As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I must say that this collection of games is nothing short of extraordinary! From the gripping narrative of The Rise and Fall of Zau to the nostalgic blast-from-the-past that is UFO 50, there’s something here for every kind of player.
Listing top-notch independent video games of a specific year can be quite challenging – there are simply too many fantastic options to pick from. Time and again, independent developers produce extraordinary games that often fail to garner as much attention as those released by larger studios. It’s crucial to shine light on indie games whenever possible and showcase the ones that resonated deeply with players or left a lasting impression on the gaming community.
2024 offered an eclectic mix of indie games that truly shone. Among them were captivating card games that had us hooked, daring crab adventures, a robust collection of Metroidvania-style titles, a flourishing group of environmental puzzle games, and even a few nods to the past. Ranging from action platformers to intriguing mystery puzzlers, here are the top 15 indie games of 2024, organized alphabetically.
1000xresist
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1000xresist by Sunset Visitor and Fellow Traveler is a stunning and haunting story that resonates deeply with the feelings of loss and solitude brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of following a traditional narrative, this work presents its tale in nonlinear fragments. It delves into the evolution and transformation of a community over several years, examining how these changes impact family dynamics and personal relationships. Moreover, it offers insights into what might lie ahead for humanity if we persist in mistreating our planet. This poignant, moving, and melancholic tale about the strength of memory and community is sure to linger in the minds of its readers long after they have finished it.
Animal Well
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In the enigmatic world of Animal Well, you embark on a journey, assuming the form of an amorphous entity navigating through a sprawling maze. Your objective is to gather diverse tools that will aid you in solving intricate puzzles, communicating with the game’s inhabitants, and ultimately unveiling the secrets and truths hidden within this captivating universe. By seamlessly merging Metroidvania and puzzle mechanics, Animal Well may appear deceptively simple at first glance, but as you progress, it unfurls into a richly layered game brimming with complex puzzles and challenges. The allure of Animal Well is irresistible; players often find themselves compelled to solve “one more puzzle,” making it difficult to tear yourself away from this immersive experience.
Another Crab’s Treasure
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In this subaquatic escapade, the “Soulslike” genre is reimagined as “shells-like”, with a story about a valiant crustacean standing up against a corrupt regime to retrieve his cherished shell. Players can vanquish a myriad of cunning oceanic bosses using an assortment of unique shells, each offering enhancements like improved defense or a weapon powerful enough to defeat foes instantly (a quirky, advantageous accessibility option). Kril’s voyage is not only amusing but also carries a profound message about preserving the environment and maintaining clean oceans. Despite the underwater world of Another Crab’s Treasure being littered with debris, this gem of an indie game certainly stands out as a beacon of quality.
Balatro
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2024 witnessed an unprecedented frenzy for a game like none other than Balatro, a poker-inspired deck-building roguelike that unexpectedly captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. This masterpiece was crafted by LocalThunk and distributed by Playstack. The rapid acclaim for Balatro stemmed from its engaging gameplay mechanics, diverse deck selections, and virtually infinite replay value thanks to the numerous run types and potential bets.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
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Drawing inspiration from Japanese folklore and mythology, the game titled “Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus” is an action-adventure platformer with Metroidvania aspects, created by Squid Shock Studios. The main character in this game is Bo, a spirit fox who holds a significant destiny. Gameplay centers around Bo’s weapon – a bo staff – that transforms into various shapes using teas scattered throughout the game world, and daruma dolls that assist Bo in combat. The game showcases a beautiful, visually captivating world with a 2.5D aesthetic; each enemy players confront and creature they meet is intricately hand-drawn.
Crow Country
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2024 proved to be a stellar year for survival horror, with the remake of Silent Hill 2 taking the lead, but another chilling addition to the genre was Crow Country, developed and published by SFB Games. This spine-tingling game is set in a hauntingly deserted amusement park named Crow Country, where developer SFB Games masterfully builds an atmosphere of creeping dread. The scares are abundant, yet even during moments when protagonist Mara is merely exploring the park, the foreboding ambiance lingers in the air like a thick fog.
Farewell North
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In a distant region up north, a group of islands has turned gray and lifeless. You assume the role of a loyal collie working alongside your human friend on a mission to restore color by investigating the islands and solving intriguing puzzles. The game titled “Farewell North” is an open-world exploration creation from developer Kyle Banks. Despite its dismal initial state, the game’s desolate scenery has a unique charm that becomes even more breathtaking as color returns to the world. The narrative at the core of this game revolves around a deeply moving tale about the essence of farewell, narrated through the eyes of an endearing and steadfast dog who embodies the true spirit of man’s best friend.
I Am Your Beast
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The speed at which a game unfolds can shift dramatically, transitioning from leisurely and thoughtful to wildly fast and intense. A prime example of this swift, revenge-centric shooter genre is “I Am Your Beast“. In this high-octane game, players assume the role of Alphonse Harding, a former military man who staunchly rejects his boss’s request for one last job. As they progress through each vibrant, gory level, accompanied by an intensely frantic soundtrack, players must destroy everything in their path to complete each level. Despite its simple controls and manageable levels, “I Am Your Beast” offers an exhilarating action experience that even those not typically drawn to action games can appreciate.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
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Among the challenging and enigmatic puzzle games expected in 2024, “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes” presents a bizarre narrative where a woman receives an invitation to partake in a perplexing test within a spooky mansion. With more than a hundred puzzles to conquer, gamers can unravel the story’s progression at their leisure, wandering and unearthing hidden secrets as they wish. The art style is remarkable, employing a predominantly black-and-white color palette that blends photographs and a combination of low-resolution and high-resolution graphics. Even seasoned puzzle enthusiasts might encounter moments of confusion while navigating the intricate universe of Simogo’s “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.
Neva
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This year, game developer Nomada Studio, known for “Gris,” introduced its second title called “Neva.” In “Neva,” players assume the character of Alba, a woman with a special connection to a magnificent white wolf named Neva. The narrative primarily focuses on the bond between Alba and Neva rather than Alba’s identity. As they journey through a mysterious realm corrupted by darkness, Alba and Neva collaborate in battling enemies, solving puzzles, and exploring various landscapes across all four seasons. With stunning visuals reminiscent of side-scrolling platformers, “Neva” emphasizes the power of the bond between humans and animals, drawing inspiration from tales like Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke.” It illustrates what one woman and one wolf can achieve when they unite.
Nine Sols
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The game Nine Sols is characterized as Tao-punk, a unique blend of cyberpunk aesthetics with Asian mythology and Taoist philosophy. In this game, you once ruled New Kunlun alongside eight others, but were betrayed long ago. Now, you are the last hope for the realm’s inhabitants to break free from the oppressive rule of your betrayers. As you, the player, journey through the futuristic landscape of New Kunlun, you will gather new tools and abilities, and eventually engage in a challenging series of battles against formidable and treacherous adversaries that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Rise of the Golden Idol
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2022 marked the entrance of Color Gray Games into the world of mystery games with “The Case of the Golden Idol,” a challenging game that delves into the enigmatic legacy of the titular golden idol and its destructive impact on one family. Its sequel, “The Rise of the Golden Idol,” which was released in 2024, met with similar success. In this installment set in the 1970s, the golden idol has been rediscovered, but its fate remains uncertain. Will it be employed for scientific advancements, to cultivate a cult, or for something much more malevolent? Players must unravel the truth across 20 brain-twisting cases. Color Gray Games have hinted at further developments, with four DLC packs scheduled for release in 2025, ensuring that the story of the Golden Idol continues to unfold and reveal more of its secrets to those brave enough to delve into its mysteries.
Satisfactory 1.0
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Following a prosperous early access debut in 2019, the game titled “Satisfactory” reached its full version (1.0) in September 2024. This captivating game merges factory construction with vast world discovery. As a ‘Pioneer’, players are transported to an alien planet and tasked with utilizing the planet’s natural resources for survival. The game is hard to resist, as there is immense gratification in progressing from having nothing to managing a streamlined, fully automated factory that generates various parts and resources. Players can also collaborate in multiplayer mode to explore the planet and construct their own factories together. Post its successful launch, “Satisfactory” was honored with the title of PC Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
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Based on developer Abubakar Salim’s personal experience mourning the passing of his father, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a Metroidvania-style game featuring a 2.5D art style to narrate the adventure of Zau, a young shaman. His mission is to vanquish monsters, collect their energy, and offer it to the gods in an attempt to resurrect his own deceased father. The narrative sensitively tackles themes of grief, loss, and family importance. This vibrant and intricately designed world demands players to utilize every ability and resource at their disposal. It’s a tale that encapsulates sorrow without losing sight of joy – the excitement of overcoming a formidable opponent and witnessing Zau’s growth and maturity throughout his journey is evident.
UFO 50
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Instead of merely one game or even a few dozen, we’re talking about UFO 50 – as the name implies, this collection includes an impressive fifty games! Drawing inspiration from classic video game compilations of the 80s and 90s, UFO 50 is the result of collaboration between six distinct developers. They’ve crafted a diverse array of games spanning multiple genres, including puzzles, platformers, shooters, and more. Each game boasts a nostalgic, pixelated art style that will stir memories for many gamers.
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2024-12-04 17:55