Nowadays, there are tons of great AAA titles released each year from large publishers and well-known developers. This gives players tons of choices for big-budget entertainment. That said, the ever-growing Indie scene is giving players a multitude of titles to choose from, some of which manage to outshine even the most successful of studios.
The Indie scene is massive now, thanks to a multitude of launchers and programs that help give aspiring game designers a chance to produce content on a semi-level playing field with pre-established developers. Helpful programs like Steam Greenlight allow players to produce promising titles that they can then release to the general public. But with so many Indie games released each year, players may miss out on some truly fantastic titles amid the sea of game choices. Here’s a look at some of the best “underrated” or “underhyped” Indie games out there.
7Teleglitch
Teleglitch is proof that a game doesn’t have to look like a meticulously-crafted visual spectacle to be an incredible adventure. Those that are seeking something truly challenging that will test their top-down arcade-like shooting capabilities will definitely want to give this Indie gem a try.
The gritty gameworld is stark and pixelated but oozes a peculiar style that will have players hooked as they stalk the halls of each level, using whatever weapons they find to survive an onslaught of enemies. Teleglitch is an absolute blast to play and will have gamers coming back for more thanks to its randomized runs.
6Tiny Barbarian DX
Those that are craving something with a 90s feel should turn their attention to Tiny Barbarian DX. Developer StarQuail put an immense amount of effort into crafting a pixelated side-scrolling adventure that looks and feels like the retro releases it draws inspiration from. The end result is a beautifully-crafted platforming action game that looks like a mixture between Mega Man and Castlevania.
All of this action (and challenge) is underlined by an incredibly hype soundtrack that beautifully modernizes the traditional sounds of the SNES era with great chiptune-style songs. The title is filled with satisfying bosses too and should provide tons of fun for platforming fans.
5UnderRail
Some of the best RPG and strategy releases to hit store shelves in recent years have come from the Indie market. A great example is UnderRail, a retro pixelated release that oozes a similar style to game franchises like Fallout and Metro. The post-apocalyptic tale of survival takes place in a world where humans have been forced to live underground, using a mass transit system to travel from place to place.
RPG fans will enjoy the in-depth character leveling and strategy fans will adore the turn-based combat.
4Golf Story
There are a lot of wacky golf-inspired games out there that attempt to mix up the traditional formula and present players with a truly exciting golfing experience. Many of these releases focus on strange mechanics and weird physics but Golf Story takes things in a different direction by infusing an actual adventure into its gameplay.
Players that enjoy wild and wacky scenarios, mini-golf-like gameplay, and an interesting story should be instantly pulled into Golf Story’s world. The gameplay is fun on its own but what truly shines is the overarching tale that sees players traveling from locale to locale, solving problems, mysteries, and a wide array of other story-based quests.
3Rain World
Ever since Dark Souls was released, some players have been on a quest to take as much punishment from their games as possible. All jokes aside, there is something incredibly pleasing about diving into a difficult release and using skills and general game knowledge to conquer all of the evils within.
Those that want a true challenge can load up Rain World, a seemingly innocent game that quickly devolves into one of the most difficult platforming and puzzle-solving adventures ever made. The cute protagonist will lull players into a false sense of security as they find themselves running from deadly storms, trying to outwit powerful predators, and doing everything in their power to survive the harsh world around them.
2Wandersong
Large companies have to be careful with the content they produce, as they have large amounts of overhead that must be accounted for when making their games. This means they usually need to stick to some type of formula or “play it safe” to avoid losing tons of cash on a less-than-stellar release.
Indie games don’t usually suffer the same problem, which allows players a chance to try some truly unique mechanics. Wandersong is a great example of this, as players will lay down their weapons and instead use their singing voice via a note-based music system to eliminate problems, defeat bosses, and solve puzzles. It’s incredibly different compared to most other games on the market and entirely a must-play for that reason alone.
1Pony Island
Those that want a little Horror infused into their Indie release should check out Pony Island. Although the name doesn’t scream “scary game,” players will soon find themselves fighting for their lives against a sinister arcade machine that doesn’t mind breaking the Fourth Wall to give its players a good fright.
Although it’s not as scary as a lot of the most terrifying Indie games out there, Pony Island is a truly engaging experience that will keep players on the edge of their seat as they attempt to survive a rather chaotic adventure filled with Horror, humor, and entertaining gameplay sequences.
