If you’re into metroidvanias (platformers where you gain abilities over the course of the game, expanding gameplay and allowing you to access new areas in earlier zones) there are lots of really good indie titles. Hollow Knight is the reference, both Ori games are awesome. Dead Cells is also worth a try if you’re into fast-paced action games, though it’s more of a platformer rogue-lite.
I’ve been loving BattleBit Remastered lately. It’s cheap, fun as hell, and the very small dev team has been very active and responsive. I bought 3 more copies to give to friends so we could squad up.
I’m really enjoying Valheim lately. It’s similar to Minecraft in a lot of ways, but leans a little more into RPG elements with leveled skills. There’s a bit more of a story, heavier focus on combat, and NPCs to interact with (though I haven’t reached that point myself).
I just finished playing Cocoon. It was short-but-sweet - it took me two evenings to finish, so probably in the 5-7 hours range - but it was one of the most interesting and engaging puzzle games I’ve played in a long time. What’s especially fascinating to me is that its controls are so simple - everything is done with one analogue stick / WASD and a single interact button - and it’s a very linear game, yet it still feels so engaging to play. It’s from the lead designer of Limbo and Inside, so it has pedigree.
I played it via Game Pass (ha…) so it’s hard for me to say what the value proposition is like. It certainly isn’t going to give you the most time for your money, and it doesn’t really have much in the way of narrative or themes, at least beyond abstract ones. But it has a gorgeous aesthetic and some fantastic puzzles.
There goes the competition.
Can someone recommend a good indie game? Better spent money than feeding these vampires.
If you like Diablo-likes, there’s…
If you’re into metroidvanias (platformers where you gain abilities over the course of the game, expanding gameplay and allowing you to access new areas in earlier zones) there are lots of really good indie titles. Hollow Knight is the reference, both Ori games are awesome. Dead Cells is also worth a try if you’re into fast-paced action games, though it’s more of a platformer rogue-lite.
Just your luck: Dome Keeper is on sale right now
Lies of P
I’ve been loving BattleBit Remastered lately. It’s cheap, fun as hell, and the very small dev team has been very active and responsive. I bought 3 more copies to give to friends so we could squad up.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is amazing
I’m really enjoying Valheim lately. It’s similar to Minecraft in a lot of ways, but leans a little more into RPG elements with leveled skills. There’s a bit more of a story, heavier focus on combat, and NPCs to interact with (though I haven’t reached that point myself).
I’ve been playing a really fun indie spy deception game called Deceive Inc.
Terraria is pretty fun
I just finished playing Cocoon. It was short-but-sweet - it took me two evenings to finish, so probably in the 5-7 hours range - but it was one of the most interesting and engaging puzzle games I’ve played in a long time. What’s especially fascinating to me is that its controls are so simple - everything is done with one analogue stick / WASD and a single interact button - and it’s a very linear game, yet it still feels so engaging to play. It’s from the lead designer of Limbo and Inside, so it has pedigree.
I played it via Game Pass (ha…) so it’s hard for me to say what the value proposition is like. It certainly isn’t going to give you the most time for your money, and it doesn’t really have much in the way of narrative or themes, at least beyond abstract ones. But it has a gorgeous aesthetic and some fantastic puzzles.
Sea of Stars is a pretty fun, especially if you’re a fan of old school turn based jrpgs. Pretty decent story too.
Just realizing corporations aren’t your friends? Anyways, if you like hard, unique puzzle games,
Baba Is Youis the best there is, fullstop.I mean, if we’re gonna namedrop completely unique indie darling difficult puzzles, then Return of the Obra Dinn also deserves a mention.
I’ve been meaning to play that, but still haven’t gotten to it! Maybe next week
Hades, Into the Breach
Lies of p if youre into fromsoft like games
And it’s even on Game Pass! Oh, wait…
I’ve been playing delta V: Rings of Saturn recently