It’s absurd, funny, heartfelt, grounded, sad, smart and deranged. You wander an isometric town and question suspects and witnesses, searching for clues and battling addiction, all while philosophizing on life, death and the in-between. One of the best-written games of all time, Disco Elysium puts you in the shoes (once you can find them) of a deadbeat cop who’s tasked with solving a local murder. Its subtle storytelling, lovely aesthetic, and heartwarming gameplay set the standard for many more Journey-like indie adventures to come. With its remarkable visuals and a Grammy-nominated musical score, true to its name, the game takes you on an emotional journey through an ancient, mysterious world. Though Journey was released almost 10 years ago, this captivating adventure game still ranks among the most impactful indie titles. The diverse fighting styles in Ori and the Will of the Wisps will help you defeat numerous foes, and the variety of movement abilities will give you the feeling of flying through action sequences, all the while experiencing a deeply emotional story about love and sacrifice. Once you’re done, grab the sequel, which has more of a focus on combat but is still just as good. Ori’s smooth and dynamic movement will let you platform your way through vast exotic lands. The fully orchestrated score with gentle vocals perfectly mirrors the game’s emotional story. Its stunning visuals with hand-painted artwork give life to a magical land and friendly fairytale creatures. This critically acclaimed masterpiece delivers a breathtaking platform-adventure experience. Slowly piece together the mysteries of the Maw and the Pale City, but don’t stick around too long – monsters are real and they’re coming for you. Though there is no dialogue to tell the distorted story of the Little Nightmares, a ton of lore lies hidden in the details of the beautifully animated environment. Aesthetically pleasing and with an adorable little protagonist, the game slowly lures you into its dark world. Little Nightmares is a fantastic break from the mold of first-person, YouTuber bait jumpscares. This wonderful puzzle-platformer is a unique approach to the horror genre. It’s hard to get across why this is so good without you actually playing it, so go and do that. What’s the story behind the missing shoe? Why does the person unpacking want me to put this picture under the bed? Why do they have so many socks? It’s as much a detective game as it is a game about tidying up. What makes this game special – outside of its tactile drag and drop gameplay – is how you piece together a story by rifling through belongings. Unpacking somehow makes the whole thing seem relaxing – unless you’re watching someone else play, in which case it’s infuriating. Moving house is one of the most stressful experiences a modern human can have. Its unique storytelling, atmosphere, and gameplay make it a timeless classic. It’s a game that causes you to question your every instinct, balancing the need to be selfish and feed your family against the needs of others. You will have to make hard decisions that will alter the fates of others, all the while you are unraveling your own story and finding your own place in this dystopian world. While playing Papers Please, you’ll be offered a chance to explore the communist world of Arstotzka through the many lives and personalities you’ll witness as an immigrant inspector.

This is one of the older titles in this list, but it earns its place in the top indie games due to its original concept, compelling gameplay, and fascinating worldbuilding. You’ll laugh and you’ll scratch your head at its well-made puzzles, all while enjoying the dedicated honk button. A simple concept that reached almost viral status due to its wacky concept, Untitled Goose Game is a slapstick stealth game with a laid-back feel and a lovely little story. It’s a lovely morning in the village, and you are a horrible goose. With these caveats in mind, let’s have a look at some of the best indie video games of recent history. We also decided to skip some of the most obvious choices, such as ‘former’ indies like Among Us and Minecraft, to focus on some true hidden gems.

Each of the following games has made a splash in the gaming community, but we unfortunately can’t choose all of the greats. We’re going through an indie games boom right now, so picking the best of the best is a hard task. These are the kinds of experiences you can’t get anywhere else, with true creative vision behind them.

If you’ve spent the last few years gobbling down all the triple-A offerings from big studios and avoiding the independent games scene, you are missing out.

Best indie games 2010