Summary
Indie video games have become all the rage, allowing fledgling developers with limited resources to show off creative titles that fans will love for their novelty. Some of the best indie games feature state-of-the-art gameplay that has even influenced games in the AAA sphere.
Sometimes,certain indie gamesare such a joy to play through that they spawn some beloved franchises in gaming. Regardless of how popular these franchises can be, fans will have a great time experiencing these series' brilliant stories and gameplay loops.
Franchises will be ranked based on their overall quality and popularity.
Before Yahtzee became famous for his work onZero PunctuationandFully Ramblomatic, he developed his fair share of video games that fans loved. This includes theChzo Mythosseries, which features four of the best horror adventure games that deserve more attention.
From Trilby’s adventures to the satanic rituals in these titles, it’s easy to see why fans ofChzo Mythosfondly look back on this indie series. All four games can be downloaded for free, letting players enjoy classic point-and-click gameplay as they solve puzzles and escape horrifying monsters.
A series known for its horror and gore,the first game in theOutlastserieswent viral for its immersive gameplay and shocking moments. Players did everything in their power to outrun the many gruesome enemies gunning for them as they tried to escape nightmarish institutions every single time.
Every game in theOutlastfranchise is full of bloody and uncomfortable moments that some people may not be able to sit through. However, players who know what they’re in for will love the delectable horror present in this series.
While some people may not appreciate how phoned in some oftheFive Nights at Freddy’sgamesare, there’s no denying that the franchise itself is detailed and handled with a ton of care. Players love being invested in the lore of the series and its many animatronics that haunt players every step of the way.
The original games involved players tracking the haunted animatronics trying to hunt them down at night, while later titles featured the classic horror gameplay of solving puzzles while outrunning monsters. Players who want to understand why fans loveFive Nights at Freddy’shas such a dedicated fanbase should give these games a shot.
5Class Of ‘09
Hilarious Visual Novels With Surprisingly Deep Themes
It’s a shame thatThe Flip Sidefailed to live up to the quality of the past two games, butClass of ‘09is worth checking out for fans of unique visual novels. It tries to flip the script in the genre by letting players control edgy teenage girls who toy around with men and perform some heinous actions in the process.
The writing is hilarious, and surprisingly poignant when it needs to be. Players who want to enjoy simple visual novels that don’t overstay their welcome and let players uncover several endings will love what every game in theClass of ‘09trilogy brings to the table.
Players who want to enjoya stellar hand-drawn art stylealong with some engaging tactical combat will love whatThe Banner Sagabrings to the table. Each battle is spread out withOregon Trail-esque sequences as the caravan moves from one spot to the other and finds more enemies to take out in combat.
The story is as epic as they come, and the later titles are worth sticking with if players resonate with the first game’s strengths. This indie trilogy is a blast to play through and one of the most beautiful games players can check out.
The Dark Descentbecame viral for its focus on first-person immersive horror, capitalizing on the popularity of Let’s Plays at the time to attract more fans than ever before. Players loved the fun storytelling and effective horror of these games, which have aged like a fine wine.
Every game in theAmnesiaseries is worth checking out.The Bunkerutilizes a unique save system to terrify players who will do everything possible in their power to avoid the Beast and reach a Safe Room after a lengthy bit of exploration. It’s a great example of how theAmnesiaseries has evolved and continues to be one of the best horror games fans can check out.
Lisa: The Painfulintroduced playersto a post-apocalyptic world where all the women have disappeared, only for Brad to find a baby girl whom he chooses to raise. It is the sequel to a title where players control Brad’s sister in a game inspired byYume Nikki,where the atrocities of their father are prevalent for everyone to see.
After players control Brad’s journey, they can control Buddy inThe Joyfulas she hunts down targets while remembering fragments of her past. The trilogy is a tantalizing one that shows Dingaling’s strengths as an indie developer.
While the first fewDivinitygames had publishers,theOriginal Sinduologysaw Larian self-publishing the games in an effort not to be screwed over by unfair deals. Given how successful these games were, it’s easy to see why going down the indie route was perfect for theDivinityfranchise.
It sowed the seeds for Larian to be trusted with theBaldur’s GateIP, leading to them developing one of the greatest modern RPGs of all time. Players who loveBaldur’s Gate 3should check out theOriginal Singames. Both titles are a joy to play through thanks to their intense combat and fun storylines.
