2024 proved to be a banner year for indie games, offering a wide variety of experiences that we’d like to highlight in our Best Indie Games of 2024 list.
From pixel-perfect platformers to narrative-driven adventures, these titles show that small teams can rival industry giants. Here’s a look at 30 of the best indie games released this year—a mix of hidden gems, critical darlings, and fan favorites.
30. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Release Date: February 13, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC
Genre: Action RPG
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden delivers a poignant narrative-driven take on the action RPG genre, following ghost hunters Antea Duarte and Red Mac Raith as they grapple with personal tragedies and moral dilemmas. Developed by Don’t Nod, it balances intense combat with choices that carry real weight. The rich atmosphere, striking visuals, and emotional storyline elevate it as a triumph of narrative design.
Read our review here.
29. Rogue Flight
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Space Shooter
Rogue Flight refreshes the space shooter genre through intense dogfights and immersive storytelling. Developed by Stellar Horizon, it offers a branching campaign and a multiplayer mode brimming with interstellar chaos. Players can fine-tune their starships, creating playstyles that shine in each explosive encounter. Its nostalgic yet innovative design secures its status as a highlight of 2024.
Read our review here.
28. Cat Quest III
Release Date: August 8, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action RPG
The whimsical Cat Quest III expands the series’ charm with a larger world, added character customization, and a new co-op mode. Vibrant visuals and accessible gameplay ensure fans and newcomers alike enjoy exploring Felingard’s dungeons and treasures. It’s a lighthearted and addictive romp that proves the Cat Quest series is still brimming with creativity.
Read our review here.
27. NanoApostle
Release Date: September 12, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: Boss Rush Shooter
NanoApostle challenges players with a relentless series of boss battles in a neon-lit cyberworld. Each towering mechanical foe requires quick reflexes and tight strategy. This bullet-hell throwback offers a minimalist but compelling narrative, an electrifying soundtrack, and a satisfying sense of progress after every victory.
Read our review here.
26. Card-en-Ciel
Release Date: October 24, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Deck-Building Roguelite
Card-en-Ciel blends deck-building strategy with roguelite unpredictability in a magical French-inspired world. Its card synergy system encourages experimentation, and procedurally generated maps ensure no two runs feel the same. With vibrant art and a whimsical soundtrack, this inventive roguelite stands out among 2024’s best.
Read our review here.
25. Pepper Grinder
Release Date: March 28, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action Platformer
Pepper Grinder drills into the spotlight with momentum-based platforming and cleverly designed levels. Developed by Devolver Digital, it follows treasure hunter Pepper, who relies on her drill to carve paths through underground environments. The lively hand-drawn visuals and fun puzzles keep the action fresh and engaging.
Read our review here.
24. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action RPG
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU immerses players in a war-torn land filled with shifting alliances and impactful choices. Fluid combat and a robust skill system cater to diverse playstyles, while the interconnected narrative gives weight to every decision. Its detailed environments and orchestral soundtrack enhance the experience, making it a must-play for Action RPG fans.
Read our review here.
23. Kamikaze Lassplanes
Release Date: August 30, 2024
Platforms: PC
Genre: Visual Novel / Shoot ‘Em Up
Kamikaze Lassplanes blends a branching visual novel storyline with arcade-style shoot ’em up action. Players encounter dramatic aerial combat, loyalty struggles, and betrayals, complemented by anime-inspired visuals. It’s a successful fusion of two distinct genres that offers replay value and intense aerial battles.
Read our review here.
22. Alone in the Dark
Release Date: March 20, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Survival Horror
Returning to its classic survival horror roots, Alone in the Dark places Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood in a chilling mystery set at Derceto Manor. Tense atmosphere, well-crafted puzzles, and unsettling supernatural encounters pay homage to the series’ heritage while modernizing its gameplay.
Read our review here.
21. Berserk Boy
Release Date: March 6, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: Action Platformer
Berserk Boy channels the spirit of the 16-bit era, delivering energetic platforming and vibrant pixel art. Players transform between elemental forms to conquer challenges, all set against an energetic soundtrack. Its nostalgic design is complemented by inventive mechanics that keep the action fast-paced and fun.
Read our review here.
20. Death of a Wish
Release Date: March 11, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: Action Adventure
Death of a Wish offers dark 2D action-adventure with fluid combat and haunting pixel art. During gameplay, players navigate some of the flashiest combat sections we’ve seen to date with enemies that require skill and planning across each encounter. There’s a range of new abilities to acquire to access new areas, but the puzzling map layout and dark narrative contrast with the presentation in some masterful ways.
Read our review here.
19. Children of the Sun
Release Date: April 9, 2024
Platforms: PC
Genre: Narrative Adventure
Children of the Sun is pure insanity. From beginning to end, this game utilizes an arcadey mission structure where players plan out their approach to sniping every enemy on the field with one bullet. This requires some useful maneuvering of the bullet using abilities that allow you to change directions, speed up, or get to a better vantage point. Its replayability and the insane premise had us hooked.
Read our review here.
18. Mouthwashing
Release Date: September 26, 2024
Platforms: PC
Genre: Psychological Horror
Mouthwashing traps players aboard a derelict space station, eroding their sense of reality. Through grim visuals, unsettling sound design, and psychological puzzles, it crafts an atmosphere of paranoia. The tension remains constant, challenging both the mind and nerves as you search for any sign of salvation.
Read our review here.
17. The Plucky Squire
Release Date: September 17, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action Adventure
The Plucky Squire switches seamlessly between storybook 2D sections and lush 3D environments. You play as Jot, a small hero stepping off the page into new worlds filled with inventive puzzles and surprising mechanics. Its uplifting tale and vibrant settings make it a refreshing experience.
Read our review here.
16. Europa
Release Date: October 11, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: Adventure Platformer
Europa provides a serene escape through a water-soaked world laden with secrets. Gentle exploration and puzzle-solving take center stage, accompanied by dreamy art and a contemplative soundtrack. Its focus on subtle storytelling fosters a calm, immersive environment that invites curiosity.
Read our review here.
15. Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Release Date: July 17, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action Platformer
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus dazzles with hand-drawn art and fluid platforming. You control Bo, a young warrior restoring balance to her land through rhythmic combat and puzzle-solving. Its heartfelt story and rich soundtrack round out this striking adventure.
Read our review here.
14. Fear The Spotlight
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Survival Horror
Fear The Spotlight captures the dread of 1990s horror games with low-poly graphics and a tense soundtrack. Set in an abandoned school, players solve puzzles and avoid a terrifying moving spotlight. Clever environmental storytelling and a throwback aesthetic keep tension high throughout.
Read our review here.
13. Rose & Camellia Collection
Release Date: April 16, 2024
Platforms: Switch
Genre: Action Comedy
Combining remastered slap-duel games with new content, Rose & Camellia Collection is a flamboyant showcase of high-society melodrama. Its strategic battles demand timing and precision, balanced by absurdly funny cutscenes. This compilation offers both nostalgia and fresh antics for fans and newcomers alike.
Read our review here.
12. Megaton Musashi W: Wired
Release Date: April 24, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
Genre: Mecha Action RPG
A robust mecha RPG with high-stakes battles and a tale of rebellion, Megaton Musashi W: Wired demands quick thinking and teamwork. Customize giant robots and tackle fast-paced combat encounters in a story emphasizing camaraderie. Its polished visuals and deep upgrade system keep each skirmish engaging.
Read our review here.
11. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Release Date: May 16, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes immerses players in a surreal puzzle adventure where cryptic clues and an abstract narrative define the experience. Minimalist art and an unsettling atmosphere heighten the sense of mystery. Each discovery encourages deeper exploration, making it a uniquely thought-provoking journey.
Read our review here.
10. SKALD: Against the Black Priory
Release Date: May 30, 2024
Platforms: PC
Genre: Retro RPG
SKALD: Against the Black Priory embraces old-school computer RPG sensibilities, weaving a dark, Lovecraftian tale of cults and eldritch horrors. Its pixel art, tactical combat, and immersive storytelling recall classic role-playing days while adding modern twists. Each choice has genuine consequences, creating a narrative as compelling as its atmospheric setting.
Read our review here.
9. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered
Release Date: October 31, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action Horror
Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered preserves Suda51 and Shinji Mikami’s twisted vision, amplifying it with enhanced visuals, refined controls, and updated sound design. Players once again join Garcia Hotspur on a grindhouse-style journey through hell to rescue his love. It retains the original’s offbeat humor and exhilarating boss battles while modernizing its grindhouse flair.
Read our review here.
8. 1000xRESIST
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: Narrative Adventure
Set in a dystopian world of clones questioning their existence, 1000xRESIST tackles identity, memory, and rebellion with surreal visuals and immersive storytelling. Blending visual novel elements with atmospheric exploration, it offers a haunting look at psychological and cultural themes. Its striking art style and thought-provoking narrative linger well after completion.
Read our review here.
7. Another Crab’s Treasure
Release Date: April 25, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Action Adventure
Branded as “shellpunk,” Another Crab’s Treasure leads you through Soulslike-style combat in a playful underwater realm. As Kril, a crab seeking a stolen shell, you battle outsized sea creatures amid vibrant marine settings. Its whimsical tone meshes surprisingly well with challenging fights, demonstrating the creativity Aggro Crab brings to the genre.
Read our review here.
6. ANTONBLAST
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: 2D Platformer
ANTONBLAST erupts with retro-inspired chaos. As Anton, a demolition expert, you smash through colorful, destructible stages packed with tight platforming and wild power-ups. Its hand-drawn style and frantic pace embody pure arcade fun, paying homage to classic platformers while forging its own bombastic path.
Read our review here.
5. Slitterhead
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, PC
Genre: Horror Action
From the mind behind Silent Hill, Slitterhead merges body horror and fluid combat in a city on the brink of a nightmarish outbreak. Playing as a detective, you uncover a sinister conspiracy while battling shape-shifting creatures in frenetic showdowns. An eerie soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka underlines its tense, innovative design.
Read our review here.
4. Metal Slug Tactics
Release Date: November 5, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Tactical RPG
Metal Slug Tactics reinvents the run-and-gun classic as a strategic grid-based RPG. Iconic characters and explosive pixel art return, but now every move is deliberate, each unit carefully placed. This fusion of tactics and the series’ trademark chaos achieves a sweet spot between nostalgia and modern gameplay.
Read our review here.
3. Crow Country
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Mystery Adventure
Set in a remote town plagued by eerie disappearances and ominous crows, Crow Country weaves supernatural intrigue with personal drama. Hand-painted visuals and an evocative soundtrack create a haunting atmosphere, while the layered storytelling keeps you guessing. Its emotional depth and polished presentation make it a standout mystery.
Read our review here.
2. Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
Release Date: January 25, 2024
Platforms: Switch, PC
Genre: Roguelike RPG
The beloved Shiren the Wanderer series returns, blending challenging roguelike exploration with rewarding progression. Procedurally generated dungeons, permadeath, and thoughtful mechanics demand careful planning. New features like co-op multiplayer and expanded item interactions refine the classic formula, making it an exceptional entry in the series.
Read our review here.
1. Animal Well
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC
Genre: Metroidvania
Animal Well reimagines the Metroidvania genre with a cryptic, dreamlike labyrinth teeming with secrets. Its pixel-art environments, clever puzzles, and ambient soundscapes encourage exploration at a deliberate pace. By balancing simplicity and depth, it fosters a deeply personal journey for each player—an unforgettable experience that earns its spot as 2024’s best indie game.
Read our review here.
2024 was a great year for indie games, packed with fresh ideas, striking designs, and memorable stories. These 30 titles show how indie developers continue to deliver remarkable variety and quality. Which ones have you played, and what were your favorites? Let us know in the comments
