Now that the PlayStation 5 is a thing, it’s a great time to start snapping up some of the best PS4 games, many of which are made by independent developers. Although there are still a few titles missing, pretty much all of the best indie games are on the PS4.
The lines of what is and isn’t an indie game seem to have blurred, but typically, we identify them as games that aren’t financially backed by a large publisher. These games are often smaller in scope but excel at having innovative ideas.
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Because there are so many indie games, sifting through all of them can be tough. We’ve done the hard work for you, compiling a list of the best indie game on PS4. Keep in mind, all of these are playable as a PS5 game, thanks to backward compatibility. From top-down action games like Enter the Gungeon to terrifying puzzlers like Inside, there’s a little something for everyone, so let’s jump right in.
What Remains of Edith Finch
84%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Giant Sparrow
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
April 25, 2017
Few adventure games stick the landing the way What Remains of Edith Finch does. This game throws a flurry of new mechanics and ideas at you constantly while pushing boundaries with its subject matter. What Remains of Edith Finch is about death, as the main character Edith tries to uncover the secrets of her family’s curse. It’s an intriguing premise that is executed surprisingly well thanks to clever writing, excellent performances, beautiful art, and pacing. This is a game you can beat in one sitting, making it easy to recommend, even to those who don’t typically play video games often.
Hades
93%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Supergiant Games
Publisher
Supergiant Games
Release
September 17, 2020
Hades is fantastic because it makes the roguelike genre much more approachable. In most roguelikes, you restart at the beginning of the game if you die, and while that mechanic is present in Hades, there are significant changes that take place at the start of each run. Characters have new dialogue options and quests depending on what happened during the previous run, giving you incentives to come back to the hub area. Beyond that, the action combat is well done, offering plenty of experimentation with different builds and weapons. You can choose to dish out pure melee damage or attack from afar, with lots of strategies in between. Full stop, Hades may very well be the best roguelike ever made.
Outlast
77%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Adventure, Indie
Developer
Red Barrels
Publisher
Red Barrels
Release
September 04, 2013
The horror genre has gone through a resurgence in recent years, and it owes a lot to Outlast, a PS4 game that was available through PS Plus in 2014. The game sends players to a seemingly abandoned hospital to investigate inhumane experiments taking place. Part of the reason it’s so scary is that it messes with your vision, forcing you to venture into dark areas with nothing more than a night vision camera (which can run out of battery quickly). You can’t attack in Outlast, meaning all you can do is run and hide while enemies stalk you. Outlast is certainly not for everyone, but horror fans will likely appreciate how gruesome it is.
Dead Cells
84%
4/5
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Motion Twin, Evil Empire
Publisher
Motion Twin
Release
August 06, 2018
Dead Cells combines the trappings of Metroidvanias with a rogue-like progression system. Playing as the Prisoner, a humanoid composed of dead cells (get it?), you make your way through a series of increasingly challenging dungeons. Although you can purchase permanent upgrades at the end of each section, when you die, you start back at the beginning. Much of Dead Cells, like most rogue-likes, revolves around trial and error. Since Dead Cells has such satisfying combat and a detailed, interesting world to explore, starting back at the beginning upon each death rarely feels like a chore. If you’re a fan of Metroidvanias and aren’t afraid of an uphill battle, Dead Cells is one of the best indie games on PS4 in both genres.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
83%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Asobo Studio
Publisher
Focus Home Interactive
Release
May 14, 2019
Set in 14th-century France, A Plague Tale: Innocence gets its power from its well-designed atmosphere. You play as Amicia, a young woman who guides her younger brother Hugo across rural France to look for a cure for his mysterious ailments. A Plague Tale is ostensibly a stealth game, with most of your movement revolving around sneaking past Inquisition soldiers who are searching for the siblings. The puzzles are largely designed around plague-ridden rats, thousands of them. They will eat Amicia and Hugo alive if you don’t stay in the light. A Plague Tale‘s uncertainty and the historical backdrop make for a compelling adventure. The relationship between Amicia and Hugo is what shines the brightest, though. A sequel titled A Plague Tale: Requiem is also in development.
Enter the Gungeon
77%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Dodge Roll
Publisher
Devolver Digital
Release
April 05, 2016
Enter the Gungeon has the fast play of a bullet hell shooter sandwiched inside a rogue-like progression system. Created by Dodge Roll and published by Devolver Digital, Enter the Gungeon is one of the best in the crowded genre. Instead of revamping everything when you die, though, all of the rooms remain intact, but the items, enemies, and coordinates of each room changes through random generation. Its top-down, pixelated aesthetic makes it feel as if you’re playing a retro game. But its mechanics, lore, and subtle depth make it feel decidedly modern the further and further you dive into its dungeons.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
86%
3.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Ninja Theory
Publisher
Ninja Theory
Release
August 08, 2017
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has the lavish look of a big-budget game, but Ninja Theory’s dark and stirring game about one woman’s descent into madness is, in fact, an indie game. Senua wades into the underbelly of a hellish landscape inspired by Norse mythology to retrieve the soul of her dead partner. The game uses an effective and disturbing whisper system to repeatedly mess with Senua’s head. Melina Juergens’ portrayal of Senua is superb throughout, as she accurately demonstrates what it’s like to lose control of one’s faculties. The understated but great swordplay keeps Hellblade in the action game genre, but ultimately it succeeds for its novel approach to storytelling. You can also look forward to its sequel, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, though that game will be exclusive to Xbox and PC.
Hyper Light Drifter
83%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Heart Machine
Publisher
Heart Machine
Release
March 31, 2016
Hyper Light Drifter is a gorgeous top-down action game with a very distinct graphical style and even better combat. You explore a world in shambles, armed with a sword and a gun to slay enemy after enemy. Make no mistake, Hyper Light Drifter is one of the most challenging games on this list. It takes trial and error and fast fingers to make it through the dreary world filled with vicious enemies. The moving, somber soundtrack and wonderfully detailed environments will keep you playing as you learn new tricks and make progress.
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
79%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Indie
Developer
Dennaton Games
Publisher
Devolver Digital, Spike ChunSoft
Release
March 10, 2015
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, the sequel to the standout top-down shooter, ups the ante. Serving as both a sequel and a prequel, Hotline Miami 2 retains the pixelated visuals and fast-paced action of the original but expands on it in new and exciting ways. Instead of playing as just two characters, you can experience the story from thirteen unique perspectives. All playable characters have different abilities, and each character adds to the story of a world reduced to anarchy. While already difficult out of the gate, you can also play hard mode. And when you’re finished, you can use an intuitive level editor to create your environments and stories to play.
Mark of the Ninja Remastered
96%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Tactical, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Klei Entertainment
Publisher
Klei Entertainment
Release
October 09, 2018
If you let Mark of the Ninja sneak past you in 2012, you can be forgiven by playing the remastered version on PS4 today. Starring a nameless ninja, this action-stealth game made us rethink what was possible in 2D. Rather than being able to see all enemies on screen, if the ninja’s eyesight is blocked, you can’t see them lurking either. Mark of the Ninja emphasizes both sight and sound across its cleverly designed environments. The remastered version adds a fresh coat of paint to the stylish experience. If you’re a fan of action, stealth, or even platformers, Mark of the Ninja: Remastered should enthrall you.
GRIS
81%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Nomada Studio
Publisher
Devolver Digital
Release
December 13, 2018
One of the most gorgeous platforming games we’ve ever seen — on PlayStation 4 or otherwise — Gris isn’t a typical puzzle-platformer in that its challenge is a relatively minor component. You will explore a colorful world complemented by atmospheric music, and the story is told with almost no text so you can experience the game regardless of reading level or language barrier. For those in your life who don’t typically play games because they’re worried about being able to actually get through them, Gris is a great option, and its arrival on PlayStation 4 just means that even more players can experience it.
Spelunky
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Mossmouth, BlitWorks
Publisher
Microsoft Studios, Mossmouth
Release
July 04, 2012
Derek Yu’s Spelunky started as an open-source game in 2008 before gaining traction and eventually launching on Xbox Live Arcade and PC in 2012. Available on PS4 since 2014, Spelunky is one of the early examples of the rogue-like platforming phenomenon. You play as a nameless explorer known as a spelunker. The goal is straightforward: Make your way through 16 levels across four diverse worlds. You have limited health and only one life, though. Once you die, you lose all progress, including gold and items. What makes Spelunky so great is its random generation and environmental interactions. Each time you play, the level layout changes, and it’s not uncommon to die from a completely different chain of events than you’ve ever died from before. Spelunky has great controls, a bevy of secrets, and an excellent soundtrack to boot. If you’re not afraid of the challenge, Spelunky is a gripping and satisfying platformer that rewards those who stick around to uncover its nuances and secrets.
Celeste
88%
5/5
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Extremely OK Games
Publisher
Extremely OK Games
Release
January 25, 2018
Celeste does two things incredibly well. First, it’s an excellent precision platformer in the vein of Super Meat Boy. Second, and more importantly, it’s one of the rare games that tell an authentic tale of mental illness. You play as Madeline, a down on her luck young woman who decides to scale Celeste Mountain, a mythical challenge that is said to help show people who reach the top their true identity. Along the way, Madeline grapples with her self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. The dialogue is poignant, the characters you meet are memorable, and the platforming, which involves precise jumps and sequences, is expertly designed. The retro-pixelated aesthetic feels right at home here. Thankfully, you can still reach the end of Celeste‘s brilliant story even if you aren’t up for the tough-as-nails platforming sections. An excellent assist mode lets you modify the gameplay all the way up to the degree of being invincible.
A Hat in Time
84%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Gears for Breakfast
Publisher
Gears for Breakfast, Humble Bundle, Humble Games
Release
October 05, 2017
A Hat in Time is a throwback 3D platformer in the vein of Super Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie, and Spyro. You play as a young alien girl dubbed Hat Kid. All she wants to do is get on her spaceship and head home. Of course, it’s not so easy. To achieve her goal, she must make her way through four wide-open levels containing puzzles, enemies, and items that can be exchanged for new hats. Since she’s Hat Girl, each hat comes with new abilities. A Hat in Time‘s most recent update introduced local and online co-op for two players. For anyone looking for an old-school 3D platformer, A Hat in Time fares better than most other attempts. It’s charming, cute, and oodles of fun to play.
Owlboy
81%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
D-Pad Studio
Publisher
SOEDESCO Publishing, D-Pad Studio
Release
November 01, 2016
From D-Pad Studio, Owlboy is one of the most charming and engaging 2D platformers around. You play as a human-owl hybrid named Otus. When Otus’ town is attacked by pirates, he is forced to take action. Impressively, as you make progress, you’ll begin to notice that Owlboy‘s world is far larger than expected. It’s a cross between a Metroidvania and a 16-bit platformer, excelling in both genres at play. Owlboy oozes personality, featuring clever puzzles, witty companions, and an art style brimming with detail. It’s a beautiful experience through and through and incredibly fun to play to boot.
Moss
81%
4.5/5
Platforms
Windows Mixed Reality, SteamVR, PlayStation VR, Meta Quest, Meta Rift
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Polyarc Games
Publisher
Polyarc Games
Release
February 27, 2018
The only PSVR game on this list, Moss is one of the most inventive platformers we’ve played in recent years. You play as a tiny mouse named Quill, who is chosen for a grand adventure to save the kingdom. Moss takes full advantage of the PSVR technology by presenting a dual control scheme. Quill is controlled with the joysticks, but the motion controls can be used to interact with the environment. Since Quill is aware of your presence in the story, she will often look up at you and thank you for helping her complete tasks. As the game progresses through deftly realized forest environments, the puzzles and enemy encounters require consistent teamwork between you and Quill. This is when Moss is at its best when the promise of VR is shown off to such a high degree. Charming and a ton of fun to play, the only downside of Moss is that you can finish it in a handful of hours.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
85%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Mac, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Yacht Club Games
Publisher
Yacht Club Games, Nintendo
Release
December 09, 2019
Yacht Club Games’ Shovel Knight artfully captures nostalgia while writing its own history. Originally released in 2014 after a successful crowdfunding campaign, Shovel Knight looked like an homage to 16-bit era SNES platformers. And it was, but it also had fluid gameplay mechanics that were far more modern. Featuring simply gorgeous level design, excellent platforming, and a collection of amazing boss battles, playing as a small knight with a shovel as a sword is a rocking good time. Even better, Shovel Knight is the gift that keeps on giving. Since launch, Yacht Club has dropped multiple new free campaigns, along with the final expansion, King of Cards in 2019.
Guacamelee! 2
81%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Drinkbox Studios
Publisher
Drinkbox Studios
Release
August 21, 2018
Guacamelee! was already a great Metroidvania, but Drinkbox Studios completely surpassed it with the sequel. Once again you play as Juan Aguacate, a luchador with a unique ability to turn into a chicken. Guacamelee! 2 features a much more spacious map to explore, more abilities, and an inspiring story. The combat is fluid, the map is loaded with secrets, and the platforming is challenging but expertly designed. It’s also one of the rare Metroidvanias that can be played cooperatively with up to four players. We recommend playing the original first, but both are well worth your time.
SteamWorld Dig 2
83%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Image & Form
Publisher
Image & Form
Release
September 21, 2017
SteamWorld Dig 2 offers the same steampunk and Western themes of the original while refining the gameplay and exploration in welcome ways. This time around, you play as Dorothy, a heroine who also wields a pickaxe to chip away at rocks and dig deeper into the earth below. Unlike the original, SteamWorld Dig 2 has a fixed level design. The change makes for better platforming sections, more diverse environments, and generally better gameplay. With a greater emphasis on puzzles and a neat RPG loop, SteamWorld Dig 2 feels more like a Metroidvania — and a mighty good one at that.
The Messenger
81%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Sabotage
Publisher
Devolver Digital
Release
August 30, 2018
The Messenger is a throwback to old-school Ninja Gaiden games, putting you in the shoes of an agile ninja tasked with saving the world. It starts as an 8-bit sidescroller, where you follow linear levels until a boss battle at the end. About halfway through the game, though, things change. You travel forward in time to the 16-bit era, which opens up new paths in the levels you’ve already explored. The Messenger shifts from being a tight, entertaining platformer into a full Metroidvania, allowing you to easily transition between eras to uncover secrets and unlock new parts of each level.
Rogue Legacy
77%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Abstraction Games, Cellar Door Games
Publisher
Cellar Door Games
Release
June 27, 2013
Roguelikes might not be for everyone, but one that certainly captured the attention of many was Rogue Legacy. This game combines 2D Metroidvania elements with roguelike mechanics in such a smart way, with an underlying humorous tone. One thing roguelikes receive criticism for is not allowing players to carry over enough progress between runs — something that Rogue Legacy mitigates thanks to its smart design. While you don’t get to bring everything over to the next run, enough of your progress does carry over, giving you a reason to keep playing. Aside from all that, this game is flat-out funny. Its art is silly and some of the attributes your character gains at the start of a run are so wacky, it’s hard not to smile. This game rules.
Cuphead
86%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Studio MDHR
Publisher
Studio MDHR
Release
September 29, 2017
Finally — after what felt like an eternity — Cuphead has made its way to PS4. Surely, you’ve seen Cuphead and admired its gorgeous 2D 1930s cartoon aesthetics — but the real kicker is in its challenging gameplay. It’s tough as nails and makes you learn from your mistakes, but never feels unfair. That’s the key with difficult games. Everything feels purposeful, from its level and boss design to the way it introduces new mechanics and abilities. Cuphead doesn’t just look the part, it plays wonderfully, too. Studio MDHR will forever be known as the developer that worked tremendously hard to bring together one of the best-looking games of all time. This will hopefully hold us over until the game’s long-awaited DLC, The Delicious Last Course, arrives in the summer of 2022.
Donut County
70%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Ben Esposito
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
August 28, 2018
After years of waiting, Ben Esposito’s Donut County finally launched in July. It was more than worth the wait. A physics puzzle game, Donut County‘s premise and execution are novelly simple: Swallow objects into a hole to make the hole larger to swallow bigger objects. It has drawn worthy comparisons to Katamari Damacy. The residents of Donut County find themselves below ground, and to determine how they all got there, they each tell their own story, which always involves dragging a hole around the cartoon environments to send more objects below. It has genuinely funny dialogue and surprisingly deep undertones about social issues. Most of all, though, Donut County provides a couple of hours of pure, relaxing gameplay.
The Witness
83%
4.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Thekla, Inc
Publisher
Thekla, Inc
Release
January 26, 2016
The Witness, to put it simply, is one of the greatest puzzle games of all time. That’s even more impressive when you realize the entirety of the game is a colorful open-world island filled with line puzzles. There’s also a lot of weird symbolism going on here, which isn’t all too surprising considering The Witness was made by Braid creator Jonathan Blow. The line puzzles start off simple and gradually impart wisdom that you’ll need for future puzzles. Some puzzles even use the world around you to provide solutions. From unveiling patterns in the trees to listening closely to the sound of birds chirping, The Witness will test your wit and fortitude. It’s one of only a handful of puzzle games that compels you to work out solutions on paper when you’re stumped. The Witness is a truly mesmerizing experience that should not be missed by fans of puzzle games.
INSIDE
87%
4.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Playdead
Publisher
Playdead
Release
June 29, 2016
Just like Playdead’s breakout hit Limbo, Inside is a mysterious, wordless tale set in a dark world starring a young boy. A minimalistic color palette and sound design add to the stripped-down nature and increase the suspense throughout. Inside gets straight into the action. There’s no filler here. Every puzzle you solve teaches you something about future puzzles and the world around you. While we can’t say much about the story without ruining it, by the time you reach the chilling conclusion, you’ll realize how absolutely brilliant Inside‘s storytelling and interactive mechanics truly are. It’s a profound, atmospheric experience that surpasses Limbo in every way.
Return of the Obra Dinn
90%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Lucas Pope, 3909
Publisher
Lucas Pope, 3909
Release
October 18, 2018
Return of the Obra Dinn comes from Papers, Please developer Lucas Pope, an auteur of sorts in the world of indie games, known for incredible attention to detail and excellent writing. In his sophomore release, you play as an insurance adjuster for the East India Company. In 1802, the Obra Dinn, a ship carrying over 200 tons of goods, left port for a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope. The journey was supposed to take six months, but when the ship never arrived, she was declared lost at sea. Five years later, the Obra Dinn drifts into port, with severe damage and no crew left alive. As an insurance adjuster, your job is to board the ship and assess the damages. What results, though, is a twisted tale of murder and deceit, as you uncover how each crew member passed. Engrossing from start to finish, Return of the Obra Dinn is a must-play.
Pyre
82%
4.5/5
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Visual Novel
Developer
Supergiant Games
Publisher
Supergiant Games
Release
July 25, 2017
From the team behind Bastion and Transistor, Pyre was one of 2017’s best indie games. You play as the Reader, a mysterious individual banished from society to live in a sort of purgatory with other interesting outcasts. To return to society, you must compete in the Rites, a basketball-esque 3v3 game in which you work as a team in real time to extinguish your opponent’s Pyre. Each character has a different moveset, turning the game into an action-roleplaying game. In between battles, you travel across the wondrously illustrated world, which simply brims with personality. Pyre is also an excellent visual novel, as much of the time is spent conversing with companions and fellow travelers on the road. There’s nothing quite like Pyre, one of the truly unique indie games on the market.
Salt and Sanctuary
82%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Ska Studios
Publisher
Ska Studios
Release
March 15, 2016
It’s become a joke to compare everything to Dark Souls, but there’s no other way to describe Salt and Sanctuary. However, this game is presented in 2D instead of 3D — though that doesn’t mean it’s any easier than the games that inspired it. Salt and Sanctuary has everything from its own version of Souls — presented as salt — shortcuts, bosses, various upgrades, classes, and an equally terrifying tone. It’s beautiful and impressive on its own, but even more astounding is that its developer, Ska Studios, consists of only two people. If you’re looking for a deep, dark, and difficult 2D action-platformer RPG, look no further than Salt and Sanctuary.
Mortal Shell
77%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Indie
Developer
Cold Symmetry
Publisher
PlayStack Ltd
Release
August 18, 2020
Though it might not look like it, Mortal Shell is not a AAA game from a big-budget studio. That’s a massive compliment to developer Cold Symmetry — a team that masterfully recaptured the essence of what makes the Souls series so appealing. Despite being heavily inspired by Dark Souls, Mortal Shell does enough differently to stand on its own and, in some ways, surpasses FromSoftware’s beloved series. In Mortal Shell, you are a faceless character who gains access to a variety of Shells that serve as suits of armor — each with their own abilities and traits. These Shells make a huge difference during combat — as they can be used to block your enemy’s attacks and, depending on which one you have equipped, can speed up or slow you down. The world is absolutely haunting, as are its inhabitants. But overall, it’s a much more accessible game than what you might expect. It’s still difficult, but thanks to the many options it gives you and its shorter runtime, those afraid of the Souls games should give this one a shot.
Moonlighter
69%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Digital Sun Games
Publisher
11 bit studios
Release
May 29, 2018
Moonlighter is multiple games in one. First, it’s excellent inventory management and town simulator. Second, it’s a wonderful rogue-like in the same vein as The Binding of Isaac. You play as a Shopkeeper who sells his wares to the townsfolk each day. You choose the prices of your items and then use the money you earn to upgrade your shop and town. To keep your shop stocked, you have to go into the randomly generated dungeons at night to collect items from enemies and treasure chests. It’s an enticing loop that works surprisingly well. Moonlighter has both great action and some of the best town simulation mechanics we’ve seen in a game of its kind. Even if you don’t like inventory management games, there’s a good chance Moonlighter will win you over.
The Swords of Ditto: Mormo's Curse
70%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Arcade
Developer
onebitbeyond
Publisher
Devolver Digital
Release
April 24, 2019
A top-down action RPG in the vein of The Legend of Zelda, The Swords of Ditto wouldn’t be on this list if it weren’t for the post-launch updates made by developer Onebitbeyond. The most recent (free!) update, Mormo’s Curse, completely restructured the experience, removing permadeath to make progression feel much fairer. The adorable art style, interesting dungeons, and charming storytelling made The Swords of Ditto a worthwhile play at launch last year, but the new changes make it an absolutely wonderful experience for fans interested in old-school The Legend of Zelda-esque experiences.
Undertale
88%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Turn-based strategy (TBS), Adventure, Indie
Developer
tobyfox
Publisher
tobyfox, 8-4
Release
September 15, 2015
In Undertale, you play as a nameless child in an underground land filled with various monsters. It’s a retro JRPG in style, but Undertale becomes so much more than that as you make your way through its beautiful, hilarious, and heartbreaking story. You’ll quickly realize that the combat isn’t where Undertale is supposed to excel. It’s merely there as a device, just like the minimalistic visuals. Undertale will stick with you because of the stories its characters tell you and for the decisions you make. Out of all of the games on this list, Undertale might be the one to make you see the world around you differently.
Stardew Valley
87%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Indie
Developer
ConcernedApe
Publisher
ConcernedApe, Chucklefish Games
Release
February 26, 2016
Stardew Valley, created by lone developer Eric Barone, quickly became a runaway hit when it launched in 2016. Designed as a spiritual successor to Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley takes place in an idyllic town filled with interesting citizens. Your job is to live the small town life, filling your days with farming, exploration, and small talk. With a great relationship system, beautiful 16-bit visuals, tantalizing daily loop, and multiplayer, it’s quite easy to start viewing Pelican Town as your actual home. Stardew Valley is the sort of game you’ll unwittingly dump 100 hours into, but you won’t regret any of your time spent living the farming life.
Don't Starve: Console Edition
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Klei Entertainment
Publisher
Klei Entertainment
Release
January 07, 2014
You’ll likely be attracted to Don’t Starve thanks to its whimsical Tim Burton-esque art direction, and you’ll probably stick around because of its tremendously satisfying gameplay loop. Like Minecraft, Don’t Starve throws you into a large procedurally generated world full of creatures and creepy things that are out to get you. As the name suggests, your job is to survive, and you’ll need to find food, develop your camp, and stay sane throughout each season. Since its release, it has received a wealth of content, as well as a multiplayer mode, so there’s no shortage of things to do. It hits differently than many survival games, partially due to its unique style.
Rocket League
83%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport, Indie
Developer
Psyonix
Publisher
Psyonix
Release
July 07, 2015
Rocket League combines soccer and racing to achieve stupendously ridiculous levels of fun. Each player drives around a large soccer field in a vehicle chasing after a ball to knock into the opposing team’s net. It’s a surprisingly enthralling experience that continues to delight three years after its launch. If you haven’t tried Rocket League and are fans of sports and arcade racers, Rocket League is sure to entertain. And even if you don’t like soccer or car games, there’s still a good chance you’ll like Rocket League. That’s how dang fun it is to play. It has since become free-to-play, making it even easier to dive into.
Journey
86%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, iOS, PlayStation 4
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
ThatGameCompany
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI), Annapurna Interactive
Release
March 13, 2012
It’d be irresponsible to create a PS4 indies list without including Journey, ThatGameCompany’s third and best game that is commonly regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. In Journey, you play as a nameless robed figure. Dropped in a large desert, you must follow visual clues to make progress. There are no words in Journey, nor is there any real gameplay besides moving and jumping. The world is beautifully rendered and the understated narrative is something that everyone should experience. It only lasts a couple of hours, though it’s a breathtaking couple of hours. There’s a reason why it was considered one of the best games of 2012.
Gone Home: Console Edition
60%
5/5
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Adventure, Indie
Developer
Fullbright
Release
January 13, 2016
Gone Home tells one of the most stirring and provocative stories we’ve experienced in games. Set in 1995, you play as a 21-year-old woman who comes home to Oregon, expecting to reunite with her family. Instead, she arrives at an empty home. A first-person walking simulator, you gradually learn what has happened in your absence by exploring the house, reading notes, and examining items. What’s most remarkable about Gone Home is that although it tells a full story, it’s non-linear, as you discover clues in whichever order you please. It’s a truly moving story about sexuality, family secrets, and love.
Night in the Woods
81%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Infinite Fall
Publisher
Finji
Release
February 21, 2017
Night in the Woods is a biting, hilarious, and ultimately moving story told by anthropomorphic animals. You play as Mae, a cat and recent college dropout who heads home to Possum Springs. Her new perspective allows her to see what she previously couldn’t in the town. Slowly but surely, Mae uncovers the town’s dark past and secrets. Set up as a pretty sidescroller, Night in the Woods plays out like a visual novel. Despite how kitschy the anthropomorphic animal angle sounds, this game is impressive. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it might even cause you to laugh and cry at the same time. With excellent writing and a cast of memorable characters, Night in the Woods is an absolute can’t-miss gem for those looking for a good yarn.
Outer Wilds
92%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Mobius Digital
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
May 28, 2019
We need you to trust us on this one: Outer Wilds, not The Outer Worlds, is a game you need to experience blind. There’s something about starting the game not knowing anything about what you’ll get into that adds to the anticipation. Even on a strictly fundamental level, knowing what the game is will spoil your playing experience, so we’ll be careful to avoid spoilers. In essence, you’re a character set in a 22-minute loop of time. After 22 minutes, the sun explodes into a supernova, taking any nearby terrestrial planets with it. You are a space explorer, and it’s your job to find out why the sun is exploding. Outer Wilds certainly isn’t the first exploration game with minimal hand-holding. Since the sun explodes every 22 minutes, you have to race against time to solve the puzzles. As you explore, you’ll uncover countless secrets – and we’re not revealing them here. You can relish in Outer Wilds and dozens of other indie games courtesy of the popularity of PS4 and the accompanying visual effects and outstanding clarity. Since all of the major titles are compatible with PlayStation 4, you’ll have access to the games that make people rave. And, since indie developers also format their games for this platform, you’ll also be able to explore games outside of your genre comfort zone.
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition
33%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Point-and-click, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Cardboard Computer
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
January 27, 2020
If you’re into narrative and storytelling in video games, you should try Kentucky Route Zero, a point-and-click adventure. This game is divided into five acts that were released over the course of its development. The first part launched in 2013 and didn’t wrap up until 2020. Though, many fans argue the wait was worth it, as Kentucky Route Zero is often regarded as one of the best indies of the past decade. In it, you control the main character by interacting with objects and selecting from a list of dialogue options. Since most of the focus is on narrative, you won’t get action-packed gameplay here, but rather a gripping story that tends to get its hooks in you early on. The story follows Conway, a truck driver on his way to Kentucky to deliver antiques for the company he works for. Along the way, Conway gets lost and comes across many interesting characters. We’ll leave it at that because we don’t want to spoil anything.
