The most notable way to recognize an indie game is if it released independently of a major publisher, but another big signifier of an indie game if its ideas are against what the gaming community would consider mainstream. Indie games are often made anywhere between a small team of people or even just one or two individuals with an idea, so budget constraints that can't go into cinematic graphics often turn into unique ideas, like last year's Untitled Goose Game or 2017's Doki Doki Literature Club.
This year had a number of amazing contenders for the most celebrated indie video games, many of which resonated with people from the LGBTQ+ community or those struggling with loss, messages that often find a home in the indie space, while others simply offer a thrilling experience. A wide range of genres stood out in the indie sphere of 2020, giving this list a spectrum of options for those looking to spice up their gaming library with something uncommon.
10 Bloodroots
After being left for dead, Mr. Wolf is hell-bent on getting revenge, and that's all the context that's given to start the mayhem. Despite being outnumbered, anything can be used as his murder weapon: axes, fence posts, and even big carrots. Bloodroots is a catalyst for adrenaline, with almost comedic levels of violence, it's nothing short of thrilling and entertaining, but can also be cruel. Mr. Wolf gains momentum by springing from kill after kill in one-shots, but players need to be wary of getting one-shotted themselves. Still, Bloodroots never stops moving, because players will try again and again to keep that rhythm going.
9 Bugsnax
Bugsnax was one of the wackiest announcements to be revealed at this year's slew of livestream conferences, but that didn't stop it from being perhaps the biggest family-friendly adventure game of the year. Playing as a journalist visiting Snaktooth Island, the desire to learn more about these strange critters fills the experience with the same wonderment that children might find capturing Pokemon, supported by complex but fun and silly puzzles. Not often are games made for children also deep and meaningful, which is partially why it's surprising to see Bugnax with so much substance.
The design is great for children—or adults—that have a fear of creepy crawlies, not just by combining them with foods and calling them snacks, but by sticking googly eyes on their faces. But behind all of the silliness hides a page-turning tale that can actually turn pretty dark, though only subliminally. Looking at it from a horror perspective, there are some unsettling elements to these Bugsnax creatures that make the game entertaining for adults as well.
8 Fall Guys
This summer, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout was met with overwhelming popularity so intense that servers continually crashed for a few days at launch. In contrast to other games in the battle royale genre, Fall Guys is family-friendly and mitigates toxicity between its players while still being profoundly competitive. Mediatonic was able to control this by implementing the "different every time" element, where every stage is chosen at random, and this variety also allowed Fall Guys to stay faithful to the wacky game shows it's inspired by. The popularity also caused waves of memes and the public interest of brands spanning from fast-food restaurants to Twitch livestreamers.
Mediatonic also continues to keep its players and fanbase engaged, entertained, and supported, resulting in a win of the Best Community Support award at The Game Awards. Shortly, Fall Guys will begin its third winter-themed season on December 15th. Mediatonic reportedly hired more staff to continue to support its gameplay and community through the next season due to its overflowing success.
7 Hades
This list wouldn't be complete without including the dual winner of the Best Indie Game award and the Best Action Game award at 2020's Game Awards event. It was also nominated for Game of the Year alongside AAA games like The Last of Us Part 2 and Ghost of Tsushima. Made by Supergiant, the game is a roguelike, a brutal genre that isn't for everyone. But what makes Hades unique is that the brutality is part of the story; dying is an important part of Zagreus and the player's journey.
Not only is the narrative charm iconic of Supergiant's talent, but it's also the array of Greek mythology characters and the charm of their dialogue, accompanied by the masterful art of each god or goddess, that enraptured players everywhere when Hades surprise-released on the Nintendo Switch. Not to mention its fluid, thrilling combat. Though it may seem like a daunting task to escape Hell, between Zagreus' struggle to earn his father's respect and the journey that takes him there, the experience is nothing short of rewarding.
6 Huntdown
With nostalgia playing a large role in the influence of modern gaming but the space of the mainstream market being comprised mostly by AAA cinematic games, the indie sector is the perfect opportunity for the revival of classic genres. Huntdown is just that: a new take on the run and gun style, perfect for those looking to relive the good ol' days of gaming with a tongue-in-cheek 80s aesthetic.
And like many games inspired by this era, it finds itself in the cyberpunk genre gaming, 16-bit art and all. Even the tone of Huntdown is a love letter to 80s gaming, calling on classics like Renegade and Robocop. Despite the retro influence, Huntdown runs smoothly at 60 fps paired with an excellent soundtrack to match. With Easy Trigger at its helm, this debut game was made by old school gamers for old school gamers.
5 If Found...
Sometimes indie games have a few simple mechanics because simplicity can be beautiful and that's all they need to tell an impactful story. With If Found..., the only mechanics it needs is erasing, opening up an intimate story to connect past memories. Published by Annapurna, the publisher behind Journey's latest releases, the game only asks the player to be patient and simply unpack the meanings behind each page.
The first moments of If Found... shows Cassiopeia floating closer and closer to a black hole. Erasing this image gives way to her diary, or rather, Kasio's diary, and its first entry is dated December of 1993. Between the pages of vivid memories and the ever-shortening eraser, Kasio struggles to grasp who she is and her lifelong purpose. The use of endearing doodles helps attach the player to Kasio's relatable struggles, only to reveal that the story opens much wider as it progresses.
4 Ikenfell
For a fantasy game that combines spellcasting with turn-based combat, Ikenfell's depth doesn't only come from its creativity but also its sincerity in dialogue and storytelling. Combat will likely feel familiar for serial gamers, as it weaves together many classic elements found in RPGs, but the journey is as surprisingly fresh and emotional as the strategic battles.
The protagonist, Mariette, is the sister of a student at Ikenfell's School for Magic. It's been some time since she's heard from her sister, so she ventures to the school in search of her sibling, Safina. But strange magic has infected the vicinity and Ikenfell has been locked down. Over time, Mariette pulls together a rag-tag group that can wield magic like herself, leaving the player with 48 options of powerful spells to use against enemies. Stakes are high, both on an intimate, family level for Mariette but also for the world around her. For a game with so many lighthearted elements, Ikenfell leaves a much more personally impactful impression on its players.
3 Moving Out
Ever help a friend move out of their apartment? What about under a time constraint while navigating conveyor belts and impeded by an enormous river? Moving Out utilizes the same coordinated chaos that brought friends together with the Overcooked games. Inspired by the hectic restaurant game, Moving Out is also about communication and strategizing in stressful situations. Though Moving Out might test players' patience with waltzing through obstacles under the eye of a timer, many found it difficult to stay mad at the game for too long because of its charming 80s theme. For households that have already beaten every level in Overcooked, Moving Out's couch co-op is difficult to pass up. And even after heaving furniture from second-story landings numerous times, fans noted it for being notoriously replayable.
2 Spelunky 2
Spelunky 2 is the follow-up of its beloved predecessor that, after an original release, an HD release, and finally adding multiplayer, had fans fawning over it calling it a mini-masterpiece. But rather than making the sequel to a near-perfect game, the sequel is more like a reimagining of Spelunky. Though earlier stages resemble the original game but more enhanced, it uses that familiarity against veteran players to make it even more brutal than it would be for newcomers. Its randomized levels targets and punishes speedrunners.
But the joy of Spelunky 2 doesn't come from winning; it comes from taking in the world and the unorthodox methods that can be used to beat levels, like chucking dogs and headbutting turkeys. The genre falls somewhere between a chaotic randomized platformer and rogue-lite (not to mention that Spelunky served as an inspiration for many modern-day roguelikes), but even experts of these genres have a challenge ahead of them if they want to master Spelunky 2.
1 Spiritfarer
Difficult topics like grief and loss often find their way into narrative-driven indie games, hopeful to say something about death and the meaning of life. But rather than being the one dealing with loss, in Spiritfarer, players assume the role of Stella, who must now take over as Spiritfarer and help dying souls pass on. Spiritfarer is based on a Greek myth, the story of the river Styx, a bridge between Earth and the afterlife. Unlike other games, this indie focuses on death itself rather than what happens afterward.
It's an emotional journey, but the weight of the burden put on Stella—and the player—is balanced out with the simple assignments like harvesting resources, not unlike Animal Crossing: New Horizons. But these small jobs are important to bring happiness to those passing on. At the heart of Spiritfarer, rather than make the player feel helpless in the face of death, it's comforting.