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 on indie games wherever 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 of Metroidvanias, 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.
Best Indie Games With Multiple Endings
The following indie games don't saddle players with just one ending. There are a variety of conclusions based on the player's actions.
1000xresist
Check Out 1000xresist on OpenCritic
Sunset Visitor and Fellow Traveler's 1000xresist is a beautiful and haunting narrative that echoes the feelings of loss and isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Told in nonlinear fragments, 1000xresist explores 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.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- May 9, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood, Violence, Use of Drugs, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Sunset Visitor
- Publisher(s)
- Fellow Traveller
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Sci-Fi, Thriller, Visual Novel, Adventure
Animal Well
Check Out Animal Well on OpenCritic
Animal Well begins 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 Well initially seems simple, but as players dive deeper, it unfolds into a complex game filled with layers upon layers of puzzles and challenges. Animal Well is 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."
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- May 9, 2024
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Shared Memory
- Publisher(s)
- Bigmode
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Puzzle
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Another Crab's Treasure
Read The Best War Games's Another Crab's Treasure Review
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. The undersea world of Another Crab's Treasure may be full of trash, but this gem of an indie title certainly isn't.
Another Crab's Treasure
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 81%
- Released
- April 25, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Aggro Crab
- Publisher(s)
- Aggro Crab
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Balatro
Check Out Balatro on OpenCritic
Few games took 2024 by storm as much as Balatro, the poker-inspired deck-building roguelike that was the year's surprise smash hit. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, Balatro quickly 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 from Stardew Valley to Among Us. Already clinching a win for Best Indie Game at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, Balatro has also scored several TGA 2024 nominations, including one for Game of the Year.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- February 20, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Gambling Themes
- Developer(s)
- LocalThunk
- Publisher(s)
- Playstack
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Digital Card Game, Roguelike
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Read The Best War Games's Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus Review
Inspired by Japanese folklore and mythology, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is an action-adventure platformer with 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.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 72%
- Released
- July 18, 2024
- ESRB
- Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Alcohol And Tobacco Reference, Mild Language
- Publisher(s)
- Humble Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Developer
- Squid Shock Studios, Christopher Stair, Trevor Youngquist
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Metroidvania
- How Long To Beat
- 10 hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Crow Country
Read The Best War Games's Crow Country Review
2024 was a strong year for survival horror, with the remake of Silent Hill 2 leading the pack. Another solid entry in the horror genre was Crow 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 Country also 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.
Crow Country
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
- Released
- May 9, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- SFB Games
- Publisher(s)
- SFB Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Farewell North
Check Out Farewell North on OpenCritic
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 North is an open world exploration game from 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.
- Released
- August 16, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Kyle Banks
- Publisher(s)
- Mooneye Studios
- Engine
- Unity
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
I Am Your Beast
Check Out I Am Your Beast on OpenCritic
Game pacing can jump from slow and methodical to downright frantic and action-packed. One example of the latter is I Am Your Beast, a fast-paced revenge-themed shooter in which players carve a path of destruction through each level. As Alphonse 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 Beast is the kind of action game even non-action fans can enjoy.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 10, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Crude Humor, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Strange Scaffold
- Publisher(s)
- Strange Scaffold, Frosty Pop
WHERE TO PLAY
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Read The Best War Games's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Review
One of 2024's most devilishly tricky puzzle games, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes tells a surreal story about 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's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- May 16, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Alcohol Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Simogo
- Publisher(s)
- Annapurna Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Neva
Read The Best War Games's Neva Review
Gris developer Nomada Studio debuted its second game Neva, this year. Neva players 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's Princess Mononoke, Neva is the story of just how much one woman and one wolf can truly accomplish when they work together.
Neva
- Released
- October 15, 2024
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nomada Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle
- X|S Optimized
- Yes