I’ve talked a bit before about indie games (games primarily developed and sometimes published by lone developers, small teams, or self-sufficient studios). While these games may at first glance appear to be of lesser content and visual quality than big-budget AAA studio offerings, indie games are significantly more varied in genre, gameplay, and charm. There’s just something so heartfelt about indie games, and I’ve loved them for years. Here’s my ten favorite!
10) Deltarune
For those who know what this game is already, its placement on this list might seem odd…considering it isn’t even a finished game yet. That being said, Deltarune is too good to not mention at all, hence its placement in the #10 spot. It’s a periodically updated game, so unless Toby Fox (the developer) really jumps the shark with the later chapter updates, it is only going to become a greater and greater game.
Anyway, lengthy preamble aside, Deltarune is awesome. It absolutely oozes charm, the writing is top notch and frequently hysterical, the characters are all endearing, the soundtrack produces one banger after the next, and the core gameplay loop is solid an enjoyable. As of this writing, this game is also FREE (it will cost more the more updates are finished). Give it a try!
9) What Remains of Edith Finch
I knew very little about this game before going into it, and that was all for the better. This breezy (only two hours long) adventure game is a compelling and emotional roller coaster. It explores concepts of death and loss in unique and engaging ways that I’ve hardly seen any other game touch on before. The constantly shifting art styles and gameplay mechanics keep things fresh and varied. Best of all, its designed to be as intuitive and inclusive as possible. Anyone can play this game through to the end without difficulty. Just bring some tissues.
8) Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is one of the absolute heaviest hitters in the indie gaming world, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise to see it on this list. This game is a pixel perfect love letter to the action platformers of the old Nintendo days, and everything that includes. There’s some jaw-dropping pixel sprite work and animations, an amazing chiptune soundtrack, and tight platforming action complimented by a surprisingly touching story. The adventure is wacky and pretty humorous, and consistently a blast to play.
…except the fun doesn’t stop there! Thanks to a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, Shovel Knight is the game that just keeps giving. A second campaign was added that allows you to sling potions and find true love as Plague Knight. A third campaign was added that explores the dark past and tragic actions of the brooding Specter Knight. A FOURTH campaign was added that allows you to play as King Knight as he bends the world to his whims as the master of children’s tabletop games! And then to top it all off, there’s an optional multiplayer arena fighting mode that plays like Super Smash Bros, and gives all of the cast their own set of unique moves and combos. It’s an insane package no gamer should miss out on!
7) Shantae: Half Genie Hero
Shantae is an icon of indie gaming, and this fourth entry in her franchise is what I’d point to as the best of the bunch. Everything Shantae players come to expect from the franchise is here in full swing, but streamlined and funneled into the most action-packed and focused adventure yet. The platforming is tight and jumpy, the combat and exploration is varied thanks to a huge offering of transformation dances, the soundtrack is stellar, and the writing is as witty and fourth-wall-breaking as always. Tedious backtracking is cut to an absolute minimum.
…except the fun doesn’t stop there! Thanks to a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, Half Genie Hero is the game that just keeps giving (whoa, anybody else getting deja vu here?). A second campaign was added that tells the tale of Risky Boots and her quest for dark powers, and players can use her full arsenal of pirate-themed equipment. A third campaign was also added that features the terrific trio of Sky, Rottytops, and Bolo, and their journey to save Shantae from her inner demons. Three mini modes were also updated into the game, letting players experience the adventure as Ninja Shantae, Sleepy Shantae, and Police Shantae. This game is a joy, and one with heavy replayability!
6) Rogue Legacy
Roguelikes are a genre of video games that refer to a game where it arranges itself differently every time that you play, and when you die, you have to start from the beginning the next time through. Occassionally, you make it far enough to unlock some form of permanent upgrade that persists between runs. Otherwise, it’s a brand new experience each time you hit the play button.
Of the entire roguelike genre, Rogue Legacy stands strong as the best the genre has to offer, despite its relative age. The simple but highly addictive nature of exploring the randomly generated castle, combined with the freedom to choose your class and tailor your equipment and upgrades before each run, culminates in one heck of a video game. Controlling your character is extremely precise and fulfilling, and tackling the ever-mounting challenges the game throws at you makes it easy to see how both you as a player and your hero grow stronger. If I’m ever in a gaming rut, I’ll throw on Rogue Legacy and do another run. It never gets old.
5) Doki Doki Literature Club
There’s no video game out there quite like DDLC, and that fact alone elevates the game far above its peers, particularly in the realm of visual novel games. The story has to be experienced to be believed, and if you go in knowing as little as possible beforehand, I guarantee shock will stick with you long after the credits roll. It’s a short game, but still has plenty of time to spare for its playful soundtrack, endearing characters, emotional plot beats, and staggeringly impactful twists and turns. This is a free game, and by its very nature as a visual novel, exceptionally simple to play. Don’t pass this monumental game up.
It’s also worth mentioning the recent remastered version of the game, DDLC Plus. Console owners can now experience this one-of-a-kind game in all its glory, plus receive a plethora of bonus content on the side. The special secret stories are heartwarming and hilarious in equal measure. A true gem of a game.
4) The Binding of Isaac
Now, Binding of Isaac is a roguelike game, this much is accurate. That might be confusing to you, because I just mentioned how Rogue Legacy is the best roguelike I’ve ever played. While that statement is still true, it just barely misses out on qualifying as my favorite. That honor goes to this infamously zany and dark dungeon-crawling adventure. See, while I have a solid sixty or so hours in Rogue Legacy, I have hundreds in this game. At its core, it just means so much to me.
I’ve been playing Binding of Isaac for over eight years, and magically, the game still doesn’t get old. Not only do all of the rooms, enemies, and bosses randomize themselves upon starting a new run, not only are there multiple game modes to choose from, not only are there over twenty different playable characters, not only are there hundreds of items and equippable trinkets, but the game is also multiplayer! No other game killed as much time in high school study hall than Binding of Isaac, and the endless replayability ensures I’ll keep playing it for years to come.
3) Freedom Planet
I was gifted this game for free as part of a bundle deal, and I had never even heard of it before booting it up for the first time. Even still, I was enamored from the very first level, and my love for the game only grew the longer I played, and the more I revisit it over the years. We’re reaching the big ones at this point. If my Top 10 list of favorite games had been expanded to a Top 20 (or potentially even a Top 15), these next games would have been on it.
Imagine a Sonic game, but better (or, at worst, just as good) in literally every single way. All the speedy twists, turns, and loops are there, but gone are the random bounceback springs, bottomless pits, and sadistic spike traps. Instead of just jumping and spinning, all three playable characters possess a full range of movement and combat options, allowing you to explore the huge stages in different ways across each playthrough. Hidden collectables unlock concept art and music tracks, and there is also a training mode and secret Mahjong minigame. The soundtrack is incredible, as is the surprisingly heavy story mode (complimented by decently entertaining voice acting). Freedom Planet is definitely one of the all time great 2D platformers.
2) Iconoclasts
Iconoclasts demands a lot from the player. There’s no way around this. It’s got some engagingly tricky puzzles, and some tightly woven platforming sections. It’s got a few hints of Super Metroid, so expect to need to explore occasionally to find your way forward. It isn’t the hardest game in the world, but it isn’t easy either, so anticipate the possibility of death. Iconoclasts doesn’t hold your hand, in either the gameplay or the story. And it’s the story where Iconoclasts shines so brightly.
This isn’t a happy game…nor is it a depressing one. If anything, it’s an incredibly realistic one (sci-fi alien planet notwithstanding). Truly, Iconoclasts has some of the best, most raw writing of any game I’ve ever played. Each of the protagonists feels like a real person with their own goals, arcs of growth, and personal flaws. The story consistently challenges each character’s beliefs in the world around them, and how far they are willing to go for themselves and others even as everything breaks apart around them. It’s a brilliant story and an incredible game, pushed to the upper echelons of indie masterpiece through an awesome pixel art style and great soundtrack.
1) A Hat in Time
Admittedly, this will be a bit of an anti-climactic way to end this list. After all, I’ve already praised this game in my “Top 10 Favorite Video Games” list. Of course it had to take the number one spot!
Allow me a second chance to just run through the highlights: the smoothest and most enjoyable character control of any 3D platformer I’ve ever played, endlessly unique and awe-inspiring worlds and levels, jaw-dropping boss fights, laugh-out-loud writing and voice acting, one of gaming’s greatest soundtracks, an appealing and cutesy art style, and bucket loads of additional content added through updates. No platformer has quite the level of charm and love that A Hat in Time possesses. As the game’s own tagline reads: “it’s a heckin cute game”!
Arguably, A Hat in Time is the greatest 3D platformer ever made. If you’re a fan of the genre (and even if you aren’t) you owe it to yourself to give this a try.
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 