20 Hidden Gem Indie Games You Probably Missed

Every year, tons of independent games come out, and many great ones don’t get the attention they deserve. This collection highlights those smaller games that are full of creative ideas, interesting stories, and gameplay that stays with you. You’ll find both quick games perfect for a weekend and longer, more immersive experiences. Most are available on many different systems and don’t require a powerful computer to run. If you’re searching for something new and unique to play, this is a great place to start.

Eastshade

In this relaxing exploration game from Eastshade Studios, you play as a painter wandering a peaceful island. Forget fighting – your goal is to complete painting commissions by capturing beautiful landscapes. As you talk to people and make choices, you’ll unlock new places and uncover hidden secrets. The game originally came out on computers, and is now available on PlayStation and Xbox consoles with excellent controller support.

Heaven’s Vault

Inkle has created an adventure game where you piece together the story of a lost civilization by translating their language. You travel through a system of moons, collecting ancient writings that gradually unlock the language’s rules and words. The game remembers your progress and improves your translations as you learn more. You can play it on computers, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

A Monster’s Expedition

I recently played this really cool puzzle game by Draknek and Friends, and I’m obsessed! You basically solve puzzles by pushing logs around to create bridges between these adorable little islands. What I love is that the maps are super open, so if you get stuck, you can always try a different path. Plus, there are these optional museum exhibits that are like mini-puzzles, and they teach you new ways to interact with the game. The best part? You can play it on pretty much anything – PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, even mobile! It’s so relaxing and clever.

FAR: Lone Sails

Okomotive offers a journey across a desolate, dried-up seabed in a customizable landship. Players must carefully manage resources like fuel and repair parts, and harness the wind to progress, all while solving environmental puzzles. The narrative is told visually, through the world itself, without any spoken dialogue. It’s a short but impactful game available on both PC and consoles.

CrossCode

Radical Fish Games’ action RPG offers a nostalgic feel with fast-paced combat and challenging puzzles. The game features accurate controls, and its elemental system is key to both fighting enemies and solving puzzles. With a substantial main story and plenty of optional areas to explore, players can expect dozens of hours of gameplay. It’s available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Unsighted

Studio Pixel Punk created an action-adventure game with a unique twist: time is running out for everyone, including characters you meet and your pets! You can find rare items to add time, making every decision about where to go and what to do really important. The game also features challenging combat, a crafting system, and the option to play with friends, giving you plenty of reasons to come back for more. It’s available on PC and all major consoles.

Signs of the Sojourner

In Echodog Games’ unique approach, you build a deck of cards representing how you communicate, not to fight, but to have conversations. As you journey along a trade route, you collect symbols of different attitudes and communication styles. The choices you make during encounters will change your deck and decide which relationships last. You can play the game on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Inmost

Hidden Layer Games presents a captivating puzzle platformer with a dark and atmospheric story told through the experiences of three connected characters. Gameplay blends light combat with environmental puzzles, all enhanced by striking pixel art and sound design that build a sense of unease without relying on gore. The game is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

Submerged

Uppercut Games created a peaceful exploration game set in a city submerged by water. Players navigate the world in a small boat, scale vine-covered towers, and find enhancements that make movement easier. The story unfolds through images and discoveries instead of conversations, offering a relaxing experience on both computers and gaming consoles.

Hob

Runic Games has created an adventure game where exploring ancient ruins changes the world around you. Activating old machines causes platforms to appear and pathways to shift, revealing new areas. The game features a mix of light combat, environmental puzzles, and secret upgrades. You can play it on both PC and PlayStation.

Sunless Sea

Failbetter Games’ new game lets you explore a dark, underwater world, focusing on story and survival. You’ll lead a crew, manage resources, and try to keep your team from falling into despair as you chase your own goals and uncover the secrets of different locations. Each journey, with its successes and failures, shapes the world for those who come after you. It’s available on computers and consoles.

The Swapper

Facepalm Games has created a unique puzzle game where you clone yourself and instantly transfer your mind between bodies. You’ll use this ability to solve challenges in the rooms of a space station, manipulating light and other elements. The game gradually introduces new mechanics, building upon what you’ve already learned. It’s available on computers and various gaming consoles.

Unavowed

Wadjet Eye offers a fresh take on urban fantasy adventures, letting you make choices that truly matter with a team of diverse companions. Your character’s background impacts how the story unfolds and the challenges you face. Featuring beautiful hand-painted artwork and fully voiced dialogue, the game centers around a compelling detective storyline and is available on both PC and mobile devices.

OPUS: Echo of Starsong

SIGONO is a story-driven space adventure where you explore the galaxy, manage light resources, and search for valuable asteroids. The game combines the immersive storytelling of visual novels with open exploration of a star map filled with trading posts and ancient ruins. You’ll gradually improve your ship, but the focus is on enjoying the narrative, not getting bogged down in complicated optimization. It’s available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

Mutazione

Die Gute Fabrik is a cozy game where you build a life in a small town populated by mutants. It combines elements of community simulation with a heartfelt story. You’ll grow musical gardens that affect events and unlock new possibilities. The game focuses on a relaxed pace, letting you enjoy daily life and conversations without any rush. It’s available on PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile devices.

Gorogoa

Jason Roberts created a unique puzzle game drawn by hand. Players solve puzzles by moving panels to match up patterns and create openings. Instead of collecting items, you solve problems by layering and arranging images. The game is easy to control and works great with both touchscreens and game controllers. You can play it on computers, consoles, and phones.

Yoku’s Island Express

Villa Gorilla’s latest game is a unique platformer where, instead of jumping, you use pinball flippers and bumpers to get around. You play as a mail carrier traveling across a big island, finding upgrades that unlock new paths. The levels are cleverly designed like interconnected pinball tables, making getting from place to place a fun, challenging experience. It’s available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

A Short Hike

Adam Robinson Yu’s game is a short, exploratory experience where you climb a mountain to find cell service. You can play at your own speed, collecting feathers to help you ascend, and stumbling upon little optional activities along the way. The game is designed to be open and let you freely explore, making it easy to find interesting things. It’s available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

The Painscreek Killings

EQ Studios has created a first-person detective game where you investigate an old cold case in a deserted town. The game focuses on realism – all clues are found naturally within the environment, and you’ll need to take notes and pay close attention to details to solve the mystery. You’ll uncover the truth by finding locks, deciphering codes, and piecing together a timeline. It’s currently available on PC.

OneShot

Little Cat Feet is a unique game where you experience a fading world through the eyes of a child. What makes it special is that the game talks to you directly, and solving puzzles often requires you to interact with things outside of the game itself – rewarding players who are curious. Your choices and how you interact with game files even change what happens later on. It’s available on computers and also has a version for gaming consoles.

Share your favorite overlooked indie picks in the comments so other readers can discover them too.

2025-11-13 04:46