Some of the best games of the last ten years weren’t made by giant studios. They came from small teams with big ideas. Here are the indie games we think every player should try at least once.
Each entry lists the platforms and the year of the first full release. Many of these games also run well on modest PCs and handhelds, which makes them easy to try.
What makes a game “indie”?
There is no strict definition. Usually, an indie game is made by a small, independent studio, or even one person, without a big publisher deciding what the game should be.
That freedom shows. Indie games often try ideas that would be too risky for a large studio: unusual stories, strange rules, or a single clever mechanic that the whole game is built around.
1. Hades
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2020
A roguelike where you fight your way out of the underworld again and again. Brilliant combat, great writing, and every run tells a bit more of the story. Its sequel, Hades II, is just as good.
Dying is part of the fun here. Each failed escape unlocks new conversations and upgrades, so you always feel you’re making progress.
2. Hollow Knight
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2017
A vast, hand-drawn underground kingdom full of secrets and tough bosses. It takes dozens of hours to explore fully.
It’s a “metroidvania”: new abilities open paths you couldn’t reach before. Players who like a challenge and enjoy getting lost will feel right at home.
3. Celeste
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2018
A precise platformer about climbing a mountain, and about anxiety and self-doubt. Hard but fair, with generous assist options so anyone can finish it.
Each screen is a short challenge, and you restart instantly when you fail. That makes the difficulty feel motivating rather than punishing.
4. Stardew Valley
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android · Released: 2016
Inherit a farm, grow crops and make friends in town. It was made almost entirely by one person, and it’s one of the most loved games ever.
It’s the ideal game to wind down after a long day. If you like it, our list of the best cosy games has more in the same spirit.
5. Outer Wilds
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2019
Explore a tiny solar system stuck in a time loop. The less you know before playing, the better. It’s one of the most rewarding mysteries in gaming.
There are no upgrades to collect. Everything you gain is knowledge, which is what makes the final moments so powerful.
6. Undertale
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2015
A role-playing game where you don’t have to kill anyone. Funny, strange and surprisingly emotional.
The game remembers your choices, sometimes in surprising ways. It’s short compared with most role-playing games, and many players finish it in a few evenings. If you like games you can finish quickly, try our short games under 10 hours.
7. Disco Elysium
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2019
A detective role-playing game with almost no combat, but some of the best writing in any game. Your own thoughts argue with you.
There’s a lot of reading. If you love novels and dialogue-heavy stories, it’s a must. If you want action, start with something else on this list.
8. Balatro
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android · Released: 2024
A card roguelike built around poker hands (no real money involved), and very hard to put down. One more run… and suddenly it’s 2 a.m.
You don’t need to know poker well. The game explains each hand, and the real fun is in combining jokers that change the rules.
9. Vampire Survivors
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2022
Walk around and survive endless waves of monsters while your weapons fire automatically. Cheap, simple and hard to stop playing.
You only control movement, so it’s easy for anyone to pick up. It also runs well on older hardware, which makes it a good pick for laptops.
10. Slay the Spire
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2019
Build a deck of cards as you climb a tower. The game that made deckbuilding roguelikes popular.
Every run starts with a weak deck, and the choices you make on the way decide how strong it becomes. Fights are turn-based, so you can think as long as you like.
11. Inscryption
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2021
A creepy card game that keeps changing into something else. Go in knowing as little as possible.
It suits players who enjoy a bit of horror atmosphere and puzzles hidden in the room around the card table.
12. Dave the Diver
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android · Released: 2023
Dive for fish by day and run a sushi restaurant by night. It was made by Mintrocket, a small team within Nexon, and it keeps adding new surprises for hours.
Because Nexon is a large company, some people argue about whether it really counts as indie. Its small team and playful spirit earn it a place here.
13. Animal Well
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2024
A dark, mysterious pixel-art world full of secrets inside secrets.
There are no fights in the usual sense. You solve puzzles with strange tools, and the deepest secrets are hidden so well that players worked on them together online.
14. Return of the Obra Dinn
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2018
You’re an insurance investigator working out what happened to every person on a ghost ship. A genius logic puzzle.
Have a pen and paper ready. The game confirms your answers only in groups, so you can’t simply guess your way through.
15. Blue Prince
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 · Released: 2025
A puzzle game set in a mansion whose rooms change every day. Perfect for people who love notebooks and solving mysteries.
Each day, you choose which rooms to add as you explore. Over time, small clues across many days connect into bigger answers.
Tip: Not sure which one to buy? Check the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus catalogues first, because indie games often appear there for a while. On Steam, you can also request a refund within 14 days of purchase if you’ve played for less than two hours.
Where to start
| You like… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Action | Hades |
| Exploring | Hollow Knight or Outer Wilds |
| Relaxing | Stardew Valley |
| Story | Disco Elysium or Undertale |
| “Just one more go” | Balatro or Vampire Survivors |
| Puzzles and mysteries | Return of the Obra Dinn or Blue Prince |
| Card games | Slay the Spire or Inscryption |
Tips for finding more indie games
- Try demos. Many indie games release a free demo before launch, especially during online festivals on PC stores.
- Follow the studios. If you love one game, the same team’s next project is often worth a look.
- Wishlist and wait for sales. Indie games are often discounted, and they’re usually cheap to begin with.
- Check the requirements. Most indie games run on modest hardware. Our guide on how to check your PC specs shows you how to be sure.
Looking for something tougher? See our list of the best soulslike games.
From PixelAlex: Indie games are often where the most creative ideas in gaming come from. If you only ever play big releases, try one from this list – you might be surprised.
Read next: 15 games with unforgettable soundtracks · Best Indian-made games to play · What is an indie game? · 15 best new games with a retro style
Quick answers
What is the best indie game to start with? Hades is a great first choice: easy to pick up, exciting to play and full of story. For something calmer, try Stardew Valley.
Are indie games good on Nintendo Switch? Yes. Most games on this list are available on Switch, which makes it a strong console for indie games.
Which indie games have the best stories? Disco Elysium, Undertale and Outer Wilds are all known for their writing and emotional moments.
What are good indie games for low-end PCs? Vampire Survivors, Balatro, Undertale and Stardew Valley run well on older hardware. Our list of games for low-end PCs has more ideas.
Is Hades II worth playing if I liked Hades? Yes. It keeps the fast combat and the story told through repeated runs, so fans of the first game should feel at home.
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