7 Standout Indie Games of 2024

Some game developers have become so dominant in the industry that their out-of-this-world budgets almost seem commonplace nowadays. Just look at the costs of some of the most expensive video games ever developed and marketed. We’ve got Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at $700 million, Cyberpunk 2077 at $441.9 million, and The Last of Us Part II at $220 million. These are astronomical figures that many development companies cannot even fathom.

This stark contrast in budget is part of the reason why indie games are so intriguing. They’re incredible experiences developed by solo developers or small development companies with creative art styles and captivating concepts—with the benefit of being free to play or priced very reasonably. Instead of getting excited over the next installment of a well-known franchise or a blockbuster hit, people become curious about what’s out there breaking the mold.

Although they can be overshadowed by big names, thousands of new indie games are released each year. These indie titles compete for our attention much like the “click here now” links appearing on more and more websites for online casino games—both aiming to hook players and become the next big trend.

Here are the top seven indie games of 2024. Ready to see what you might have missed?

Tiny Glade

Tiny Glade is one of those games you turn to when you want an immersive escape. It’s a perfect sandbox-building game with a whimsical, romantic art style where you can put your earphones in and turn empty meadows into beautiful dioramas. But what if you don’t exactly consider yourself a good architect? What’s especially fun about Tiny Glade is that it boasts what’s called “gridless building chemistry,” where you could draw a path to a wall and watch a door pop up. Drag that door to expand it, and you’ll end up with a series of archways. Combine single-pane windows, and you’ll produce double-pane windows with shutters. Gameplay is more about curiosity and creation, so if you’re a fan of medieval castles and cozy cottages, don’t skip out on this one.

Fields of Mistria

Fields of Mistria has many similarities and references to beloved farming simulators Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley but with a greater emphasis on an anime-like art style. Owning your own farm in Mistria, you get to farm, fish, mine, craft, battle, raise animals, enjoy the seasons, and interact with more than 30 villagers.

You can expect a lot of unique dialogue, crafting, and cooking that takes time out of the day, as well as more intricate battles (including magic too!) with monsters in the mines compared to Stardew Valley. Fields of Mistria is still considered an early-stage game that’s bound to come out with exciting updates and expanded content as time goes on.

Balatro

As the Game of the Year trophy winner at the 2024 Indie Game Awards, our list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t put Balatro on here. Other than GOTY, the “roguelike deck-building” poker-like game was also nominated for and won a variety of other indie game awards, too. Solo developer LocalThunk from Saskatchewan, Canada, took his own fascination with roguelike games and developed this logic card game. The goal? To play the best hand possible and score points. A review on The Verge described the art style as “eerie retro,” which adds to its uniqueness, as does the combination of strategy, reward, luck, and risk.

Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Even if it’s not your favorite style, quirky and cheeky games like Thank Goodness You’re Here! (TGYH) are always a breath of fresh air. While some games take themselves too seriously and others don’t seem to do so enough, TGYH manages to hit the sweet spot. This wacky game packs comedy, small-town British life, and a lovable art style into a game all about doing odd jobs for the residents of your town. The plot follows a tiny, balding salesman who has a meeting with the town’s mayor. With the mayor in a meeting, the main character has plenty of time to kill and thus takes up the odd jobs. The game is relatively short, spanning about two-and-a-half hours to four-and-a-half hours.

Still Wakes the Deep

Once in a while, you come across an alluring game concept and story that’s hard to find anywhere else. Still Wakes the Deep is one of those games. Developed by The Chinese Room, a popular British exploration game developer, this story-driven horror game features puzzle games and stealth mechanics as part of a broader storyline.

The player adopts the role of an electrician trapped on a damaged oil drilling platform who has to avoid monsters and deal with fears like claustrophobia, drowning, and vertigo. While psychological horror games typically lean towards locations like abandoned hospitals and dense forests, the ‘70s oil rig setting and complex storyline here present something entirely new.

Pacific Drive

One of the most popular scenic drive spots in the United States is the Pacific Northwest, a route filled with mountains, beaches, must-visit restaurants, and more. Pacific Drive turns this road trip favorite into a driving survival adventure with supernatural dangers and hostile obstacles. With your car as your main mode of transportation and an abandoned garage as your home base, your goal is to gather resources, investigate the Zone, and discover what’s out there—or what’s left. If you enjoy reading maps, packing gear, and hitting the road but with a twist, why not dive into Pacific Drive and challenge your instincts?

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes was Best Indie Game winner at the Golden Joystick Awards and a nominee for Best Independent Game at the Game Awards in 2024, losing to none other than Balatro. In the game, a woman participates in a project set in an old mansion, where things become progressively surreal and volatile the more you explore. On your journey, you’ll encounter 150 puzzles ranging from optical illusions to short brainteasers. Complemented by a mélange of art styles, like low-polygon geometry and photo collages, the player is transported into a bizarre, dreamlike place.