A Games List of Only Amazing Hidden Indie Gems and Snubs

Over the previous 12 months we have been slammed with a barrage of very good video games, from AAA blockbusters reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Alan Wake II, to indie darlings reminiscent of Towards the Storm, Pizza Tower, and Cocoon. Nonetheless, hidden within the shadows of those excellent video video games that have been performed by hundreds of thousands have been equally spectacular titles that by no means obtained the prospect to bop below the brilliant lights.

On this article, we’ll introduce you to a different 20 hidden indie gems you possible have not heard of, however which absolutely deserve your consideration. Whereas the majority of those titles have been launched in current instances, we have additionally obtained a choice of video games that got here out within the final 3 to 4 years.

These are all indies, and whereas some managed to seize the eye of media or avid gamers, if just for some time, each recreation on the checklist under may be categorized as a highlight snub. We have listed them alphabetically since that appeared like probably the most truthful solution to showcase them, contemplating they’re all fairly darn good…

What number of video games have you learnt out of those 20?
> Do not miss our reader ballot on the finish of the article… <

A Highland Tune

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At 15 years of age, Moira McKinnon determined to run away and at last see the ocean together with her personal eyes. However the street to the shore is long-winded, full of environmental perils, paths that lead nowhere, and all types of unhealthy climate that may creep upon you in a minute within the Scottish Highlands the place A Highland Tune takes place.

This 2D journey / platformer manages to create an immensely wealthy and distinctive world of intertwined 2D planes with a formidable feeling of depth. A world the place you may get misplaced in a jiffy after making only a handful of unsuitable turns. So it’s important to climb close by peaks and map your route by fixing map-based puzzles so as to discover your manner ahead, transfer deeper into the 2D airplane of the sport to find new routes, and conceal in caves and ruins from instances lengthy gone to climate storms and proceed your journey to the ocean.

Purchase it from: Steam

Bzzzt

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A pixel artwork platformer that includes tight controls, difficult gameplay, excellent stage design, a traditional mode the place a single hit means dying, and a time problem in every stage, Bzzzt is a speedrunners dream, however this doesn’t suggest others will not benefit from the recreation.

Decrease the issue and Bzzzt transforms right into a extremely gratifying exact platformer with a near-perfect circulate, greater than 50 ranges, and collect-them-all challenges which are extra suited to common avid gamers who’re high-quality with getting higher at a recreation however do not discover the near-insurmountable problem at greater problem ranges all that engaging.

Add a variety of thrilling boss battles, the truth that you may end most ranges in a minute or much less, very good optimization permitting the sport to be performed on a toaster or any handheld gaming PC, and you have one of many slickest platformers of current years that begs to your consideration. Bzzzt affords one thing for everybody, so long as they seem to be a fan of platformers.

Purchase it from: Steam, GOG

Cobalt Core

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While you hear the phrases “roguelike deckbuilder,” among the issues that come to your thoughts most likely embrace punishing problem, barebones story, and static battles the place neither you nor your opponents transfer across the battlefield. Cobalt Core subverts these expectations, presenting a deckbuilder roguelike that options an enticing meta-story, a number of ranges of problem, and dynamic battles the place it’s important to care about your place as a lot as your card synergies.

This recreation appeals to those that sometimes do not get pleasure from roguelikes by encouraging gamers to embark on one other run not solely with guarantees of cool new playing cards and taking part in characters to unlock, but in addition by unveiling a brand new character-specific story bit every time you end a run. This can be a nice carrot-and-stick mechanic for avid gamers who lean extra towards story-rich video games than titles that put gameplay in entrance of every thing else. That mentioned, Cobalt Core will not be a one-trick pony on the subject of unlocks. Other than the slowly unraveling meta-story, you additionally unlock new crew members, playing cards, and ships.

And contemplating that every crew member solely has three unlockable story bits – out of 18 bits in complete – and that every ship has totally different unlock necessities, the sport continuously pushes you to experiment with new crew members and crew combos, every character having their very own distinctive deck of playing cards, and take a look at taking part in at greater difficulties as a substitute of settling right into a feeling-good-but-not-trying-new-stuff rut when you discover a crew and ship combo that fits your playstyle the very best.

Purchase it from: Steam

Dodgeball Academia

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Dodgeball Academia is a sports activities RPG paying homage to a Saturday morning cartoon, with gameplay akin to a 90s console RPG, full of humorous and healthful moments, with a forged of quirky however lovable characters and a ton of partaking dodgeball battles. The sport affords a captivating story and a compact recreation world full of content material that also manages to maintain the spirit of exploration alive since every a part of the map has its fair proportion of hidden collectibles.

The story unfolds over the course of a few dozen hours, with the sport continuously feeding gamers with new areas to discover and new opponents that may take a look at your dodgeball and roster-building skills. Dodgeball battles are simple at first, however afterward within the recreation, you’ll have to sweat so as to be the final man standing. Don’t dodge this recreation!

Purchase it from: Steam, GOG

El Paso, Elsewhere

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What would you get if you happen to’d combine parts of Max Payne and Management after which glaze the ensuing potpourri with retro visuals? In all probability one thing similar to El Paso, Elsewhere.

This can be a style-and-substance neo-noir third-person shooter that appears and feels nice. Battle tons of bizarrely-looking enemies, use bullet time like there is no tomorrow, and unveil the story of affection gone foul.

The sport options pretty retro visuals alongside continuous explosive motion the place utilizing bullet time is as pure and frequent as respiratory. Ranges are designed in a solution to promote Max Payne-like sort of set items the place type is as vital as getting issues performed, the place the expertise of capturing baddies is the very best a part of the entire recreation. Examine this one out, you will not remorse it.

Purchase it from: Steam, GOG, Itch

Empty Shell

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If one expression might describe Empty Shell, it could be “an train in futility.” Empty Shell is an unrelenting, dissonant barrage of punishing encounters that usually result in a fast recreation over.

The sport’s overly darkish, twisted, ill-defined visuals that steadily drive you to squint so as to see the enemies marching in direction of you provides a second layer of unapproachability that punishes its gamers each by way of gameplay and visible presentation.

However if you happen to persevere and provides Empty Shell an opportunity, you are in for a deal with. Not less than if you happen to like gruelingly troublesome survival horror video games with an obtuse, twisted story, oppressive ambiance, and roguelike gameplay loop. The sport’s tactical gameplay that does not forgive errors can change into tremendous addicting. If you happen to like this sort of video games, you would possibly end up awake at 3am after yet one more defeat, urging your physique to seek out sufficient vitality to embark on simply one other run.

Purchase it from: Steam

Islets

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Islets is a one-man venture that oozes artful design and love for the Metroidvania style. As an alternative of happening the route of blocky pixel artwork, Islets makes use of hand-drawn art work to provide life to the tiny but courageous mouse you play as, and its playground made of varied islands floating among the many clouds.

The sport appears nice but in addition encompasses a well-designed gameplay loop the place you discover pretty massive standalone maps full of upgrades, bosses, and delightful surroundings. The catch right here is that your objective is to reunite the fragmented islands, which in flip mends the maps and drops new areas to discover and upgrades to gather, making the method of backtracking the style is thought for a lot much less tedious than in most different metroidvanias.

Other than the attractive hand-painted visuals, music in Islets can be worthy of reward. Lush visuals mixed with sprightly melodies give Islets a vivacious and opulent ambiance, the exact opposite of the somber tones of Hole Knight. Locking it in is comparatively easy fight that is not too arduous, permitting gamers to concentrate on exploration and contentment of the sport’s astonishing ranges as a substitute of making an attempt to git gud so as to beat the boss they have been caught on the final three hours.

Purchase it from: Steam, GOG, Epic Video games Retailer

Loddlenaut

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Choose up trash, recycle supplies, clear the ocean, and revive the planet. The premise of Loddlenaut is easy, and this cozy recreation within the vein of “A Quick Hike” does not attempt to oversell itself, not like many different such titles that market themselves like they’re the second coming of A Quick Hike.

The sport’s chill gameplay and the truth that you may befriend cute axolotl-like loddles will win you over the second you place in your diving helmet and dive into the polluted ocean of the planet GUP-14, which can quickly be cleaned by none aside from your self. Loddlenaut is a wickedly cozy recreation with slews of attraction.

Purchase it from: Steam

OlliOlli World

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The primary two OlliOlli video games have been tons of enjoyable, and the most recent entry maintains the unbeatable high quality of the OlliOlli circulate expertise whereas additionally taking the franchise into 3D realms. Lauded by critics however failing to change into a smash indie hit opinions have been hinting at, OlliOlli World deserves your consideration if you happen to’re into the fast-paced combo-hoarding type of video games that pack tons of fashion and substance.

The sensation of touchdown one combo after one other whereas driving by way of deftly designed ranges and whereas the frenzy of pleasure in your mind is rising with every second till you cross the end line and uncover that you’ve got managed to accrue sufficient factors to advance to the following stage is among the finest examples of a high quality tension-and-release design in a contemporary recreation. And if you happen to’re into conquering every stage, the sport affords a variety of additional achievements that normally require full dedication to be obtained.

Purchase it from: Steam

Patch Quest

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Patch Quest is a peculiar indie recreation that mixes among the finest parts of roguelites, metroidvanias, and shmups, infuses them with Pokemon-like creature accumulating, and serves the ultimate course with an additional dose of problem. The sport world is humongous and rife for exploration, however you may have to attend a bit and die a number of instances earlier than you receive sufficient upgrades to outlive on the planet of Patch Quest for lengthy sufficient to embark on prolonged runs and truly handle to attain some cool loot and unlock extra everlasting upgrades.

When you get the ball rolling the sport opens up, and also you’re greeted with a ton of content material that features quite a few gadgets to acquire, everlasting upgrades to unlock, dungeons to discover, and executives to beat. One other excellent news is that capturing here is phenomenal, with the sport packing a large sufficient choice of weapons and talents to not flip stale when you change into highly effective sufficient to current an actual hazard to the denizens of Patchlantis. Final however not least, the sport helps split-screen co-op for as much as 2 gamers, that means you may shuffle issues up with a pal as soon as solo exploration begins to change into boring.

Purchase it from: Steam

Pseudoregalia

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Pseudoregalia is a 3D metroidvania that places the enjoyment of movement in entrance of every thing else. Its N64-like visuals could also be off-putting to some, however when you enter the fortress, unlock a number of skills that make traversing the degrees a breeze, and embark on the hunt to seek out all keys wanted to face the ultimate problem, Pseudoregalia turns into probably the most addictive metroidvanias on the market.

Every stage within the recreation features a few areas you may attain by pulling off artistic, sequence breaking transfer combos and utilizing the extent design to your benefit. This design determination at all times retains you guessing whether or not you may advance along with your present set of strikes or must unlock extra skills, eliciting a charming gameplay loop full of rewarding discoveries.

The one factor we advise all potential gamers is to make use of the sport map obtainable on this Steam information, until you get pleasure from free-form exploration and infrequently getting misplaced in recreation worlds for hours on finish.

Purchase it from: Steam, Itch

Roadwarden

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If you happen to fancy taking part in a text-based RPG with troves of selections to make and delightful isometric pixel artwork embellishing nearly each dialog window, look no additional than Roadwarden. That is an expertly crafted RPG the place many facet quests embrace a variety of impactful selections to make and the place combating mobs consists of a number of studying, typing, and clicking on multiple-choice solutions.

This choose-your-adventure recreation does not attempt to escape its text-heavy roots, however it additionally manages to create a gameplay loop the place you cease caring about not having the ability to swing your ax at unhealthy guys and as a substitute embrace the sport’s dialog home windows full of textual content and cute pixel artwork illustrations.

The sport consists of three courses to select from, every distinctive sufficient to supply a very totally different expertise than the opposite two; a terrific incentive to beat the sport a number of instances. Professional tip: if you’d like the utmost stage of immersion, flip the time restrict off and take your time absorbing the masterfully written fantasy world of Roadwarden.

Purchase it from: Steam

Rush Rally 3

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One man’s journey of making an final indie rally simulation had began years in the past on smartphones, with the third iteration of the Rush Rally sequence being the primary one to launch on PC. And, oh boy, this one’s a keeper.

If you happen to like Colin McRae video games, together with the newer Filth titles reminiscent of Filth 2 and Filth 3, you may love Rush Rally 3. The sport is a simcade rally racer with a meaty marketing campaign and greater than 20 rally automobiles from all eras you may unlock, customise, tune, and improve. The phases are a pleasure to drive and may get greater than a bit tough as you progress by way of the marketing campaign mode.

As for the driving mannequin, it leans extra in direction of the arcade however consists of life like physics of driving over totally different surfaces, in addition to fairly detailed deformation and injury fashions. Lastly, whereas the visuals will not blow your thoughts, they match properly with the general retro really feel of the sport, taking you again to the 2000s and early 2010s, the golden age of Colin McRae and Filth video games. If you happen to favor isometric racers, take a look at Rush Rally Origins from the identical developer.

Purchase it from: Steam

South Scrimshaw, Half One

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A free visible novel that includes an unique story a few whale rising up in an ocean that is uncannily comparable but totally alien to ours in addition to among the finest illustrations you may ever see in a recreation is a deal you should not miss, even when visible novels aren’t your cup of tea.

As an alternative of taking part in out a branching story full of selections, penalties, a number of endings, and all that jazz, South Scrimshaw affords a singular manner of telling a narrative in a online game. This visible novel makes use of a pseudo-documentary type of narration with absolutely voiced traces and exhaustively detailed worldbuilding that features particulars not solely about lifeforms occupying the mentioned ocean but in addition in regards to the human-led expedition that found the planet on which the story takes place.

If there is a main flaw with the sport, it is the truth that it ends sort of in the midst of the story and that we now have to attend for half two to see how the story ends.

Obtain it from: Steam, GOG, Itch

Stasis: Bone Totem

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The Brotherhood is a studio with a knack for isometric journey video games boasting a monitor report that features admirable achievements reminiscent of Stunning Desolation and Cayne. Their newest recreation, Stasis: Bone Totem, is arguably The Brotherhood’s finest recreation up to now.

Whereas previous video games from The Brotherhood lacked in a technique or one other, Stasis: Bone Totem is the place every thing clicks into place. You’ve got obtained spectacular visuals, intelligent puzzles which are enjoyable to resolve, an enticing story, phenomenal worldbuilding and artwork course, an excellent soundtrack, and a gameplay loop that tries to innovate on the tried-and-true point-and-click journey hallmarks.

And whereas journey aficionados will almost definitely adore this one, Stasis: Bone Totem needs to be performed by everybody who likes darkish, bleak sci-fi video games with a high quality story. Better of all, regardless of the sport being a sequel to 2015’s Stasis, the 2 video games solely share the universe they befell in.

Purchase it from: Steam, GOG, Epic Video games Retailer

Tremendous Woden GP 2

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If you happen to’ve ever wished for a retro-styled isometric tackle the legendary Gran Turismo 4, Tremendous Woden GP 2 is that recreation. The meat and potatoes of the sport consists of the hefty marketing campaign that may see you drive automobiles in a dozen totally different courses, every class with distinctive dealing with and methods to go quick across the tracks. The sport affords a ton of various automobiles to acquire, both by unlocking them by successful championships or shopping for them at automotive tons.

Regardless of the sport’s arcadey dealing with, every championship in Tremendous Woden GP 2 feels totally different. Rally automobiles can drive throughout grass and grime nearly as quick as on asphalt, compact hatchbacks speed up like lighting and are tremendous simple to regulate, however their max pace leaves one thing to be desired, whereas the highly effective GT automobiles have each the acceleration and max pace, however require a gold certificates on the braking academy.

The various providing of championships, the flexibility to improve every automotive you personal, in addition to a slew of content material together with four-way split-screen native multiplayer for when your pals come out, weekly on-line occasions with leaderboards, greater than 180 automobiles to unlock, and an excellent variety of notably tough time trial races that put your mettle to the take a look at make Tremendous Woden GP 2 the most effective indie races on the market, interval.

Purchase it from: Steam

The Multi-Medium

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An easy but partaking puzzle platformer gameplay the place each stage follows a distinct artwork type with the one fixed being the ragdoll-like taking part in character, and the truth that each asset present in The Multi-Medium is hand drawn or hand painted make this one a doozie.

Mechanically, The Multi-Medium performs like your traditional puzzle platformer. You spend your time working, leaping, avoiding obstacles, fixing puzzles, and combating varied bosses and common enemies whereas making an attempt to remain alive and go to simply one other world. However as the sport progresses, you uncover that the majority worlds characteristic a singular gameplay mechanic that retains stuff recent and prevents the sport from turning right into a chore after the preliminary amazement with the improbable artwork design fades.

The platforming sections are intermittently dotted with varied puzzles which are, typically, comparatively easy but enjoyable to resolve, supplying the sport with an excellent quantity of partaking content material however stopping gamers from getting caught on that one super-hard puzzle discovered in lots of different comparable titles. On the finish of the day, The Multi-Medium is a cute little hidden gem that revels within the ambiance and is among the finest methods to spend a pair hours of your free time.

Purchase it from: Steam

Tunguska: The Visitation

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When you’re ready for S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R. 2: Coronary heart of Chernobyl, you could possibly strive Tunguska: The Visitation. This recreation takes the S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R components and locations it in an isometric perspective, all whereas conserving even nearer to the primary inspiration for each video games, Roadside Picnic. As an alternative of the zone being across the Chernobyl nuclear half, the Soviet Exclusion Zone in Tunguska: The Visitation is situated across the Podkamennaya Tunguska River, close to which the mysterious Tunguska explosion occurred in 1908.

The Soviet Exclusion Zone is full of perils but in addition treasures, untold tales, and tons of enemies starting from fellow human stalkers to otherworldly mutants that may flip the ambiance in direction of survival horror the second you encounter one.

The sport’s designed as a light-survival shooter with RPG parts, permitting gamers to design distinctive builds revolving round capturing every thing that strikes, sticking to the shadows, or every thing in between. You’ve got obtained tons of content material, a chunky story with a variety of cool discoveries and twists, and an exploration-heavy, zero-quest marker gameplay loop that continuously drives you ahead into the unknown.

Purchase it from: Steam, GOG, Itch

Below A Star Lengthy Chilly

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Below A Star Lengthy Chilly is yet one more stealth-focused micro recreation from Antonio Freyre that options retro visuals and good stealth motion gameplay. However not like most of his different works that observe a linear story, Below A Star Lengthy Chilly is an open-world recreation that duties you with looting sufficient sources to pay your money owed earlier than the planet you are on will get destroyed. You may have half-hour, and the best way you sort out this time-based problem is totally as much as you.

This time trial twist retains the sport recent and offers it a ton of replay worth. You’ll be able to strive totally different approaches and techniques and take a look at whether or not you may end a run efficiently quicker by taking it gradual and quiet, or using a guns-blazing method.

When you amass sufficient money to repay your money owed, you may simply stick with your favourite schtick and take a look at beating your excessive rating, or strive mixing issues up. The well-designed stealth gameplay will most likely change into the go-to method for many gamers, however the appreciable problem of your debt-repaying quest will almost definitely be a motivation to experiment whereas making an attempt to get off the planet alive.

Purchase it from: Steam, Itch

Zortch

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Zortch Maxinum wished to avoid wasting money, so she booked a less expensive vacation package deal. The alien ruse has succeeded, and Zortch is now caught in an alien world making an attempt to get again residence whereas killing hordes of fairly unfriendly aliens that come in additional than 30 flavors. Zortch is a love letter to FPS video games launched through the early 2000s; the sundown of the N64 and the daybreak of the PS2 period.

The visuals observe the requirements set by the PC and console shooters of that point, however the stage design leapfrogs a lot of the mentioned video games, providing an explosive motion recreation full of early aughts humor and uniquely designed weapons. Zortch is a correct banger that needs to be performed by everybody who grew up through the golden age of N64 and PS2. In any case, a recreation endorsed by David Szymanski of the Nightfall and Gloamwood fame cannot be unhealthy.

Purchase it from: Steam, Itch

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