Top 10 Indie Games You Need to Try

1. Outlast

Developer: Red Barrels
Release date: September 4, 2013
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

If you're a fan of heart-pounding horror, Outlast is a must-experience. This first-person survival horror game throws you into the terrifying Mount Massive Asylum, armed with only a night-vision camera. With no combat abilities, your only option is to run and hide from the horrifying inhabitants. Outlast's intense atmosphere and vulnerability create a truly unforgettable and terrifying experience.

2. Stardew Valley

Developer: ConcernedApe
Release date: February 26, 2016
Platform: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Stardew Valley offers a peaceful escape from the everyday grind. This charming farming simulator lets you inherit your grandfather's old farm and build a new life in a small town. Beyond farming, you can explore mines, fish, build relationships with the townsfolk, and uncover the secrets of Stardew Valley. Its relaxing gameplay and endless possibilities make it a perfect game to unwind with.

3. Balatro

Developer: LocalThunk
Release date: February 26, 2016
Platform: PC, Arcade, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4-5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Balatro is a roguelike deck builder that's all about playing poker hands, but with a twist. The game features a unique system of jokers that modify and enhance your hands, leading to wild and unexpected combos. Each run is different, offering hours of strategic gameplay and satisfying card-slinging action.

4. Little Nightmares

Developer: Tarsier studios
Release date: April 28, 2017
Platform: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Little Nightmares is a hauntingly beautiful puzzle-platformer that will stay with you long after you finish it. You play as Six, a young girl trapped in The Maw, a mysterious vessel inhabited by grotesque creatures. The game's unsettling atmosphere, clever puzzles, and striking visuals make it a truly unique and memorable experience.

5. Dead Cells

Developer: Motion Twin
Release date: August 7, 2018
Platform: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4-5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Dead Cells is a fast-paced and addictive roguelike Metroidvania. You play as a prisoner trying to escape a cursed island, battling your way through hordes of enemies. With its fluid combat, challenging difficulty, and procedurally generated levels, Dead Cells offers endless replayability for fans of action platformers.

6. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Developer: Mediatonic
Release date: August 4, 2020
Platform: Epic Games (Mobile & PC), PlayStation 4-5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a chaotic and hilarious multiplayer game where you compete against other players in a series of wacky obstacle courses. Its vibrant visuals, simple controls, and unpredictable gameplay make it a perfect party game for both casual and hardcore gamers.

7. Indika

Developer: Odd Meter
Release date: May 2, 2024
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox

Indika is a narrative-driven adventure set in a surreal and unsettling version of 19th-century Russia. You play as a young nun who forms an unlikely bond with the devil himself. The game explores themes of faith, doubt, and the nature of good and evil, offering a thought-provoking and visually striking experience.

8. Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Developer: Frictional Games
Release date: September 8, 2010
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first-person survival horror game that redefined the genre. You wake up in a dark castle with no memory of your past, forced to confront terrifying creatures and unravel the mysteries of your amnesia. Amnesia's focus on atmosphere, sound design, and psychological horror makes it a truly terrifying and unforgettable experience.

9. Citizen Sleeper

Developer: Jump Over The Age
Release date: May 5, 2022
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4-5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Citizen Sleeper is a narrative-driven RPG set on a ruined space station. You play as a Sleeper, a digitized human consciousness in an artificial body, trying to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. The game's unique dice-rolling mechanic, compelling story, and memorable characters create a deeply immersive and thought-provoking experience.

10. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Developer: Sandfall Interactive
Release date: April 24, 2025
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a narrative-driven RPG set in a painterly world where each year, the mysterious Painting Vanishes erases a number from existence. You follow Maeve and her companions as they embark on a desperate expedition to stop this cycle before the number 33 is targeted. The game blends turn-based combat with exploration and a compelling story, featuring striking visuals and a world steeped in mystery and a sense of impending doom.