Everyone loves a good underdog story. To see a newcomer make it to the top amidst more experienced competition is proof that anyone can make it big with enough dedication and compassion. That may very well be why indie games endear players so much: despite the odds of making it big in the video game industry, small-time developers manage to create something that matches (or even outshines) the expectations set by AAA titles.
Though most only see a modest amount of success, some indie games have etched their way into video game history by becoming must-have titles in any player’s library.
10 Cave Story
Starting things off (in more ways than one) is Cave Story, a platforming action-adventure by one-man team Studio Pixel. Originally a free release on PC in 2004, the game remains fairly relevant, with its latest release being on the Nintendo Switch in 2017.
The game follows an amnesiac robot named Quote as he travels through a mysterious cave system and gathers a variety of weapons to fight the monsters within. Its age, as well as the near-universal praise for its gameplay and story, cause some to see Cave Story as the parent of modern indie games.
9 Shantae
The plucky half-genie made her platforming debut on the Game Boy Color in 2002, and while her first game sold fairly poorly, it still managed to attract critical acclaim. Since then, the developers at WayForward made four sequel games that have totaled over 3 million sales; the most recent title in the series, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, released on consoles back in May 2020.
With a combination of endearing characters, interesting level design, fantastic artwork, and lots of unique animal transformations, fans hope to see much more of this half-genie hero in the future.
8 Five Nights at Freddy’s
Created by Scott Cawthon in 2014, this eerie survival-horror game pits the player against time as they attempt to manage their power supply to keep four haunted animatronics at bay.
The game rapidly garnered popularity with the help of internet personalities and theory crafters alike. The mysterious lore and jarring jumpscares attracted so much attention, in fact, that it warranted six sequel games (with a seventh on the way), a plethora of spin-offs and fan games, a book series, and even a film adaptation! Truly, this horror game defined the genre for a time and created a brand all of its own.
7 Cuphead
Whether from its run-and-gun gameplay or its use of vintage rubber hose animation, Cuphead has the ability to charm just about anyone who plays it. This carefully-crafted marvel began its run in 2017, selling over six million copies in just three short years.
StudioMDHR, the developer behind this quirky homage to 1930s cartoons, continues to work hard on the game’s upcoming DLC. Entitled “The Delicious Last Course”, little information exists for its supposed 2020 release date. However, fans can expect to have a swell time walloping enemies when it arrives.
6 Shovel Knight
The story of Shovel Knight’s inception is a classic tale of a group of individuals risking the comfort of their jobs to pursue their passion project. Former WayForward employees banded together to create Yacht Club Games and crowdfund an 8-bit style platformer featuring a dashing knight with an odd taste in weaponry; after its success on Kickstarter, it launched on Windows and Nintendo consoles in 2014 to overwhelming amounts of approval.
Critics and casuals alike praised the game’s retro graphics, compelling narrative, and memorable characters (some of whom became playable in later DLC campaigns). An inspiration to indie developers everywhere, the eponymous Shovel Knight has made over two dozen cameos since.
5 Stardew Valley
Inspired in part by the Harvest Moon franchise, Stardew Valley offers a relaxing experience to its players while also providing engaging and memorable character development. The player inherits a plot of land from their grandfather, and it’s up to them to get the dilapidated farm back on its feet.
Whether they choose to cultivate the land or kindle their relationships, fans can find hours upon hours of enjoyment in this simple yet intriguing story. Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, released the game in 2016 for Windows. It has since moved to other platforms and sold over ten million copies.
4 Celeste
On the surface, this game by Maddy Thorson and a small team of their friends is a fun, challenging platformer. Look a bit deeper, and instantly one can see the true depth of this masterpiece. Celeste uses trial-and-error platforming, impactful storytelling, engaging characters, and an impeccable soundtrack to keep players climbing.
The game’s reputation surpassed expectation; in the year of its release, it had been nominated for Game of the Year and won Best Independent Game at the Game Awards. By the end of 2019, over one million copies had been sold across all available consoles.
3 Hollow Knight
What does one get when they combine the intriguing lore and menacing bosses of Dark Souls with Metroidvania platforming and beautiful hand-drawn animation? Luckily, Australian developer Team Cherry has the answer: Hollow Knight!
Players control a nameless Knight as they traverse the abandoned tunnels of Hallownest. The world’s many subsections range from elegant to ominous, and intertwining them is the forgotten history of a once-great kingdom. The game controls exceptionally well, and its many boss battles truly test the Knight’s skill. Fans of the game eagerly await the release of its upcoming sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong.
2 Undertale
Nothing can be said of Undertale that hasn’t been said already, but perhaps that sentiment alone speaks to the game’s immense success. Developer Toby Fox created this gem of an RPG alongside artist Temmie Chang and others, and released it in late 2015. Almost immediately, fans flocked to the game, praising its stunning soundtrack and quirky cast of characters.
The protagonist’s actions determine the relationships they can build with the Underground’s inhabitants, which inspires players to see just how different each playthrough can be. Currently, Toby Fox works hard on the second chapter of Undertale’s AU sequel, Deltarune.
1 Minecraft
Minecraft has come a long way since its indie origins… a very long way. Officially released in 2011, the sandbox game quickly gained traction, in part due to its seemingly endless creative potential. In 2014, Microsoft bought developer Mojang Studios from Markus Persson for a modest $2.5 billion.
To this day, Minecraft remains a titan in the gaming industry. It is currently the best-selling video game of all time, sitting at over 200 million copies sold across all platforms.
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