24 Innovative Indie Games

From Meditative Art Games to Chat-Driven Stories

— February 21, 2018 — Tech
Indie games may sometimes be ignored for their bigger-budget brothers, but this sort of competition usually leads to larger strides in innovative gameplay and design. While big-budget franchises often fall on predictable tropes, indie games play around more with gameplay mechanics and storytelling mechanisms; action, adventure and horror are manipulated to create a completely new experience.

An amazing title known as STAY presents a dark and mysterious story in which the protagonist and player both know very little. Gameplay is handled through the form of a chatroom and real-time mechanics play a role in how the story develops. Exploring themes of loneliness, anger and fear, STAY is sure to have players questioning their actions and becoming engrossed with the protagonist.

It Lurks Below may seem like a simple dungeon-crawling ROB, but the game is so much more thanks to its development by the legendary David Brevik. Brevik is the name responsible for the Diablo franchise and his newest offering combines building elements with classic RPG gameplay. Completed by just one person, It Lurks Below is an amazing adventure with unique genre-blending qualities.
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24
Tear-Jerking Pet Games
Tear-Jerking Pet Games
'Till the Dawn, Waiting' Presents a Dog's Experience of Abandonment
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23
Noir Adventure Game Sets
Noir Adventure Game Sets
Genesis Noir Takes Players on a Beautifully Illustrated and Surreal Quest
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22
Romance-Driven RPGs
Romance-Driven RPGs
The Roguemance Game Combines Relationship Elements With Engaging Combat
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21
Heartwarming Indie Games
Heartwarming Indie Games
'All Our Asias' is a Beautiful Exploration on Cultural Identity
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20
Folklore-Inspired Videogames
Folklore-Inspired Videogames
'Where the Water Tastes Like Wine' Whisks Players on a Wild Journey
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19
Hyper-Stimulating Action Games
Hyper-Stimulating Action Games
'Rym 9000' is a Frantic Masterpiece that Pushes a Player's Skills
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18
Song-Based Indie Games
Song-Based Indie Games
The Indie Game 'Wandesong' is a Whimsical Adventure of Music and Friendship
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Literature-Inspired Indie Games
Literature-Inspired Indie Games
The Indie Game 'Nantucket' Gives Players a Sequel to Moby Dick
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Narrative-Driven Indie Games
Narrative-Driven Indie Games
'The Red Strings Club' is a Fascinating Experience of Free Will
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15
Martian Colony Games
Martian Colony Games
Surviving Mars Tasks Players with Building and Sustaining an Off-World Colony
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14
Apocalyptic Battle Royale Games
Apocalyptic Battle Royale Games
Fear the Wolves Twists the Battle Royale Genre With a Unique World
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Chat-Driven Video Games
Chat-Driven Video Games
Indie Game STAY Has Players Chat with a Mysteriously Captured Man
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Historically Driven Video Games
Historically Driven Video Games
'A Case of Distrust' Embroils Players in a 1920's Mystery
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Anime-Inspired Video Games
Anime-Inspired Video Games
'The World Next Door' is the First Title by Viz Media
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10
Amateur Detective Card Games
Amateur Detective Card Games
'Noises At Night' Has Players Solving Mysteries in a Spooky House
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Adventure Documentary Video Games
Adventure Documentary Video Games
The K-141 Kursk Tragedy Will be Told in a New Video Game
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8
Internet Interaction Video Games
Internet Interaction Video Games
'Dab on 'em Haterz' Helps Players Feel Better About Themselves
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Sci-Fi Exploration Games
Sci-Fi Exploration Games
'In Other Waters' Places Players on a Massive, Awe-Inspiring Alien World
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Meditative Art Games
Meditative Art Games
Joy Exhibition Lets Players Show Off Art Skills to Alien Races
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Trans-Centric Video Games
Trans-Centric Video Games
Indie Game 'Genderwrecked' is an Honest Depiction of Discovering Gender
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Dungeon-Exploring Indie Games
Dungeon-Exploring Indie Games
'It Lurks Below' Blends Gameplay to Create a Unique Experience
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Atmospheric Indie Games
Atmospheric Indie Games
'The Mind's Eclipse' is a Fantastic Game with a Contemplative Storyline
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Mental Health-Focused Games
Mental Health-Focused Games
The Anamorphine Video Game Explores Depression in Interactive Ways
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Retro-Themed Horror Games
Retro-Themed Horror Games
The Night Ripper Uses Nostalgia to Inspire Unsettling Terror In Players
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