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Message
Indie game recommendation thread
Posted on 6/2/25 at 11:25 pm
Posted on 6/2/25 at 11:25 pm
With a dearth of triple A titles that appeal to me both recently and in the future I've been seeking out high quality gameplay first indie games. Many of the absolute best indie games sorta break through and get a fair amount of attention, think things like Balatro, Animal Well, Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, etc.
But there are now hundreds of respectable indie games released every year and unfortunately many of them sorta never bubble up into the mainstream.
I figured this would be a good thread to recommend indie games that are extremely good but just never got a ton of attention.
Iron Meat
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1157740/Iron_Meat/
It's a run and gun game, essentially Contra, but easily best run and gun Contra clone game made in a long time. Absolutely excellent artwork, levels, bosses, and insane sound track. It's on the short side (9 total levels) so don't expect more than 5-10 hours of content tops. There are lots of additional modes and features to replay but that may or may not interest you. It's usually $20 but on sale right now for $15. Given the short length, may want to wait for sale. If you love old school Contra games this is a must get. Available on pretty much all digital platforms.
Tiny Thor
https://store.steampowered.com/app/541310/Tiny_Thor/
Insanely good 16 bit style 2D platformer. It's Donkey Kong Country, meets Mario Bros, meets Super Meat Boy, with a decent doze of puzzle solving mixed into the platforming. Throwing your bouncy hammer around is a big part of the gameplay in addition to the standard platforming. Extremely well designed levels and puzzles. Challenging for a platformer. Nothing too crazy if you've handled Meat Boy but it's no slouch in the difficulty, particularly in the unlockable and optional extra "challenge" levels. There are "helper" features you can toggle on if you're a bitch. I picked it up for a mere $6 on a recent sale but it's usual price is $20. You'll probably get 10-20 hours out of this one depending on how skilled you are and if you want to try to 100% all the levels. Available on Steam and Switch.
But there are now hundreds of respectable indie games released every year and unfortunately many of them sorta never bubble up into the mainstream.
I figured this would be a good thread to recommend indie games that are extremely good but just never got a ton of attention.
Iron Meat
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1157740/Iron_Meat/
It's a run and gun game, essentially Contra, but easily best run and gun Contra clone game made in a long time. Absolutely excellent artwork, levels, bosses, and insane sound track. It's on the short side (9 total levels) so don't expect more than 5-10 hours of content tops. There are lots of additional modes and features to replay but that may or may not interest you. It's usually $20 but on sale right now for $15. Given the short length, may want to wait for sale. If you love old school Contra games this is a must get. Available on pretty much all digital platforms.
Tiny Thor
https://store.steampowered.com/app/541310/Tiny_Thor/
Insanely good 16 bit style 2D platformer. It's Donkey Kong Country, meets Mario Bros, meets Super Meat Boy, with a decent doze of puzzle solving mixed into the platforming. Throwing your bouncy hammer around is a big part of the gameplay in addition to the standard platforming. Extremely well designed levels and puzzles. Challenging for a platformer. Nothing too crazy if you've handled Meat Boy but it's no slouch in the difficulty, particularly in the unlockable and optional extra "challenge" levels. There are "helper" features you can toggle on if you're a bitch. I picked it up for a mere $6 on a recent sale but it's usual price is $20. You'll probably get 10-20 hours out of this one depending on how skilled you are and if you want to try to 100% all the levels. Available on Steam and Switch.
This post was edited on 6/3/25 at 12:06 am
8
Posted on 6/3/25 at 7:45 am to StansberryRules
Have you tried BroForce? Fun Contra-esque 2D shooter
Every time you power up, you become a different 80/90s action hero
Conan, Rambo, Terminator, Seagal, Blade, etc
Has a sequel called Expendabros
Every time you power up, you become a different 80/90s action hero
Conan, Rambo, Terminator, Seagal, Blade, etc
Has a sequel called Expendabros
Posted on 6/3/25 at 9:44 am to StansberryRules
Posted this a few days ago but I really enjoyed Guns Gore and Cannoli 1,2
So I just discovered this little gem and its sequel and thought I'd share. Its side scrolling platform shooter that can be played with up to four people thats the most pure fun I've had with the genre in a long time. It not bullet hell like Contra but more in line with something like Metal Slug. Great art style, humor and satisfying gun play where the weapons really pack a visceral punch on the enemies...and its on everything.
Trepang 2
If you liked the F.E.A.R. games you may get a kick out out of this one. The production values arent great but this was made by a small 4 person team. Its really all about distilling what made the combat in F.E.A.R. so memorable to so many and producing a fun albeit fairly brief indie game around it.
Huntdown
Run n gun 2d shooter in a cyberpunk setting with 3 playable characters. Another side scrolling platformer with beautiful pixel art, excellent gameplay, awesome music and an fun sense of humor. Its also on sale this week for 3.99
So I just discovered this little gem and its sequel and thought I'd share. Its side scrolling platform shooter that can be played with up to four people thats the most pure fun I've had with the genre in a long time. It not bullet hell like Contra but more in line with something like Metal Slug. Great art style, humor and satisfying gun play where the weapons really pack a visceral punch on the enemies...and its on everything.
Trepang 2
If you liked the F.E.A.R. games you may get a kick out out of this one. The production values arent great but this was made by a small 4 person team. Its really all about distilling what made the combat in F.E.A.R. so memorable to so many and producing a fun albeit fairly brief indie game around it.
Huntdown
Run n gun 2d shooter in a cyberpunk setting with 3 playable characters. Another side scrolling platformer with beautiful pixel art, excellent gameplay, awesome music and an fun sense of humor. Its also on sale this week for 3.99
This post was edited on 6/3/25 at 10:10 am
Posted on 6/3/25 at 1:01 pm to StansberryRules
now this is a thread i can get behind. i dont know how far back we want to throw so some of these might be a bit old, but still worth it.
1. Banner Saga: Actually 3 games. The best way i can describe it is oregon trail set in a fantasy Viking/Netherlands world. You lead a roaming band of people to find safety, control main characters and have turn based combat with character progression. Art style is fantastic, and the music is from Austin Wintory from Journey fame......which lead me to
2. Journey: It may have lost some of its power since it so old now, and probably wont find many people playing it, but this haunting journey across a mysterious land scape as a nameless entity is timeless. I still think it would hold up today graphically as a beautiful masterpiece. This is probably Austin Wintory's finest music work. OST is fricking fantastic. shite, i might go home and play this tonight with my headphones blaring. I 100% believe this is one of those games you should have a quality set of headphones for. For those unfamiliar, its a puzzle/traversal game. that a very minimalistic way of describing it.
3. Supergiant: Despite the blow up of Hades, i still think they are considered indie. I still champion their older games as fantastic games. Bastion, Pyre, and Transistor are all worth they play through. Pyre is probably my personal favorite of the 3. Each is quite different. Bastion is an action adventure akin to games like older "zelda". Pyre is a sports game with team management mixed with a heavy story driven theme of making a rag tag team and escaping a world of punishment.
4. Spiritfarer: Probably not for everyone. Base builder and management sim with a strong story about loss, grief, and coming to acceptance. Gameplay can get a little weak at times, but the tale it tells is good. Another strong soundtrack.
5. Ori: Two games, i so far have only played the first but know the second is extremely well received as well. Metroidvania games with a strong art style and challenging game play.
6. Card games: Slay the spire and monster train (which just released a sequel) are both top notch card games. Inscryption is also another strong "card" game. That one is more than meets the eye type of game.
These are all probably more well known ones. I'll think of some more off the wall lesser ones for another post.
1. Banner Saga: Actually 3 games. The best way i can describe it is oregon trail set in a fantasy Viking/Netherlands world. You lead a roaming band of people to find safety, control main characters and have turn based combat with character progression. Art style is fantastic, and the music is from Austin Wintory from Journey fame......which lead me to
2. Journey: It may have lost some of its power since it so old now, and probably wont find many people playing it, but this haunting journey across a mysterious land scape as a nameless entity is timeless. I still think it would hold up today graphically as a beautiful masterpiece. This is probably Austin Wintory's finest music work. OST is fricking fantastic. shite, i might go home and play this tonight with my headphones blaring. I 100% believe this is one of those games you should have a quality set of headphones for. For those unfamiliar, its a puzzle/traversal game. that a very minimalistic way of describing it.
3. Supergiant: Despite the blow up of Hades, i still think they are considered indie. I still champion their older games as fantastic games. Bastion, Pyre, and Transistor are all worth they play through. Pyre is probably my personal favorite of the 3. Each is quite different. Bastion is an action adventure akin to games like older "zelda". Pyre is a sports game with team management mixed with a heavy story driven theme of making a rag tag team and escaping a world of punishment.
4. Spiritfarer: Probably not for everyone. Base builder and management sim with a strong story about loss, grief, and coming to acceptance. Gameplay can get a little weak at times, but the tale it tells is good. Another strong soundtrack.
5. Ori: Two games, i so far have only played the first but know the second is extremely well received as well. Metroidvania games with a strong art style and challenging game play.
6. Card games: Slay the spire and monster train (which just released a sequel) are both top notch card games. Inscryption is also another strong "card" game. That one is more than meets the eye type of game.
These are all probably more well known ones. I'll think of some more off the wall lesser ones for another post.
Posted on 6/3/25 at 1:02 pm to caro81
I'm enjoying the hell out of Balatro.
Posted on 6/3/25 at 1:11 pm to StansberryRules
Aeterna Noctis
Alisa
Amid Evil
Another Crab's Treasure
Blue Fire
Bramble: The Mountain King
Cry of Fear
Crow Country
Death's Door
Dusk
Ender Lilies
Ender Magnolia
Fear & Hunger (1 and 2)
Furi
Ghost Song
Hrot
Heilwald Loophole
Hyper Light Drifter
Journey
Last Faith
Lorn's Lure
Lost In Vivo
Mundaun
Nightmare of Decay
Nine Sols
Norco
The Pathless
Rollerdrome
Salt & Sanctuary
Signalis
Tails of Iron 1 and 2
Tormented Souls
Tunguska The Visitation
Turbo Overkill
Weird West
Withering Rooms
Alisa
Amid Evil
Another Crab's Treasure
Blue Fire
Bramble: The Mountain King
Cry of Fear
Crow Country
Death's Door
Dusk
Ender Lilies
Ender Magnolia
Fear & Hunger (1 and 2)
Furi
Ghost Song
Hrot
Heilwald Loophole
Hyper Light Drifter
Journey
Last Faith
Lorn's Lure
Lost In Vivo
Mundaun
Nightmare of Decay
Nine Sols
Norco
The Pathless
Rollerdrome
Salt & Sanctuary
Signalis
Tails of Iron 1 and 2
Tormented Souls
Tunguska The Visitation
Turbo Overkill
Weird West
Withering Rooms
Posted on 6/3/25 at 1:44 pm to StansberryRules
Nine Sols is amazing
Posted on 6/5/25 at 7:13 am to CarolinaGamecock99
Cocoon is one of the better games I’ve played in the past year.
Posted on 6/5/25 at 11:25 am to caro81
quote:
monster train (which just released a sequel)
Monster Train 2 is great. And yes, Journey is timeless and still one of my favorites. A couple others:
Astalon: Tears of the Earth LINK
One of the better Metroidvania-type games.
SteamWorld Heist 1 and 2 LINK LINK
Along the lines of Final Fantasy Tactics but side view with cowboy robots and ricocheting shots.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 8:48 am to StansberryRules
Pretty much all I play are indie horror games. I'm able to find a way to enjoy most on some level, despite any jank, even if the reviews tend to be poor.
Fobia: St. Dinfna Hotel
Killer Frequency
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
What Remains of Edith Finch
Murder House
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Bloodwash
Infliction
Evil Inside
Maid of Sker
Don't Be Afraid
Crime Scene Cleaner
Mortuary Assistant
Tormented Souls
Don't Knock Twice
Gray Dawn
Little Nightmares
Limbo
Inside
A Night on the Farm
Project 13: Taxidermy
Visage
Superliminal
Currently on my shite list for one reason or another (not necessarily permanently):
The Beast Inside
Daymare
Rewind or Die
Don't Let Him In
Little Nightmares 2
Nun Massacre
Oxide Room 104
ETA: I've also played a few others mentioned in the thread. I enjoyed Cocoon somewhat but ultimately lost interest and put it down mid-game. I also finished the Alisa demo but never committed to purchasing the full game.
Fobia: St. Dinfna Hotel
Killer Frequency
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
What Remains of Edith Finch
Murder House
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
Bloodwash
Infliction
Evil Inside
Maid of Sker
Don't Be Afraid
Crime Scene Cleaner
Mortuary Assistant
Tormented Souls
Don't Knock Twice
Gray Dawn
Little Nightmares
Limbo
Inside
A Night on the Farm
Project 13: Taxidermy
Visage
Superliminal
Currently on my shite list for one reason or another (not necessarily permanently):
The Beast Inside
Daymare
Rewind or Die
Don't Let Him In
Little Nightmares 2
Nun Massacre
Oxide Room 104
ETA: I've also played a few others mentioned in the thread. I enjoyed Cocoon somewhat but ultimately lost interest and put it down mid-game. I also finished the Alisa demo but never committed to purchasing the full game.
This post was edited on 6/6/25 at 9:04 am
Posted on 6/6/25 at 8:51 am to Roaad
quote:
Have you tried BroForce? Fun Contra-esque 2D shooter
This game was awesome. I wish expendabros was on a gaming system though.
Posted on 6/6/25 at 10:50 am to shutterspeed
quote:
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs
I would recommend SOMA if you haven't tried it. I think it's their best game. The third Amnesia game is, good, too. Haven't tried the fourth one yet (The Bunker).
Some other fun little indie horror games:
The Exit 8 LINK
Mouthwashing LINK
Anthology of the Killer LINK (looks cartoonish but it's clever)
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:08 am to shutterspeed
quote:
Fobia: St. Dinfna Hotel
Great game, forgot to list it
I have almost every other game on your list but haven't played them all yet
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:44 am to slough
quote:
I would recommend SOMA
I played a bit of SOMA but ultimately put it down. You can probably glean from my shite list, but I hate, hate, hate stealth and chase games, which seems to be a good bit of SOMA. I know you can turn off that aspect, but I just haven't gone back to it yet. I probably should, though, with how universally praised the game is.
quote:
The third Amnesia game is, good, too. Haven't tried the fourth one yet (The Bunker).
I have Rebirth in my queue. I'm interested in playing that one since the original studio took it back over. I played the intro to The Bunker. Didn't like the new mechanics. Plus, the whole chase aspect, as mentioned above.
quote:
The Exit 8 LINK
Mouthwashing LINK
Anthology of the Killer LINK (looks cartoonish but it's clever)
Have read a lot about these, but I'm unfortunately relegated to an Xbox One for now.
This post was edited on 6/6/25 at 11:48 am
Posted on 6/6/25 at 11:46 am to Carson123987
quote:
Great game, forgot to list it
My favorite of the bunch, which is really saying something. Its monsters are among the most janky of any game I've ever played. I loved exploring the hotel setting and the numerous intricate puzzles.
Really looking forward to that studio's new game, A.I.L.A., coming out soon.
This post was edited on 6/6/25 at 11:48 am
Posted on 6/6/25 at 3:34 pm to StansberryRules
If you like survival games check out The Long Dark on Steam
Posted on 6/6/25 at 4:31 pm to shutterspeed
quote:
Really looking forward to that studio's new game, A.I.L.A., coming out soon.
Didnt see this. I had looked up the dev about a year ago to see if they had anything else in the pipe and couldn't find anything. Glad we're getting something new
Posted on 6/6/25 at 9:14 pm to StansberryRules
REPO
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