The 15 Best Indie Games Of 2024 (2025)

Cataloging the best indie games of a given year is always a tricky task - there are so many to choose from and so many are amazing. Independent developers consistently release wonderful games that often get overshadowed by entries from bigger studios. That's why it's so important to put the spotlight on indie games wherever possible and highlight the ones that players particularly enjoyed or that made a significant impact on the gaming world.

2024 was a varied year when it came to what indie games stood out. It featured surprisingly addictive card games, brave crabs seeking their shells, a solid roster of Metroidvanias, a crop of environmental puzzlers, and even a blast from the past or two. From action platformers to mystery puzzlers, here are the top 15 indie games of 2024, presented in alphabetical order.

1000xresist

Check Out 1000xresist on OpenCritic

Sunset Visitor and Fellow Traveler's 1000xresist is a beautiful and haunting narrative that echoes the feelings of loss and isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Told in nonlinear fragments, 1000xresist explores questions of how a community changes and develops over many years, how this change can affect relationships between families and individuals, and what could be waiting for humanity in the future if the poor treatment of the planet continues. This beautiful, poignant, melancholic tale about the power of memory and community will stay with its players long after they have completed it.

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1000xRESIST

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Visual Novel

Adventure

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:89/100 Critics Recommend:100%

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch , PC

Released

May 9, 2024

Developer

Publisher(s)

Fellow Traveller

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence, Use of Drugs, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language

Animal Well

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Animal Well begins shrouded in mystery - players take on the role of a featureless blob within a vast labyrinth and must collect various tools to solve puzzles, interact with the world's denizens, and ultimately figure out the secrets and truths of its endlessly fascinating setting. Blending Metroidvania and puzzle elements, Animal Well initially seems simple, but as players dive deeper, it unfolds into a complex game filled with layers upon layers of puzzles and challenges. Animal Well is the kind of game that is near-impossible to put down; it is easy for players to get caught up in the need to solve "just one more puzzle."

Animal Well

Metroidvania

Puzzle

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PS5 , PC , Nintendo Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

May 9, 2024

Developer(s)

Shared Memory

Publisher(s)

Bigmode

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence

How Long To Beat

7 Hours

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

See at Playstation Store

Another Crab's Treasure

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This undersea adventure took the "Soulslike" genre and turned it into "shells-like" with the tale of a courageous crab who challenges a corrupt government with a single noble goal in mind: the return of his precious shell. Players can take down an ocean full of tricky bosses using dozens of different shells with abilities ranging from slightly increased defense to a gun capable of downing enemies in one hit (a funny, helpful accessibility feature). Kril's journey is not just hilarious; it also features a poignant message about environmentalism and the importance of keeping the oceans clean. The undersea world of Another Crab's Treasure may be full of trash, but this gem of an indie title certainly isn't.

Another Crab's Treasure

Adventure

Soulslike

RPG

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Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

April 25, 2024

Developer(s)

Aggro Crab

Publisher(s)

Aggro Crab

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence

How Long To Beat

14 Hours

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

See at Playstation Store

Balatro

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Few games took 2024 by storm as much as Balatro, the poker-inspired deck-building roguelike that was the year's surprise smash hit. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, Balatro quickly gained popularity for its addictive gameplay loop, wide variety of deck options, and near-endless replayability due to the various run types and potential stakes available. Players can even celebrate their other favorite games with free cosmetics based on titles ranging from Stardew Valley to Among Us. Already clinching a win for Best Indie Game at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, Balatro has also scored several TGA 2024 nominations, including one for Game of the Year.

Balatro

Strategy

Digital Card Game

Roguelike

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

February 20, 2024

Developer(s)

LocalThunk

Publisher(s)

Playstack

ESRB

E For Everyone

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

$15 at Playstation Store

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus

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Inspired by Japanese folklore and mythology, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is an action-adventure platformer with Metroidvania elements developed by Squid Shock Studios. It stars the titular Bo, a fox spirit who is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Gameplay revolves around Bo's weapon - a bo staff, of course - which can change its shape with the aid of teas found around the game's world, as well as helpful daruma dolls that can aid Bo in combat. The game features a rich, visually stunning world with a 2.5D aesthetic; every foe players fight and creature they encounter is meticulously hand-drawn.

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus

Adventure

Metroidvania

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Nintendo Switch , PC

Released

July 18, 2024

Developer

Squid Shock Studios, Christopher Stair, Trevor Youngquist

Publisher(s)

Humble Games

ESRB

Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Alcohol And Tobacco Reference, Mild Language

How Long To Beat

10 hours

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

See at Playstation Store

Crow Country

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2024 was a strong year for survival horror, with the remake of Silent Hill 2 leading the pack. Another solid entry in the horror genre was Crow Country, developed and published by SFB games. Set in a creepy abandoned amusement park, the titular Crow Country, the game establishes a sense of slow-building dread with devastating effectiveness. The scares are plenty, but even in the moments when protagonist Mara is simply looking around the park, the sinister atmosphere is palpable. Crow Country also offers a unique innovation in the survival horror genre: an enemy-free "Exploration" mode in which players can experience the game's story without any fear of encountering foes.

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Crow Country

Survival Horror

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5

Released

May 9, 2024

Developer(s)

SFB Games

Publisher(s)

SFB Games

ESRB

m

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

See at Playstation Store

Farewell North

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In the far north, an archipelago of islands has lost their color. Players take on the role of a collie who, alongside their human companion, is charged with bringing the color back by exploring the islands and solving puzzles. Farewell North is an open world exploration game from developer Kyle Banks. The game's desolate setting is actually beautiful, and the contrast between its initial colorless form and later restored state is a stunning one. At the heart of this game is a deeply emotional story about what it truly means to say goodbye, told from the point of view of an adorable, eternally faithful dog who is truly man's best friend.

Farewell North

Adventure

Systems

Platform(s)

Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Nintendo Switch , PC , macOS

Released

August 16, 2024

Developer(s)

Kyle Banks

Publisher(s)

Mooneye Studios

I Am Your Beast

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Game pacing can jump from slow and methodical to downright frantic and action-packed. One example of the latter is I Am Your Beast, a fast-paced revenge-themed shooter in which players carve a path of destruction through each level. As Alphonse Harding, an ex-military man who staunchly refuses to take on the "one last job" his boss attempts to assign him, players must conquer each brightly-colored, blood-spattered level while accompanied by an appropriately frantic soundtrack. With simple controls and levels small enough to not be overwhelming, I Am Your Beast is the kind of action game even non-action fans can enjoy.

I Am Your Beast

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

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One of 2024's most devilishly tricky puzzle games, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes tells a surreal story about a woman invited to participate in a mysterious "test" in a creepy mansion. With over 100 puzzles to complete, players can discover the game's unfolding story in a non-linear fashion, exploring and seeking out secrets at their own pace. The visual style is striking, featuring a primarily black and white color scheme that incorporates the use of photographs and a mix of low-res and high-res renderings. Even the cleverest of puzzle fans may find themselves stumped at one time or another as they delve into the complex world of Simogo's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.

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10/10

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Puzzle

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PC , Nintendo Switch

Released

May 16, 2024

Developer(s)

Simogo

Publisher(s)

Annapurna Interactive

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Alcohol Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Blood

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Neva

Read Game Rant's Neva Review

Gris developer Nomada Studio debuted its second game Neva, this year. Neva players take on the role of Alba, a woman who shares a bond with a magnificent white wolf - the titular Neva. Ultimately, the story is less about who Alba is and more about Neva and the relationship formed with her. Together, Alba and Neva must traverse a mysterious world tainted by darkness. Together, the pair must win battles, solve puzzles, and traverse all four seasons in a graphically stunning side-scrolling platformer that highlights the importance of the bond between human and animal. Inspired by stories such as Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke, Neva is the story of just how much one woman and one wolf can truly accomplish when they work together.

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10/10

Neva

Adventure

Platformer

Puzzle

Systems

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 5 , Nintendo Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

October 15, 2024

Developer(s)

Nomada Studio

Publisher(s)

Devolver Digital

ESRB

Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence

Steam Deck Compatibility

Verified

X|S Optimized

Yes

Number of Players

1

Nine Sols

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Nine Sols is described the game as taopunk, a style that mixes cyberpunk elements with Asian mythology and philosophy, specifically Taoism. Hero Yi once ruled New Kunlun alongside nine others, but long ago, Yi was betrayed. Now he is the only chance the realm's inhabitants have of escaping the tyranny of his betrayers. As Yi, players must explore the futuristic world of New Kunlun, acquire new tools and skills, and ultimately confront dangerous and treacherous bosses in a tricky series of battles that will leave players on the edge of their seats.

Nine Sols

Action

Platformer

Soulslike

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PC , Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

May 29, 2024

Developer(s)

RedCandleGames

Publisher(s)

RedCandleGames

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat

22 Hours

Steam Deck Compatibility

Verified

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

PC Release Date

May 29, 2024

PS5 Release Date

November 26, 2024

Xbox Series X|S Release Date

November 26, 2024

Nintendo Switch Release Date

November 26, 2024

The Rise of the Golden Idol

Read Game Rant's Rise of the Golden Idol Review

In 2022, Color Gray Games burst onto the mystery game stage with The Case of the Golden Idol, a tricky puzzler about the bizarre legacy of the titular artifact and its devastating effects on one particular family. 2024 saw its sequel launch to similar acclaim. The Rise of the Golden Idol is set the 1970s, and the Golden Idol has been rediscovered. But will it be used to further scientific discovery, to create a cult, or for something far more sinister? Players must discover the truth across 20 mind-bending cases, and Color Gray Games have already promised that there is more to come, with four sets of DLC planned to release throughout 2025. The story of the Golden Idol is not over yet; the ancient artifact has much more in store for those willing to explore its mysteries.

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9/10

The Rise of the Golden Idol

The Idol rises... 300 years later

Three centuries following the unspeakable fate of the Cloudsleys, the legend of the Golden Idol has all but faded. Now it is carried only in small whispers, uttered as an obscene myth.

Some are determined for this to change.

Welcome to the 70s - Blood and Disco

The Rise of the Golden Idol follows a tenacious relic hunter on a quest to unearth the powerful artifact that - if the legend is true - can reshape the world.

As the observer, you must investigate 20 strange cases of crime, death and depravity. Like before with The Case of the Golden Idol, you are free to investigate however you wish and build your own theory.

You must make sense of a grand mystery that unravels across an age of hallucinogens, fax machines, parapsychology and TV guides.

Enlightenment seekers, convicts, chat show hosts and corporate middle management will all have a role to play in the wider mysteries that unfold. Like always, many of these subjects will have their own motives. Some will be carrying more than agendas.

Adventure

Puzzle

Indie Games

Systems

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X and Series S , Microsoft Windows

Released

November 12, 2024

Developer(s)

Color Gray Games

Publisher(s)

Playstack

ESRB

t

Satisfactory 1.0

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After a successful early access launch in 2019, Satisfactory officially entered its 1.0 state in September 2024. The game combines factory building with open world exploration. As a "Pioneer," the player finds themselves dropped on a strange planet and must use the available natural resources to survive. The game is an addicting one, as there is nothing more satisfying than going from having nothing to running an efficient, fully automated factory producing a wide variety of parts and resources. Players can even work together in cooperative multiplayer to explore the planet and create factories themselves. After its triumphant launch, Satisfactory was also named PC Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.

Satisfactory

Simulation

Sandbox

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Critics Recommend:100%

Platform(s)

PC

Released

September 10, 2024

Developer(s)

Coffee Stain Studios

Publisher(s)

Coffee Stain Publishing

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

ESRB

M For Mature 17+

How Long To Beat

100 Hours

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Tales of Kenzera: Zau

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Inspired by developer Abubakar Salim's experience grieving the loss of his father, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a Metroidvania game using a 2.5D art style to tell the story of Zau, a young shaman who is tasked with defeating monsters and gathering their energy to offer to the gods. Zau's goal is ultimately to revive his own deceased father, and the story elegantly and respectfully handles topics of grief, loss, and the importance of family. Set in a brightly colored and richly designed world, Tales of Kenzera: Zau challenges players to use every skill and resource available. It is a story of sorrow that is not without joy - the thrill of defeating a particularly tricky foe and watching Zau grow and mature during his journey is palpable.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Platformer

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

April 23, 2024

Developer(s)

Surgent Studios

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

See at Playstation StoreSee at Nintendo eShopSee at Steam

UFO 50

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Not just one game, no, not even a dozen - UFO 50 is, as the name suggests, fifty games in one. Inspired by classic video game collections from the 1980s and 1990s, UFO 50 is a collaborative effort between six different developers who worked together to produce a wide range of games across many different genres. It's got puzzlers, platformers, shooters, and more, all with a retro pixelated art style that will invoke feelings of nostalgia in many players. The games vary in length and style so that players will never feel bored, and some can even be enjoyed together in two-player mode. With so many games to choose from, UFO 50 truly has a little bit of something for everyone.

UFO 50

Action

Adventure

Platformer

Puzzle

Strategy

Arcade

Sports

Racing

Shooter

RPG

Idle Games

Real-Time Strategy

Systems

Platform(s)

PC

Released

September 18, 2024

Developer(s)

Mossmouth , Eirik Suhrke , Derek Yu , Jon Perry , Tyriq Plummer , Paul Hubans , Ojiro Fumoto

Publisher(s)

Mossmouth

Multiplayer

Local Co-Op , Local Multiplayer

Engine

GameMaker Studio 2

See at Steam