Best Indie Games on Epic Games Store

2025 has already proven to be a strong year for indie games, and the Epic Games Store is packed with unique experiences that show just how creative and diverse the scene has become. Here’s a look at the standout indie games that have made an impact in the first half of the year.

So far, 2025 has been a strong year for indie games on the Epic Games Store, with a diverse mix of creative, genre-pushing titles that offer everything from large-scale co-op action to introspective storytelling. As major studios focus on high-budget sequels and service-driven content, indie developers continue to carve out space for bold ideas and distinctive gameplay experiences.

From emotionally charged visual novels to chaotic immersive sims and stylish fantasy adventures, this year’s standout indie releases have shown just how far independent games can go in terms of innovation and storytelling. Here's a closer look at the most notable indie titles to hit the Epic Games Store in the first half of 2025.

Eternal Strands

From a team of former Bioware developers, Eternal Strands dropped in January and made an immediate impression. This third-person action-adventure draws on the legacy of games like Shadow of the Colossus and Breath of the Wild, but it carves out its own identity through physics-driven combat and a flexible elemental system. Whether you're throwing burning branches at enemies or using wind to traverse the world, the game rewards experimentation. It's ambitious and imaginative, and it nails the feeling of controlling power in a reactive, living environment.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector picks up where the acclaimed original left off, once again putting you in the role of a fugitive android in a broken-down sci-fi world. What sets this sequel apart is how it expands its systems without losing the intimate, choice-driven core. Dice rolls return as a way to build tension, while your choices shape the crew you recruit and the outcome of your journey. If you’re into moody cyberpunk aesthetics and character-driven storytelling, this one should already be on your radar.

Promise Mascot Agency

From the creators of Paradise Killer, Promise Mascot Agency is an absurd yet oddly sincere adventure about managing faded mascots in a struggling Japanese town. Whether you're driving a rusted-out truck to your next gig or negotiating with a block of tofu suffering from burnout, the game blends surreal comedy with clever writing. There’s a mystery to unravel and plenty of bizarre moments along the way, but underneath all the chaos, there’s real heart.

Rain World: The Watcher

Rain World: The Watcher expands the already punishing and atmospheric world of Rain World, diving deeper into a haunting dystopia filled with deadly creatures and environmental storytelling. Playing as a lone Slugcat, you’re forced to survive against overwhelming odds, all while piecing together cryptic lore through exploration. It’s visually striking, brutally difficult, and deeply rewarding for players who enjoy piecing together narrative through gameplay.

Cabernet

Cabernet offers a slower, more introspective take on vampire lore. You play as a newly turned vampire navigating a town full of potential prey and moral dilemmas. The game mixes visual novel storytelling with RPG progression, letting you explore the world invisibly, transform into a bat, and soak in references to 19th-century literature. Whether you choose to embrace your monstrous side or try to preserve your humanity, Cabernet encourages you to think before you bite.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blends classic JRPG combat with stylish real-time mechanics, creating a system that feels both familiar and fresh. Set in a bleak Belle Époque-inspired world where an artist erases citizens each year, the game follows a band of fighters on a desperate mission. With gorgeous character design, emotional storytelling, and a combat system that rewards timing and planning, it stands out as one of the year’s most polished indie experiences.

Skin Deep

Few games commit to slapstick chaos as fully as Skin Deep, the latest from Brendan Chung and Blendo Games. You’re barefoot on a spaceship full of pirates, sneezing, slipping, and smashing your way through every encounter. You can throw soap at enemies, trap them with tuna cans, or flush them out an airlock. It’s all tied together with immersive sim mechanics that give you the freedom to solve problems however you want—even if that solution ends with you stepping on glass.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree combines Soulslike design with painterly visuals in a 2.5D format. Players explore the grim world of Faelduum, taking down grotesque enemies and giant bosses using a variety of weapons and abilities. With six classes to choose from, branching skill trees, and multiple endings, it’s a dense and rewarding experience. If you’re into dark fantasy and challenging gameplay, Mandragora is worth a look.

Beholder: Conductor

Beholder: Conductor takes the dystopian surveillance gameplay of the original series and puts it on a moving train. You’re now responsible for keeping order as the train crosses a totalitarian state, deciding who stays, who goes, and who gets reported. The new setting adds tension to each decision, especially when you’re surrounded by corrupt co-workers and unpredictable passengers. It’s a game about control, consequence, and how far you’re willing to go to survive.

The Stone of Madness

Developed by the team behind Blasphemous, The Stone of Madness takes players inside a twisted 18th-century monastery. You control five different characters, each struggling with mental afflictions like paranoia and hallucinations. The goal is to escape, but every action has to be weighed carefully. Sanity is just as important as stealth here, and pushing a character too far can backfire quickly. It’s a layered, cerebral experience with a unique tactical edge.

33 Immortals

33 Immortals cranks up the scale of co-op roguelikes by throwing 33 players into a raid-style battle against divine forces. Inspired by The Divine Comedy, this fast-paced action game asks you to team up with other damned souls to fight your way out of eternal punishment. The hand-drawn visuals and tight combat systems make each run feel epic. It’s chaotic, it’s stylish, and it works shockingly well with such a large player count.

Wanderstop

From the developers of The Stanley Parable, Wanderstop is a business management game that’s more about emotional healing than profit margins. You play as Alta, a former fighter who’s now running a tea shop in a fantastical world. The game asks you to manage crops, decorate your space, and talk to customers—but also to sit, reflect, and process grief. It’s slow and meditative by design, offering a very different kind of challenge than most management sims.

Star Overdrive

Star Overdrive, from Caracal Games, mixes fast-paced racing with real-time combat as you explore the mysterious alien world of Cebete. You ride a hoverboard, pull off tricks, solve puzzles, and fight enemies while hunting for clues about your missing friend. The game’s open-world design encourages exploration, while its tight controls and flashy visuals keep the action moving. It’s a high-energy mix of genres that rarely lets up.

A Packed First Half of 2025 for Indie Fans

From surreal humor and complex morality to large-scale chaos and intimate storytelling, the indie scene on the Epic Games Store has something for everyone in 2025. These games not only stand on their own but also push the boundaries of what smaller studios can deliver. If the rest of the year looks anything like this, 2025 could be a landmark year for indie gaming. Here is the full list of all the indie games mentioned: