Indie games have always been around but they are starting to enjoy mainstream popularity in the world of PC and console gaming. To get a better handle on why they’ve become so popular we first need to define what exactly we mean by ‘indie games’.
Indie games are designed, developed and distributed by independent studios without the aid of a first party publisher such as Microsoft. They often have relatively small budgets to work with but allow developers to autonomously exercise their creative freedom. Unlike most first party game releases that typically operate on a monthly subscription model, they are relatively cheap and you’ll find that the best indie games are every bit as entertaining and engaging as big blockbuster releases. Indie games have almost become a tech trend on their own, but they remain true to their genre at heart,
We’ve gathered a list of the best indie games that are available on PC and console. Read on to find the top indie games that you can play right now.
Abzu
Created by indie developer Giant Squid Studios, Abzu is a stylized swimming simulator that is available on both PS4 and PC. If you enjoyed the effortless elegance of Journey, you’ll love this visually stunning game. The storyline is told linearly with a silent protagonist and centres around the relationship between ocean life and its interactions with humans.
The Stanley Parable
Most games are in short supply when it comes to humour. By contrast, The Stanley Parable is a hilarious indie game that is both funny and moving. In the game, you follow an English narrative voice who changes the world around you depending on the decisions you make. Every play-through offers up new humour (a treat if you like dry British wit) and weirdness, and no decision you make is punished which allows for some pretty interesting scenarios to unfold.
OwlBoy
This indie masterpiece revolves around a race of human-owl hybrids. You play the lead protagonist, Otis, who has to work with an assortment of villagers in order to take out pirate enemies who threaten the safety of your village. During the boss battles, you’ll need to manage your allies, each of whom has their own set of unique skills. Released in late 2016, OwlBoy is available to play on PC, Mac and Linux, and there’s also talk of a Nintendo Switch version that is slated for release in February 2018.
Cuphead
Cuphead is one of the hottest indie games that has taken the gaming landscape by storm by connecting with millions of players who ordinarily wouldn’t bother playing a run-and-gun platformer. You’ve probably never seen a game like this before, with gorgeous visuals and a soundtrack that is inspired by 1930 animation. The gameplay is a throwback to 80’s classics such as Contra and Mega Man, and it offers a challenging series of 19 boss fights. It’s as hot as real money slots, and it is just as exciting.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a dark and visceral indie game. In it, you play a young boy who attempts to kill his mom, damned siblings and possibly the Devil by using his tears as his only weapon. In this game, you’ll encounter secrets galore, endlessly touch-procedurally generated levels, as well as hundreds of weird and wonderful modifiers to discover.
Super Meat Boy
This is a super addictive 2D platformer that puts up quite a bloody challenge. Expect to run, jump, die, and repeat, as you make your way over spinning blades and deadly drops in order to rescue your girlfriend Bandage Girl from the evil Dr Foetus. Available for play on PS4 and Vita, this indie gem boasts plenty of humour, tight controls and eye-popping graphics.
