I think there’s a misconception that, becauseindiestudios don’t have access to the same resources as big studios, indie games are somehow lesser.
But, as someone who’s a legitimately huge fan of the indie scene, I think that conception is twisted. Sure, they don’t have as much money or people power as big studios, but sometimes you’re able to accomplish a lot more when you have much less.
10 Best Indie Games With Near-Flawless Steam User Review Scores
These are among the independent masterpieces that have come closest to perfection, according to Valve’s platform users.
It lights that passionate fire that can lead to amazing games. And this list of the best indies of 2025 (so far) proves that the indie scene is incredibly vital, relevant, and worth checking out.
With that in mind, it can be incredibly hard to fairly rank indies. Which is why the order of this list was largely guided by a combination of overall critical reception and my resonance with each title.
12Promise Mascot Agency
Cursed Kaso-Machi
Promise Mascot Agency
I generally consider myself a fan of the absurd, but even for me,Promise Mascot Agencyis out there.
In what other game could a former Yakuza, called The Janitor, and Pinky, a deranged mascot in a severed finger costume, work to help the folks in a town called Kaso-Machi?
But wait, it gets weirder. This adventure from the team behindParadise Killeralso has you mentoring and assisting various crazy mascots. When they have problems doing their jobs, you use Support Cards to help out.
When you’re not doing that, you’ll wander around in a truck, unravel the story, and explore a memorable open world.
Honestly, the only reasonPromise Mascot Agencysits so low on this list is that it plays so abominably badly on Nintendo Switch. But if you don’t mind trying it on PC or other consoles, you should check it out.
11StarVaders
One Colorful Invasion
StarVaders
There is a lot thatStarVadershas going for itself. For one thing, it’s a colorful, rogue-like deckbuilder with Saturday Morning cartoon energy. For another, it has an eclectic cast of characters that each play differently, all piloting one of a small handful of different mecha.
All that is great, and part of why I enjoyed the game. The reason it’s not sitting higher on this list, however, is because I feel the game is currently pretty poorly balanced.
Your first run will be super easy, but from that point forward, you’re required to crank up the difficulty to unlock more of the game. And that’s where I suddenly hit a brick wall.
Still, this is a worthy deckbuilder, especially for fans of the genre. Just don’t expect it to go easy on you just because it’s cute.
Gotta Go Fast!
Generally speaking, I prefer 2D to 3D platformers. But inHaste, they managed 3D pretty well. The team even accomplished the hard trick of successfully incorporating procedural generation into the mix.
You’ll need to keep on running across a collapsing universe. Thankfully, you have a few things on your side. Namely, items that let you customize your Shard runs to give you a fair shake.
10 Best Indie Games That Cover Big Issues
These experiences demonstrate how profound and thoughtful the interactive medium can be.
Thus equipped, you’ll race across 4 different biomes, taking on brutal bosses as you zip along.
Combined with bubbly artwork and lots of flair, this is one fun adventure.
9Section 13
Black Site Groundhog Day
Section 13
While I’m more familiar with Ocean Drive Studio forLost Eidolons, I found something I rather enjoyed inSection 13. Whereas the last game was a dark fantasy RPG, this is a sci-fi-infused twin-stick shooter. And so long as you’re not afraid of grinding, it’s a lot of fun.
You’re tasked with clearing out hostiles from a top-secret facility. They just don’t tell you it’s full of horrifying, demented monsters ready to rip you to shreds.
Luckily, you have one thing going for you. The company that hired you placed an implant in your brain that essentially rewinds time, giving you endless chances to succeed. You’re just going to get killed again and again in the interim.
Mix that with fast-paced, twin-stick gameplay, legitimate horror, and plenty of surprises, and you have one heck of a reason to rewind the clock.
8Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To
Witchy Tetris Attack
Soft Not Weak, LLC
Puzzle, Match-3
Release Date
July 05, 2025
Ever since I was a young child, I’ve always loved bright, rainbow colors.
As an adult, that’s led me to play some adventures I might not have otherwise, including some spectacular games with LGBTQ themes. One of which was a game I backed calledSpirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To.
Mouthful of a subtitle aside,Spirit Swapis a really fun tribute to games likeTetris Attack. You need to match Spirits to deal with outbreaks, and meanwhile, get introduced to an eclectic and frankly thirsty cast of characters.
Spirit Swapalso has a really chill and jazzy soundtrack, which makes even the most tense matches more mellow. And when all else fails, you’re able to cast magical spells to give yourself a helping hand.
Mix all that with truly lush and vivid artwork, and this is one puzzle game more people should check out.
7Wanderstop
Not Your Average Tea Shop
Wanderstop
As someone who calls the PNW home, I’ve grown quite comfortable sipping hot drinks to relax. Usually, that means coffee, but on occasion, I love a good cup of tea.
Wanderstopmanages to channel the energy necessary to brew tea and throws a monkey wrench into the works.
Yes, you’re brewing tea, but you want to be anywhere else. Because you’re a warrior, not some idle shopkeep!
10 Best Indie Games With 100+ Hours of Content
It’s not only the AAA games that give the best bang for your buck. Plenty of indie games let you live in their worlds for 100 hours or more.
In a way,Wanderstophas similar energy to another game I love,VA-11 Hall-A. You’ll interact with a diverse cast, ferret out their preferences, and use that knowledge to your advantage.
It’s a cozy game, but it also isn’t. And it’s a remarkable offering from Annapurna and Ivy Road.
6Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Endless Pursuit
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
I’ve played a lot of narrative adventures over the years, butCitizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vectorwas still unique. Not only does it feature incisive, emotional storytelling set in a dark, sci-fi world, but it also requires the player to literally roll the dice for every major decision.
It’s not an easy game, but it’s a delight to explore.
The colorful characters bring this wonderfully broken world to life, slowly shedding light on why the titular Sleeper is being constantly chased.
It’s also a game where failure is part of the process, and each one irrevocably alters how you proceed in the adventure. A one-of-a-kind, best played on a large screen experience.
5Blue Prince
A Shifting Manor
Blue Prince
I’ve enjoyed my fair share of both first-person puzzle games and rogue-likes. But it’s pretty rare that the two intersect.
But that’s just what happened with a game calledBlue Prince.
Your job is simple enough: to explore Mt. Holly in your pursuit of the legendary Room 46. The only small problem is that the layout of the entire manor changes every day.
You choose what appears behind every door you explore, which shapes your daily adventures. If you’re lucky, you might even find some artifacts that persist between runs, greatly aiding your endeavors.
Explore at your peril, and be ready for past intrigues and mysteries to impact your journey.
4Look Outside
Can You Survive a Living Nightmare?
Devolver Digital
Survival Horror, RPG
June 19, 2025
Let me just say,Look Outsidecame out of nowhere.
I regularly follow the games published by Devolver Digital, and usually have an idea of what’s on the horizon. But this unique mix of survival horror and RPG surprised me and impressed most gamers.
The premise of the game is about a catastrophic event that transforms anyone who looks outside into horrifying monsters. Not everyone in your apartment was affected, but many of them were.
10 Best Indie Games With Infinite Replayability
You won’t see me for a week after Terraria updates.
Here’s your task - live long enough to withstand the insanity and find a way to escape. You’ll scavenge for supplies, devise new equipment, and fight against eldritch nightmares beyond imagining.
If that wasn’t exciting enough,Look Outsideboasts several endings and tense turn-based combat.
A truly unique adventure from a publisher known for their creativity.
3Monster Train 2
Full Steam Ahead!
Monster Train 2
It would have been easy to just rest after the firstMonster Trainand not worry about a follow-up. But instead, Shiny Shoe and Big Fan Games gave us a sequel that’s just as captivating as the original adventure.
Monster Train 2is all about dangerous Titans trying to take control of Heaven itself. And how better to stop them than an alliance between angels and demons?
The sequel features several new Clans, each with distinct styles and strategies you’ll learn to employ.
Or when all else fails, make changes to your train with Room Cards, and boost your units with Equipment cards.
And once you’ve managed to defeat the Titans, you can keep enjoyingMonster Train 2with the much-requested Endless Mode.
