10 Best Indie RPGs Ever – Investment Policy

Summary

Indie RPGs have revitalized the genre with their bold art, captivating stories, and accessible but inventive gameplay mechanics.
Beloved titles like Undertale, LISA or OMORI hide dark and deep storylines behind colorful and charming art styles.
Not every great Indie RPG is colorful and experimental: games like Chained Echoes and Sea of Stars are inspired by classic 16-bit RPGs from the SNES era.

Role-playing games, or RPGs, are a hugely popular and well-known part of the gaming world, with franchises like *Final Fantasy*, *Dragon Quest*, and *The Elder Scrolls* leading the way. However, many fantastic RPGs were also created by independent developers. These smaller projects played a key role in revitalizing the genre during a difficult time in the 2000s and early 2010s, and even helped to make it popular again.

For over twenty years, independent role-playing games, or Indie RPGs, have captivated players with their distinctive visuals, compelling stories, and innovative ways to play. With easier-to-use game development tools and thriving online communities, creating these games is becoming more accessible. While many great Indie RPGs are out there, here are ten considered the very best.

Yume Nikki

Laid The Foundation For Indie RPGs

No list of top Indie RPGs would be complete without mentioning *Yume Nikki*, a game widely credited with making the genre popular. Created solely by Japanese developer Kikiyama using RPG Maker 2003, it’s known for being one of the most uniquely strange and imaginative adventures ever designed.

Yume Nikki is a story-driven RPG where you explore dream worlds. Unlike most RPGs, there’s no fighting – you progress by wandering around, interacting with things, and using items. The game takes place entirely inside the dreams of the main character, Madotsuki, and it’s known for its unsettling and bizarre visuals and atmosphere. It’s a very important game for its genre, and it’s available as a free download on Steam.

OFF

A Unique, Bizarre RPG That Popularized The Genre Even Further

Indie role-playing games (RPGs) became increasingly popular towards the end of the 2000s, resulting in some truly outstanding titles. One standout game was *OFF*, created by Mortis Ghost using RPG Maker 2003 – the same engine used for *Yume Nikki*. While the gameplay in *OFF* is fairly straightforward turn-based combat, it’s the game’s unique story and world that have made it a beloved classic.

In the game, you play as the Batter, whose mission is to cleanse a strange world by overcoming the protectors of four distinct Zones. While it begins seemingly ordinary, the game quickly becomes increasingly surreal, culminating in a shocking and unexpected twist at the end. Adding to the experience are its memorable music and distinctive art style. Recently, *OFF* was updated and released on Steam and Nintendo Switch, making this beloved indie RPG available to a wider audience.

LISA

A Post-Apocalyptic Adventure With A Dark Narrative

The *LISA* games, developed entirely by Austin Jorgensen using RPG Maker VX Ace, are well-known for helping to popularize indie RPGs in the 2010s (along with *OFF*). There are actually three games – *LISA: The First*, *LISA: The Painful*, and *LISA: The Joyful* – but they’re usually considered as one continuous story.

While *LISA*’s combat is somewhat unique, it’s the game’s story and characters that truly stand out. Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world where everyone is addicted to a drug called Joy, *LISA* follows Brad Armstrong as he attempts to rescue a kidnapped baby girl. The story is deeply emotional and tackles challenging themes, but it’s also surprisingly funny. Adding to the experience is a fantastic soundtrack created by the game’s developer, Jorgensen.

Undertale

The Peaceful RPG That Redefined The Entire Genre

Many people think of *Undertale* when they hear “Indie RPG.” Released in 2015, Toby Fox’s first game was a game-changer for both the RPG genre and the wider gaming world. It’s a turn-based RPG with a unique combat system—often described as ‘bullet hell’—that rewards players for finding peaceful solutions instead of fighting. This innovative idea captivated gamers then, and continues to feel original today.

I was completely blown away by *Undertale* when it first came out, and it’s easy to see why so many people loved it. It wasn’t just the cool idea of the game, but the whole world, the characters, and the story really stuck with me. Toby Fox and his team clearly put so much heart and skill into every single detail. And the music? Seriously unforgettable! It’s amazing how much success *Undertale* had – millions of copies sold! It really launched Toby Fox’s career and inspired a ton of other games too.

Deltarune

An Incomplete Masterpiece

Toby Fox has shared that *Undertale* was essentially a practice project, and *Deltarune* is the game he originally envisioned. *Deltarune* builds on everything fans loved about *Undertale*, taking it to the next level with improved gameplay, more challenging battles, a captivating story, and a wider range of music.

Deltarune is a truly unique game, and RPG fans – or anyone who enjoys video games – should definitely give it a try. The only downside is that it’s being released gradually, in chapters, starting in 2018, due to its lengthy development. Currently, four chapters are available, including two free ones, offering over twenty hours of gameplay.

Hylics 2

A Surreal Adventure Brought To Life With Claymation

Released: June 22, 2020
System: PC
Developer: Mason Lindroth
Genre: RPG

In 2015, independent game developer Mason Lindroth released Hylics, a unique RPG with a vibrant, dreamlike world created using handmade claymation. While it quickly gained a dedicated following, some found the game brief and more of an interactive experience than a traditional game. Thankfully, the 2020 sequel, Hylics 2, addressed these concerns and expanded on the original in every way.

Hylics 2 is a more complete RPG experience, featuring a larger world, more characters, and more complex battles. However, the game truly shines because of its unique look. Everything – every character and item – is created with claymation, and each design is incredibly memorable. The game’s psychedelic funk soundtrack, created by Chuck Salamone and Lindroth, has also been widely praised.

OMORI

A Poignant Psychological Tale Inspired By Earthbound

Just as *LISA* and *Undertale* revolutionized RPGs in the 2010s, *OMORI* did the same in the 2020s. It initially appears to be a simple turn-based RPG with a combat style reminiscent of *Earthbound* and its influences, where enemies are prominently displayed. But as you play, the game reveals a much more complex and profound experience.

I absolutely love the battle system in *OMORI* – it’s a really clever take on rock-paper-scissors, where how you and your enemies *feel* actually changes how strong you are. But honestly, what *really* got me hooked was the story. It’s surprisingly dark and emotional, and it doesn’t shy away from tough stuff like trauma, anxiety, feeling alone, and even self-harm. It’s a bit scary at times, and definitely hits hard – it might be a lot for some people, but it’s so impactful.

Chained Echoes

A Traditional Fantasy RPG

It’s a common misconception that indie RPGs are only strange, brightly colored games dealing with heavy themes. Actually, many excellent indie RPGs take inspiration from classic titles like *Final Fantasy* and *Chrono Trigger*, and other well-known franchises. *Chained Echoes* is a prime example of this.

Chained Echoes feels like a classic SNES RPG updated for today, featuring stunning pixel art, a great soundtrack, and an interesting fantasy world with a touch of science fiction. The battles are a real standout – even though they’re turn-based, they’re quick and exciting thanks to smooth animations and a special ‘overdrive’ system. Because of these features and more, many consider Chained Echoes to be one of the best turn-based RPGs available right now, and it’s built a dedicated fanbase.

Cassette Beasts

It’s More Than A Pokemon Clone

There are many excellent indie RPGs that take inspiration from popular, big-budget games, and *Pokemon* is a particularly common source of inspiration. But while lots of these games feel like *Pokemon* clones, *Cassette Beasts* is truly unique and stands out from the crowd.

This open-world RPG lets you collect, train, and even *become* a wide range of incredibly creative monsters. Battles are turn-based, and you can fuse monsters together to create even stronger, uniquely designed evolutions. The game really shines in its later stages, with a captivating story and monsters that set it apart from other creature-collecting games, solidifying its place as a modern classic and a standout title inspired by *Pokemon*.

Sea Of Stars

The Fusion Of Several Classic RPGs Led To This Award-Winning Indie Darling

If you’re looking for a recent indie RPG that feels like a spiritual successor to classics like *Final Fantasy* and *Chrono Trigger*, *Sea of Stars* really stands out. Released just a few years ago, it’s quickly become a beloved game, praised for both how it plays and how it looks.

Sea of Stars was designed to capture the spirit of classic RPGs. It blends features from beloved games like Chrono Trigger – offering seamless battles without loading screens – and Super Mario RPG, with its engaging, timing-based combat. The game’s rich story takes inspiration from Illusion of Gaia, and it’s all brought to life with beautiful pixel art and a stunning soundtrack. Sea of Stars’ many strengths have earned it widespread praise, including the award for Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2023.

2025-10-11 10:36