Beyond the Mainstream: The 10 Best Indie Games

Welcome to our roundup of the 10 best indie games for PC! From the chilling depths of DREDGE to the mythological realm of Hades, immerse yourself in captivating worlds filled with mystery, adventure, and unforgettable gameplay. Explore our curated selection and don’t miss out on these gems!

DREDGE

DREDGE, a horror-esque fishing adventure, was one of the biggest indie hits of 2023. It ended up on our list of the year’s best games and was nominated in two categories at The Game Awards.

There’s more to it than just catching fish; the game has a dark and mysterious atmosphere despite being very relaxing. Get a ship and start exploring the secrets of the sea and the surrounding land!

Hades

What if you combined a dungeon crawler with mythology and made it queer? You’d get Hades, one of those games we can’t rave about enough. In this roguelike action game, you play Zagreus, the bisexual, immortal prince of the underworld. You must fight your way out of hell!

The battle system is fantastic! You’ll never get bored because you’ll always face various enemies. Unlike other roguelikes, Hades doesn’t reset you to zero when you die. You come back stronger every time.

Hollow Knight

You might have seen us mention Hollow Knight in our blog post about the best Soulslikes for PC, but it’s worth bringing up again. Team Cherry’s 2D Metroidvania game is one of the best indie games we’ve ever played, and we can’t recommend it enough to fans of the genre.

Set in a vast, insect-filled kingdom, you will traverse twisted caverns, battle tainted creatures, and forge alliances with strange bugs in a beautifully hand-drawn world. Hollow Knight is a captivating exploration of a ruined realm that blends classic style with intricate storytelling. We can’t wait for Silksong!

💡 Tip: Check out this blog for amazing indie game recommendations!

Wartales

Next on our list of the best indie games is Wartales, a captivating open-world RPG. In this game, you take on the role of a mercenary leader who must navigate a vast medieval universe in search of wealth and adventure.

The game’s light RPG elements and turn-based combat add an element of strategy to the overall experience. Additionally, Wartales offers various professions, minigames, and activities within its vibrant world.

Punch Club 2: Fast Forward

Seven years after the release of its predecessor, developer Lazy Bear Games brought us the fighter management sim Punch Club 2 in 2023. After being confined to your mother’s garage for two decades and haunted by the mysterious disappearance of your father, you’ve found solace in relentless training.

Uncover the truth behind the enigmatic “Dark Fist” and a hero, or stay in the garage—it’s up to you! Punch Club 2 builds on the strengths of the original game, delivering witty and engaging banter and an emotional rollercoaster of a story!

Sunkenland

Another 2023 release that deserves a spot on our list of the best indie games is Sunkenland, an open-world survival game available on Early Access.

It also made our list of the best survival games, but that doesn’t stop us from gushing about it again. After a watery apocalypse hits Earth, you must find resources and build a base to survive!

💡 Tip: Are you looking for games like Stardew Valley? Head over to our article!

Have a Nice Death

The year 2023 consistently delivered fantastic game releases, and the indie action roguelike Have a Nice Death is no exception. Its beautiful 2D cartoon art style perfectly complements the tone of this witty hack-and-slash game. You take on the unenviable role of an overworked Death who must keep his employees in check.

The game takes place in the darkly charming and procedurally generated departments of Death Inc. Each playthrough offers a unique experience thanks to dynamically designed levels and a cast of characters, including your pumpkin-headed assistant, Pump Quinn.

SOMA

Next up on our list of the best indie games is SOMA, a chilling sci-fi horror odyssey from the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Set in the eerie confines of an underwater research facility named PATHOS-II, SOMA is a game that forces you to grapple with existential questions that gnaw at the core of your being.

Every decision you make affects not just your fate, but also the fate of the remnants of humanity struggling to survive. The linear gameplay, haunting atmosphere, and detailed graphics make SOMA a must-play. To this day, we still think about the ending of this masterpiece.

Melatonin

If you love pastel colors, lo-fi music, and rhythm games, you should try Melatonin! In this mesmerizing world, dreams and reality converge in harmony with rhythm and color. Embark on a journey through the subconscious and explore the intricate relationship between dreams and waking life.

As you sway to the music’s beat, you’ll unravel the protagonist’s life mysteries, piecing together their story with every dreamlike step. Despite its simplicity, Melatonin offers satisfying gameplay that won’t frustrate you.

Chained Echoes

The last game on our list of the best indie games is Chained Echoes, a 16-bit-style RPG that won the 2023 German PC Gaming Award (DCP) in the “Best German Game” category. It also won our hearts, making it one of our top four games of 2022.

A tribute to SNES JRPG classics, Chained Echoes weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of wonder and peril. You join a band of brave heroes who crisscross the sprawling continent of Valandis. They are driven by a noble quest to quell the flames of war engulfing its three kingdoms.

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Happy Gaming!