Niche & Indie Game News

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Discover the hidden gems of the gaming world with Niche & Indie Game News. Get the latest updates, reviews, and insights on unique and innovative games from independent developers. Explore the road less traveled in gaming!

Destructoid’s Indie Gems – Edition 2: Cosmic horror on the apartment floor A city sheltered, there's something cosmic brewing outside. Dark clouds loom over, unmoving and unshaken, as if they house a darker secret above their vast layers. The uncertainty of tomorrow has spread across the locals. We're 45 days into something we don't understand. The air is poison, or so the authorities say. Only the Church is trying to do something about it, but can we really trust them? There's a crack in the wall. It's been there for a month now, and it's only getting bigger, so is that gnawing feeling that the situation will only get worse. How can you stay positive when everything is telling you—these are our last days? Funeralopolis | Last Days is a truly underrated indie horror gem that was released last September on itch.io. Heavily text-based with walking sim elements, games like these demonstrate you don't always need voice acting to deliver lore or a believable setting. With a one-hour runtime, the worldbuilding in this narrative-driven story shines all by itself. The story is where the horror lies, bubbling with each passing day, as the promise of tomorrow becomes more and more uncertain. Confined to an apartment floor, fear spreads among the residents, all of whom are affected by the ongoing epidemic differently. See hope fester through the peephole, look back out into the world you're too hesitant to explore. A cosmic enigma that calls your name An overarching mystery is constantly pulling you in. What are the Churchmen up to? Is there something nefarious going on with their quarantine camps? It's a wonder whether this is real or if it's all just mass hysteria, caused by the official reports that the inexplicable clouds are making people ill. What is that pitch black hole in the kitchen, and why can we only see it on one side? The few residents that you're supposed to look after as the apartment overseer have so many concerns and questions, none of which you can answer. Some don't even want to step foot outside of their apartment. The city is cold, grungy, and greyscale, with the apartment interior feeling comfortable in its warm glow. Stories of biohazardous materials we've never seen before keep popping up on the Church's private frequency. A channel you're not supposed to be tuned into. Everything is quiet; from the environment and its terrified people, to the horror. It's an unsettling feeling that never leaves you. You'd think everyone would be panicked, yet we comply and stay silent in hopes that the monsters will just leave us alone. There's anxiety as society is being pulled taut, like this is all a test to see if you'll give in and go outside. There's a single choice you can make, and it determines which ending you'll get. A Lovecraftian nightmare as the sky turns red Like something out of Stephen King's The Mist , Funeralopolis is a cosmic horror with clear inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft's fear of the unknown. The apartment setting is reminiscent of Silent Hill 4: The Room . The otherworldly terror perfectly captures that dread and incomprehension for something out of this world, that's seeping into our own. The isolation and uncertainty for the future are direct links to the 2020 pandemic, as we were forced to stay indoors and listen out for news in hopes that something would change—something means everything can go back to normal. You feel as though your life is holding on by a thread that could be cut any moment by the terrifying words spoken through the television and radio. But in Funeralopolis , no such hope is given. A story-rich world I want to rent a room in The slow build of Funeralopoli s is tied to the information you learn from radio broadcasts each day, and observed through the cracked wall that spreads open like worry. You're given bits and pieces of the lore that's developing by the day, making the story perfectly paced, with just the right amount of intriguing information making you want to press on. The cutscenes only make the horror more immersive, like you're an active participant or a detective trying to solve the mystery. Tension and anxiety are created through the brooding soundtrack and old-school art design. You feel as though you are actually the overseer of this world, where the apartment residents are yours to take care of. Does anything you do truly matter in a situation so hopeless, against a threat inconceivable to mankind? You try to do the right thing, but what does it amount to? Actions have consequences, yet in Funeralopolis , your inactions are just as important. Regardless of your choices, time moves forward, life goes on, yet the nightmare's only just begun. The post Destructoid’s Indie Gems – Edition 2: Cosmic horror on the apartment floor appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidJun 29

Destructoid’s Indie Gems – Edition 1: Visitors are at your doorstep and they look just like us The sun is melting away civilization, making it unsafe to go outside. It's so hot that aliens are breaking through the soil, and strangest of all is that their faces look like ours. They wander with hatred in their hearts, eager to get into our homes and snuff out our light as we sleep. FEMA calls them "Visitors." You can study and ask, but would they ever tell you: " No, I'm not a Human ." Maybe it's all mass hysteria. But do you really want to take that chance? What if the rumours are true? New information is released daily, perhaps they're truly onto something. These Visitors may not actually be human. Screenshot by Destructoid The sun is burning our skin—it's chaos outside. A group called FEMA is taking people away to test them. They never come back. The quietness of the neighborhood is deafening. Bodies lie to waste outside your sanctuary, yet newcomers keep arriving at your doorstep, looking for a place to stay the night until something changes for the better (if it ever does). No one wants to be alone, and there's something out there punishing the lonely. You can't risk going outside ever. There's safety in numbers, but be selective. Not everyone can be trusted. The intrigue of No, I'm not a Human This is No, I'm not a Human , an upcoming horror game reminiscent of Papers Please and Alex Kister's The Mandela Catalogue . With the Sun's rays reaching an all-time high every passing day, the temperature is a killer. All you know are the four walls you've sought comfort in every night, yet staying inside them alone will get you killed, too. This heavily text-based horror is the Who's Who? of video games, as you must figure out whether the person knocking at your door is a human or one of those "Visitors." Clues come in on radio and television broadcasts, advising you that these Visitors can never get their appearance right. Something is always just a bit off . But not everyone can be bad, right? The goal is simple on paper: Only let in human guests and keep those Visitors out. They will trick you with their smile, charm, and sob stories, but not everyone can be trusted. There's also the concern that who you let in is a danger to others, even when they're truly human. Some don't know they're Visitors, others show all the telltale signs. Speak to guests you let in, get to know them, and determine whether their stories are true or not. Those imposters can only kill when there's more of them than there are of us, so pay attention or you'll lose allies. You're armed, and with your and your fellow guests' lives at stake, you don't want to take any chances. Are you perceptive enough to figure out who's truly human, or will the Visitors quickly tear down the safety you built and tried so hard to defend? All will be answered this fall Although a smaller version is available at Violent Horror Stories: Anthology , which offers just enough lore and multiple conclusions, I want more. This is the End Times, but how true are the stories we're being told? What conclusion will you arrive at? I've loved every second of this game so far and cannot wait for No I'm not a Human 's full release this fall. There are no obstacles to get stumped by, and it doesn't have any difficult gameplay mechanics you need to master, making it an easy game to pick up and try out for a couple of hours. Although it's not particularly scary, this is no flaw, for the atmosphere is fantastic. Sinking hours into this game feels natural, like popping on a cozy game to calm the nerves and forget about the outside world for a while. It's odd feeling this way when the setting is so ominous and disturbing because of its art design and realistic worldbuilding. But there's also that tugging feeling to keep playing and see this nightmare through. It's as if you're actually a survivor enduring this intense epidemic. No, I'm not a Human stays with you, for its questions on whether this once quiet neighborhood is truly getting overrun by fake humans or if the sun and isolation are making us all go mad. The story is engaging and mysterious, with gameplay that throws moral dilemmas your way as the signs of these fake humans could happen to anyone. Bloodshot eyes from crying, a blurred photo because you moved before the picture was taken, or perfectly white teeth because you really care about dental hygiene. Could you live with yourself if you killed a guest? Visitors are left with blurred and bloody corpses after a shotgun to the face, but your fellow humans lie in trash bags. Is that the ending we deserve? So what do you think? Do you believe the rumors? What's truly going on outside? The mystery of No, I'm not a Human is gripping for the setting and concept alone, being something that could actually happen in our future (global warming and mass hysteria...not lizard people). If you want to uncover the truth or perhaps see how far you can get, then try No, I'm not a Human out for yourself as there's a demo readily available for brave guests. The post Destructoid’s Indie Gems – Edition 1: Visitors are at your doorstep and they look just like us appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidJun 22

Best indie games on PC (2025) 2025 has been amazing so far for indie games, and we're only halfway into the year. This makes it ridiculously difficult to pick the very best when indie developers have graced us with banger after banger. We highly recommend ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist , but only after playing ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights , so it's not on this list. You can expect many more indie gems to release this year and the next, but we've taken a look at our favorites from Winter 2024 to Summer 2025. So, let's get into the best indie games you can play on PC. Recent indie games on PC that we can't stop playing 10 Dead Doves Image by Duonix Studios/Mark Byram II/Sean-Michael Millard Release date : Dec. 13, 2024 Price : $24.99 A surreal adventure, it's hard to appropriately summarize 10 Dead Doves without sounding mad. This highly unique horror is full of comedic moments and eerie atmosphere that'll surely stay with you. Yes, you may never truly understand what exactly is going on, but you'll be entranced by its story, characters, and bizarreness that you'll want to see the game through to the bitter end. A strange story centered around a father's regret, there's nothing quite like the 10 Dead Doves experience. Blue Prince Image by Dogubomb Release date : April 10, 2025 Price : $29.99 Reaching Room 46 isn't so simple when RNG is actively working against you. Three doors greet you at the estate entrance, but can you find your way and uncover your great uncle's secrets? Brace yourself for the ultimate roguelite puzzle game that is cozy yet ominous, and is sure to keep the cogs in your brain forever turning. Replayability is through the roof. Blue Prince keeps its hooks in you by its premise alone, and it'll burrow into your ego, for nothing matters outside of finding out what could possibly be hiding inside the 46th room of a 45-room estate. DELTARUNE Image by Toby Fox Release date : June 4, 2025 Price : $24.99 DELTARUNE grows from strength to strength with its unforgettable characters, dialogue, and legendary soundtrack. What initially looks like a flat, pixelated world is vibrant in its subtle yet satisfying art and character design. Everything stands out, for every pixel is purposely placed to make DELTARUNE entertaining, memorable, and poignant at times. This episodic RPG is nostalgic both in how it looks and plays, yet it is able to transform itself into a fantasy realm like no other. While the plot and genre are basic on paper, its execution lets you decide what kind of hero you want to be, making it no ordinary RPG. Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping Image via Happy Broccoli Games Release date : May 22, 2025 Price : $9.99 Who wants to cosplay as Sherlock Holmes when you could be a Duck Detective ? Charmingly witty, this short mystery game will put a smile on your face and warm your heart. We all need a cozy game once in a while—a place to visit and wind down to after a long day's work. With iconic voice acting, cute cardboard cutout art design, and jazzy music, Duck Detective is a quirky mystery adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously, and you shouldn't either. Meet suspects, build your case, and solve the mystery, all while waddling around as a divorced (and very masculine-sounding) duck. Homicipher Image by 八名木Games Release date : Nov. 1, 2024 Price : $13.99 If you ever wanted to get into linguistics, then here is where to begin. This tame horror game is a visual novel with a twist. Homicipher places you in a completely foreign land, where entities are there to either greet or kill you. You won't know what the outcome will be until you make a choice, but how are you supposed to when you can't tell what anyone's saying? This point-and-click adventure asks you to decipher a made-up language, promising replayability, creepy and (at times) friendly characters, with various pathways to travel down as you try to make sense of the labyrinth you're entrapped in, and the residents it houses. KARMA: The Dark World Image by POLLARD STUDIO LLC Release date : Mar. 27, 2025 Price : $24.99 Investigating the minds of criminals by diving head-first into their memories, KARMA: The Dark World is a cinematic indie horror experience inspired by Orwell's 1984 . While it isn't particularly scary, its story is truly unforgettable. Yes, it takes a while to truly understand what is going on. But when it hits, it really hits. I left this game feeling content as I applauded while the credits rolled. KARMA plays like an interactive film created by minds as complex as the late and great David Lynch. Although it doesn't do anything special in its gameplay as it's mostly a walking sim, there is so much to unpack in its mind-bending story. Look Outside Image by Francis Coulombe Release date : Mar. 21, 2025 Price : $7.99 Can you survive an otherworldly epidemic where neighbors surrounding you on both sides have transformed into cosmic creatures, looking to make you one of them? Endure 15 days and know that you must never—at all costs— Look Outside . Perfectly capturing the Lovecraftian aesthetic, Look Outside blends turn-based horror and survival elements to create a terrifyingly claustrophobic experience with awesome art design. Terror awaits at your doorstep, but you must step outside into the great unknown if you want to make it out alive. Sorry We're Closed Image by à la mode games Release date : Nov. 14, 2024 Price : $24.99 The most in-your-face survival horror you can play, Sorry We're Closed demands your attention in its bright neon lights. A game about learning what it's like to truly love, this grungy world grows in size and color because of its vibrant cast, fantastic dialogue, and nostalgic combat. Multiple perspectives, fixed camera angles, and signature gameplay mechanics give Sorry We're Closed a strong identity. Transported to another realm for rejecting a demon's advances, Sorry We're Closed feels like a throwback to classic Silent Hill and Resident Evil , but with a rockstar twist. The Alters Image by 11 bit studios Release date : June 13, 2025 Price : $34.99 It's easy to get distracted by the stunning sci-fi landscapes of The Alters , but the reason to press on is for its unique take on survival and strategy, as you need to manage your tiny colony's happiness and keep morale up, raising the moral question on whether creating clones of yourself can ever be ethical. All born from the same memories, each Alter is given their function, all for the name of survival. The ultimate game about managing resources, mining is just one part of The Alters , and it pales in comparison to the decisions you need to make for yourself and your alters (clones), which ultimately shift who they are as people. The Midnight Walk Image by MoonHood Release date : May 8, 2025 Price : $39.99 There's so much beauty in The Midnight Walk as it captures the mental hurdles we must overcome in order to reach the inevitable light in what feels like never-ending darkness. Standing out for its gorgeous art design, The Midnight Walk is a passion project handcrafted from clay. Bring your little flame and change the lives of those you meet along the way, all while overcoming the darkness that surrounds you. We all travel along this path alone, and sometimes it takes an entire lifetime to see the light. But there's always that hope to hold on for a better day—for you never know what tomorrow might bring. What have been your favorite indie games of 2025 so far? Do you think any could possibly be GOTY contenders , or are we all thinking the same thing? Surely one particular game will be crowned victorious—and that's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . The post Best indie games on PC (2025) appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidJun 21

Best PEAK mods and how to install them Newly-launched indie title PEAK has been attracting plenty of players in the opening week, and you can increase your share of fun with the help of mods. Modding the game isn't the easiest of tasks, as the only available option is via Thunderstore. The collection of available mods is limited as of writing, but I have found a few of them to be quite useful. Let's look at some of the best options, followed by how to install them in the game. Table of contents Best PEAK mods to use How to use mods in PEAK - Mod installation guide Best PEAK mods to use The number of available options might be slightly less, but I expect more items to be released very soon. Here's a list of the best ones I have come across and used on my adventures. PEAK Unlimited: If you have a lot of friends to play with, this is the best mod. It allows you to bypass the limit of four players in a group and include more buddies. Only the host needs to have this mod to enjoy the benefits. PEAK Unbound: This small mod offers something highly beneficial - changing the controls and creating your config. However, the control keys can't be rebound. Console Unlocker!: If you're in for some fun with your friends, using the console commands might not be a bad idea. This mod allows you to access the same console commands available to the developers, but don't abuse the mechanics too much. NoFallDamage: I am not a fan of the game's fall damage, and this mod prevents that from happening. Easy Backpack: I still don't understand why we need to drop our backpack to use it in the first place. Thanks to this mod, you won't have to take unnecessary action every time you need to bring out something that you might require. There are a few more interesting modes, like the one that lets you fly or entirely disable your stamina depletion. Using them, in my books, removes the fun of playing PEAK in the first place. How to use mods in PEAK - Mod installation guide The process of using all the mods above is the same. First, download the mod file and save it to your drive. Next, complete the following steps. Screenshot via Thunderstore Download BepIneE , which acts like a mod manager. Extract the files and place them where your game is installed. It should show up as a separate folder titled BepInEx . Open and close the game to set up BepInEx, and create a plugins folder inside the BepInEx folder. Paste the downloaded mod file in the plugins folder, which should do the task. Run the game, and the mod should work fine. To remove the mod, delete the required file from the plugins folder inside the BepInEx folder. The post Best PEAK mods and how to install them appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidJun 20

Spirit X Strike Review: All Combo, No SoulA flashy flurry with flimsy footing. The post Spirit X Strike Review: All Combo, No Soul first appeared on Kakuchopurei .

Indie | KakuchopureiJun 20

This new indie horror game is one of the most terrifying I’ve ever experienced It is by no means wild to claim that Lethal Company is one of the most revolutionary horror games of the past decade. It spawned a genre of its own, one where proximity voice chat plays a crucial role. But what if I told you that another game was made and just got its demo in the land of Steam Next Fest, where the best indies lie? The effect of the uncanny valley is immensely strong in Mimesis Enter: Mimesis . A co-op horror game that puts you and your friends against... well, you and your friends. The formula it follows is the same as we saw in Lethal Company and R.E.P.O.: go to a spooky place, collect scrap, sell it, and then do it all again. Sounds simple, sounds fun—and it is. However, there is one horrifying aspect that makes this game stand out among the rest, and that, my friends, are the Mimics . While other horror games have tried out the concept of mimicry to try and copy the player and their pals, Mimesis does so in such a terrifying way that I was sweating all throughout playing with one of my friends, and that's just in a two-man lobby. The mimics not only record what you say but try to map your movements, behavior, and mannerisms, so as to look as real as they possibly can. I won't lie and say that I didn't get fooled by both the Mimic and my friend poking fun at me by pretending to be one. It was horribly scary, and I loved every second of it. The Mimic will sometimes just stand there and watch you, learning how you behave and what you say. Screenshot by Destructoid The game's sessions take place over three days, just like in Lethal Company , and the Mimics build compound knowledge each subsequent day. If you have a very long and successful run, the Mimics will build so much knowledge of you that it becomes genuinely difficult to discern reality from mimicry. They play back what you or your friends say; whenever you die, a new Mimic spawns on your body, meaning your friends won't have any idea that you're really gone. The more your lobby dies, the more Mimics there are in the game, all masterfully copying your team and playing tricks on the mind. Mankind has an ingrained fear of the uncanny, things that look familiar, but there's something off with them. The mimics in Mimesis are embodiments of this concept and will strike fear in even the most hardened of horror gamers. It is genuinely amazing, and it's only a demo. It's free at the moment as part of Steam Next Fest The game is not set to release before the third quarter of this year, and I believe that by the time all its systems are fleshed out, the game will be even more terrifying than it is currently. It utilizes a fantastic, simple gameplay loop and adds to it an incredible mechanic that many have tried to implement but failed to make it worth your while. Mimesis , however, is more than worth a try. If you've a knack for horror games and want your friends to be your worst nightmare, give Mimesis a try. It has a free demo as part of the Steam Next Fest, alongside countless other indie adventures that deserve our attention now more than ever. The more successful indies there are, the less chance corporate studios have to muck everything up more than they already have. So, do your part and give the devs some honest feedback so they can create the most haunting horror experience imaginable. Do you think more games should go for mimics and add them to their monster rosters? Or do you think the tech is not there yet for them to be smart enough? Let us know below. The post This new indie horror game is one of the most terrifying I’ve ever experienced appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidJun 10

The best indie games of all time Indie developers have shown time and time again that you don't need a big budget to create masterful and unforgettable video games. The best indie games can transform genres, flipping everything we knew, or create something that makes you wonder, "how hasn't this been done before?" While Frictional Games has created some of the best indie horror ever made , I refrained from putting games like Amnesia , SOMA , and Penumbra on the list to free up space for other equally impressive entries with genres more accessible to the masses. So here are our top 30 best indie games of all time, showcased in alphabetical order. Our top 30 indie games ever made ANIMAL WELL Image by Billy Basso Birthed inside a puzzle-platforming labyrinth, there's mystery hanging over you as you navigate around this world without any guidance on where to go or how you're supposed to achieve your goal. ANIMAL WELL is all about the journey and how far you've come as an inconsequential blob inside a massive ecosystem. Celeste Image by Maddy Makes Games Inc. Climbing Celeste Mountain is both a mental and physical battle against oneself to enact change when you're stuck in an unforgiving rut. A challenging platformer that's fitting for its mental health themes, Celeste stands proudly for its strong story and flawless level design. Crow Country Image by SFB Games The theme park isn't as abandoned as Mara thought, as it's crawling with monsters that seem a tad bit too human. Crow Country is the ultimate throwback to retro survival horror, with quirky dialogue and immersive level design that'll surely keep you invested as you uncover the disturbing truth behind the park's closure. Cuphead Image by Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. A deal with the Devil goes south, and now you have to pay as a debt collector. Beautifully illustrated with non-stop platforming action, Cuphead is a challenging and satisfying boss rush game that'll surely test your patience and resilience to keep fighting. Disco Elysium Image by ZA/UM Following an amnesiac and hopeless detective, it's up to you to shape Harrier Du Bois as you solve a murder. A story about identity and having hope in the darkest times, Disco Elysium is a reason to hold on and keep going because you never know where life will take you. DREDGE Image by Black Salt Games H.P Lovecraft's fear of the unknown is prevalent in the open waters, but there's a calming feeling as you make waves as a curious fisherman. Just like the ocean, there are layers to DREDGE that'll tug at you, inviting you to peel them back and peer inside. Can your mind comprehend the horrors? Five Nights at Freddy's Image by Scott Cawthon Power is limited, and there's nowhere to go. 6am and you can punch out. Why would anyone ever come back here? You're confined to your seat and the cameras, monitoring the sentient animatronics around you—hungry and hunting. A point-and-click horror, FNAF destroyed childhoods and sparked intrigue with its increasingly layered lore. Hades Image by Supergiant Games Starting from the very depths of the Underworld, leaving this place won't be easy. Olympus is calling your name, a deserving place only for those who want it enough. So, do you have what it takes to climb? Hades is a gorgeous roguelike, a demanding challenge for only the most resilient players. Learn from your mistakes and try again. Hollow Knight Image by Team Cherry Infection has spread like wildfire, driving the residents into violent, mindless creatures. At the center: Radiance. Hollow Knight is a 2D action-platformer that will satiate that curiosity and drive to reach the end, with satisfying challenges throughout and a beautiful hand-crafted world to fall in love with. Hotline Miami Image by Dennaton Games See the surrealism surrounding violence and become engrossed in the blood-stained neon lights that'll make you question whether you're wrong to be enjoying this game as much as you are. Top-down endless action and quick-thinking strategy with intoxicating effects, Hotline Miami is addictive for its gory delivery. IMMORTALITY Image by Sam Barlow / Half Mermaid Three unreleased films, an ageless leading actress, and a disappearance that's yet to be explained. The truth is hidden in the black and white. Look back and study everything. IMMORTALITY is one of a kind for its storytelling, vision, and delivery. You won't forget what happened to Marissa Marcel. INSCRYPTION Image by Daniel Mullins Games A cursed video game that knows it's alive. There's something keeping you here—that curiosity that you can't help scratching. The deck-building roguelike of INSCRYPTION will keep its claws in you for its palpable atmosphere, intrigue, and challenge. Look Outside Image by Francis Coulombe Something wakes you in the middle of the night, a calling to peer outside. But doing so means you'll never be the same again. You have 15 days, what will you do? The survival horror of Look Outside is intense, with the feeling of confinement and impending doom at its very center. Minecraft Image via minecraft.net Fighting the Ender Dragon from nothing is one thing, but the limitless creative freedom you have in this block world is more than enough to keep you returning. The ultimate escapism and full autonomy to do what you want at the pace you want is why Minecraft is an easy survival game to sink endless hours into. Night in the Woods Image by Infinite Fall Finding your place in the world can be tricky, especially when we only have so much freedom to do what we actually want. The spirited world of Night in the Woods is brought to life by its quirky, memorable cast, who have realistic depth and dimension, where a dark underbelly haunts the town and its residents for an unforgettable experience. Nine Sols Image by RedCandleGames A story about revenge against the very people that sacrificed his family, Yi embarks on a relentless journey to defeat the Nine Sols. A story about betrayal, hardship, and having the will to go on, Nine Sols is a demanding yet rewarding action-platformer, full of beauty and drenched in Taoism. OMORI Image by OMOCAT LLC The dark truth is slowly seeping out from dream to reality, self-destructing the sunny masquerade. But what truth did you work so hard to protect and forget? Handling dark psychological themes, OMORI will hold onto you like a comforting embrace, both for its intriguing and profound storytelling, and unforgettable characters. Outer Wilds Image by Mobius Digital Traverse across the stars, listen to the stories of others, and learn what life is truly about. An action-adventure about acceptance and living a fulfilling life, Outer Wilds has so much beauty in its hopeless situation, where the inevitable isn't something to be sad about or afraid of, but instead to enjoy the time we have. Papers, Please Image by Lucas Pope Shifting through immigration papers, you must decide who passes through the border. A moral dilemma, you begin to question your own ethics as you deny safe passage. What should be a mundane game somehow isn't as Papers, Please is instead an immersive point-and-click puzzle adventure that'll test your deductive skills and compassion. Stardew Valley Image by ConcernedApe The tranquillity of life on a farm feels like a peaceful retirement plan, offering the fulfilment of growth and self-development, with the hope of running into the one right around the corner. Stardew Valley offers pure escapism from real-world stresses, providing a calming exterior that houses charming residents to befriend and even marry. Subnautica Image by Unknown Worlds Entertainment Conquer Thalassophobia by submerging yourself into the great unknown. We've only discovered five percent of the ocean; why not be the first to swim where no other man has swum? An open world at the palm of your hands, discover the fear and breathtaking beauty of Subnautica in this survival game that rewards the greatest explorers. Terraria Image by Re-Logic Do whatever you want, build whatever you want. There's no right or wrong way to place. The 2D world of Terraria truly is your oyster. Bring stability to the vibrant land by building, interacting, and fighting for one important reason: Your survival. Thank Goodness You're Here! Image by Coal Supper Your trip takes a turn for the worse when the residents of Barnsworth start running into problems the moment you arrive. Brought into their eccentric madness, Thank Goodness You're Here! is full of ridiculously witty and quintessentially British comedy that'll surely bring a smile to your face. The Cat Lady Image by Harvester Games The afterlife tightly holds onto Susan, who's given immortality instead of release, tasked to take the lives of five sinners. A dark story that navigates the incredibly dark themes relating to the human mind, The Cat Lady is a gripping story-driven horror adventure that'll surely leave its mark. The Stanley Parable Image by Galactic Cafe A bizarre story about the mundane shifting into the surreal, your life is orchestrated by a narrator. The Truman Show of games, The Stanley Parable is all about the control you have in your life and the drive to do what you want to do, not for the sake of others, but yourself. Undertale Image by Toby Fox Falling into the deep Underground, a realm where no human has set foot, Frisk must navigate battles and friendships, all while trying to stay alive. In this 2D RPG, Undertale showcases that actions have consequences as the story twists and turns based on your choices. What kind of person do you want to be? Until Then Image by Polychroma Games The mundanity of life is altered forever by The Ruling as deja vu plagues Mark's life. A story-driven game delivered as a visual novel with a dark underbelly, Until Then is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that handles real themes of loss, friendship, love, and grief with grace. Vampire Survivors Image by poncle Experimentation and tenacity are rewarded to those willing to learn. To dust yourself off and try again. The hordes won't stop coming, but there's always another route you can take. Vampire Survivors is an all-out action roguelike with impressively long battles and satisfying rewards that'll keep you invested in the long run. What Remains of Edith Finch Image by Giant Sparrow A walk down memory lane into the eccentric home of the cursed Finchs. Uncover how each member passed and question whether there's a curse at all—or if they died doing what they loved. What Remains of Edith Finch carries weight in each story, told through surrealistic and dreamlike imagery. YOU and ME and HER: A Love Story Image by Nitroplus Stuck inside a love triangle, you strive for a normal life but aren't given the satisfaction, for everything comes down to who you choose. YOU and ME and HER is no ordinary visual novel for the stakes in this drama are far too high, and leaving her hanging may just end in misery. The post The best indie games of all time appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidJun 3

Indie Quest 2025: All The Games RevealedLoads of active time battling & turn-based hitting action! The post Indie Quest 2025: All The Games Revealed first appeared on Kakuchopurei .

Indie | KakuchopureiMay 30

This game really, really hates you (and I love it) Do you like games that crush your soul through sheer difficulty? Do you like games that reward your persistence and give you a massive endorphin boost when you finally overcome the hurdles and feel all-powerful? I have the perfect game for you. I've never enjoyed overly difficult games; I play games to relax, not spike my blood pressure. But there's this one game you may not have heard about that's crushingly difficult, yet weirdly offers a relaxing experience at the same time. I know it seems nuts, but hear me out. This is Kenshi . You aren't 'The Chosen One' Weak. Screenshot by Destructoid Kenshi is a game in which you take control of a number of the world's laziest people. I say this because when you start, your team has zero skills. Nothing, nada. Yet, they're fully-grown adults. So they've successfully avoided any and all forms of skill-building up until the moment you arrive in the world. You quite literally start at rock bottom, and even the wimpiest bandit out there will absolutely wipe the floor with your squad. I'm talking about a 1v5 against a 90-pound severely starting bandit, and your five heroes will end up as bleeding heaps on the ground. If you don't have a first aid kit or no one in your team regains consciousness long enough to bandage you all up, that's it, game over. It just ends, and you're left staring at a world in which you no longer play a part. Unless, of course, a slaver team passes by, in which case you'll likely end up working the pits of Rebirth, a slave-labor settlement in the game. Screenshot by Destructoid Ironically, working the pits of Rebirth is kind of a blessing, because it gives you the opportunity to build your skills in a locale where you're not able to die of starvation. If you try to escape and fail, though, death is a very real possibility there as well. You can also lose limbs. Lose a leg here, and your playthrough is pretty much done. Escaping a slave camp isn't easy when you can sprint, it's impossible when all you can do is crawl. The opening hours of this game are brutal. You're constantly being beaten down by anything on a whim. And you'd better hope you don't run into Bone Dogs while transporting your hard-earned copper, or you've just become lunch for the local wildlife. Which, while we're on the topic, is also actively trying to hunt and eat you. Not getting eaten is quite the achievement Screenshot by Destructoid Depending on where you start your playthrough, your early game won't contain too much threat from wildlife. It's only once you start to explore the world that you run into all manner of things. Bone Dogs are the tamest of the beasties, because you also get Skin Spiders, Blood Spiders, Gorillos, and more. Each of these animals will beat you to a pulp, and all except the Gorillos will eat you afterwards, but none are more feared than the infamous Beak Thing. Terrifying. Screenshot by Destructoid Unless you have top-quality robotic legs (that's a thing), you won't be outrunning a Beak Thing, ever. Your only choice is to either stand and fight and potentially lose your whole squad, or sacrifice one or two while the rest make their escape. And then you have mods, and the manner of creatures that can find their way into your game are the stuff of nightmares. Let's not even go there. I'm still haunted by the time a single mutated skin spider chopped off half my squad's limbs in a 1v8 fight. The turning point is the most satisfying thing Screenshot by Destructoid By this point in the game, you're so used to getting your butt whooped by everything and running from all but the weakest bandits, that it's just habit now. And then something strange happens. Your squad gets into a fight while you're preoccupied elsewhere, and you return to find bleeding heaps on the ground—but this time, they're not yours. Your group of outcasts and misfits actually won a fight. This series of victories can go on for quite some time as you become bolder, explore more, and discover that all those ass whoopings actually paid off. You no longer have a team of starving beggars and mine workers, you have a group of competent fighters. That is, until you happen upon a particularly scary group known as the Skin Bandits. And this is where many a playthrough ends abruptly. You see, these Skin Bandits are incredibly powerful, quick to recover, and have a seemingly endless supply of troops. Knock them down, they get back up. But when they knock you down, they hastily scoop you up and transport you back to their base. You're then placed in what is known as a peeler. Skin Bandits. Peeler. I bet I don't have to go into more detail there. But this is around the point when you take what you've learned and try it all again. After a while, things just start to click, and the next time you meet the skin bandits, things aren't so easy for them. And so the cycle continues, and it never really gets old. Kenshi's success is surprising A player-created village. Screenshot by Destructoid It always surprises me when I talk about Kenshi , and others don't know about the game. It's old, sure, having been around since 2014 and finally officially launched in 2018. But still, this game went on to sell over two million copies. It's a niche game, but at the same time has outsold far bigger studios. Which reminds me, this game was made by one guy. Others eventually joined the team to complete the game, but most of the framework was created by Chris Hunt. If you're a fan of Kenshi , you'll be happy to know that Chris and team have been hard at work on Kenshi 2 , and boy, am I excited. Should you play Kenshi, or wait for Kenshi 2? As my final thoughts, I'll give you all you need to know on whether you should actually play Kenshi . The answer is yes. Everyone should give this game a go. That said, if you've only ever played FPS games and can't stand anything else, then maybe you shouldn't. Kenshi is mostly an RPG Strategy Sandbox game. There is no story you have to follow, nor do you have to unlock anything, or even discover the game's lore. It's all entirely up to you how you go about playing this game. So if you prefer heavily directed stories, again, pass. However, if you prefer to create your own stories, your own characters and their backgrounds, and really flex your creative muscles in a way that few other games allow, then Kenshi is absolutely, most definitely for you. Oh, and as we approach $80 games, this one goes for $30 and under, with regional pricing making it way more affordable in certain locations. So go ahead, spoil yourself. And no, this was not a sponsored post, merely a look back at one of the best sandbox games I've ever played. Have you played Kenshi? Tell your story in the comments—if there's one thing the Kenshi community enjoys, it's hearing the stories of other Kenshi players! The post This game really, really hates you (and I love it) appeared first on Destructoid .

Indie Archives – DestructoidMay 26

OTK Games Expo 2025: All The Games AnnouncedIndies galore, courtesy of a coalition of streamers. The post OTK Games Expo 2025: All The Games Announced first appeared on Kakuchopurei .

Indie | KakuchopureiMay 26