As the hobby of gaming has become more mainstream and accessible to larger audiences, so has the production of such games, resulting in an influx of small independent studios producing their own games. While many of these studios fail to create lasting impressions in the gaming industry, some manage to leave their mark through their excellent work. Good independent games charm with their rustic feel and simple gameplay, the best subvert expectations and create memorable experiences that will stick with the consumer for years. From metroidvania mayhem to delectable deckbuilding, these exemplar indie games are not worth missing.
Hollow Knight: Insectoid Cosmic Horror? Sign me up!
In 2017, Team Cherry took the world by storm with the release of Hollow Knight. With Hollow Knight being their first release, the Australian studio couldn’t have planned for the overwhelming success that the game found, selling almost ten millions copies across platforms. Letting the player explore caverns full of insectoid secrets with fluid movement and combat, it’s no wonder why the game saw such success. Augmented with a dread-filled story and many lanes of progression, Hollow Knight is a must-play for gamers who enjoy side scrolling action mixed with contemplative moments reflection.
Slay the Spire: Strategy meets Luck in this Deck Builder Roguelike
Awaiting a much anticipated sequel, Slay the Spire is a masterclass in what determined developers can accomplish. Founded by Casey Yano and Anthony Giovannetti, two game developers
who quit their full time jobs to pursue their dream of game development, Mega Crit’s magnum opus is doubtlessly their first work. Slay the Spire has refreshingly simple and repeatable gameplay, having the player advance through separate levels as they add cards to their deck that are enhanced by various relics found from powerful enemies. While the lower difficulty levels are accessible to new players, the game’s more challenging levels are strategic puzzles that require care and skill to triumph over.
Celeste: Climb a Mountain and Beat Mental Illness
A personal favorite of mine, Celeste is by far the best representation of mental illness not only in gaming, but in art as a whole. Celeste follows the story of Madeline, a young woman who decides to climb a mountain in order to overcome an unnamed mental illness that harries her progress throughout the story. As someone that struggles with mental illness, I found myself not only represented in the story of Celeste, but seen as well. A challenging game, Celeste rewards player effort with delightful soundtracks and nostalgic graphics. Celeste isn’t just a game, but a work of art.
