Recommend some indie games since 2008ish

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

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I've been gaming for about 25 years but somehow I've avoided playing pretty much any indie games since they became a (mainstream) thing. I'm looking to fix that in 2024 and have come up with a chronological list of indie games that appear on "best of" lists each year. I'm planning on doing one (or two) games per release year. Which game would you recommend for each year (that is on my list or not)

2008 - Braid
2009 - Machinarium
2010 - Limbo, Game Dev Story
2011 - Bastion, Binding of Isaac
2012 - Journey, Fez, Hotline Miami
2013 - Don't Starve, Papers Please, The Stanley Parable
2014 - Shovel Knight, Transistor, This War of Mine
2015 - Prison Architect, Apotheon, Undertale
2016 - The Witness, Firewatch, Inside, Abzu
2017 - Cuphead, Pyre
2018 - Celeste, Return of the Obra Dinn, Dead Cells, They are Billions
2019 - The Outer Wilds, Sayonara Wild Hearts
2020 - Spiritfarer, Cloudpunk, Paradise Killer, Hades, Factorio
2021 - Sable, Loop Hero, Unpacking
2022 - Noby Saves the World, Not for Broadcast, tunic
2023 - Dredge, Sea of Stars, Venba, Chants of Sennaar, El Paso Elsewhere

The indie games I've played are: Minecraft, Kerbal Space Program, What Remains of Edith Finch.
 
You're missing Hyper Light Drifter, which is a beautiful game.

Into the Breach is also fantastic, and Papers Please is well worth playing.

And finally Disco Elysium is a must play.
 
One of the best plays of recent years period for me was playing Children of Morta through with my son.

store.steampowered.com

Save 75% on Children of Morta on Steam

Children of Morta is a story-driven action RPG game about an extraordinary family of heroes. Lead the Bergsons, with all their flaws and virtues, against the forthcoming Corruption. Will you be able to sacrifice everything to save the ones you care for?
store.steampowered.com store.steampowered.com
 
If you're looking at Don't Starve, I'd suggest also looking at Don't Starve Together and comparing the differences because the latter will allow you to play co-op (or single player) but I also can't remember the actual differences and content between them. So worth a bit of investigation first IMHO.

I'd throw in a couple of extras as I've not played most of the games you've listed.

Subnautica
Monaco
Grim Dawn (does this count as Indie?)
Dungeons of the Endless
Magicka
Oxygen Not Included

Of the games mentioned above - I've played and enjoyed Don't Starve Together, Factorio, Nobody Saves the World, The Witness, Hades and FTL.
Some of the above, IMO, should be played co-op - Monaco, Don't Starve Together, Magicka. The latter 2 I've played both single player and co-op and we're fine single player but better with friends. I've not tried Monaco solo though.
 
i'l throw some randoms in not listed. based on whats in my libarary or very popular. with steam tag indie
stardew valley - 2016
rimworld - 2018
space engineers - 2019
dwarf fortress - (released 2022 on steam)onlyone i dont own but highly recomeneded by the community, and actviely supported
vampire survivors - 2022
five nights at freddies - 2014
golf with your friends - 2020
Human Fall Flat - 2016
unrailed - 2020 - Co-op only
the escapists 2 - 2017
streets of rogue - 2019
Forts - 2017
Deep Rock Galactica - 2020
Artemis: Spaceship Bridge Simulator - 2013 - Co-op if you have at least one other person to play with.
Monster Prom - 2018
Hardspace: Shipbreaker - 2022
 
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store.steampowered.com

Save 50% on ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery) on Steam

ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery) is one of the most successful roguelike games ever created, boasting a brilliant mix of story, RPG, exploration, and intensely strategic & flexible combat. The Steam version adds various features like achievements, difficulty level customization & play modes.
store.steampowered.com store.steampowered.com
 
a few random more, usually have a bunch of indy games in steam Wishlist and pick them up on sales

untitled goose game
against the storm
dungeon warfare 2 (so silly and fun)
blasphemous
salt and sanctuary (2d soulslike)
kingdom rush series
dorfromantik
dinkum
creeper world series
chronicon (loads of content and builds, 2d arpg)
the long dark
banished
to the moon
valheim
defence grid
halls of torment
art of rally
shadowrun series
 
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almoststew1990 said:
2008 - Braid
2009 - Machinarium
2010 - Limbo, Game Dev Story
2011 - Bastion, Binding of Isaac
2012 - Journey, Fez, Hotline Miami
2013 - Don't Starve, Papers Please, The Stanley Parable
2014 - Shovel Knight, Transistor, This War of Mine
2015 - Prison Architect, Apotheon, Undertale
2016 - Factorio
2017 - Factorio
2018 - Factorio
2019 - Factorio
2020 - Factorio
2021 - Factorio
2022 - Factorio
2023 - Factorio
Click to expand...

Fixed your list.

The Factory Must Grow.
 
Huntdown ;)

store.steampowered.com

HUNTDOWN on Steam

In the mayhem-filled streets of the future where criminal gangs rule and cops fear to tread, only the bounty hunters can free the city from the corrupt fist of felony. Lay waste to the criminal underworld and make a killing in this hard boiled action comedy arcade shooter.
store.steampowered.com store.steampowered.com

Probs be in the Steam sale.

Not to be missed this, brilliant game.
 
Armageus said:
store.steampowered.com

Save 50% on ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery) on Steam

ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery) is one of the most successful roguelike games ever created, boasting a brilliant mix of story, RPG, exploration, and intensely strategic & flexible combat. The Steam version adds various features like achievements, difficulty level customization & play modes.
store.steampowered.com store.steampowered.com
Click to expand...
OOO. Makes me think of Hero Quest. Also Sword of the Stars: The Pit.
 
almoststew1990 said:
Well I'm going to start with Braid and do it chronologically so I've got time to decide the later ones! Sadly I can't find Braid in my PS+ collection or on gamepass so I might have to buy it for a tenner on steam.
Click to expand...
It's currently cheaper on Gamersgate - but considering it was down to £2.74 on steam at the end of november, I imagine it'll be equally cheap, or near enough, come the christmas sales which won't be far off!
 
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loftie said:
It's currently cheaper on Gamersgate - but considering it was down to £2.74 on steam at the end of november, I imagine it'll be equally cheap, or near enough, come the christmas sales which won't be far off!
Click to expand...
Yep, I'd hold fire.

I'd imagine pretty much all those games will be on sale which starts on Thursday

steamdb.info

Steam Sale Dates · When is the Next Steam Sale? · Countdown and History

A list of all Steam sale events. When is the next Steam Sale? Steam runs multiple big sale events every year.
steamdb.info steamdb.info
 
or easter sales wont be far away.

depends if you want a time sink or not though.
Factorio as an example is a very good time sink.

If you enjoyed facorio, i would also consider looking at :
Dyson Sphere Project - 2021, at £14 its a good investment i think and brings some new ideas to the table

Unheard - Voices of Crime - 2019 - may be of interest
Jump king - 2019
Twelve Minutes - 2021
 
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