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What are the best indie games? The great indie boom triggered by digital distribution over a decade ago turned out to be more of a Big Bang, firing small-team development into a plethora of directions that now defy simple categorisation. The sheer volume is intimidating, so we have plenty to choose from when compiling our list of the best indie games. Perhaps too much.

But we should take stock to appreciate everything indie development has given us. Some of the games listed below were built in a weekend by first-time coders, while others were crafted by former triple-A creators who’ve instilled their independent work with the same technical standards. They barely have anything in common but a healthy dose of idiosyncrasy and ideas that make Steam worth spelunking and make our list of the best PC games.

The best indie games in 2025 are:

Peak

The term ‘friendslop’ gets thrown around a lot nowadays, and we will fight anyone who ascribes it to Peak. After all, Peak is peak. Aggro Crab’s co-op climber is one of the best indie games we’ve played all year, and will only set you back a few bucks for the privilege.

Party up, case the joint for supplies that’ll help you survive your perilous journey through multiple zones, to the top of the mountain. It’s fraught with horrors, not least the fact that you will be left to die by the people closest to you without a second thought, over and over again. It’s good, honest fun, and has quickly become a favorite within the PCGN ranks.

If you do take to the mountain, arm yourself with information, be it how to revive in Peak, the Peak Capybara location, or, for the musically minded, what the bugle does in Peak.

Blue Prince

A slow-burn puzzle game that sees you weaving your way through a manor to find the elusive room 46. The tricky thing with Blue Prince is that the manor is completely blank at the beginning of each day, with rooms only forming once you try to enter them.

You have a choice of three room blueprints each time you open a door; some rooms are overt puzzles, some have useful items, and some are dead ends that threaten to ruin today’s run. You go as far as you can, you discover as much as possible, and at the end of the day, you sleep, and the whole thing begins anew.

The atmosphere is eerie, the story is compelling, and make sure you bring a pad and pen along with you because some puzzles don’t make themselves known until you’re hours in. Check out our Blue Prince review if you want to know more.

1000xRESIST

Fellow Traveller has copped a reputation as an indie publisher that consistently delivers acclaimed experiences, and 1000xRESIST is yet another feather in its tasteful cap. This sci-fi story game is set in a dystopian future following an alien invasion that wipes out most of humanity. Its remnants, a clone society that worships the mysterious ALLMOTHER, await her call on the front lines of battle. Our 1000xRESIST preview describes this pseudo-deity as “jealous, bitter, angry, and so deeply human” – in short, she’s a teenage girl.

Sunset Visitor’s collective talents in film, theater, and music collide with their lived experience in the Asian-Canadian diaspora to craft a narrative that spans identity, religion, language, and intergenerational trauma. It’s a visual novel, but it’s also so much more than that. It even made our top ten in PCGamesN’s GOTY Awards 2024, where Ed calls it “‘good’ in a way that videogames are rarely good.”

The Rogue Prince of Persia

The Rogue Prince of Persia is the latest game from Evil Empire, the developers behind the critically acclaimed Dead Cells DLC. It’s a roguelike platformer that focuses on producing fast-paced action sequences, the likes of which Prince of Persia fans should be familiar with. Featuring a unique art style, acrobatic combat moves, and waves of enemies to blast through, you’re always in for a high-octane treat with each run.

The Rogue Prince of Persia release date isn’t due until later this year, but fans of the ol’ Prince can get their hands on the early access version. The game has been through several major updates, with the November update introducing some of the biggest changes yet. The most noticeable change has seen the Prince’s skin color change from purple back to brown, as Evil Empire addresses one of the biggest criticisms they’ve faced from fans. Read our Rogue Prince of Persia early access review to see what we thought of the game before some of the major updates took place.

UFO 50

Derek Yu, the developer behind the Spelunky series, doesn’t miss when it comes to creating smash hits. Everything he touches seems to turn to gold, and his latest project alongside the small team at Mossmouth has put together UFO 50, a collection of games for a fictional 8-bit console. These aren’t just one-off mini-games like you’d see in something like Wario Ware, these are the types of experiences you might find on a console like the NES.

One of our personal favorites is Mortol, a puzzle and platformer, where you go through levels with a limited number of units. You need to make each live count as you can only perform one action per life, so if there are spikes in your path, you have to turn into a solid block to create a safe passageway. Ranging from single player, co-op, and multiplayer titles, UFO 50 approaches the 8-bit format with the learnings of modern game design. Each one of the games in UFO 50 could easily be modernized and reinvented as a full-blown title, but they’re packaged in this wonderful assortment of games to give you hours of fun.

Hades 2

Developer Supergiant’s latest is an impossibly moreish roguelike and the follow-up to the 2020 breakout. Instead of playing as Zagreus, you play as his sister, Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, on her quest to defeat the Titan of Time, Chronos, and save her family.

The vicious, hard-as-nails combat is an absolute joy to experiment with, but it’s Hades’ cast of bickering gods that makes its cyclical nature sing. You’ll relish any chance to chat with your Olympian relatives, especially as doing so offers gameplay benefits and grants you a greater understanding of Supergiant’s refreshing take on Greek mythology. Our Hades 2 review raves about the sequel to the hit indie game, with bigger upgrades, open world areas, and a host of new gods and characters, and you don’t even need to play the first one to enjoy!

Animal Well

Animal Well might be one of the most densely packed Metroidvania games to be released in a long time. In this non-linear experience, players must work out ways to utilize all the items they pick up on their adventure, discovering methods to interact with special items, blocks, and weapons.

Billy Basso, the sole developer of Animal Well, has explained that every item in the game has a dual purpose, with the promise that, “The main game is just the beginning. Players will be discovering hidden puzzles for years”. Read our Animal Well review to see what we thought of the game.

Pacific Drive

Fans of the supernatural should check out Pacific Drive. This first-person survival game tasks you with uncovering the mystery behind an abandoned research site in the Pacific Northwest. With all the Anomalies creeping around, traversing on foot is ill-advised, so you’re encouraged to gather equipment to fix up a battered old car. With enough modifying, crafting, and upgrading, that very same car could be the difference between life and death.

While it’s not a horror game per se, Pacific Drive certainly doesn’t make a quick getaway from its paranormal threats easy. You’ll likely fumble with the controls from time to time. However, when you’re not revving the engine with the handbrake on, you can cruise along to a catchy soundtrack of American folk and vintage rock to distract you from the terrors bounding toward you. The main appeal of Pacific Drive is discovering something new around every corner: a clue to the mystery you’re trying to solve, a new part for your car, or a never before seen adversary. If you thrive on unpredictability, then you should definitely hop into the driving seat.

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

Platform games have been the cornerstone of several indie movements over the last couple of decades, with the likes of Cave Story, Braid, Fez, and Spelunky showing the world how far they’re willing to take this beloved genre. Sheepy: A Short Adventure is a free PC game about a discarded adorable sheep plush that’s given sentience, and frankly, we think it’s a must-play.

As you descend into a derelict facility, you uncover a great mystery about those who came before through tape recordings and scattered notes. Dilapidated tunnels lead to platforms that crumble beneath your feet or lifts that crunch into gear as they travel downward. Unlike other indie gems such as Limbo, Sheepy: A Short Adventure doesn’t have tense horror set pieces but still gives a haunting, melancholic experience thanks to its beautiful soundtrack. The entire game shouldn’t take more than about an hour or so, and we’re sure you’ll love it as much as we do. Just be careful of Patches.

Balatro

Whether you’re a Poker fan or not, Balatro takes the classic card game to another level by introducing additional cards and mechanics needed to help break the game. For example, you could build a deck where you’re looking to create as many four-of-a-kind hands as possible. In Balatro, you can clone your favorite cards to ensure you have a higher chance of being able to play this hand more often.

There are plenty of mechanics in place that make it easy to create powerful synergies, and it’s so easy to start up a new run if your last save doesn’t go to plan; Balatro is so addictive once you start to understand how it works. Fortunately, that doesn’t take too long, as the game is incredibly easy to pick up and learn.

Palworld

Palworld, a sort of Pokemon PC game with guns and Ark survival mechanics, was an instant hit, smashing player number records in its first week of release. Made by PocketPair Inc, the Japanese developer behind the comparatively unknown Craftopia, Palworld provided an unexpected start to last year, met with controversy and criticism over its similarities to other games, as well as unmitigated popularity. It seems the survival game offers Pokemon fans what they’ve always wanted in all the ways Palword differs from Pokemon itself.

Against the Storm

Against the Storm puts a welcome spin on city building games by introducing roguelite elements that ensure no two settlements are ever the same. You are the Scorched Queen’s Viceroy in this dark fantasy, tasked with expanding her territory through the wilderness and claiming any treasures you might find for her own. Your expansion isn’t just for glory, though – it’s also to ensure that the Queen’s kingdom survives the titular Blightstorm wreaking destruction across the land.

Our Against the Storm review describes the city builder as “highly engaging, delectably rewarding, and suitably frustrating.” While it does suffer from UI bloat and a slight learning curve to overcome, once you get to grips with its micromanagement systems you can expect a “near-perfect roguelike strategy game” with ample replayability.

Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars is a gorgeous turn-based RPG full of exciting adventure. You’ll play out the story of two children tasked with using their sun and moon powers combined to use a new, powerful magic called Eclipse to defeat the big, bad, Fleshmancer. Alongside the engaging story, the soundtrack is glorious and will have you delaying your decision-making just to groove along. There are plenty of collectibles to grab along the way if you’re a completionist, like the Rainbow Conches and the Sea of Stars relics, which all have different uses.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a narrative RPG that’s simultaneously out of this world and heartbreakingly human. You are Sol, the titular teenage exocolonist with your whole life ahead of you on the alien world of Vertumna IV. This coming-of-age tale is a heady concoction of visual novels and deck building mechanics as you decide how Sol spends each day of their fleeting childhood. Are they a studious golden child with a part-time job, or a rebellious teen who prefers to slack off with their peers? There are no wrong choices, but each one shapes Sol’s life skills, their relationships, and the colony’s survival.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist copped a TGA nomination in the Games for Impact category in its release year, and later took home the award for Best Gameplay at the Games For Change Awards 2023. It’s also earned a well-deserved spot on our list of the best LGBTQIA+ games thanks to its inclusive dating sim elements and authentic cast of characters. Accolades aside, it also offers staggering replayability, though we’ll let you discover the particulars yourself.

Dredge

This indie horror fishing game (you heard that right) made quite the splash earlier this year with its unique art style, compelling narrative, and fishing mechanics, making it equally parts terrifying and relaxing. Unravel a heart-breaking mystery by upgrading your fishing boat to explore new islands and chat to the residents, trawl for rare jewels and artifacts, and research new equipment. Dredge is a great Steam deck game, too!

Norco

This adventure game takes place in the real town of Norco, Louisiana as a search for your missing brother quickly spirals into a mystery that spans generations. Akin to games like Kentucky Route Zero and Beneath a Steel Sky, Norco’s stand-out pixel art and powerful themes of capitalism, climate change, and the impact of our choices in the future make this one of best story games on PC.

As with most point and click games, the gameplay isn’t challenging, and the real adventure is experiencing the story through narration that appears on a side bar where you can determine your next move and find out more about your surroundings, whether that’s interacting with objects or talking to the characters you meet along the way.

Terraria

This sandbox game hasn’t slowed in popularity since it arrived as the ‘2D Minecraft’ back in 2011. Mainly, you’re never short of something to do in this spellbinding indie game. You can make your own objectives by setting objectives, such as building Terraria houses, fighting one of the many Terraria bosses, or even exploring the depths of the deadly dungeons.

Completing goals unlocks NPCs and you essentially build your own village to house them, with each NPC providing different benefits, such as a Wizard for potions or a Nurse for healing. If you reach the end, no problem, there’s an expert level that adds even more bosses, enemies, biomes, and items. Though Terraria certainly isn’t as relaxing as its blocky comparison, you can always try a spot of Terraria fishing to ease you in.

The Binding of Isaac Rebirth

A randomly generated action RPG with roguelike elements, The Binding of Isaac Rebirth is the sequel to the first game, which has the same premise. The game follows Isaac through an unknown world as he makes a quick escape into a trap door hidden in his bedroom to flee his devout Christian mother hellbent on sacrificing him.

As Isaac, you acquire superhuman abilities and find hidden treasure as you fight off droves of enemies, discover secrets, and hopefully escape to safety. The maze of rooms and variations of creatures make this a tough game, but it’s worth scrappily making your way to the multiple endings the game has to offer.

Wildermyth

If you’ve ever wanted to play through a tabletop roleplaying campaign with friends without needing a dungeon master to craft your story, Wildermyth is the perfect solution. As your unique cohort of heroes set out into the world, they encounter all sorts of adventures that shape their identity and personal narrative – and as each story is procedurally generated, you end up playing through a tale that’s totally unique.

Your characters age, fall in love, and eventually die, but you can keep their legacies alive in subsequent playthroughs. It’s a storytelling marvel, with beautiful papercraft art and endless replayability.

Inscryption

Inscryption is a card game at first glance, but there’s much more hiding under the surface. The initial gameplay is a mix between Slay The Spire and lane-based card games, though it tends towards the macabre as you need to sacrifice smaller animals to play bigger and better beasts to wipe out your opponent.

This unsettling atmosphere escalates as you begin to examine the creepy log cabin you’re playing in; Inscryption is also partially an escape room game where you must decipher cryptic clues to find your way out. Before long, it’s apparent that nothing is as it seems, and unravelling the mystery takes you on an unexpected journey.

The best thing about Inscryption is that once you’ve played through the campaign, you can keep playing. Opting into the beta for the free DLC, Kaycee’s Mod, turns the card game into a roguelike, adding new cards and events to keep the game feeling fresh – and handicaps to make each run more challenging to complete. If you like stories with conspiracies and dark secrets, Inscryption is well worth investigating.

Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium was arguably the best indie game of 2019. Dumping you into the soiled shoes of a detective after an amnesia-inducing night of drinking and immediately charging you with investigating a grizzly murder. With no traditional combat to speak of, Disco Elysium is all about wrestling with your own psyche in order to form the kind of detective you want to be, and then employing this fractured personality to get answers from suspects.

This wouldn’t work if it weren’t for some phenomenal writing, and in this respect Disco Elysium is a peerless RPG. With countless conversational threads to pick at in any given encounter, the fact that each one of them is brimming with personality is what makes this detective game so special.

Valheim

Valheim’s enchanting visual style and dreamlike Norse setting set it apart from the pack of co-op survival games. The survival mechanics are comparatively forgiving, so you can raise mead halls and roundhouses in relative tranquility, watching the sunset wash across the sky as the mist rolls in.

Vikings in search of a challenge, though, can set sail across the procedurally generated wilderness, trudging through swamps and scrambling over freezing mountains to defeat a series of Valheim bosses in order to bring home hordes of trophies and gold. Just don’t forget that boar loves you.

Death’s Door

Death’s Door is an action-adventure game inspired by classics like The Legend of Zelda and Dark Souls. You play as a crow in charge of reaping the souls of monsters for the Reaping Commission Headquarters, a mysterious yet surprisingly bureaucratic organization.

These monsters aren’t ready to give up their lives, and they’re ready to put up a fight in order to keep them. Make your way through dungeons, cemeteries, and overgrown ruins as you solve puzzles and defeat smaller enemies along the way.

Death’s Door’s beautiful visual style in combination with strong combat mechanics truly sets it apart. Enemies are tough to take down, but the difficulty is perfectly balanced; the combat feels fantastic as every slash of your sword has weight behind it.

Spelunky 2

There’s always the danger with a sequel, particularly with a game that is so beloved, that it might not live up to people’s unrealistic expectations. Spelunky 2 manages to build on everything that made the original special, and it takes things a step further with an expanded world, filled with mysteries and surprises along the way.

The Spelunky games are known for their punishing difficulty, but it’s the satisfaction you get when you clear a tough zone that makes each level feel like you’ve reached a milestone. While the first game included co-op features, Spelunky 2 once again improved on this with cross-platform and online functionality, making it easy to play with up to three additional spelunkers. Look through our Spelunky 2 review to learn exactly what makes Mossmouth’s sequel so impressive.

Stardew Valley

There’s a lot of love for Harvest Moon among the PC community despite the series being exclusive to Nintendo consoles. That’s why Stardew Valley captured the hearts and minds of so many. A cute role-playing management game, it plays to the farming strengths of the popular Harvest Moon games, while simultaneously being its own brand of charming.

You’ll begin life in Stardew Valley with an inherited farm in dire need of repair. As you plant new crops and inject life into your land your focus will shift to exploration of the world around you. The valley is in similar need of loving attention, and it makes for the perfect project to unwind with night after night. While Stardew Valley is one of the best single player games, it’s also home to a marvelous co-op mode – in case you’re after some co-op games – and a place to experiment with the plethora of Stardew Valley mods. Bursting with personality, Stardew Valley is an unmissable adventure for anyone craving the village life.

Undertale

In a traditional RPG, you’d make a start by exploring the outskirts of a troubled town before you begin to bolster the arsenal of your chosen character. It’s a safe assumption that you’ll be solving any problems you encounter with fists, swords, or magical abilities. In Undertale, however, murder can be treated as a last resort – as we sincerely hope applies to you in real life.

This 16-bit indie is one of the best RPGs around, you can subdue, pacify, and even flirt with enemies that stand in your way. How you approach everything that stands in your way throughout the game actually impacts the story and how characters treat you in the future. Leave enemies alive and they’ll show up later and probably make friends with you. But, if you’d rather go with the usual bloody murder then that’s just as valid.

Speaking of the story, you play a kid who falls into the world of monsters, and then has to find a way to escape. What ensues is an endearing adventure that’s consistently well-written, full of memorable characters and one-liners you’ll trade with friends, and a wonderful soundtrack to boot.

Celeste

The mountaineer that pulled at everyone’s heartstrings, Celeste wasn’t just one of the best indie games in recent years, it was our pick for the best PC game of 2018. Its pinpoint, simple controls make it an excellent and challenging platformer, while its narrative takes the genre to a whole new level.

You play as Madeline who has decided to conquer the icy mountain Celeste by reaching its summit. You’ll fail countless times to Celeste’s tricky levels, but thanks to a quick respawn time and some thoughtful messages of encouragement, Celeste spurs you on even when it gets tough. If the challenging gameplay of Celeste puts you off playing, then there’s no need to worry as there are a variety of assists you can turn on so you’re free to enjoy the story regardless of your skill level.

Thus ends our roundup of the best indie games on PC. Be sure to seek out our list of old PC games if you want to take that indie vibe one step further and go full hipster. With that list of cultural highlights done and dusted you’re free to go and play outside, or return to your favorite triple-A multiplayer games – whichever you prefer.