A Look at the Indie Games That Took the Gaming World by Storm

When it comes to video games, blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty and Super Mario often steal the spotlight. To no one’s surprise, GTA 5 ranks among the best-selling games of all time while its successor is expected to smash revenue records by hitting the $ 1 billion mark in one week. Still, gamers love rooting for the little guy. The gaming industry has no shortage of underdog stories that see up-and-coming independent studios rising above their triple-A competitors. So, let’s look at some indie success stories worth discovering or revisiting.

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley boasts over 30 million copies sold worldwide. These impressive numbers are even more remarkable given that the game is the work of a single creator, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone. Part of the success of this indie darling lies in its engaging mechanics and endless replayability, as the valley is filled with activities like cooking, fishing, and mining. A friendship system gives players every reason to interact daily with a cast of memorable characters, unlocking cutscenes that give extra depth to the local villagers.

Beckoning exploration, this farming sim is also a treasure trove of Easter eggs, hidden locations, and secret quests handed by mysterious NPCs. The dedication of its visionary creator oozes throughout the game. And Barone is seemingly willing to work on his passion project for a lifetime, spoiling fans with constant updates and tweaks to an already extraordinary experience.

Night in the Woods

Some success stories are measured by the impact they leave on a player’s imagination more than their sales. While moderately successful commercially, Night in the Woods is a game whose story resonated deeply with players. This narrative adventure had already built up a fanbase on Kickstarter before its launch, which has only grown stronger ever since. Perhaps the best depiction of young adulthood and its confusing paradox, this delightfully melancholic coming-of-age story follows Mae Borowski.

As this college dropout returns to her hometown, she finds that everything has changed in her absence. Her relationship with her parents has become strained, and her childhood friends have drifted apart. Meanwhile, strange events begin to shake the otherwise quiet town. Night in the Woods will hit you right in the feels with its emotional depth and relatable protagonists, which earned it an award for “Best Cast of Characters.”

Hades

Recent games like Lies of P and Windblown have made clever use of their roguelike elements. However, the surging interest in this challenging genre can arguably be tracked back to the standout release of Hades in 2018. Selling over a million units, this hack-n-slash roguelike reignited the genre’s popularity while fostering a thriving speed-running community. Its built-in replayability didn’t stop its sequel from topping the charts upon its early access release, doubling the original’s peak players in less than 24 hours.

Returning with another fresh take on Greek mythology, Hades II also sparked renewed interest in ancient Greece within the gaming world. Alongside Greek-infused city-builders and RPGs, gamers can explore many slots to play for fun for free. Slot games like Olympus Glory, Shadows of Olympus, and Wisdom of Athena await online. Users can enjoy thousands of inventive options with no download or registration required. Whether on mobile or PC, they can grab bonuses and promotions to explore titles like Kronos before following Zagreus’ sister on her mission to confront the Titan of Time.

Unpacking

Unpacking defied everyone’s expectations by selling 100,000 copies in its first 10 days. This cozy puzzle game wasn’t exactly geared for success. Yet, its accessible mechanics and touching story appealed to a broad array of gamers. Halfway between a life simulation and an interior decorating experience, Unpacking takes us through the various stages of an anonymous character’s life.

With each move to a new home, players are meant to unbox the protagonist’s belongings and find the perfect spot for each item in their new living space. As the character ages, new items are introduced, while others are left behind. Learning about the character’s past solely through their possessions gives this heartfelt game an innate sense of intimacy. And this contemplative journey has hit all the right emotional cords for many gamers, who boosted its popularity on social media like TikTok.

From Minecraft to Tetris, we could have mentioned plenty more indie success stories. As a subgenre, indie games defy any clear-cut classification. But in the creative and narrative departments, they shine just as bright as their big-budget counterparts.