2023 saw so many good games coming for nearly every genre, from horror titles likeAlan Wake 2to friendlier platformers likeSuper Mario Bros. Wonder. But it isn’t only the AAA industry that spoiled us this year, there were also plenty of Indie games too.
The sheer quality and inventive mechanics these games bring make them a must-play, even if they aren’t genres you’d normally play. And while you could considerBaldur’s Gate 3to technically be an independent game, that one gets enough praise as it is, so it won’t be on the list.
Updated on June 15, 2025:We’ve updated this list to add the video version, so if you’re looking back to some of the best indie games of 2023 that you have yet to play, here you’ll find everything you need.
14Blasphemous 2
While there are plenty of games that are as entertaining to play as they are to watch, few have the potent art style of theBlasphemousseries. The second entry cuts no corners, having some of the most visually striking bosses of the indie scene, and tight gameplay to go along with it.
The game continues to be a strong mix of soulslike and metroidvania, with a story of sin and miracles so full of allegories it’s hard to understand, but it more than makes up for it with a well-made spectacle and satisfying combat.
13Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Indie games can offer plenty of action-packed content, but they’re also able to give us more introspective stories, with puzzles about stopping to think rather than jumping on blocks. TheOxenfreeseries is all about the quieter stories, and this second entry even expands onthe enigmatic character of Maggie Adler.
While most games don’t require encyclopedic knowledge of previous entries, in the case of Oxenfree 2 it’s highly recommended to have at least a single playthrough done of the first game. A lot of characters come back, like the mentioned Maggie Adler, and both titles complement each other really well.
12Cassette Beasts
With the Pokemon series refusing to evolve into something greater, the indie scene has taken the torch and created their Pokemon at home.Cassette Beastsis not the first to attempt this, and it will hardly be the last, but it does enough with the formula to warrant a look.
On a basic level, the game works just like any other creature-collecting game; add creatures to your portfolio and summon them in battle. Cassette Beasts changes some of it on the story front, since you transform into a creature instead of being a cruel master, and the twist on how elemental types work gives a much-needed depth to this type of formula.
11Laika: Aged Through Blood
While a lot of indie games push the boundaries of difficulty, few do it while incorporating a refreshing new take on combat. Laika’s motorbike-based encounters are really hard to get used to, but once you get into the flow of things, it’s hard to put down.
The game comes with a few ways to lessen the blows of constantly dying, with its soft-ish penalties and abundant checkpoints, although dying because you did an accidental flip while standing still is always frustrating. Still, experiencing the game is well worth it, and the art and sound design are always of the highest quality.
10Wall World
Roguelikes are the bread and butter of the indie scene, so it’s only natural that a few make the list. But Wall World brings its own flavor to the formula, not one unheard of but one we can have more of: base defense combined with resource collection.
What Wall World does best is, on the one hand, its progression: It’s nearly impossible to beat it without any upgrades, but the ones that remain after each run make the exploration of the Wall stay entertaining. On the other hand, the fact that there’s an actual ending you’re working towards is appreciated, since that’s not something present in all roguelikes.
9Viewfinder
First-person puzzlers aren’t something new, although there’s always some innovation to be found in this space by many talented creators. Viewfinder’s own twist revolves around pictures, and changing the world around you with them.
The gist of it was seen during the game’s demo, and while the full release doesn’t explore too many new frontiers, it’s still inventive enough to warrant a playthrough. Wrapping your head around the logic introduced in these games is always the best part of them, and Viewfinder is unique enough to keep you thinking about it even after you beat it.
8Venba
Venba is definitely not winning any awards for the longest game to beat, but it does have some nominations in the Game Awards for a reason. It has a real story to tell, one aboutthe hardships of immigration, and how we see the value of things once they’re gone.
Yet it isn’t just a visual novel, since it comes with cooking-themed puzzles, and they’re more than set dressing. You’ll have to figure out the correct order and measurements of each meal, all the while managing Venba’s own memories of the recipes and hardships of her life outside the world she was used to.
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6Pizza Tower
Pizza Tower might look like a half-baked game at a glance, but its art design is part of the appeal, evoking the frantic animations of old 90s cartoons like Ren & Stimpy. Yet the main draw of the game isn’t the art style, and it certainly isn’t the story, buthow the game plays.
The game feels like a Sonic game that decides to go faster, having you run towards your goal as you collect power-ups, but the momentum that you get is what decides where you can go, letting you break walls or run up them. The pure chaos on display is one that has to be experienced, so don’t let this one slip you by.
5Dredge
Games based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft usually revolve about hiding from monsters, or hiding from creepy shadows, yetDredgemanages to tell an authentically Lovecraftian tale while being all about fishing. And the dread is still there, since something is lurking below the waters where your boat travels.
Dredge offers a mystery that builds up as you interact with the people within it, giving you a mechanic of fishing and inventory management to lure you into a sense of security, while amping up the unsettling of the plot as you go on. It shows that lovecraftian stories can be told in more than one mold, making you want to Dredge up what mysteries they may hide.
