Cataloging the best indie games of a given year is always a tricky task - there are so many to choose from and so many are amazing. Independent developers consistently release wonderful games that often get overshadowed by entries from bigger studios. That’s why it’s so important to put the spotlight onindie gameswherever possible and highlight the ones that players particularly enjoyed or that made a significant impact on the gaming world.
2024 was a varied year when it came to what indie games stood out. It featured surprisingly addictive card games, brave crabs seeking their shells, a solid roster ofMetroidvanias, a crop of environmental puzzlers, and even a blast from the past or two. From action platformers to mystery puzzlers, here are the top 15 indie games of 2024,presented in alphabetical order.
1000xresist
Check Out 1000xresist onOpenCritic
Sunset Visitor and Fellow Traveler’s1000xresistis a beautiful and haunting narrativethat echoes the feelings of loss and isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Told in nonlinear fragments,1000xresistexplores questions of how a community changes and develops over many years, how this change can affect relationships between families and individuals, and what could be waiting for humanity in the future if the poor treatment of the planet continues. This beautiful, poignant, melancholic tale about the power of memory and community will stay with its players long after they have completed it.
Animal Well
Check Out Animal Well onOpenCritic
Animal Wellbegins shrouded in mystery- players take on the role of a featureless blob within a vast labyrinth and must collect various tools to solve puzzles, interact with the world’s denizens, and ultimately figure out the secrets and truths of its endlessly fascinating setting. Blending Metroidvania and puzzle elements,Animal Wellinitially seems simple, but as players dive deeper, it unfolds into a complex game filled with layers upon layers of puzzles and challenges.Animal Wellis the kind of game that is near-impossible to put down; it is easy for players to get caught up in the need to solve “just one more puzzle.”
Another Crab’s Treasure
This undersea adventure took the “Soulslike” genre and turned it into “shells-like” with the tale of a courageous crab who challenges a corrupt government with a single noble goal in mind: the return of his precious shell. Players can take down an ocean full of tricky bosses using dozens of different shells with abilities ranging from slightly increased defense to a gun capable of downing enemies in one hit (a funny, helpful accessibility feature). Kril’s journey is not just hilarious; it also features a poignant message about environmentalism and the importance of keeping the oceans clean. Theundersea world ofAnother Crab’s Treasuremay be full of trash, but this gem of an indie title certainly isn’t.
Balatro
Check Out Balatro onOpenCritic
Few games took 2024 by storm as much asBalatro,the poker-inspired deck-building roguelikethat was the year’s surprise smash hit. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack,Balatroquickly gained popularity for its addictive gameplay loop, wide variety of deck options, and near-endless replayability due to the various run types and potential stakes available.Players can even celebrate their other favorite games with free cosmetics based on titles ranging fromStardew ValleytoAmong Us.Already clinching a win for Best Indie Game at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards,Balatrohas also scored several TGA 2024 nominations, including one for Game of the Year.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Inspired by Japanese folklore and mythology,Bo: Path of the Teal Lotusis an action-adventure platformerwith Metroidvania elements developed by Squid Shock Studios. It stars the titular Bo, a fox spirit who is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Gameplay revolves around Bo’s weapon - a bo staff, of course - which can change its shape with the aid of teas found around the game’s world, as well as helpful daruma dolls that can aid Bo in combat. The game features a rich, visually stunning world with a 2.5D aesthetic; every foe players fight and creature they encounter is meticulously hand-drawn.
Crow Country
2024 was a strong year for survival horror, with the remake ofSilent Hill 2leading the pack. Another solid entry inthe horror genre wasCrow Country,developed and published by SFB games. Set in a creepy abandoned amusement park, the titular Crow Country, the game establishes a sense of slow-building dread with devastating effectiveness. The scares are plenty, but even in the moments when protagonist Mara is simply looking around the park, the sinister atmosphere is palpable.Crow Countryalso offers a unique innovation in the survival horror genre: an enemy-free “Exploration” mode in which players can experience the game’s story without any fear of encountering foes.
Farewell North
Check Out Farewell North onOpenCritic
In the far north, an archipelago of islands has lost their color. Players take on the role of a collie who, alongside their human companion, is charged with bringing the color back by exploring the islands and solving puzzles.Farewell Northis an open world exploration gamefrom developer Kyle Banks. The game’s desolate setting is actually beautiful, and the contrast between its initial colorless form and later restored state is a stunning one. At the heart of this game is a deeply emotional story about what it truly means to say goodbye, told from the point of view of an adorable, eternally faithful dog who is truly man’s best friend.
I Am Your Beast
Check Out I Am Your Beast onOpenCritic
Game pacing can jump from slow and methodical to downright frantic and action-packed. One example of the latter isI Am Your Beast,a fast-paced revenge-themed shooter in which players carve a path of destruction through each level. AsAlphonse Harding, an ex-military man who staunchly refuses to take on the “one last job” his boss attempts to assign him, players must conquer each brightly-colored, blood-spattered level while accompanied by an appropriately frantic soundtrack. With simple controls and levels small enough to not be overwhelming,I Am Your Beastis the kind of action game even non-action fans can enjoy.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
One of 2024’s most devilishly tricky puzzle games,Lorelei and the Laser Eyestells a surreal storyabout a woman invited to participate in a mysterious “test” in a creepy mansion. With over 100 puzzles to complete, players can discover the game’s unfolding story in a non-linear fashion, exploring and seeking out secrets at their own pace. The visual style is striking, featuring a primarily black and white color scheme that incorporates the use of photographs and a mix of low-res and high-res renderings. Even the cleverest of puzzle fans may find themselves stumped at one time or another as they delve into the complex world of Simogo’sLorelei and the Laser Eyes.
Neva
GrisdeveloperNomada Studio debuted its second gameNeva,this year.Nevaplayers take on the role of Alba, a woman who shares a bond with a magnificent white wolf - the titular Neva. Ultimately, the story is less about who Alba is and more about Neva and the relationship formed with her. Together, Alba and Neva must traverse a mysterious world tainted by darkness. Together, the pair must win battles, solve puzzles, and traverse all four seasons in a graphically stunning side-scrolling platformer that highlights the importance of the bond between human and animal. Inspired by stories such as Hayao Miyazaki’sPrincess Mononoke, Nevais the story of just how much one woman and one wolf can truly accomplish when they work together.
