10 Criminally Underrated Indie Games You Need To Play

As someone who’s spent countless hours exploring digital realms and unraveling intricate narratives, I can confidently say that these two games are absolute gems that deserve more attention than they’ve received.

Indie game creators face an incredibly challenging landscape within the video game industry, as they often struggle against larger companies due to limited funds and resources. They aim to reap even a small fraction of the success achieved by these giants in the gaming world.

Sometimes, these islands surprise us by grabbing attention briefly, outperforming expectations, yet more often than not, they struggle to attract a following and slip back into being forgotten.

Nevertheless, numerous underappreciated indie games offer remarkable experiences that warrant recognition and acclaim, positioning them among the top-tier games available today.

To assist these lesser-known games gain popularity and become part of the gaming culture, here’s a collection of ten exceptional indie titles worth playing.

10 El Paso, Everywhere

John Wick Who?

Let’s get started by playing a game that brings back the thrill of darting about as if in slow motion, guns blazing just like in the good old days of Max Payne!

In simpler terms, “El Paso Everywhere” is an extraordinary third-person shooter game that presents a captivating narrative of a soured vampire romance, primarily communicated through intense firearm action sequences.

This game might seem as if it were designed for the PlayStation 2, but upon playing it, you’ll discover that it’s actually a far more refined shooter than its initial appearance suggests.

This game features fast-paced, behind-the-back shooting action, a stage layout akin to that of Hotline Miami, and an entertaining B-movie style narrative with surprising depth.

There’s nothing quite as badass as a matrix-style shootout, and El Paso Everywhere proves that.

9 Sanabi

One Last Job

In the realm of Cyberpunk video games, the ‘cybernetic spirit in a mechanical body’ theme isn’t exactly novel. While titles like Ghostrunner provide an engaging AA parkour experience within this genre, I believe that Sanabi takes the cake by offering the most immersive futuristic ninja platformer available today.

In an alternate version of Korea, shrouded in dystopia, Sanabi calls you back from your peaceful retirement to resume your life as a super-soldier. This involves frequent visits to the vibrant neon metropolis, where you’ll navigate through the cityscapes using your reliable grappling hook for mobility.

This game offers exceptionally smooth and exciting movement and navigation through its levels, which makes every action sequence thrilling to play. Although the narrative can be somewhat puzzling and enigmatic, it’s a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy that you’ll enjoy immersing yourself within.

8 To The Moon

I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying!

Fancy bawling your eyes out uncontrollably? Well, boy, do I have the game for you.

Games made with RPG Maker have a charming indie vibe, yet some skillfully exploit the relatively basic development toolkit to produce stunning artistic masterpieces. And among these, “To The Moon” stands out as a notable example of an RPG Maker game that lives up to this description.

The narrative is entirely centered around the story of two star-crossed partners, who, even though they shared their entire lives, never fully experienced the full potential of their love.

By delving into the depths of John Wyle’s mind, there could be an opportunity to rectify those mistakes. It’s a captivating, powerfully moving story, one that I wholeheartedly endorse for everyone.

7 Noita

Pixel Perfect Witchcraft

It’s accurate to point out that popular gaming culture has fully adopted roguelikes and roguelites, with hits such as The Binding of Isaac and Hades seeing massive popularity due to their success.

However, a few excellent examples have slipped through the cracks, and one such game is Noita.

In this game, I delve into an intriguing subterranean landscape, where every single pixel is meticulously rendered on its own. It’s reminiscent of those captivating sandbox simulations we can’t help but tinker with for hours on end.

Beyond the visual appeal, it’s noteworthy that this game is more than just eye-catching; it’s an impressive Roguelike with a challenging environment, offering a diverse selection of wands and spells to ensure each playthrough offers a unique experience. The learning curve, though steep, rewards players as they gradually master the game, making small accomplishments feel like significant triumphs.

This remarkable independent game has been overlooked for far too long by many. Therefore, grab your staff and delve into the depths that lie beneath.

6 Minishoot Adventures

Bullet-Hell Zelda

It’s highly probable that whoever reads this has experienced at least one game from the extensive Zelda series in their lifetime. Yet, I’d bet that even those who have completed all of Link’s 2D adventures would acknowledge that nothing quite compares to the unique experience provided by Minishoot Adventures.

Essentially, Minishoot Adventures plays out like a side-scrolling game in the style of The Legend of Zelda series. You’ll traverse through various levels, gather keys, tackle puzzles, and engage in similar activities.

Instead, what sets this apart is swapping out hack-and-slash combat for an energetic and masterfully executed twin-stick shooter reminiscent of bullet hell games.

This game is an exciting mix, providing thrilling joyful spurts and mentally stimulating brain teasers for you to enjoy.

If you’ve grown weary of the traditional style often found in the popular Zelda series, then this could offer a refreshing change for you.

5 Laika: Aged Through Blood

Backflips and Bullets

I can’t resist games that introduce unusual mechanics into well-established genres, and manage to make them fit seamlessly. This is precisely what occurred during the development of “Laika: Aged Through Blood“.

In this game, you’ll experience a unique blend of the slow-motion action from Max Payne and the bike-riding challenges found in Trials Fusion. The result is a Metroidvania-style adventure with an edge.

This game requires high technical skills, but as you get accustomed, it offers seamless gameplay scenes, a grim yet potent narrative of revenge, and one of the most impressive soundtracks in the independent gaming world.

They say violence is never the answer, but Laika proves that sometimes blood, guns, and non-stop action are just what the doctor ordered.

4 Bramble: The Mountain King

A Very Grimm Fairytale

I’ve held a profound affection for side-scrolling platform games with an eerie, horror-related theme throughout my life. Despite its apparent narrowness, it’s become a subgenre in its own right due to notable titles such as Little Nightmares, INSIDE, and LIMBO. However, there’s a game that draws inspiration from Grimm’s Fairytales which deserves more recognition within this niche.

As I delve into the enchanting world of “Bramble: The Mountain King,” I find myself immersed in a twisted fairy tale that takes a chilling turn. Gradually, I’m ensnared by an eerie descent into madness, confronting the terrifying horrors hidden within this captivating storybook landscape. In the end, I transform into a monstrous creature, a haunting reminder of the darkness lurking within even the most beautiful stories.

This story is quite chilling, filled with spooky instances, challenging platforming puzzles that are truly engaging, and even some impressive boss fights to boot.

If you’re looking for a horror game that doesn’t pack as intense a scare as others, this might be a less frightening option worth exploring.

3 Nine Sols

Parry, Parry, Strike!

When someone mentions Metroidvanias, they probably mention Hollow Knight in the next breath.

Meanwhile, as many eagerly anticipate the release of “Silksong“, numerous outstanding games from the same genre have emerged, demonstrating that exceptional gaming experiences are accessible even without waiting for its arrival.

Nine Sols is a prime example of this, offering a 2D Souls experience with a twist.

Instead of the typical Dark Souls gameplay, this one leans more towards Sekiro with its complex and challenging parrying mechanism. To conquer the formidable bosses known as Nine Sols, players must master these skills to stay alive.

In addition to outstanding battle systems, the game also offers a Tao-inspired universe, stunning graphics, effortless navigation, and a gripping narrative that’s sure to keep you engaged.

This game is quite difficult, so I must give you a heads-up, but if you’re up for a test of your skills, you may have just stumbled upon it.

2 NORCO

A Surreal Homecoming

Just last year, it was Baldur’s Gate 3 that proved that primarily Text-Based games still have their place in gaming, but while it took all the plaudits, yet another Text-Based gem was slipping under the radar of many.

The story set in a mysterious, sci-fi town called Norco is complex and hard to define precisely, but I’ll try. You find yourself going back to the distressed city of Norco following your mother’s demise, sensing something unusual about her death. Your mission becomes uncovering the truth behind it all.

Consequently, this situation causes a small string to quickly come undone, offering you an unusually captivating tale – one of the most peculiar yet delightful stories that gaming has bestowed upon us.

Experience a Santa living on the streets, cruise through the mystical Louisiana Bayous, get entangled with an enigmatic cult that frequents the local mall, and much more awaits! I strongly encourage you to immerse yourself in the narrative immediately, for it’s a captivating journey that’s best explored firsthand.

1 In Stars and Time

Over And Over Again

Without a doubt, among the games of recent years, none is as unjustifiably underappreciated as “In Stars and Time“.

Although it boasts a charming array of characters, a captivating setting stuck in a never-ending timeloop, humorously sharp dialogue, and strategically simplified RPG battles, this game often went unnoticed by numerous video game enthusiasts.

Fortunately, I wasn’t part of that group, allowing me to experience directly the intricate nature of a fourth-wall-defying time loop. It was filled with captivating character dynamics, imaginative world construction, and refreshingly forward-thinking storylines.

When it was launched, I declared that this game surpassed Outer Wilds as my top choice for the best time-loop indie game ever made, and I continue to believe in that assessment.

If you’re curious to find out why everyone’s talking, then let’s head there! Oh, and by the way, be sure not to touch that pineapple, as you have an allergy.

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2024-10-23 14:42