While 2020 was an uncertain year for everyone, there were plenty of great video game releases that provided players with worlds and stories to escape into. Some of those games, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Ghost of Tsushima, were massive, triple-A projects that engaged millions of players around the world.
Not to be forgotten at all, however, the year was also absolutely loaded when it came to indie games. So many fresh, fun, and unique games were released, it’s easy to lose track of them all. Here are a few indie games that are among the highlights of games from 2020.
10 Roki
In Roki, players control the character Tove as she dives deep into folklore and mystery. Gorgeous and magical, this game is set in the Scandinavian wilderness, with a stunning art style that is hard to take your eyes off of.
Roki is an adventure game full of puzzles to solve, monsters to encounter, and mysteries to unravel. The developers place an emphasis on making the game accessible to all ages and skill levels by making it age appropriate and having a help system built in for when players may need a bit of guidance to solve the puzzles.
9 Spiritfarer
Where Roki was a game about folklore, Spiritfarer is a game about spirits and the dead. In this game, players build a ship and maintain it. There’s plenty of activities to do, including crafting, mining, and getting to know the spirits you’ll be keeping on your boat, but that’s not all this charming game offers.
As players get to know the spirits they house on their boat, they will eventually have to let them go, into the afterlife. Spiritfarer is a calm and meditative game with warm colors and plenty to do, and think about.
8 Hades
It seems indie developer Supergiant Games makes one masterpiece after the other. Their most recent game, Hades, redefined the roguelike genre and spiced it up. The result was a game that that draws the player into an addictive cycle of combat and exploration.
In Hades, players control Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the Underworld. Hordes of enemies will stop at nothing to defeat Zagreus, and players will die repeatedly, slowly improving their skills and getting to know the many gods and mythical characters in the game, improving their relationships with them and using their blessing to push on through the Underworld further. With beautiful art, excellent voice acting, and fantastic gameplay, Hades is a game that is more than worth its price.
7 Risk Of Rain 2
While many people may think of Fortnite or Splatoon when thinking of colorful shooters, Risk of Rain 2 is a new shooter on the scene that looks to be a great time. In Risk of Rain 2, players can explore and take on massive bosses either in single player or with friends.
In a surprising twist to the shooter formula that works tantalizingly well, Risk of Rain 2 is also a roguelike. Dying isn’t a frustrating event, and the gameplay cycle remains addictive throughout. There’s lots of characters, as well as multiple items to unlock and enhance your gameplay experience with, making the game feel endless and exciting no matter how many hours you play.
6 Spelunky 2
If indie fans or just gamers in general haven’t played the original Spelunky, then they’re seriously missing out. Spelunky 2 is the sequel to a fantastic, fun, and critically acclaimed roguelike game where players explore randomly generated 2D areas in search for items and treasure.
The game is easy to pick up yet difficult to succeed at, but addictive and enjoyable every step of the way. Spelunky 2 combines adorable art, incredible lighting and music, all for single player or multiplayer fun. Players can explore and die to enemies and traps repeatedly alone, or with a friend. This is the kind of gem that makes time fly, because you’re really having fun.
5 There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension
This indie is an experimental point and click adventure (or so it claims) that’s unlike anything players have experienced. There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension is the sort of game that’s best enjoyed the less you know about it.
This game combines and bends multiple game genres to create a hilarious, fun and memorable experience. There are plenty of allusions to iconic games, and the music and voice acting are top notch. The wonderful art style and presentation work to bring it all together, making the entire game a pleasant and amusing adventure.
4 A Short Hike
If you’re looking for a peaceful, charming, and relaxing game to escape to, A Short Hike may be up your alley. This game is all about taking your time as you work your way to the mountain summit. The playable character is a bird creature, allowing players to not only walk, but also glide around to explore as they hike.
The visuals of A Short Hike are painted in beautiful tones of gold and red, with a comfortable, cel-shaded look that somehow feels like home. Players can catch fish, swim by the lake, and explore the mountain to find curious little secrets. If there was ever a game to play as a breather in between the busyness of everyday life, this would be it.
3 Bugsnax
With an unforgettably unique and whimsical art style, Bugsnax draws players in with its curious looking creatures. In Bugsnax, players explore a strange island through first person perspective, meeting strange, oddly designed creatures that resemble snacks.
Bugsnax is an adventure game that focuses on story. Players can trap and hunt the “bug snacks” and feed them to locals, changing the consumers’ appearances based on what Bugsnax they’ve eaten. Along with its quirky premise, engaging combat and compelling mystery premise about solving a disappearance, this indie game definitely stands out from the rest.
2 Carto
Another beautiful indie adventure game, Carto is all about controlling a child, named Carto, as she tries to reunite with her family. It’s an adventure game where players manipulate the world around them in tiles, discovering more of the world and helping Carto get closer to home.
The beautiful, hand drawn art of Carto makes the world even more of a joy to explore. There’s multiple environments to find, puzzles to solve, and a cast of memorable characters, brimming with personality, to meet on Carto’s journey.
1 No Straight Roads
No Straight Roads is a game that asks players if they’re ready to rock, and then takes them on a musical, adrenaline filled adventure. Players explore Vinyl City, a locale buzzing with energy, and meet characters oozing with personality. Either in single player or local co-op, players can fight musical enemies in a unique combat system that blends rhythm game style play and third person action.
The character design in this game is fantastic and speaks for itself, and the soundtrack is energetic and electric, keeping players hooked with its dazzling colors and sounds.
NEXT: 10 RPGs You Forgot Were Coming In 2021
