investigate the documents of immigrants. They are expected to make a moral choice every day and are given tools to investigate the documents to ensure they are accurate.
Celeste
Developed by the makers of Towerfall, Celeste is a fun, retro-styled, challenging side-scrolling platformer. Its graphics are excellent, and its soundtrack is one of the best of the year. Its story is also impressive, as it follows the adventures of a depressed girl trying to reach the top of a mountain.
It’s a challenging game, with levels that range from easy to extremely difficult. It features a clever level design that rewards players with a few fun surprises.
It’s also got a solid soundtrack, which ties into the game’s narrative. Celeste is one of the most critically acclaimed indie games of this console generation. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Rocket League
Designed by Psyonix, Rocket League is a multiplayer video game that features a soccer theme. Players can drive cars that are powered by rockets to attack and defend opponents. This game also has a plethora of customization options for players. The game is also a great example of how an indie game can be just as impressive as a AAA title.
In the game’s first few months of release, Rocket League was the best-selling PC game of all time. It was also one of the first games to be sold on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 platforms. In addition to being one of the best-selling games on consoles, Rocket League is an esports staple. It was awarded many industry awards for its graphics, gameplay, and overall presentation.
Enter the Gungeon
Developed by Dodge Roll and published by Devolver Digitals, Enter the Gungeon is a twin-stick shooter and roguelike game. It’s been a hit on Steam and Xbox One, and it sold over three million copies by June 2020.
The game isn’t easy, but the challenge isn’t as overwhelming as it might seem. Enter the Gungeon offers a unique fusion of the roguelike and the twin-stick shooter. The two merged to create a game that’s packed with addictive combat and procedurally generated dungeons.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Previously known as “Disco Elysium,” the game’s creators, ZA/UM, have recently announced a “The Final Cut” version of the game. This version is not just a port, but a complete rebuild, with all quality-of-life changes made, including fully voiced dialogue.
The game is set in the fictional city of Rachel, an urban wasteland populated by a corrupt and violent past. In recent years, it has become a powder keg, with striking union workers controlling the streets. The city is painted with muted hues and littered with bullet holes from firing squads.
Return of the Obra Dinn
Described as the “perfect reinvention of the mystery genre,” Return of the Obra Dinn is a clever murder mystery puzzle game that challenges players to figure out how sixty passengers on a derelict ship died. The game was developed by Lucas Pope, a veteran of the video game industry who is best known for his immigration simulator Papers, Please.
The game’s minimal styling and minimalist color palette make it a perfect fit for the retro aesthetic of Macintosh computers. The game uses a “1-bit” art style, which allows for artistic violence and ambiguity in the appearances of the characters.
The Thing
Whether it’s the latest AAA game or the latest indie, there is often a lot of buzz surrounding a game, especially if it’s released during a big time. For the most part, however, the best indie games don’t garner the attention they deserve. However, with the rise of Steam, more indie developers are reaching their target audiences and making a name for themselves. These games can actually compete with the biggest names in the business.
The best indie games have more than just great art and gameplay. Some of them have made a lasting impression on gamers. The Thing is one such game. It’s an inventive and visually appealing dungeon crawler. You play as a man whose job is to save a princess from a monster. But, while the game’s main objective may have been accomplished, the real test was overcoming its many hazards.
