Best Indie Games With Multiple Endings

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Key Takeaways

  • Various indie games feature multiple endings determined by a variety of decisions.
  • Games like
    Lone Survivor
    and
    Papers, Please
    offer replay value with their alternative endings.
  • Titles like
    The Stanley Parable
    utilize multiple endings as a core gameplay motivation.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that each of these games offers a unique and immersive experience that caters to different tastes. From the atmospheric puzzle-platformer “INSIDE” to the RPG masterpiece “Undertale”, there’s something for everyone in this list.

In many games, you’ll find a distinct start, progression, and finale. However, some games offer more than one possible outcome. This style is commonly found in games that have larger funding, but even indie games have experimented with such an approach too.

In various genres within independent gaming, you’ll find alternative endings, such as the hidden conclusion in Playdead’s INSIDE or the numerous conclusions in Lucas Pope’s renowned indie game, Papers, Please. However, these endings may not always offer a wide range and often rely on simple choices.

1 Lone Survivor

A 2D Survival-Horror Game With Psychological Themes

Lone Survivor can be referred to as a game where your decisions count. It’s a 2D, pixel art survival horror title that incorporates aspects of psychological terror and stealth play. Despite its pixel art appearance, Lone Survivor has a distinctly eerie visual style. This is primarily due to its unsettling imagery, somber atmosphere, and distinctive special effects.

Individuals who appreciate survival horror elements, stealth mechanics, and chilling psychological narratives might take interest in the game titled “Lone Survivor“. Notably, the presence of multiple endings significantly boosts the game’s appeal for replaying, with these conclusions revolving around the character’s mental wellbeing – a theme that complements the psychological horror aspect of “Lone Survivor“.

2 Papers, Please

A Classic Indie Game With A Minimalist Style

Originating from Lucas Pope (known later for creating Return Of The Obra Dinn) and launched back in 2013, Papers, Please is a simple yet captivating indie game that relies on its nuanced narrative and somber ambiance. Set within the fictional communist territory of Arstotzka, players assume the role of an immigration officer.

Although the conclusions may not be overly elaborate, they are numerous, and each one manages to be surprisingly impactful given the sparse visuals. In summary, Papers, Please offers a somber yet contemplative journey that is intensified by its diverse array of endings. These outcomes encompass scenarios such as getting detained, or even managing an escape from Arstotzka.

3 Oxenfree

A Supernatural Indie Adventure

Oxenfree is a captivating indie adventure game characterized by its eerie ambiance and haunting narrative. Its distinct visual design, captivating soundtrack, and enigmatic setting provide players with an unparalleled journey offering various conclusions.

As a devoted fan, I’ve found that the conclusions in Oxenfree shape each character’s fate differently, depending on the choices players make during gameplay. If you’re a fan of games like Night in the Woods or Kentucky Route Zero, you might find yourself drawn to Oxenfree too, though it undeniably has its unique aspects. For those who appreciate this game, there’s now a sequel: Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals.

4 The Stanley Parable

A Strange, Eerie, And Often Humorous Walking Simulator

First introduced in 2013, “The Stanley Parable” stands out as a first-person indie game that emphasizes exploration. Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, often compared to a walking simulator, this game is made more captivating by its unsettling ambiance, a superb narrator, and numerous conclusion possibilities.

Playing through the various, frequently amusing conclusions of “The Stanley Parable” sets it apart from typical walking simulators. The game’s standout feature is its multiple endings serving as the primary driving force for gameplay, which is quite unusual. After more than a decade, “The Stanley Parable” remains distinctive due to this aspect. These endings are usually unlocked by either following or defying the instructions given by the game’s Narrator. A significant part of the fun in “The Stanley Parable” lies in discovering what transpires when the rules are bent.

5 Undertale

An Indie RPG That’s More Than The Sum Of Its Parts

Despite having simple visuals, ‘Undertale’ offers a remarkably immersive journey due to its captivating music, distinctive character designs, and thought-provoking narrative. This role-playing game stands out as it encourages players to embrace pacifism, which contributes to the game’s various conclusions.

In a captivating manner, Undertale thrives on its vibrant cast of characters and the intricate storyline centered around them, culminating in one of three conclusions. These conclusions are triggered by different playstyles: neutral, pacifist, and genocide, thereby inviting repeated gameplay sessions.

6 INSIDE

A Deeply Atmospheric Narrative-Driven Puzzle-Platformer

Within lies a puzzle-platformer titled INSIDE, crafted by Playdead (known for LIMBO). This game offers a nuanced storyline and engrossing ambiance through its design and artistry. The haunting sound effects, creative direction, and the grimy backdrop of a dystopian world significantly contribute to the overall gaming experience.

In the course of playing through the brief yet captivating journey of INSIDE, one can uncover numerous hidden secrets scattered across diverse, somber settings. If a player successfully locates every secret, INSIDE offers an exclusive alternate conclusion. Yet, it’s important to note that both conclusions maintain an air of mystery and ambiguity.

7 Hollow Knight

An Indie Metroidvania In An Underground World

Hollow Knight” stands out as a captivating indie Metroidvania game, excelling particularly in its meticulously designed combat mechanics. However, what truly sets it apart is its engrossing ambiance. The subterranean realm where the game unfolds is exceptionally inventive, brought to life with awe-inspiring artistic direction and intriguing character designs.

The storyline of this game is subtly conveyed, primarily through character conversations and storytelling via the environment. This might make it tricky for players to uncover its various conclusions spontaneously, as they’ll need to put in some extra effort to reach them. Interestingly, many of these endings carry a somewhat melancholic tone, but a hidden scene (accessible by chatting with the Mister Mushroom NPC) offers a more cheerful conclusion to the journey.

8 Bastion

A Riveting Action-Adventure With Powerful Narration

In a captivating first release from Supergiant Games (known for games like Transistor and Hades), players are offered an enhanced action-adventure journey through a one-of-a-kind, deeply engaging storytelling technique. Bastion primarily employs narration to convey its narrative. The music, exceptional voice acting, and distinctive setting make Bastion an unforgettable gaming experience. To top it off, the binary choice at the end of the game serves as a delightful finale.

From my perspective as an avid gamer, Bastion might not have numerous branching paths or life-altering choices, but it does offer a crucial decision near the game’s conclusion that significantly impacts the ending. This element gives the game a level of replayability that it wouldn’t otherwise possess. One outcome brings about a time reversal, while the other leaves a somewhat melancholic final impression.

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2024-11-27 09:04