Top 10 BEST Indie Games Of the Decade So Far

Within this thoughtful sim platformer, you’ll find even more beauty than its stunning, handdrawn visuals would imply. As Stella, you awake in the afterlife and are tasked with taking over for Charon, ferryman of the dead. From there, you collect various spirits from different islands, help them find peace, and prepare them to move on. Each and every spirit, no matter how much time you’re given with them, feels distinctly real. That’s because they each had a connection to Stella in her life, and were based on real-life people the developers knew. The calming gameplay, wonderful art direction, and enchanting score delight the senses. But it’s the character writing that will keep you coming back to “Spiritfarer” until the final spirit moves on.

Another sim/management game, but one that is quite different from our last entry. In “Cult of the Lamb,” your adorable avatar is saved from death by a deity, who then forces you to start a cult in their name. In addition to maintaining your village of followers, you’ll also venture into dangerous regions, fighting monsters and other foes through roguelike mechanics in order to find new members. It’s a wonderful mix of genres, as well as blending a cutesy design with dark subject matter. Combat is just as entertaining as managing your community, which features tasks like cooking, building, and preserving everyone’s belief in you as a leader, less they turn against you. Or you can simply sacrifice them. Your call.

At its core, “Inscryption” is a roguelike deck-builder. But there are so many other aspects it juggles all at once, that anyone can find entertainment in it. Players control a content creator who discovers a mysterious game, on which they are challenged by a spirit to a card-based, tabletop duel. Not only is it fun to play, it’s got an incredible tone and atmosphere, being just spooky enough to put you on edge. As players are sucked in by the unique card mechanics, the character delves deeper into the mystery behind the game, finding that there is much more to it than he initially thought. There’s such a strong sense of worldbuilding here that you can’t help but keep going.

If you’ve been missing Nintendo’s “Wario Land” series, you’ve got something in common with developer Tour De Pizza. The team set out to make a spiritual successor and, in our eyes, more than succeeded with “Pizza Tower.” The game is ridiculously fun, following a chef trying to save his pizzeria from destruction. In order to do so, he climbs a tower, fighting food-based foes along the way. The art style is utterly zany in the best way possible, bringing a lot of comparisons to 90s cartoons. The character animations are also stellar, combining for a whacky platformer we couldn’t stop grinning at. It may not be the deepest game on our list. But as it’s so delightful to play, that doesn’t really matter.

With plenty of inspiration from “The Legend of Zelda,” “Tunic” plops you into its fantastical world and challenges you with unraveling it. And challenged, you’ll be, because this game does not hold your hand. But therein lies the joy. There are so many secrets to discover, whether hidden in its world through isometric design or by unearthing clues that tie the world’s history together. Moreover, every tough puzzle or enemy encounter you’re able to overcome feels that much more satisfying. The game gives you just enough to entice you, like a hand beckoning you forward, while still issuing tests to prove you’re worthy of seeing it all. It instills a drive to keep going, no matter what obstacle lies in your way.

The indie scene sees a mountain of Metroidvanias released each year. So, what makes “Animal Well” so special? Well, for starters, you have no way of attacking, increasing the challenge by giving players a notable dose of fear around enemies. However, this also increases the focus on puzzle-solving elements, of which the game handles exceptionally well. There is so much depth and density when it comes to exploring and gathering information that you’ll need to survive as your little blob creature. You might be pulled in by your love for the genre, or the neon-soaked retro art style. But the string of puzzles that dance in front of you will make you want to keep pulling its layers back.

Simple in its premise and genius in its gameplay hook, “Vampire Survivors” is one of the hardest games to put down that we’ve experienced in years. You control one of several heroes, attempting to kill a powerful vampire. But you have to make it through his hordes of minions first. You control your character’s movement while your weapons attack automatically, with you instead managing what you’re using as well as unlocking more powerful weapons as you go. While that takes a bit of pressure off of you, don’t think things will be easy, especially in the early game. Regardless, it’s an easy game to sink a lot of time in. And we’re thankful it’s gotten several expansions since release, including crossovers with “Castlevania” and “Contra.”

Another retro inspired gem, “Sea of Stars” should delight all fans of “Chrono Trigger” and old-school “Final Fantasy.” The RPG follows two warriors and their companions as they set out to save their world from destructive monsters called Dwellers. However, as good of a love letter as it is, it’s more than just that. Characters are lovingly crafted and filled with charm. The pixel art visuals are nostalgic while also being beautiful, and packing each area with detail. The combat is simple to pick up, with just the right amount of complexity through interactive elements. And the soundtrack overflows with catchy tracks that burrow into your brain for days. Many games emulate the Super Nintendo, but “Sea of Stars” is the gold standard.

Everyone’s favorite addiction from 2024, “Balatro” wholeheartedly deserves all the love and attention it got. Blending poker with its own unique, roguelike mechanics, this is a game that can be picked up and played by anyone. Its universality makes it easy to recommend, but we must warn you: stay far away from it unless you’re comfortable losing hours at a time. Its simple set-up makes it easy to jump from game to game. But it’s the roguelike nature that keeps every round feeling fresh, and making you want to see what the next one will offer. It’s no wonder that it earned a ton of revenue and awards recognition; no one can deny its greatness.

Simply put, there isn’t a single aspect of “Hades” that isn’t remarkable. The game follows Zagreus, Prince of the Underworld, as he tries to escape to Mount Olympus. All the while, he’s confronted by his father’s forces and helped by different Greek gods. As per tradition with roguelike action games, your run starts over with each death. But unlike others in its genre, layers of the story and character motivations are peeled back every time. Through this structure, as well as phenomenal art direction, writing, and voice acting, the game explores well-known figures in new and creative ways. That’s not to mention Zagreus’ weapons and power-ups, which make every combat encounter an absolute blast. If you’ve yet to try it, you’re missing out.

What’s your favorite indie game to release this decade? Show it some love in the comments!