Indie games bring out the creativity and depth of individual or small-scale developers. They are popular among gamers because most of them offer unique experiences often unmatched by big-budget titles. Most indie developers reach their rightful audience through the gaming platform Steam. It’s a store for many undiscovered gems that are a mix of innovative gameplay, artistic design, and engaging storytelling.
If you like exploring off-beat games, here are the 10 indie games that you can’t miss on Steam.
8 best free-to-play games on Steam
Explore the 10 best free-to-play games on Steam, from action-packed shooters to relaxing adventures
10 Hades
An addictive roguelike Greek mythology adventure
Hades is a masterpiece that has redefined the roguelike genre. It’s a fast-paced game in which you play as Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades who is trying to escape the underworld of Greek Mythology. While progressing through the game, you are offered powerful godly weapons and boons to keep you engaged. The continuous storyline, exciting characters, and thrilling soundtrack make the game non-monotonous. I especially like the game’s story and Zagreus’ bond with his father and gods. Overall, it’s a fun single-player indie game.
Hades
- Released
- December 6, 2018
In Hades, you have to flee the Underworld and your unloving father to find your mother on Earth. Olympians will support you through the journey by providing you with gifts that help you fight your enemies more effectively on your way out. The game is rich with NPCs, monsters, and settings. You can even customize some of its aspects, such as difficulty.
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Action, Adventure
9 Hollow Knight
A Metroidvania masterpiece filled with charm and challenge
This exploration-based gem has been one of my all-time favorites since my college days. In the game, you play as a tiny mysterious knight who’s uncovering secrets, fighting enemies, and finding hidden treasure in an abandoned insect kingdom of Hallownest.
I really liked that the game is non-linear, i.e., you get to choose your own path, so it’s always a unique feeling playing this game. The game is artistic; the soundtrack is beautiful, and the fights are full of action. It’s not surprising that the Hallow Knight is one of the top choices among the indie Metroidvanias.
A supernatural disease has taken over, and you must now navigate through this fallen kingdom. You'll rely on your Nail to attack enemies, but you will also have access to magic spells that enable you to kill from a distance. This is the game for people who aren't afraid of a challenge.
8 Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Chaotic battles with comedic flair
Total Accurate Battle Simulator (TABS) is a fun strategy PvP game where you build your army and battle against your friend or a random player online. To build an army, you are provided units like potion throwers, mammoths, and knights. Just create your army, unleash it, and see the chaos unfold.
The game offers campaign modes, multiplayer battles, and a sandbox mode where you can use your creativity without any limits. The game is totally unpredictable, and that is what makes it fun to play with friends.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
- Released
- April 1, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Be the leader of red and blue wobblers from ancient lands, spooky places, and fantasy worlds. Watch them fight in simulations made with the wobbliest physics system ever created.
When you grow tired of the 100+ wobblers at your disposal you can make new ones in the unit creator.
You can also send wobblers to fight your friends or strangers in online multiplayer!
Features: Campaigns, Multiplayer, Workshop, Unit, map and faction Creator, Campaign and battle creator, Sandbox mode, Unit Possession, A bunch of silly units.
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
7 The Last Faith
Gothic horror meets Metroidvania
If you love games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, you’ll definitely love the indie game The Last Faith. It’s a mix of gothic horror and Metroidvania and is both atmospheric and challenging to play. On your adventure, you explore a dark and cursed world while fighting terrifying monsters and discovering ancient secrets. I also like the graphics of the game, which set the tone from the start, and the soundtrack adds more flavor to it.
The Last Faith
- Released
- November 15, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
The wicked and the blessed will be judged the same - let nothing stand in your way.
Often brutal, always empowering, The Last Faith is an unholy alliance of Metroidvania and Soulslike.
The Last Faith thrives on merciless and precise combat, with a huge range of custom executions to perform.
Discover a formidable arsenal of melee weapons, arcane spells, and long-range firearms, allowing you to carve a path your own way.
Nonlinear exploration is at the core of The Last Faith. Gorgeous pixel art depicts an imposing gothic landscape. Journey along snow-dusted mountains and castles bathed in moonlight. Discover and upgrade a formidable range of tools for destruction.
Step into The Last Faith’s ravaged world as Eryk, who awakens with no recollection of his immediate past. Soon he will discover he is in a race against time as his mind and conscience begin to deteriorate. His desire for salvation from this affliction sets him on a cursed mission that crosses paths with ancient religions and divinities.
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania
6 Stardew Valley
An addictive farming simulator
Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game in which you start by inheriting an old and dilapidated farming land from your grandfather and gradually transfer it into an amazing farmland. It’s one of those games that you can play when you don’t want to invest much energy and just want to relax.
In the game, you can farm, fish, mine, and even make friends with the quirky villagers. The graphics are adorable, the gameplay is chill, and there are lots of little surprises to uncover. It’s the perfect way to escape and unwind during a long weekend or holidays.
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Stardew Valley is a simulation game that revolves around life on a farm. Nonetheless, it doesn't strictly focus on farming, as you get to explore the mines, go fishing, socialize with NPCs, and do much more.
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
5 Vampire Survivors
Simple mechanics with endless depth
Vampire Survivors is a simple yet super-addictive game. You just have to fight off endless waves of enemies, grab power-ups, and get stronger as you go. It might sound monotonous, but there are enough strategies to keep you hooked. The minimalistic graphics and easy controls make it quick to learn. It’s a perfect game for quick gaming sessions between work.
Vampire Survivors
- Released
- December 17, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Vampire Survivors is a popular roguelike indie game that's absolutely worth trying on the Steam Deck. It boasts a retro-arcade look and intense gameplay, in which you are thrown into horde of enemies and are asked to survive for as long as possible. You unlock characters and earn upgrades as you play the game, but the levels also get progressively challenging.
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Bullet Heaven
4 Midnight Fight Express
Intense combat with cinematic flair
If you love action-packed brawlers, Midnight Fight Express is for you. In this game, you are a former member of the underworld who fights his way through a city full of bad guys to prevent a citywide takeover. You have the option to use a mix of punches, kicks, weapons, and crazy moves to take them down. The game's animation is so smooth that it seems like controlling an action movie. Just try this game for its intense levels, good storyline, and cinematic feel.
3 Buckshot Roulette
Play Russian roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun
Buckshot Roulette is a unique indie game that uses a shotgun instead of a revolver with a dark twist on Russian roulette. The game is set in a mysterious underground nightclub where players face off against "The Dealer" in a high-stakes game involving three rounds of increasing complexity, with strategic items available to influence the outcomes.
Recently, a multiplayer mode was added to the game, allowing up to four players to join the suspenseful gameplay. The game is highly popular for its atmospheric setting, strategic depth, and replayability. It’s a game that is not visually attractive or has a storyline but is still fun to play, especially for someone who likes to experience the thrill of Russian roulette.
Buckshot Roulette
- Released
- December 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Two gamblers take their seats at the table. Through a coin toss, vote, or any democratic process, a player is selected as the wagerer. - The wagerer can bet between 1 to 3 drops on themselves to retain the role and increase the likelihood of eliminating the non-wagerer in the next turn. - The wagerer then bets a number of drops (1-3), and the dealer, armed with the loaded shotgun, disables the safety and points it at the non-wagering player. Two outcomes are possible:
The shotgun does not misfire over the wagered drops. In this case, the wagerer loses their title, which is transferred to the non-wagerer. The former wagerer can now only bet a higher number of drops than the previous wager (e.g., if the last wager was 2 drops, the new wagerer must bet 3 drops). If the last wager was 3 drops, the new wagerer has no choice and the shotgun is once again aimed at the former wagerer for 3 drops. Regardless of a misfire or not, the possible wagered drops are reset to 1-3.
The shotgun misfires and eliminates the non-wagerer. This also resets the potential wagered drops (e.g., if the non-wagerer died on a 2-drop bet, the wager resets to 1-3 drops).
When a non-wagerer survives a round, the wagerer must bet their last wager on themselves before passing the title to the non-wagerer.
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Horror
2 Pizza Tower
The game with retro vibes
Pizza Tower is a fast-paced 2D game that revolves around Peppino Spaghetti, an energetic Italian chef, on a quest to destroy the Pizza Tower and save his restaurant. You need to guide him during his rampage mission. The game focuses on speed, exploration, and high scores. The pixel art in the game is inspired by 1990s cartoons.
I liked the humor and unique art style of the game. It’s never a dull moment playing it because of its fast-paced and engaging nature. If you are looking for something nostalgic and refreshing, this game is for you.
Pizza Tower
- Released
- January 26, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Pizza Tower is a fun platformer that puts you in chaotic gameplay that's both equal parts fun and frantic. Its cartoon-like graphics makes Pizza Tower a fun and charming game, that's perfect for killing some time.
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
1 UFO 50
A collection of nostalgic fun.
UFO 50 is a recently released indie game which is actually a collection of 50 retro-style games that cover a range of genres, like platformers, shooting, RPGs, puzzles, and more. All games are designed in 8-bit aesthetics to give the feel of 1980s video games.
I installed and played some of its games and found them pretty engaging. I even felt that some of the games were strong enough to be a standalone. If you like to play a game to get a quick distraction from tedious work, the games of UFO 50 are perfect for that.
UFO 50
- Released
- September 18, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games from the creators of Spelunky, Downwell, and Catacomb Kids. Explore a variety of genres, from platformers and shoot 'em ups to puzzle games, roguelites, and RPGs. Our goal is to combine a familiar 8-bit aesthetic with new ideas and modern game design.
50 BRAND NEW GAMES - These are NOT minigames or microgames! Although the size of each game varies, every one is a complete experience, from its opening title screen to its ending credits. Some are small arcade-style games but there are also larger open-world adventures and a JRPG that could take many hours to beat.
AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE - According to the story of UFO 50, the games were all created by a fictional 80s video game company that was obscure but ahead of its time. Some games are sequels to other games in the collection and various characters appear in multiple titles as part of a shared continuity.
AN INSTANT LIBRARY - All 50 games are available to play at the start! The concept was inspired by multicarts, retro collections, and the experience of going to a friend's house and perusing their game library. Jump in and out of games at a whim - exploring the collection is part of the fun!
AUTHENTIC BUT ALSO MODERN - We carefully chose what elements to modernize. Every game shares a unique 32-color palette and we took great efforts to make them look and sound like actual 8-bit titles from the 80s. On the other hand, it was important to us that UFO 50 was fun and surprising for modern players, so we chose not to limit ourselves to the genres and design conventions of the past.
VERSUS AND CO-OP PLAY - Half of the collection features local multiplayer, including co-op and versus. You can compete head-to-head in a new fighting or strategy game... or team up to beat a classic arcade game from an alternate timeline. It's great for groups!
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle, Strategy, Arcade, Sports, Racing, Shooter, RPG, Idle Games, Real-Time Strategy
Upgrade your Steam library with these games
If you like to experience something different yet fun and engaging, then these 10 indie games are a must-try. The best part is that almost none of them have a learning curve. From Hades to Pizza Tower to UFO 50, I have covered almost every game that definitely deserves your attention and probably a permanent place in your Steam game library. Give them a try!