The Best Indie Games of 2025

The independent gaming landscape in 2025 reached new heights of innovation and artistic expression across all major platforms. Small teams and solo developers delivered a diverse array of experiences that challenged traditional genre boundaries. These titles provided players with unique mechanics and compelling narratives that stood out in a crowded marketplace. This collection represents the most significant contributions to the indie sector throughout the calendar year

‘While Waiting’ (2025)

Silly Bird Studio developed this transformative adventure game which Westman Digital published on September 18 2025. The gameplay revolves around the concept of waiting in various mundane and extraordinary situations to trigger progression. Players interact with their surroundings to pass time while discovering hidden secrets within each level. It offers a unique take on the point and click genre by rewarding patience and observation over rapid action.

‘Heartworm’ (2025)

Vincent Adinolfi developed this psychological horror game which Dread XP published on October 24 2025. The title draws inspiration from classic survival horror games of the late nineties with fixed camera angles and tank controls. Players explore a shifting house that manifests the internal trauma and memories of the main character. The experience emphasizes atmospheric tension and puzzle solving rather than constant combat.

‘Voidwrought’ (2025)

Powershoof developed this 2D action platformer and released it on October 14 2025. The game features a hand drawn art style and is set in a world of cosmic horror and ancient machinery. Players control a newly awakened being that must explore ruins and defeat powerful gods to claim their essence. The mechanics include precise platforming and a variety of unlockable abilities to aid in traversal.

‘The Drifter’ (2025)

Powerhoof developed this gritty point and click thriller and released it on August 21 2025. The story follows a man named Mick Carter who witnesses a murder and becomes entangled in a massive conspiracy. Players must navigate a series of dangerous locations while solving puzzles and making dialogue choices. The game features a fully voiced cast and a dark atmosphere inspired by pulp fiction and noir cinema.

‘Project Tower’ (2025)

Yummy Games released this third person shooter on September 5 2025. The gameplay involves a prisoner trying to escape an alien tower by utilizing morphing abilities to take the form of various creatures. Each transformation provides specific skills needed to overcome environmental puzzles and enemy encounters. The development team focused on fluid combat transitions and vertical level design.

‘Glowlight’ (2025)

Cloud M1 developed this atmospheric puzzle platformer and released it on June 27 2025. The game requires players to manipulate light sources to reveal hidden paths and interact with the environment. Every level presents a different configuration of shadows that must be navigated to reach the goal. The narrative is told silently through environmental cues and character animations.

‘Deathground’ (2025)

Jaw Drop Games released this cooperative survival horror game on October 31 2025. Players must work together to complete objectives in facilities overrun by AI controlled dinosaurs. The game uses random extraction points and objective locations to ensure that no two sessions are identical. Players can choose between different character classes that offer unique tools and survival skills.

‘Aloft’ (2025)

Astrolabe Games published this survival game developed by FunGo Studios on June 10 2025. Players live on floating islands that they can navigate through the sky by building giant sails. The core loop includes gathering resources and crafting equipment to survive high altitude storms and fungal infections. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer for skyward exploration.

‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

Moonlight Games released this dark fantasy adventure on October 10 2025. The game uses a unique claymation art style to depict a world of shadow and light. Players guide a small creature through dangerous landscapes while protecting a flame that keeps the darkness at bay. The narrative explore themes of guidance and sacrifice in a world filled with grotesque monsters.

‘Hell is Us’ (2025)

Rogue Factor developed this third person action adventure game which Nacon published on September 25 2025. Players explore a country torn apart by civil war and a supernatural event that has unleashed mysterious creatures. The game omits traditional markers and quest logs to encourage organic exploration and observation of the environment. Combat is designed to be challenging and requires players to use a variety of specialized weapons.

‘Baby Steps’ (2025)

Gabe Cuzzillo and Devolver Digital released this physics based walking simulator on July 15 2025. Players control a man named Nate who must learn to walk by manually controlling each foot. The game uses a complex physics engine to simulate the difficulty of navigating uneven terrain and slopes. It features a humorous tone and a narrator who comments on the struggles of the protagonist.

‘Wanderstop’ (2025)

Ivy Road developed this management game which Annapurna Interactive published on March 12 2025. Players manage a tea shop in a magical forest while playing as a former warrior trying to find peace. The gameplay involves harvesting ingredients and blending teas for a variety of unique customers. The story explores the difficulty of transitioning from a life of violence to a more domestic routine.

‘Possessor(s)’ (2025)

Heart Machine released this side scrolling action game on October 7 2025. The game features a striking art style and fast paced combat set in a flooded city. Players control a pair of characters sharing a single body as they navigate dangerous environments and fight aggressive enemies. The narrative is told through atmospheric cues and interactions with surviving residents.

‘Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector’ (2025)

Jump Over the Age developed this sequel and released it on April 4 2025. Players take the role of an escaped android trying to survive on the edges of a corporate controlled star system. The game utilizes a dice based mechanic for managing actions and navigating complex social situations. Players must assemble a crew and maintain their ship while evading the authorities.

‘The Alters’ (2025)

11 bit studios released this survival game on March 4 2025. Players control Jan Dolski who must create alternative versions of himself to survive on a hostile planet. Each version of Jan has different skills and memories based on various choices made in his past. The player must manage the relationships between the clones while maintaining a massive mobile base.

‘Sword of the Sea’ (2025)

Giant Squid released this atmospheric adventure game on May 2 2025. Players navigate a desert world on a hoverboard that allows for fluid movement over sand dunes and ruins. The goal is to bring life back to the ocean by exploring sunken temples and defeating ancient guardians. The game features a soaring orchestral score and stylized visuals.

‘Skate Story’ (2025)

Sam Eng developed this skateboarding game which Devolver Digital published on September 19 2025. Players control a demon made of glass who must skate through the underworld to swallow the moon. The game features a physics based skating system where mistakes can cause the character to shatter. The visual presentation uses surreal geometry and lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere.

‘Hades II’ (2025)

Supergiant Games released the full version of this roguelike sequel on May 20 2025. Players control Melinoe as she attempts to defeat the Titan of Time and rescue her father from the underworld. The game introduces new magical abilities and a cast of gods from Greek mythology to assist the player. Every run provides opportunities to strengthen character builds and progress the narrative.

‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ (2025)

Team Cherry released this highly anticipated sequel on June 10 2025. Players take control of Hornet as she explores Pharloom which is a vast kingdom ruled by silk and song. The game features over 150 new enemies and a faster more vertical combat system than the original title. Exploration is central to the experience as players uncover the secrets of the citadel and fulfill their destiny.

Share your favorite indie gaming moments from the past year in the comments.