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The Best Indie Games of 2025 (So Far)

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - June 30th 2025, 22:00 GMT+2

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Blending dark fantasy with jaw-dropping visuals, *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* feels like a fever dream set to the beat of an action RPG. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, this indie gem immerses players in a world cursed by the “Paintress,” whose death sentence wipes someone from existence every year. As part of Expedition 33, your job is to end this curse. The combat system is fast and fluid, drawing comparisons to *Final Fantasy* and *NieR: Automata*, while its painterly art style feels genuinely next-gen. The game’s unique lore, haunting environments, and emotional weight elevate it beyond standard fantasy tropes. It’s a bold and ambitious project, and so far in 2025, it’s turning heads for all the right reasons. | © Sandfall Interactive

The Alters

*The Alters* is a deeply introspective survival game from 11 bit studios that asks a deceptively simple question: What if you could change your past choices—literally? In this sci-fi thriller, players control Jan, a stranded worker on an alien planet who crafts alternate versions of himself (called “Alters”) based on different life decisions. Each Alter brings unique skills and personalities, creating tense, emotional dynamics in a lonely base full of… well, yourself. With immersive base-building, narrative depth, and strong visual storytelling, *The Alters* has stood out as one of the most innovative indie titles of 2025. It blends hard sci-fi themes with moral complexity, making it a must-play for fans of *This War of Mine* and *Frostpunk*. | © 11 bit studios

Schedule 1

*Schedule I* is a darkly comedic drug empire simulator that took Steam by storm in early 2025. Developed by solo creator TVGS, the game puts you in control of a small-time dealer in the fictional city of Hyland Point. What begins with planting weed and crafting simple recipes quickly evolves into a full-blown production empire, complete with meth labs, distribution networks, and a crew of dealers, cooks, and janitors. The gameplay blends hands-on crafting minigames with resource management and automation, giving players a strangely satisfying loop that mirrors the rise of an underground business. Its edgy tone and exaggerated physics – like explosive drug combos or oddball mutations – add a layer of absurdity that keeps things fresh. With overwhelmingly positive reviews and peak player counts rivaling AAA titles, *Schedule I* is one of the breakout indie hits of the year. | © TVGS

Blue Prince

Few games in 2025 have generated as much intrigue – and praise – as *Blue Prince*. Developed by Dogubomb, this architectural mystery blends time-based exploration with mind-bending puzzles and a gripping narrative. Players must design and expand a mansion in a dreamlike realm, unlocking secrets with every new room they build. What begins as a simple expansion project soon spirals into something far more existential and eerie. The art style is minimalist but expressive, and the writing is sharp, mysterious, and layered with meaning. Critics and players alike have hailed *Blue Prince* as one of the most inventive indie games of the decade, making it an early frontrunner for numerous GOTY lists. | © Dogubomb

Citizen sleeper 2 starward vector msn — Citizen Sleeper 2

The sequel to the critically acclaimed *Citizen Sleeper*, this follow-up deepens its worldbuilding and moral complexity in all the right ways. Set in a new system, *Citizen Sleeper 2* sees you playing as a Sleeper once again – an artificial consciousness navigating survival in a crumbling space economy. The game’s turn-based choices, resource management, and richly written characters feel even more refined than the original. Narrative arcs are meaningful and often gut-wrenching, touching on themes of autonomy, resistance, and community in the face of systemic collapse. It’s a slow-burn sci-fi masterpiece that rewards patience and emotional investment, and a shining example of how indie games can push narrative boundaries. | © Jump Over The Age

Snufkin Melody of Moominvalley — Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley

*Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley* is a heartwarming musical adventure that faithfully brings the Moomin universe to life. Players take on the role of Snufkin, a free-spirited wanderer who uses music and clever problem-solving to restore balance to Moominvalley after it's been overrun by authoritarian park rangers. The game’s beautiful watercolor art style and relaxing atmosphere make it perfect for fans of cozy exploration and environmental themes. Gameplay is puzzle-based, focused on restoring harmony rather than combat, and emphasizes a gentle message of resistance through creativity. Critics have praised its authenticity to Tove Jansson’s original characters and the meditative joy it provides. It’s one of the most serene and emotionally resonant indie games of 2025. | © Hyper Games

R E P O — R.E.P.O.

*R.E.P.O.* is a cooperative horror-physics game that’s become a viral indie sensation in 2025. Set in a strange, haunted industrial future, players work as “repo agents” tasked with recovering fragile cargo from monster-infested facilities. Every mission blends chaotic teamwork, creepy environments, and hilarious, glitchy physics as players struggle to navigate traps, evict supernatural squatters, and make it to the exit alive. The result is a game that’s equal parts comedy, tension, and emergent storytelling. With up to six-player online co-op, unpredictable monster behavior, and an ever-expanding set of tools and maps, *REPO* is a spiritual successor to social horror hits like *Lethal Company*, but with its own unique tone and gameplay. | © Semiwork

Star Vaders

*Star Vaders* combines roguelike deckbuilding with grid-based mecha tactics in a way that feels entirely fresh. You command a customizable combat suit and battle alien invaders by playing movement, attack, and support cards across a dynamic 5x5 board. Every turn demands careful planning, with enemy positioning and chain reactions creating endless strategic depth. With its retro-futuristic art style and a full campaign filled with branching paths and tough bosses, *Star Vaders* stands out among 2025’s strategy indies. It’s also drawn strong praise for its balance of action and long-term planning, making it highly replayable. Deckbuilding fans looking for something with bite and visual flair shouldn’t miss this one. | © Pengonauts

Sorry Were Closed — Sorry We’re Closed

*Sorry We’re Closed* is a stylish, narrative-driven horror game that fuses classic survival mechanics with psychological storytelling. You play as Michelle, a young woman cursed by a mysterious demon, and must uncover secrets using your “Third Eye” to navigate between physical and spiritual realms. The game features fixed camera angles, puzzle-solving, and action combat, all wrapped in a beautifully grim pixel-art aesthetic. Its themes are deeply personal, exploring queer identity, trauma, and desire within a surreal world full of symbolism. Players have praised it for its originality and emotional resonance, even while navigating tense, frightening scenarios. It’s a haunting and heartfelt standout in the indie horror scene. | © à la mode games / Akupara Games

Knights in Tight Spaces

*Knights in Tight Spaces* puts a medieval twist on tactical deckbuilding by combining close-quarters strategy with sword-swinging flair. As a spiritual successor to *Fights in Tight Spaces*, this game places you in command of a party of medieval heroes battling through dungeons, taverns, and castle halls – each environment tightly packed and requiring precise movement and card use. Every decision matters, from the layout of your formation to the draw of your next attack or parry. The game’s humor, clean visuals, and engaging progression system have made it a standout among 2025’s strategy indies. With randomized events, character upgrades, and endless replayability, it’s a perfect pick for tactical fans who like their fights fast and tight. | © Ground Shatter (published by Raw Fury)

Promise Mascot Agency

*Promise Mascot Agency* is a quirky, heartfelt indie game that blends open-world exploration with light management sim mechanics. Set in the haunted town of Kaso-Machi, you play as Michi, a former yakuza who now runs a struggling mascot agency. The game thrives on its strange charm – featuring surreal mascots, ghostly interactions, and delightfully unpredictable side quests. Its art direction is vibrant and stylish, and the voice acting brings real warmth to its offbeat cast. While it doesn’t rely on deep mechanics, the game’s emotional core and whimsical storytelling have earned it critical acclaim. It’s a shining example of narrative-driven indie creativity in 2025. | © Kaizen Game Works

Skin Deep

*Skin Deep* is a first-person immersive sim that combines stealth, slapstick, and sci-fi action in a way that feels totally unique. You play as an insurance agent who wakes from cryosleep aboard hijacked ships, using sneaky tactics and improvised tools to survive. The game embraces chaos – sneezing gives away your position, soap can be a weapon, and every encounter is filled with unexpected outcomes. Its emergent gameplay encourages creative problem-solving, while the quirky tone adds personality to each mission. Fans of systems-driven games will appreciate how deep the sandbox really goes. *Skin Deep* delivers a clever, endlessly replayable space adventure. | © Blendo Games / Annapurna Interactive

Nubbys Number Factory — Nubby’s Number Factory

*Nubby’s Number Factory* is one of 2025’s weirdest and most unexpectedly addictive indie games. You play as Nubby, a little blob tasked with generating large numbers through a plinko-inspired roguelike factory system. As you bounce, merge, and multiply, the stakes grow increasingly absurd – fail to meet your quota and the world ends in spectacular fashion. Its humor is sharp, the gameplay loop is fast and rewarding, and its art style is charmingly odd. What starts as chaotic randomness slowly reveals deeper layers of strategy. This is a game that fully commits to its bizarre premise – and makes it work beautifully. | © MogDogBlog Productions

Stories from Sol The Gun Dog — Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog

*Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog* is a retro sci-fi visual novel and graphic adventure that pays homage to 90s anime and PC-98 aesthetics. You take on the role of a security officer aboard the Gun-Dog, a military ship navigating a mysterious crisis in deep space. The story unfolds through strong character writing, multiple dialogue branches, and a visual style that oozes atmosphere. Despite its short length, the narrative is tightly written and emotionally impactful. Its minimalism works in its favor, letting you focus on decisions and relationships. It’s a compact, memorable experience for fans of story-first games. | © Space Colony Studios

Keep Driving

*Keep Driving* is a minimalist, narrative-driven road trip RPG with a unique sense of mood and melancholy. You travel across a dreamlike landscape, managing gas, time, and interactions with mysterious hitchhikers. The game’s storytelling is subtle but powerful, delivered through conversations, branching choices, and background details. With a lo-fi aesthetic and haunting soundtrack, it captures the loneliness – and beauty – of being on the road. Each run can end in different ways depending on your decisions, making replayability part of the experience. It’s a quiet, contemplative journey that sticks with you long after the engine cuts out. | © YCJY Games

Look outside msn 1 — Look Outside

*Look Outside* is a tense survival horror RPG that takes place entirely within a haunted apartment complex. After a mysterious event causes anyone who looks outside to transform into a monster, you’re left to scavenge, fight, and survive in tight quarters. The pixel-art design adds to the atmosphere, creating a claustrophobic sense of dread with every floor you explore. The game features turn-based combat, limited resources, and branching interactions with a cast of desperate, and sometimes dangerous, neighbors. Its eerie premise and original mechanics have made it one of the most unsettling yet memorable indie horror games of 2025. It’s a must-play for fans of slow-burn dread and narrative tension. | © Francis Coulombe / Devolver Digital

Wanderstop

*Wanderstop* is a meditative, story-rich game that blends cozy simulation with deep emotional storytelling. You play as Alta, a retired warrior running a quiet tea shop in a magical forest, serving drinks to wandering travelers while reflecting on your own past. The game slowly peels back layers of trauma, healing, and identity – all wrapped in a soothing gameplay loop of brewing tea, harvesting herbs, and maintaining your little shop. Its gentle tone is underscored by gorgeous visuals and a moving soundtrack by C418. While the mechanics are simple, the emotional impact is anything but. *Wanderstop* is one of 2025’s most introspective and beautifully crafted indie games. | © Ivy Road / Annapurna Interactive

White Knuckle

*White Knuckle* is a thrilling first-person roguelite that focuses on high-stakes vertical climbing and fast-paced movement. Set inside a decaying industrial megastructure, players must scale increasingly deadly towers using tight controls, grip management, and precise timing. The game thrives on its brutal but fair challenge, making every ascent a pulse-pounding test of reflexes and strategy. The sound design and atmospheric tension create a palpable sense of danger with each climb. It’s a speedrunner’s dream, but also surprisingly accessible to anyone willing to commit to the climb. *White Knuckle* is one of the most intense and addictive indie action titles of 2025. | © Dark Machine Games / DreadXP

Cabernet

*Cabernet* is a gothic narrative RPG set in a brooding, 19th-century world filled with vampires, politics, and moral ambiguity. You play as Liza, a newly turned vampire navigating the choice between humanity and monstrous instincts. The game is heavily story-driven, offering deep dialogue trees, branching outcomes, and calendar-based decision-making. Its hand-painted art and melancholic score create a rich, immersive atmosphere that pulls you into its morally complex world. With its focus on character, setting, and tough choices, *Cabernet* offers a mature and literary take on the vampire myth. It’s one of the most compelling story-focused indie games of the year. | © Party for Introverts / Akupara Games

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

*Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo* is a colorful top-down action-platformer that combines the charm of Game Boy Advance-era games with clever modern mechanics. You play as Pippit, a young hero wielding a powerful yoyo to fight enemies, solve puzzles, and swing across environments in a vibrant cartoon world. The game calls itself a “Yoyovania,” and it lives up to that blend of precision platforming and exploratory progression. Each new district brings fresh mechanics, tougher bosses, and more secrets to uncover. With fluid controls and tons of personality, *Pipistrello* has quickly become one of 2025’s breakout indie hits. | © Pocket Trap / PM Studios

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2025 has already been an incredible year for indie games, with bold new ideas, unforgettable storytelling, and genre-defying gameplay leading the charge. From narrative-driven adventures to experimental roguelikes, indie developers are continuing to push the boundaries of what games can be. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best indie games of 2025 (so far) – titles that have captured our attention, won over critics, and sparked passionate communities. Whether you’re a longtime indie fan or just looking for something fresh and innovative to play, these standout games deserve a spot on your radar.

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2025 has already been an incredible year for indie games, with bold new ideas, unforgettable storytelling, and genre-defying gameplay leading the charge. From narrative-driven adventures to experimental roguelikes, indie developers are continuing to push the boundaries of what games can be. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best indie games of 2025 (so far) – titles that have captured our attention, won over critics, and sparked passionate communities. Whether you’re a longtime indie fan or just looking for something fresh and innovative to play, these standout games deserve a spot on your radar.