The AAA gaming space can often lack innovation, so people usually turn to small indie studios for something fresh. Whether it’s for unique gameplay design, beautiful aesthetics or satisfying combat, these 15 overlooked indie games stood out to me. This is my top 15 list of underrated, hidden indie gems for PC that I enjoy more than any Ubisoft, Activision or EA game.
Whether it’s a classic JRPG like Crosscode, murder mystery Paradise Killer, psychological horror Yuppie Psycho, or cozy RPG Phoenotopia Awakening, I hope that at least one of my handpicked indie game recommendations from this top 15 list piques your interest.
Could have been a text list
Dude… is right under the video. 😐
1:48 - Evil Tonight
3:36 - Prodeus
5:30 - Sayonara Wild Hearts
6:54 - Rain World
10:45 - Echo Generation
12:31 - World of Horror
14:16 - Crosscode
16:45 - Huntdown
17:39 - Narita Boy
20:01 - Paradise Killer
23:14 - Mo: Astray
25:08 - Book of Travels
27:59 - Spookware
30:53 - Yuppie Psycho
34:00 - Phoenotopia Awakening
36:31 - Outro
That’s the thing, I don’t want to go to the video.
Thanks for this. I clicked the link, then immediately noped out when I saw it was a video. I was hoping for an article with a numbered list.
Thanks for posting this! I too am guilty of not wanting to open the video in the first place, lol.
It’s so hard to please people eh? gently pat in the back
Who’s the deer with the boobs?
I love CrossCode so much that, after playing it on GamePass, I bought the Collector’s edition just to give the devs some well deserved money. And then bought it a second time on Xbox, just to have an excuse to play it again from the beginning.
It’s got tons of exploration, puzzles, and cute characters. It’s also, like, MASSIVE. I had about 60 hours on my first playthrough, and 15 more for the DLC. And the thing is, I never got bored with it. Gameplay is snappy and always gives you new tools to try, puzzles are well-thought and actually challenge you, and the platformer/parkour elements were the cherry on top, which easily adds hours and hours of playthrough if you’re like me and want to collect every treasure in all the maps.
And despite being a huge game with tons of skills and craftable gear to choose from, I’ve never felt like the game was forcing me to check guides online or shoehorning me into a very specific build. The game rewards skill more than stats, and level ups are not really important which means that you don’t ever need to farm.
I’m patiently waiting for the next game from the same devs. CrossCode brought me back to when I was a kid and games felt fun and exciting and trusted you to learn how to use the tools at your disposal, instead of the constant hand-holding experience that I always find on modern AAA RPGs.
I wouldn’t call CrossCode a “classic JRPG” at all, it’s nowhere near one.
It’s an action RPG, almost emulating a western MMORPG.
I loved paradise killer. They made such a cool world, and the art is incredible. I kind of enjoy that there’s no set ‘outcome’ as well, just whatever you’re able to deduce with the evidence you’re given
Weird West is another indie game that it definitely worth a shot, even if you aren’t typically a fan of top down games it’s worth a shot.
Glad it will be on ps+ essential next month :)
Wow, was surprised to see there was a mention of MO: Astray. I got I as part of a Humble Choice bundle a few years ago and randomly gave it a go. Didn’t look at anything about it, which is not my usual… MO.
ANYWAYS, I absolutely adore this game and highly recommend. Like he says, the game is very clever, never outstays its welcome, and it will surprise you regularly. It has a solid storyline and the way it tells it to you is unique, but I don’t want to give that away.
I’m always trying to find new Let’s Plays of this game, it’s just a satisfying romp.
I normally don’t like adventure games without combat but yuppie psycho is absolutely amazing. I love that game.
