Indie games are projects created by individual developers or small independent companies that need financial backing from large video game publishers. Despite having a limited development budget, some pretty serious games are often released that are definitely worth checking out if you’re a gaming fan. Today, we’re talking about the Best Indie Games that have just been released or will be presented in 2025 – get ready to expand your game library with our recommendations.
Reanimal
First on our Best Indie Games list is Reanimal, a survival horror game. It’s being developed by Tarsier Studios, the same team behind Little Nightmares. This best indie game tells the story of a brother and sister who venture to explore a twisted and distorted version of their own home.
The main goal is to escape the house safely while helping three of your friends along the way. You can play solo or in co-op mode. In co-op, you’ll experience all the game’s features – working together is key to avoiding mutated creatures and solving environmental puzzles. If you play solo, an AI partner will take control of the second character.
The developers have worked to create an even more terrifying atmosphere than in Little Nightmares. The camera is constantly tied to the characters, and visibility is minimal, which adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere and keeps players on edge.
The best indie game Reanimal is set for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, though the exact release date is still unknown.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter
Get ready to return to the Kingdom of Rats with the new game Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, which also made our list of best indie games. In this sequel, you’ll start a new battle against an ancient evil coming from the northern lands. You’ll control Arlo, the young heir of the Wasteland Keeper, who sets off on an epic journey. His goal is simple – to unite the fractured rat clans to stand against legendary and deadly forces.
This best indie game follows the style of Dark Souls – you can expect intense battles where your combat skills and ability to dodge in time and deliver fatal blows will be crucial. Arlo can wield various weapons, each of which can be upgraded and given additional perks depending on your combat strategy. Along the way, you’ll explore wild wastelands guarded by powerful enemies. You’ll earn their wealth, including rare gear if you can defeat them.
Tails of Iron 2 will be available on PC in 2025, and you can download it on Steam. It’s still unknown if it will be released on other platforms. This game is a must-play for those who enjoy brutal combat and love the first installment.
Mirthwood
Another best indie game from Bad Ridge Games, which you can already play as it was released on November 6. Unlike the other games on our best indie list, Mirthwood offers a more relaxed atmosphere, falling into the life simulator genre. One of the game’s standout features is that the entire fantasy world was hand-drawn. Your main goal is to cultivate your estate and explore mysterious lands. Like other games of this type, tons of side characters will give you various quests.
It’s unknown whether the Best Indie Game will be released on other platforms. This decision will likely be made in a couple of months depending on demand on Steam.
Demon Spore
Here’s another horror game on our list of the best indie games. It’s a top-down shooter in the style of the 80s. Your character is a scientist who dedicated his life to fighting world hunger. Ultimately, he created rapidly growing livestock – even that sounds pretty horrifying. The best indie game developers said they were inspired by projects like Predator and Alien when creating it.
The goal of this best indie game is pretty simple – you need to escape the lab, taken over by wild spores, alive. But it won’t be that easy – the map has 49 rooms, and only one has an elevator behind the door. In some rooms, you’ll find equipment that will help you survive.
Conclusion
This is just a tiny part of the best indie games you can play in the upcoming 2025 year. We recommend watching new releases on Steam and not missing out on the platform’s sales. You can often download interesting indie games for a very low price or even for free.
FAQ
Steam is one of the key platforms where indie developers from all over the world post their games. There are plenty of both paid and free projects here that might grab your attention.
The main difference of the best indie games is that they aren’t made by big gaming companies but rather by individual developers or small teams. Due to a limited budget, these games are often made in 2D, have simple animations, and focus primarily on the story.
Most games are initially released on PC. If the game becomes popular among gamers, it’s often ported to other platforms, including modern consoles like the PS5.
Jessica Evans is a seasoned gaming writer from Seattle with a keen eye for analysis and a knack for clear, engaging content. Skilled in game strategy, web design, and SEO, she delivers practical advice that helps players make informed choices and savor the online gaming experience.
Leave a Reply