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Top 10 Indie Games in 2024

May 20, 2024

The best indie games offer up a wide variety of genres and stories for players to enjoy. But in this, at times, overwhelming sea of games, it can be hard to find out which one is right for you. Let this piece help you.

Best indie video games in 2024

1. The Unliving

The Unliving offers a mix of survival mechanics and undead gameplay

Released in 2023, The Unliving stands out among the best indie games for PC with its mix of survival mechanics, undead gameplay, and open-world exploration. You play as a necromancer, navigating a tough world, fighting enemies, and building an army from the dead.

In The Unliving, you lead an undead horde, turning fallen enemies and powerful bosses into your minions, growing your forces with each victory. You cast powerful spells, burn cities, and shift battles in your favor. The game features dark, beautifully rendered pixel art landscapes, where you uncover the secrets of your necromantic powers. The engaging story and strategic depth challenge your survival skills and tactical thinking.

This action RPG offers a compelling experience and is a strong contender for the best indie game in 2024. If you want a unique and engaging indie adventure, The Unliving is a must-play.

2. Nerobi

Nerobi indie game

Nerobi is a 2D scrolling platformer with elements of a graphic adventure and cinematic sequences. One of the game's main features is its entirely hand-drawn visual style. Currently, the game is available on Steam Early Access, where it has received exclusively positive reviews.

The gameplay is quite challenging, requiring coordination, timing, and you have to use your wits. As you progress, you'll unlock different powers that expand the gameplay experience.

Get ready for an immersive and exciting story. In the game, you must help Nerobi recover his memory and overcome numerous challenges. The events take place in a universe balanced between Life and Oblivion, represented by the spirit Ikimaki and the demon Bokyaku. Nerobi, lacking memory and self-awareness, finds himself in the Middle World, a place where Essences pass before reincarnating.

However, the Middle World is under siege by Demons who have possessed the Eight Guardians. As Nerobi uncovers his past and identity, he must harness his hidden powers to face these threats.

3. Hades

Hades is one of the best indie games in 2024

Hades spent a significant amount of time in early access before its full release, a move that proved wise. This period allowed the developers to refine the game's systems and gameplay loops, using player feedback to polish everything to perfection. The final product is a genre-defining experience with a distinctive art style that continues to inspire new games.

In Hades, your goal is to escape Hell. This is no easy task, given the numerous bosses, enemies, and secrets blocking your path. Each time you die, you earn currency to unlock permanent upgrades. Over time, you'll discover the bonuses and abilities that suit your playstyle, creating mini-builds throughout each run.

Hades offers a lot to explore, with a story that extends beyond the credits. You will battle fearsome foes, form uneasy alliances, and break the chains that bind you in this addictive roguelike. It's a standout among top indie games, offering a rich and engaging experience.

4. Unpacking

Unpacking is an excellent choice to spent a cozy night

If you're looking for the perfect way to spend a cozy night, Unpacking is an excellent choice. In this relaxing indie game, you follow a girl's life through various moves, witnessing her growth, challenges, and eventual settling down, all through the process of unpacking boxes.

Unpacking is incredibly satisfying as you find places for each item you unload, with the freedom to organize them as you wish. While this indie game isn't particularly long, it remains a standout experience and is worth your time. Unpacking is among the best indie games of all time, offering a unique and heartwarming journey.

5. Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors is one of the best indie games of all times

For the price of a coffee to go, Vampire Survivors can take over your life. This is both a recommendation and a warning because if you enjoy idle games or those that require repetitive actions, Vampire Survivors is highly addictive.

In this visually simple game, you're attacked by hordes of monsters. You fend them off with various weapons and buffs until you inevitably lose. The fun, as with any roguelike, is seeing how long you can last and gradually mastering different weapons and strategies. Rounds in Vampire Survivors are short, making it perfect for quick sessions on the Steam Deck. However, it's a game you'll want to play repeatedly. Consider yourself warned.

As one of the best indie games of 2024, Vampire Survivors offers a compelling and endlessly replayable experience.

6. Cobalt Core

 Cobalt Core is a sci-fi roguelike deckbuilder

Cobalt Core is a sci-fi roguelike deckbuilder where you battle spaceships and overcome obstacles to reach the Cobalt Core and uncover the cause of mysterious time loops.

In combat, you issue orders by playing cards. You can raise shields to protect your ship, dodge incoming missiles, or destroy enemy missile launchers before they can be used against you. This roguelike deckbuilder offers multiple ways to tackle challenges.

With hundreds of different character and ship combinations, you can test your skills and replay scenarios in various ways, ensuring you always have something new to try.

7. Dead Cells

Dead Cells will give you unique action experience

If you’re looking for a game that’s as unforgiving as it is fun, try Dead Cells. This game draws inspiration from roguelikes, Metroidvania, and even Dark Souls, creating a unique action experience that will test your limits and skills. It's one of the best indie games for PC because of the sheer variety of activities and playstyles available.

Each playthrough feels fresh, and while you’ll lose some progress each time you die—and you will die a lot—the game becomes more rewarding as you master its complex and fluid combat. Dead Cells has not only grown in content over the years but has also become more accessible, allowing you to enjoy it at a less punishing difficulty if needed.

8. Night in the Woods

Night in the Woods is an unconventional adventure game

Night in the Woods is an unconventional side-scrolling adventure game about Mae, a 20-year-old who drops out of college and moves back in with her parents. This quirky addition to the indie game scene features a story driven by dialogue choices and mini-games that turn mundane tasks, like carrying boxes and eating pierogies, into engaging activities.

The game is a timeless coming-of-age tale set in middle-class America, seen through the eyes of a personified cat. Every interaction is likely to make you laugh, and the subject matter, along with the growth of Mae and her friends, makes it a standout in narrative-driven games. Night in the Woods is a genuine gem in the indie genre.

9. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is one of the best indie games of all times

If you’ve ever played a Harvest Moon game, you're likely familiar with Stardew Valley's premise: a farming game where you become both a successful farmer and a local community member. Eric Barone, the sole developer, aimed to create a Harvest Moon experience that was as good as or better than the original. Many believe he succeeded, making Stardew Valley one of the top indie games.

In Stardew Valley, you farm, tend to livestock, fish, and explore the local abandoned mine. The farming is easy to pick up and fun, offering a great way to unwind. The game is filled with secrets, town events, characters to romance, and much more. If you're playing on PC, you can also explore its brilliant modding community, which adds even more features to this engaging simulation RPG.

10. Cult of the Lamb

Cult of the Lamb combines several genres with a quirky theme

Ah, video games. Where else can you play as a cute cartoon lamb leading a cult of colorful animals? Cult of the Lamb combines several genres with a quirky theme. As a loyal follower of a demon, your task is to grow a cult. This involves satisfying your followers' needs, increasing your power by fighting monsters and clearing dungeons, and sometimes making sacrifices.

The game blends elements of Stardew Valley and Hades, allowing you to marry, eat, and even resurrect your spouse. It's tough to put down, which is a hallmark of the best indie games of all time. If you want to fully immerse yourself in this roguelike, there are guides available on how to bring followers back and how to marry them.

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