Indie

Where the Best Ideas in Gaming Come From - The Best Indie Games Across PC, Console and Mobile

Indie games are where gaming's most original ideas live. Without publisher pressure to appeal to the broadest possible audience or franchise obligations to maintain, indie developers build exactly the games they want to build. The result is a category that consistently produces the most creative, surprising, and emotionally resonant experiences in all of gaming.

The commercial case for indie is undeniable. Stardew Valley was built by a single developer and has sold over 30 million copies. Hollow Knight became one of the most beloved games of the decade on a tiny budget. Hades won more Game of the Year awards than almost any AAA game in 2020. Balatro became a cultural moment in 2024. These aren't exceptions - indie games regularly win Game of the Year, top Steam charts, and build passionate communities that dwarf many major releases.

What indie games offer that big budget titles often can't is creative risk. Disco Elysium built an RPG with no combat. Outer Wilds built a mystery game where death is the point. Return of the Obra Dinn built a deduction game with a visual style unlike anything else in gaming. Find the best indie games of 2026 across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile on GAMES.GG.