The Steam Summer Sale is here and that means one thing: Big Savings. To help you better prepare, we’ve decided to draw together a list featuring some of today’s hidden gems, but also some of today’s heaviest hitters in the indie category. Are you ready to cool off and have some fun that’s not in the sun?
Indie games are hard to find, especially ones that stand out among the crowd. Games like DUSK, AMID EVIL, and even HOTLINE MIAMI are some easy picks, but you know what? We’re going even deeper into the indie library and giving you some of the hottest picks there are. Just remember, you’ll still want that Hawaiian shirt for a few of these games.
So without further ado, let’s get those gamepads, mice, keyboards, and your PCs ready as we’re ready to get your library fluffed with some pretty fun indie titles.
19. HARDCORE MECHA | RocketPunch Games | $19.99 – $16.99
Whether you’re a fan of platforming games and or mecha, RocketPunch Games isn’t holding back from an absolutely powerful title, one that brings some of the best story-telling in the mecha genre to life. Fueled by its Japanese Pop/Rock soundtrack, a fully voiced-over experience, and some of the best graphics of its kind on the market, HARDCORE MECHA is going to be right up your alley as a one-of-a-kind 2D platformer.
If you manage to punch, blast, and shoot your way through all eight chapters, featuring a total of 18 levels, you can also go online with your pals for some online multiplayer fun together. If that’s not enough, we don’t know what is, but HARDCORE MECHA packs a major punch and we hope to see you out there.
18. Stardew Valley | ConcernedApe | $14.99 – $11.99
As with any game of the type, Stardew Valley could have been something simple. A game developed with only its launch and a few minor bugs at the core aspect of pre-launch support. However, for ConcernedApe, that’s not the case. Stardew Valley is a game that has received years of support since its 2016 launch and it’s still getting plenty of it. For fans, it may just seem like a simple farming simulator, but to those who play it, there’s a lot more to it.
It’s a game about routine, about routinely checking up on your farm, the land around you, and those who call it home. That could be the horses, the cattle, or even a number of the animals around. If that’s something you call fun, which we do, you’ll absolutely love Stardew Valley.
17. Seen | Seen Games | $4.99 – $2.99
When it comes to discussing touchy subjects, it seems that depression and sadness are along those lines, but with Seen from Seen Games, that’s not the case. The team has created a beautifully detailed 2D side-scroller that tells the tale of a boy who is stuck in a sad and dark world, one where loneliness could overwhelm those that call it home. In his adventure, you will grab glowing blueish-white orbs, these orbs representing hope, and the goal is to help him obtain as much hope as possible, allowing for his sadness to be overcome.
However, there are obstacles in the way, red orbs that represent his pain, his sadness, and must be avoided at any cost necessary. While the game is in Early Access, it’s already receiving critical updates for Quality of Life and additional content for those that play the title. If there’s any game with an important message on this list, it’s definitely going to be Seen.
16. Slay the Spire | Mega Crit Games | $24.99 – $12.49
When it comes to card games turned roguelike dungeon crawler, there are very few games that have done it well, and kept the game enjoyable without overwhelming those that play it. Among those games comes Slay the Spire, a game that manages to do all of that and some, delivering some of the most enjoyable gameplay mechanics while also keeping players on their toes.
It’s a game that is fun, beautiful, and it still receives quite a few updates from Mega Crit Games post-release. It’s even managed to land on consoles and Nintendo Switch as of recent, which means only one thing: there’s plenty more where this game came from and you’ll definitely be getting a bang for your buck.
15. Deep Sky Derelicts | Snowhound Games | $19.99 – $9.99
One thing I never thought I’d ever get to experience as cohesively designed as I have is the idea of turn-based tactical gameplay, roleplaying, and roguelike mechanics being fused together. That’s where Snowhound Games and their title Deep Sky Derelicts comes into play. Their game is a unique blend of what all three genres have to offer with a deeply unique design that brings dark fantasy and steampunk together in a single go.
The gameplay, albeit challenging, is a welcomed change of pace for the roguelike genre, which comes with its own risk-versus-reward system that fans of Darkest Dungeon and Plague Road might be familiar with. What really brings it home isn’t just the gameplay mechanics themselves, but the beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic to the entire game, coupled together with some rather well-scripted narrative moments.
If that’s something for you, then Deep Sky Derelicts is the game for you and its DLC just adds to the overall experience, expanding up everything you’ve already done, and giving you quite a bit more to enjoy.
14. Sundered: Eldritch Edition | Thunder Lotus Games | $19.99 – $4.99
If there’s any game we’ve failed to actually appraise it for its unique gameplay mechanics, beautiful stylized art, and Metroidvania difficulty, it has to be Sundered. This game is an absolute delight and it sits right at home with the re-emergence of the Metroidvania genre. In it, you take on the role of Eshe who sets out to explore the wild, deadly H.P. Lovecraft inspired world put before her.
As you do, you will overcome unimaginable odds, take on larger-than-life foes, and even come out a hero as you seek to put an end to all things that could seek to destroy humanity.
13. Dead Cells | Motion Twin | $24.99 – $16.74
Have you ever really wanted to put your Metroidvania skills to the test and to see if you REALLY have what it takes to succeed? If so, then Dead Cells is right up your alley. It’s an unforgiving title, one that isn’t afraid to put your face in the mud and stomp on your back while it’s at it. The beautiful return to 16-bit graphics is welcomed, as is the official score for the game, which is catchy on its own.
If you aren’t up for dying, losing all your progress and then starting over, this game isn’t for you, but if you want bragging rights as you show off against your palls, then this is the game for you.
12. Hedon | Zan | $9.99 – $7.99
Now, there are very few games that start out as GZDOOM titles that we’ll ever recommend, mostly for the fact you can usually find them free of charge through various mod sites or even the official mod site itself, but there’s one, in particular, we can’t help but mention: Hedon.
It takes everything we loved about games like Deus Ex, Unreal, and even DOOM, and simply stands out on its own. Let alone does it remind us of those titles and even Arx Fatalis, we can’t help but appreciate the thousands of hours of hand-drawn textures, sprites, frame-by-frame animations, etc, that ZAN put together for this title.
Also, you can’t help but appreciate the fact that Alexander Brandon put his personal tracks in the game, ones that were never released for Unreal or Deus Ex.
11. A Hat in Time |Gears for Breakfast | $29.99 – $14.99
Now, there’s something to be said about Gears for Breakfast and their charming platformer A Hat in Time, which feels like it was pulled directly from the era of PlayStation 2 and Nintendo 64 platforming titles. It’s a game that takes everything those games did back then and makes them even better.
It’s a true third-person platformer where you take control of Hatgirl, a youngster lost in space who has unfortunately been, well, invaded and this invasion of her ship has caused her to crash. In order to fix her ship and fix all that’s wrong with the world, she is taken off the ship onto planets below, attempting to help fix random problems across each of the stages, offering aid to any and all that need it.
What’s amazing about this game? It’s not a super serious game, the story reflects many tales you’d know from your childhood. The controls are simple, it’s easy to play, and at the end of the day, it’s a charming title that even the kids can enjoy if any are about to enjoy the game.
10. Celeste |Matt Makes Games Inc. | $19.99 – $11.99
One of the coolest things about Celeste is that the story itself packs a major emotional punch. We can all relate to it, in short, Madeline is as human as you and I. She faces hardships we all face in our modern day world, things ranging from anxiety attacks to hardships of losing or parting ways with friends.
However, her adventure is unforgettable, and it’s one that doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. It’s beautiful, it’s fun, but most of all, it does offer quite the challenge for those looking to put their platforming skills to the test. We definitely hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
09. Slime Rancer | Monomi Park | $19.99 – $9.99
Now, you might be wondering why a slightly older game, much like a few of the others listed, got a mentioning. The reason behind this is the fact that Slime Rancher isn’t just one of those games that got released and gets an update here or there on Steam, but rather, the fact it’s still getting content drops on a semi-regular basis alongside bug fixes almost on what feels like a monthly routine.
It’s also a game that’s just that good, that well designed, and that sort of fun. While the idea of running around vacuuming up slimes with your super cool gear might sound like an oddball way to have fun, it’s quite a bit of fun, but so is the open world exploration, the ability to see new slimes and explore and brand new ways as you go. For those of you wanting to speed run, you can do that also, and there’s plenty of guides to help you do it in this adorable first-person adventure title.
08. Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition | Moon Studios GmbH | $19.99 – $9.99
Before Moon Studios GmbH was purchased by Microsoft in 2016 as an official Microsoft Studio, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Ori and the Blind Forest was already making massive moves on its very own. It’s a 2D platformer that was capturing our attention of the world through its beautifully detailed world, it’s unspoken narrative, and the details of gameplay it had to offer the moment it made its first appearance.
Since then, Ori and the Blind Forest remains one of the most beloved of its type and it’s a game with an unprecedented amount of detail that many studios trying to create of this magnitude might have some trouble with, but for what it’s worth, it’s a solid title with countless hours of fun to be had.
09. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 | FatShark | $29.99 – $10.19
When it comes to great first-person coop titles FatShark doesn’t disappoint. When it comes to one of the greatest Warhammer Fantasy franchises on the market that brings the settings and enemies to life and delivers upon their DLC promises? FatShark is there to not disappoint, which is why it’s hard not appreciate what they’ve done with both Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide and Warhammer: Vermintide 2 as of recent.
We’ve even reviewed the game, more than once, and gave it the mad props it deserves for delivering solid gameplay elements, steady performance, and countless hours of replayable fun whether it’s on PC or consoles. It’s just a delight.
07. ASTRONEER | System Era Works | $29.99 – $22.49
Now, as odd as it may seem, we do like adventure games, especially ones that focus on cooperative play elements, which includes crafting, world-building, and even harvesting elements that are needed for your adventures. Luckily enough, this game isn’t just one for adults, it’s for everyone, and with how easy it is to learn and play simply by giving it a whirl.
If that’s not enough for you, there’s also some pretty damn funny stuff that happens while you are at it.
06. Deathgarden: BLOODHARVEST |Behaviour Interactive | $14.99 – $10.04
Now, hear me out. I’m not a huge fan of the hunter versus the hunted games at all. I find them, at times, to be rather boring, but that hasn’t been the case with Behaviour Interactives reboot of Deathgarden is better than it was before, bringing every aspect of what we loved about Dead by Daylight to life while also delivering an experience unlike anything we’d seen before.
In first person, the hunter will hunt the Scavengers as they gather blood in order to activate their exit. However, the hunters are skilled, they don’t back down, and each comes with a unique toolset that makes them just as deadly as the other hunters in the game. Adversely, Scavengers are skilled, fast, and they have a wide array of tools that make their odds of survival even better if they work together. While agile, they are weak, and they can easily be removed from the game by a rather skilled Hunter.
Don’t believe us? Check out our preview today.
05. Darkest Dungeon | Red Hook Studios | $24.99 – $7.99
When it comes to grueling difficult games to play, Darkest Dungeon is no exemption. It’s hard, it’s very hard, which makes this game stand out among its peers due to this very reason. It’s a turn-based rogue-like title where every fight has its consequences, each of your characters has their own sanity bars, and the darker the dungeon, the closer to insanity they get.
It’s a game about party management, being aware of your resources that will run rather thin, rather quickly, and the mental status of each of your parties members. Let alone do you have to worry about guiding them through every dungeon, you still have to micromanage your supplies, help them cope with what’s going on between your dungeons, and even purchase supplies you need before heading off to your next adventure. For those of you who can do it, this is one that we can’t recommend enough and truly hope you get a chance.
04. Gris | Nomada Studio | $16.99 – $11.38
When it comes to games that tell a heart-warming story of overcoming unimaginable odds, Gris is one that doesn’t just tell you a story about fantastic enemies and epic battles in the ways you might expect. Rather, it tells the story about a lady overcoming a traumatic event in her life, each level in this platforming title representing the steps that she must take, and ultimately, portraying how she feels.
It’s a game, that in my opinion, has tugged at my heartstrings more than once, and somehow, it has managed to slip under the radar almost completely. Luckily, this is one that’s unforgettable and truly brings forth the ability to tell deep and meaningful stories in an interactive environment.
03. Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP | Capybara, Superbrothers, Jim Guthrie | $7.99 – $1.99
If you know who Capybara is, you might have a good idea about who Super Brothers and Jim Guthrie are as well. When it comes to their game Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery EP, it’s actually almost impossible not to appreciate the kind of game it is. It’s a blend of everything we’ve loved about games for the past 30+ years. It’s an adventure that rewrites how we look at games. It’s a side-scrolling masterpiece that blends the best portions of music, animations, and atmospheric storytelling into one single experience.
Easily put, this is a game that you want to play when you’re relaxed, in the mood for a game that isn’t scared of its pace, and want a great and solid adventure. It’s a game you won’t beat overnight, but it’s one that once you play, you won’t forget it and you’ll have your head spinning by the time the adventure comes to an end. I really suggest you check out the gameplay video by
02. Conarium | Zoetrope Interactive | $19.99 – $5.99
If there’s anything I hate the most in the world, it’s the idea of being deep underwater with no control for what’s going on about me. If there’s anything I hate more about being deep underwater, it’s the idea that we don’t know exactly what’s on the ocean floor or what kind of mysteries we have yet to unravel.
Well, one of those games that has decided to explore that idea is Conarium, a deep-sea title that was truly inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s story, “At the Mountains of Madness” where you will explore surreal themes that will attempt to bend and shape how you perceive the experience put before you. If that’s something you enjoy, you’ll enjoy Conarium just as much as we did in our review for the game a couple of years back.
01. DUSK + AMID EVIL Bundle | Indefatigable, David Szymanski | $40.00 – $27.90
If you’re like me, it’s hard not to appreciate the small things from the 90s. We had great music, amazing snacks, but we also had was even better video games. Out of that era, we got some absolutely fantastic first-person shooters ranging from Wolfenstein 3D to that of titles such as HeXen and Quake.
From the inspiration of those two titles comes two games I’ve found myself having trouble not playing when I get the time to do so. Both are absolutely fantastic masterpieces, each respectively feel as if they were truly drawn from the 90s with inspiration behind things such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre on steroids and a title looking to compete against HeXen and Arx Fatalis in their respective orders.
The best thing about this bundle? You’re getting two for almost the price of one. Not really a bad deal after all, is it? Just remember. You might want to bring your friends for some DUSK World chaos and show them who the boss really is. Plus, who doesn’t want to blow things up with a staff that shots micro-stars from its… Uh… We’ll stop here.
Have an indie game you want to suggest? Let us know in the comments below along with a link to share with our readers.
About the Writers:
Dustin is our native console game reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the borders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPGs, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter or Facebook.
David Murphy is B.A.T.G.R.’s behind the scenes man who helps get things up and going as well as keeping things in order. Don’t be surprised to know that the old man contributes rather heavily to editing, news, and information he digs up so that editorials, as well as articles, are done properly. He also likes Fallout… A lot. We’re not sure he’s not secretly the Vault Boy in disguise.