As 2015 draws to a close and we look back at the year in gaming, we’d be missing out if we didn’t take a moment to review what the growing indie developer community brought us this year. With the indie market delivering a staggering list of titles, developers old and new have created a number of excellent games that we simply wouldn’t have without them. While there’s a ton of quality indie games available, we thought we’d highlight ten of our favorites from the last twelve months, in no particular order.
SOMA
Finding a great all-around horror title in the modern gaming landscape can be tough, it’s no doubt that Amnesia developer Frictional has it down to an art. With the twisted sci-fi setting a deep philosophical story, SOMA is a complete package. Our review pegged it as a Game of the Year contender, so it should serve as no surprise that it comes in early on this list. This is a serious must-play for any fan of the horror genre, and a definite consideration for those who aren’t. SOMA is available for both PC and PS4.
Her Story
When it comes to narrative-driven games, I contend that indie titles are the place to look. A perfect example of this, Her Story borders on the visual novel genre with its presentation. Telling a mystery through recorded police interviews, which players must search up using the in-game database, much of this game’s deep and well-threaded plot can be missed on a single play. Still, the sheer amount of fully-acted scenes and the finely-tuned plot that binds them all together makes Her Story a riveting and remarkably engaging game. For a better understanding of the game’s depth, check out our review.
Broforce
So, maybe this game is a little excessive. Maybe it’s a bit over-the-top. Maybe, just maybe, we all like to go hog-wild with a tongue-in-cheek cast of all-star heroes from a surprisingly diverse mix of movies, games, and other media. Easily one of the most entertaining and ridiculous pick-up-and-play titles this year, Broforce is the epitome of testosterone-fueled American machismo made pixelated flesh, and it’s more fun than a barrel of bald eagles. We reviewed it here, and this one’s definitely worth a look for anyone with an appreciation for 1980’s action flicks, overdrawn American patriotism, and freedom.
Rocket League
To say that this wild vehicle-based sports game took the world by surprise is underselling it. Boosted by inclusion as a free pickup for PS+ users, Rocket League stormed onto the scene with it’s blazing-fast arcade style play and brilliant competitiveness. With a steady stream of DLC, this extremely addictive and easy to play (but tough to master) soccer blitz keeps on getting better. Pick it up on Steam or PS4 — you deserve it. You’ve been good this year.
MASSIVE CHALICE
It’s tough to put together any list of indie games recently without Double Fine Productions showing up somewhere. Putting together some elements of kingdom-building and heroic legacies, this tactical RPG shines in several ways, as outlined by our review. With healthy doses of irreverent humor, plenty of strategies to test out, and solid all-around aesthetic, MASSIVE CHALICE is a delight to play and finds its way into this list with grace and ease.
Evoland 2
Somehow, it seems that Evoland 2 flew under pretty much every radar out there. Despite the lack of critical acclaim, it’s another that was named as a potential Game of the Year contender in our review. Feeling much like a spiritual successor to the highly-regarded Chrono Trigger, this broad-reaching title blends together a mix of different genres while staying true to its action-RPG roots. While it may be the dark horse of this list, it’s one that certainly merits inclusion for its compelling story and overall solid production.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Possibly the most visually-stunning of this collection, Ori and the Blind Forest won over the crowds with its gorgeous art, emotional story, and phenomenal gameplay. Finding an all-around package as radiant as Ori is rare, making this diamond in the rough a required mention on the list. You can see our review for more in-depth coverage, but rest assured that the surprisingly deep gameplay is a transcendent example of what action-platformer games can be. If you missed this one, you owe it to yourself to fix that as soon as possible.
Undertale
While this one has been included in a few other lists praising the games of 2015, it would be remiss of us not to include it here. The endearing gameplay and wholly unique approach to combat alone are enough to merit a mention, but round that out with great design, a heartwarming story, and a phenomenal soundtrack, and you’ve got the makings of a truly remarkable experience. Widely regarded as a must-buy despite the late-year release, we heartily suggest that you pick it up, and the low $9.99 price makes it easily accessible.
Armello
The digital board game genre is an interesting one. Blurring the lines between old-school tabletop gaming and modern media, it can be tough to pull off. Even so, we thoroughly enjoyed playing Armello for our review. With great art that really brought forth both sides of its heritage, this whimsical and strategy-heavy game created an interesting world, and allows players to approach it in a number of ways. While the genre may not be the best fit for everyone, Armello is still worth a shot as it stands above the others.
There Came an Echo
Coming early in the year, Iridium Studios’ There Came an Echo is an interesting and innovative real-time strategy title with a cool gimmick. Optimally (but not exclusively) controlled by the player’s voice, this squad-based, short sci-fi tale features some notable voices to accompany your own, including Ashley Burch and Wil Wheaton. While not as highly-regarded as some of the other titles we’ve looked at, the cool voice-operated command system and gameplay offer something you won’t find elsewhere, and deliver on the concept pretty well.
So, there you have it — Twinfinite’s top ten indie games for 2015. Are there any of your favorite hidden gems that you feel we left out? Let us know in the comments below!
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