10 indies that might have gone under your radar this year
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10. Dave the Diver
Platform(s):PC, SwitchDeveloper:Mintrocket
Even if you’ve not played Dave the Diver, you’ve likely heard of it thanks to its many award nominations this year – and the fact that it’ssparked debate over what an indie game actually is– but it’s well worth checking out if you have it tucked away in your backlog, or you’ve yet to add it to your wishlist. The pixelated adventure sees you go deep-sea diving and fishing during the day and running a sushi restaurant by night. As an RPG with management sim elements, Dave the Diver serves up a satisfying gameplay loop packed full of activities, humor, and quirky characters. There’s also some hidden depths to uncover that gives the experience a sense of mystery. It really has been a surprise hit this year.
Read more:Dave the Diver, an indie RPG about deep-sea fishing and slinging sushi is the the vibe of the summer.
Platform(s):PCDeveloper:Galaxy Grove
Station to Station is a delightful little gem for train enthusiasts or those looking to kick back and play something with chill vibes. With its beautiful voxel art style, you can set about building up your very own railway and the surrounding landscape it travels across. With puzzle elements to solve, there are also various different levels set in the different biomes of the map that offer up optional additional challenges. Starting off small, your world will soon grow, and you can watch as the peaceful environments expand and develop as you continue to connect your railways. And with post-launch support adding to the experience, now’s a great time to choo-choo-choose Station to Station if you’ve missed out on giving it a go earlier this year.
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Read more:Station to Station got around my puzzle game ineptitude by appealing to my 30-year obsession with steam trains
Platform(s):PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SDeveloper:Yaza Games
Read more:Inkulinati has charmed me with its devouring snails and tooting donkey bards
Platform(s):PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:Team17 Digital
If you’re looking to get stuck into an indie with a sharp edge, Killer Frequency is the horror game for you. Set in the year 1987, the interactive first-person horror puzzler sees you take on the role of a late-night radio talk show host called Forest Nash in the town of Gallow’s Creek. During your gig, you start getting calls from residents who are being hunted by a killer and it’s up to you to help them try to survive the night. With branching dialogue options while callers are on the line, you’ll be solving riddles and making life or death decisions as you attempt to piece together clues on potential suspects. It’s a true homage to the slasher genre all set within a radio station plucked from the ’80s era, complete with inventive scenarios and a satisfying gameplay loop.
Read more:Killer Frequency carves up a stressful slice of interactive horror fiction
Platform(s):PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:Dimfrost Studio
Bramble: The Mountain King is a cinematic adventure set in the dark, imaginative world of Bramble that draws inspiration from Nordic fables. You play as a young boy called Olle who’s sister gets taken by a troll. Now setting out on a quest to rescue your sibling, you’ll quickly find yourself swept up in the beautiful landscapes developer Dimfrost has created. But of course, there’s plenty of dangers to contend with along the way, with all manner of strange and unsettling creatures that won’t take kindly to your presence. If you’re a fan of games like Little Nightmares, you’re sure to enjoy this atmospheric horror that has its fair share of tense and memorable moments peppered throughout.
Read more:Bramble The Mountain King managed to warm my heart before making my blood run cold
Platform(s):PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:Team Reptile
Read more:Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a cool, downright fun spiritual successor to Jet Set Radio.
Platform(s):PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:Un Je Ne Sais Quoi
One look at the gorgeous watercolor world of Dordogne is sure to be enough to convince you to get lost in this enchanting, reflective narrative experience. Set in the French region of the same name, you play as Mimi, a young woman who returns to her home and revisits her childhood to try and make sense of the rift in her family’s lives. As you take in the sights and sounds of the summer, memories will start to come to the surface, and you’ll begin to build up a picture of Mimi’s family past. With plenty to explore and see, it’s a heartfelt, touching adventure that captures a sense of beauty and mystery in equal measure.
Read more:Dordogne feels like a portal straight back to my childhood summers
Platform(s):PC, PS4, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:Soda Den
There’s certainly no shortage of farming sims to choose from, but every now and then, a new one crops up that puts a fun and more unique spin on the genre. Enter Roots of Pacha, a farming adventure that takes you back to the Stone Age to experience agriculture in the prehistoric days. With a satisfying sense of progression, you’ll discover and develop new tools and buildings, and get stuck into food preservation and metalworking as you help to expand and grow your own village. With a community to get to know, there’s also the opportunity to find love. Complete with an exciting narrative and adorable mammoths that you can absolutely pet, Roots of Pacha is like a Stone Age Stardew Valley that will keep you coming back for more.
Read more:Roots of Pacha is exactly the Stone Age Stardew I hoped it would be.
Platform(s):PC, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:Die Gute Fabrik
Saltsea Chronicles is a story-driven adventure you won’t soon forget from the developer of Mutazione. With an ensemble cast of characters to journey alongside, you follow the story of a ragtag crew who set out aboard the De Kelphie ship to find their missing captain. While everyone has their own distinct personalities and flaws, the group all brought together by the same goal, with more joining their crew as the story goes on. Their motivations might not always align, though, which can cause conflicts you can try to resolve. Going from location to location, you’ll explore a variety of vibrant and diverse communities as you try to piece together what happened to your caption. With a myriad of choices to make that will affect the entire group, Saltsea Chronicles delivers a compelling experience that will tug at your heartstrings.
Read more:Saltsea Chronicles is a beautifully written narrative adventure that captured my heart and refused to let go
Platform(s):PC, PS5, SwitchDeveloper:insertdisc5
Upon dying for the first time, you discover you’re stuck in a time loop that brings you right back to where you started each time. Every loop gives you the opportunity to learn more about Siffrin and the other characters, and increase your chances of defeating the king for good. There’s an undercurrent of mystery to the adventure that keeps you hooked, and the superb writing that brings the story to life will constantly surprise and delight you. If you’re looking to play a new indie RPG, make it In Stars and Time.
Read more:This time-looping adventure with Undertale vibes is one of the best RPGs I’ve played this year
Look ahead to exciting future releases with our roundup ofupcoming indie games.
I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I’m not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good.
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