From Hellblade to Night in the Woods, discover the best indie games on Steam.
Looking for the best indie games on Steam? There are so many to choose from that it’s difficult to know where to begin. For those without much indie game experience, “indie” games are typically smaller-scale, story-focused, and often 2D games, but what is often ignored is the fact that you don’t have to be an AAA developer to get your game on Steam. So, what makes a game indie?
Well, that’s complicated but, generally speaking, it’s if the game in question was developed with minimal outside funding and was not produced by a major publisher. From there, defining indie games is tricky, as we’ve seen a lot of indie games go on to become major hits and even shift the direction of the gaming industry. There are many great indie games on Steam, so here are some of the best.
Night in the Woods
This indie darling was developed by Infinite Fall and released back in 2018. It’s a fairly simple story about Mae, a college dropout who returns home to Possum Springs, to live with her parents. It’s a bit like Animal Crossing crossed with Twin Peaks, which is to say it’s quirky and weird, but in the best possible way. It’s also very emotional, and you really feel for Mae and her struggles with adulthood and loneliness.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
The team behind Hellblade have been through a lot, they almost went out with the game, and then they persevered and made one of the most atmospheric and beautiful games of all time. Senua is an incredibly badass Celtic warrior battling mental illness, and the way the game tackles this topic is truly breathtaking. The combat is also excellent, it’s a bit like a more intense Dark Souls, but with a more well-defined combat system.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a game that I think a lot of people have probably heard of by now. It’s a farming simulator, but it’s so much more than that. Stardew Valley is a beautiful game to look at, filled with delightful characters, and the farming itself is surprisingly engaging. It’s a great game for anyone who wants to unwind and relax, but it’s also surprisingly deep, with a lot of things to do and ways to expand your farm.
