10 Highly Reviewed Indie Games That Are Overrated

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As an avid gamer, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern in game reviews – both from the community and professionals – where there seems to be a certain leniency towards independent games, sometimes overlooking their shortcomings. It’s understandable, as we don’t want to be too hard on the underdog.

If I view these indie games objectively, setting aside my usual enthusiasm and whimsy, it becomes evident that they have more noticeable flaws.

Many independent games boast innovative concepts, offer an enjoyable experience during initial playthroughs, and possess a distinct charm that encourages leniency despite potential issues such as repetition, lack of refinement, or merely average quality overall.

Here are some games often rated 8/10 or above, but I’d argue they receive more acclaim than is truly warranted, considering their qualities.

10.
Unpacking

Skimming The Surface

In Unpacking, although I had a relaxed experience overall, it’s mainly the narrative (approximately 5% of the game) that remains vivid in my memory. The majority of the game consists of selecting items and moving them to their proper locations by clicking and dragging.

Playing this game is pleasurable and soothing, but what can become tedious over time is the process of moving objects around the rooms using a controller, trying to figure out their correct placement. This becomes even more surprising considering the game’s extensive duration.

This idea doesn’t advance past shifting objects from one room to another, and there aren’t many unique features to add excitement. Essentially, it’s playing the same game for approximately two hours without much variation.

It seems like I might get restless quickly, as I needed to split playing this game into at least three separate sessions. The allure of the sliding books towards the shelf was there, but after a while, it felt repetitive and tiring for me.

9.
What Remains of Edith Finch

Boiled Down

As a dedicated gamer, I must admit that I appreciate What Remains of Edith Finch for its captivating narrative and immersive storytelling. However, I find it concerning that this game, like many others in the industry, often falls victim to undeserved hype. It’s crucial to remember that the essence of video games lies not just in their stories, but also in the interactive experiences they provide. Let’s keep our focus on the unique, engaging aspects these games offer rather than getting swept away by the tide of praise.

Read any review for this game, and you’ll find that they praise its gameplay mechanics only a few times. While the story keeps you hooked, exploring your family’s past is fascinating, but I believe the overall experience could be stronger if there were more positive comments about the gameplay.

What I love most about video games is when they effectively utilize their unique format, demonstrating that they couldn’t possibly exist in any other form. A prime example of this is Outer Wilds, while Edith Finch has the potential to become a movie without losing its essence.

As a gamer, I have to admit that the overwhelmingly positive 42,000 reviews on Steam for this game are impressive. However, I believe many of these praises might stem from people who could’ve just as easily watched a movie and felt the same emotional resonance. Don’t get me wrong, a captivating story is always a joy to experience, but I’m not entirely convinced it translates effectively into an engaging gameplay experience.

8.
Dwarf Fortress

Overwhelming Niche

Initially, let me express my deep admiration for the resilience of Dwarf Fortress, which has continued to thrive despite facing two significant challenges. To my mind, it is undeniably an outstanding strategy simulation game, especially for those with a passion for this genre.

While I can certainly appreciate the depth and control offered by Dwarf Fortress, it’s not a game that I have any desire to engage with due to its complexity being overwhelming for me to manage.

I personally find strategy games such as Civilization somewhat overpowering and less pleasurable than stressful, and it seems others share this sentiment. However, Dwarf Fortress takes that daunting sensation to a whole new level.

This game is more suited for individuals who appreciate intricate details, enjoy managing multiple tasks, and are willing to immerse themselves deeply. It’s worth mentioning that this game didn’t have a well-designed user interface until 2020, which might not appeal to the average person.

7.
N++

Simple and Slippery

Although I enthusiastically suggest N++ to those seeking an engaging platformer, I must clarify that it might not be suitable for everyone, given my personal appreciation and admiration for the game and its extended production period.

Instead of precise platformers such as Celeste or Meat Boy, the control system in N++ can be frustratingly difficult to handle, giving the player less control over their character. Playing the game feels like every stage is an icy level, which can be disappointing at first and continues to be so throughout the experience.

In simpler terms, the control mechanics in this game are quite complex due to the emphasis on aerodynamics. It may take some time to grasp these counterintuitive physical properties if you aim to progress, and the movement might not feel particularly smooth or enjoyable.

Although the game has a positive reputation among its dedicated fanbase, I don’t foresee myself revisiting it due to the slow-moving pixelated characters that seem outdated compared to other platformer games.

6.
Magical Delicacy

Split Apart

Perhaps you haven’t come across the game Magical Delicacy yet, but even though it boasts a generally favorable rating on Steam and an 82 on Metacritic, I would argue that’s actually a good thing for you. Being the unlucky one who had to play it, I can honestly say I didn’t have a pleasant experience with it.

This game strives to blend cooking, platforming, and Metroidvania aspects into a comforting, heartwarming concoction, yet it struggles remarkably with each component, creating a game that appears disorganized and confusing.

Although this game seems to have all the essential elements for being enjoyable, unfortunately, it overcooks those elements, making them less appealing. The platforming is clumsy and lacks the desired smoothness, the exploration and rewards feel uninspiring, and the cooking mini-games are rather underwhelming.

Reading the praise for this game leaves me with a sense that I must have been playing a completely different title. It seems possible that other players may not prioritize elements crucial to creating a solid platformer or Metroidvania style game, or perhaps they found the engaging narrative to be so captivating that it overshadowed those aspects for them.

5.
Papers, Please

Unfortunate Classic

Many folks consider the years between 2010 and 2015 as a particularly noteworthy period for indie games, often referred to as their “golden age.” Interestingly, these popular games from that era are generally well-received without much criticism, despite Papers, Please being perceived by some as overpraised.

Although its style is captivating, artwork is impressive, and gameplay is legendary, one might say the same things about Monopoly. However, when it comes to Papers, Please, it’s quite straightforward, and unfortunately, it becomes tedious quickly.

Without a doubt, it was the harmonious blend of the game’s atmosphere with popular Let’s Play videos on YouTube that significantly contributed to its massive popularity. Frankly speaking, the simple act of reading and stamping passports doesn’t seem very captivating to me, and I suspect others may feel the same way.

The questioning sessions might become intriguing, yet frequently turn out to be a repetition of gathering details and documentation, seldom resulting in something deeper than comparing data. This process often leaves me feeling as uninterested as I was initially.

4.
Brotato

Beaten To The Ground

It seems that my perspective might not be widely shared among these opinions, which is exactly what this compilation aims for, but I find myself particularly at odds with many of them. In fact, I often dislike the majority, and it’s particularly frustrating when I feel more like a spectator than an active participant.

I admire Brotato as one of the most thriving Godot games out there, but my appreciation doesn’t extend beyond that point. Frankly, the upgrades lose their charm once you delve deeper into the game mechanics, as they mostly involve various types of damage, all essentially achieving the same result.

I yearn for active control options, seeking a mechanical means for offensive engagement. I desire an interactive tool that immerses me into the gameplay, allowing me to actively participate rather than passively glide across the map as my character autonomously performs all actions.

In my opinion, the freedom to maneuver, dodge assaults, and strategically attack that Terraria’s bosses offer is what makes them so enjoyable for me, whereas I often find myself losing interest in Brotato due to lack of these mechanics.

3.
Laika: Aged Through Blood

Rage Inducing

I’m somewhat troubled by this review, as Laika: Aged Through Blood is exceptionally well-crafted in terms of narrative, graphics, soundtrack, and ambiance. However, its gameplay choices have left me unwilling to revisit it.

This is a Metroidvania-style game set entirely on a motorbike, reminiscent of a Trials game in handling. However, the controls demand rapid responses from the player, especially when paired with the game’s 360-degree shooting mechanics.

Instead,

The game is driving me up the wall, and even minor annoyances escalate into fits of controller-throwing anger. I despise how enemy blood obstructs my view, I struggle to spot their bullets, and I’m ready to bail out from this experience.

In simpler terms, I find the main aspects that make a Metroidvania game enjoyable – like exploration and side quests – lacking in this game. Additionally, there isn’t much platforming to engage with either. So, if those elements are important to you, you might not enjoy this game as much. However, it’s well-made, just not particularly appealing if you choose to play it.

2.
My Time At Portia/Sandrock

Surface Level

In simpler terms, I believe that Portia and Sandrock can be swapped without much change, and they both offer an average gaming experience. Many indie farming games struggle by attempting to replicate Stardew Valley’s features, but they often do so in a superficial manner.

As a passionate player, I must admit that the game’s farming aspect feels quite basic. The weaponry, reminiscent of Monster Hunter, holds promise for intense combat, but unfortunately, it falls short, becoming sluggish and unengaging. The mining segment, sadly, is even more monotonous than any gaming enthusiast should have to endure.

Stardew Valley skillfully blends farming activities with other aspects such as income generation, enhanced by mining improvements, and offers an engaging combat system, even though it could be improved. The various elements in the game are interconnected, yet few titles manage this integration as effectively as Stardew Valley does.

It seems as though I’m juggling a bunch of unrelated chores within this overcrowded user interface, which houses models that appear like generic stock assets. As I continue to engage with it, I find myself growing increasingly bored and yearning for something entirely different.

1.
Vampire Survivors

Brain Rotting

In contrast to my previous disinterest in Bullet Heavens, I find Vampire Survivors remarkably similar, if not more tedious, than Brotato. However, this game has become one of the most beloved indie titles from recent years, and I’m still puzzled about its appeal.

Instead of running around, picking up upgrades, hoping they are strong enough to automatically destroy everything nearby, and repeating this throughout the game with minimal other action, my mind becomes dull when I start playing it.

Perhaps that’s why some people find pleasure in it, using it as an escape from reality while they tune out the game. However, just because I appreciate the escape it provides doesn’t mean the game is of high quality. Instead, I prefer games that actively engage me and offer a genuine experience.

It leaves me puzzled because I can’t grasp this genre, but it seems strange to me that this game garnered 245,000 positive Steam reviews and an 88 on OpenCritic. I’m truly intrigued, what is it about this game that escapes my comprehension?

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2025-04-30 18:42