Have you heard that the global gaming industry is now valued at over $200 billion? It’s worth more than Hollywood and the music industry put together! It’s wild to think virtual loot boxes and pixelated dragons are making more money than Oscar winners.
Make sure you don’t get too distracted. So, while everyone’s chatting about Grand Theft Auto VI, Civilization VII, and places like play in exchange, that betting site might join in on the fun, offering odds on who will probably rage-quit first.
As we enter 2025, a few independent games stand out, each promising to wow gamers with its unique story and deep gameplay. Let’s explore five must-watch titles because gaming FOMO is all too real.
Animal Well
Animal Well by Shared Memory is a pixel-art Metroidvania that blends exploration and puzzle-solving in a rich, interconnected world. Coming out in 2024, it encourages players to discover secrets as they tackle its mysterious challenges and beautiful minimalist design.
The game has already received significant recognition, snagging the Best in Console Gaming award at the Australian XR Festival 2024, highlighting its status as a standout indie title.
- Genre: Metroidvania
- Developer: Shared Memory
- Release Date: 2024
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
This game is not your usual Metroidvania. There’s no combat, no one guiding you along, and the items have some clever uses that might surprise you. There are all sorts of challenges, from simple explorations to mind-bending community puzzles, and for those who dare, there’s even a secret ending waiting at the finish line.
Balatro
Balatro is a deck-building roguelike inspired by poker, and it’s been getting a lot of love since it came out in February 2024. Created by indie developer LocalThunk, this game invites players to assemble clever poker hands to take on different opponents.
Each turn feels like an intense mental workout. You’re calculating odds, bluffing imaginary foes, and managing a deck that could make or break your journey. You can do that at Playinexchange but with real money.
- Genre: Deck-building roguelike
- Developer: LocalThunk
- Release Date: February 2024
- Accolades: Nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards
Both reviewers and gamers have been gushing about Balatro since its debut. On Steam, it boasts an Overwhelmingly Positive rating, with 97% of over 15,000 user reviews in the last 30 days being positive. The familiarity of poker rules with the excitement of gambling (without the actual insolvency, of course) is the perfect unifier.
Mouth washing
We know there’s always someone out there craving something spicy, something that keeps your heart racing long after the screen goes dark. Developed by the indie studio Wrong Organ and published by Critical Reflex, Mouthwashing has really made waves in the horror community since its release in October 2024.
- Genre: Psychological Horror
- Developer: Wrong Organ
- Release Date: October 2024
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
- Accolades: Winner of the 2024 Indie Horror Excellence Award
Mouthwashing uses a non-linear story, pulling players into the jumbled memories of the crew on the doomed spaceship Tulpar. The cool, low-poly look takes you back to those early 3D games, giving it a spooky yet nostalgic vibe.
It takes cues from surrealist filmmakers such as David Lynch and Dario Argento, which is apparent in its dreamlike sequences and psychological depth. Mouthwashing is a must-play for fans of the genre!
Thank Goodness You’re Here!
After that intense horror, let’s take a moment to chill out and lighten things up. Thank Goodness You’re Here! is a delightfully absurd adventure game that swaps eerie corridors for quirky humour and colourful cartoons.
Created by Coal Supper, this gem takes you to a bizarre town in Northern England. You can be a travelling salesman on a mission to help its charming residents.
- Genre: Adventure
- Developer: Coal Supper
- Release Date: August 1, 2024
- Platforms: macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Helping a grumpy shopkeeper sort out his jumbled inventory or stepping in to smooth over a quirky argument between neighbours are just a couple of ways the game captures the oddities of life in a small British village.
The bright painting style and absurdist comedy combine to create an unforgettable and fascinating adventure. As Rock Paper Shotgun cleverly says, “Send it to an American in your life to show them there’s more on our list of cultural exports than irony and failed politicians.”
Ultros
If you’re starting to feel a little odd after the absurd charm of the previous game, then be ready because Ultros is here to throw you into a nice psychedelic fever dream.
Developed by Hadoque, this Metroidvania game is an alien acid trip you didn’t know you needed. And as if fighting your way through a spaceship imprisoning a demon wasn’t weird enough, it also throws in gardening. Planting space daisies is the ultimate sign of galactic survival.
- Genre: Metroidvania
- Developer: Hadoque
- Release Date: February 13, 2024
- Platforms: macOS, Windows
This game will initially make you feel utterly clueless, presenting you with seemingly unreachable goals that’ll leave you scratching your head. But then, somehow, just as you’re contemplating uninstalling it, you finally figure something out, and suddenly, you’re a genius.
You’ll feel like a kid again, dropped into a world you know nothing about, fumbling through mechanics and discovering the bizarre playground you’ve been hurled into. This is your psychedelic masterpiece if you love games that reward meticulous planning, creativity, and a willingness to embrace utter confusion.
Conclusion
While everyone’s busy playing the same big-budget games, these indie gems offer something fresh and different. They’re perfect for anyone tired of the usual and ready to try something new.
So, next time your friends rave about the latest blockbuster, you can smile and say, “You’re missing out on the real fun.” Indie games prove you don’t need a giant budget to create something remarkable.