That's how incredible the indie scene has become: every game on here absolutely deserves to be highlighted, and yet I can think of a dozen more worthy of being here. The indie scene is in a golden age that doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
There's also something I noticed when looking through my Steam library, it's that especially over the last 5-7 years, it's harder to define what exactly an "indie" game is anymore. The concept is a lot more nebulous. Like, is it games that don't have outside funding/aren't owned by a major publisher? By that metric, The Outer Worlds is technically an indie game. Is it limited simply by development team size, like
@@PalmelaHanderson I think that indie should imply both a small development team and little support from any company. Instead, I hear it used to describe any game that isn't made by the owner of the console it's played on. I've never heard a real consistent term for the middle ground, so perhaps that's why A/AA games aren't recognized as such?
just goes to show that some indie games are just as good if not better than big AAA 3rd party games. i would GLADLY take Shovel Knight(and i have Treasure Trove on switch) over something like Destiny any day of the friggin week.
all these people talking about how their favorite games didnt make it and how dissapointed they are... this could be a top 50 or top 100 list and there would still be incredible games left out. plus, its just an opinion.
agreed, Indie Gaming has produced some of the greatest games to ever grace our TV and PC screens, so many in fact that if i personally made a list, it would be a Top 100, no less would do them justice.
I’ve just finished it a few days ago. Gonna play it again with different story background from the intro story. Besides that and OXENFREE, would you recommend another one in that same style of “choose your actions” game?
Don’t Starve is my favorite indie game. It got average reviews when it came out but they added so much content, polished the game, and the added multiplayer is so fun with friends.
“I need more of these tiny bug people in my life and i need it right now” The ad that played for me immediately afterwards began with bold text “SICK OF BUGS?”
Mine is Outer Wilds. Just dang, what a beautiful game. With that said, Shovel Knight and Hollow Knight would be on my top ten (honestly, probably top 5) list as well.
I played so many metroidvanias that I can't find anymore to pick my interest. Hollow knight surpassed everything. Is not only my favourite metroidvania but also in the top 5 video games for me. Let's hope Silksong will be at least equal.
Let me be that guy for the first time ever: 00:55 10 Cave Story 02:28 09 The Binding of Isaac 04:02 08 Super Meat Boy 05:40 07 The Messenger 07:15 06 Enter The Gungeon 08:47 05 Hollow Knight 10:01 04 Celeste 11:22 03 Dead By Daylight 13:20 02 Undertale 14:51 01 Shovel Knight
@@noheffthing dbd, as with any multiplayer game, is an inevitable turn-off for me messenger on the other hand, is that one game i mistook for hyper light drifter, but when i saw the platforming in that game, i might try it out
Cuphead is definitely in my top 3 at least, if not at the very top of my favorite indie games list. The art and music have been a huge inspiration for me over the past few years, and it’s always been a blast to play through.
I really agree, but honestly I don't really think of it as an indie game anymore. I guess it is. And, by that logic, could you technically call Minecraft an indie game still?
@@nac157 no. Indie means independent. Re-Logic is it's own company, they answer to no one else. Mojang started out as an indie studio, but since they were bought by Microsoft, they're not indie anymore. The indie label has nothing to do with how big their game becomes.
Right now I’m playing through Hollow Knight but it the first time and oh my gosh is it one of my favourite games already. I’ve been playing for maybe a week and have like 25 hours in already
@@littleratfella6857 yeah. You cant afford to keep developing a game constantly with a secondary form of monetization especially when you have to buy licensing rights.
The best indie game I have ever played is Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Everything about this game is just absolutely perfect. The gameplay is fun and engaging, the story is mesmerizing, the soundtrack is beautiful, the art style is gorgeous, and it's a perfect sequel to a game I already loved. I could go on and on about every little thing Ori has to offer. This game will forever stick with me.
Yeah, nobody really talked about it even though I think it is one of the best 2d RPG you can possibly play right now... It is more "RPG-like" than any other RPGs
Crosscode is the definition of retrospective, since it catches perfectly those emotions I've developed as a kid when I first played my very first SNES action RPGs like Secret of Mana or Terranigma (which I ofc love to this date) and therefore made me who I am today. You *can't* just forget this title, it's polished to an extreme level and it made me proud to see that there are still people out there who conquer that level of passion games had in the past with their own game, deleting more than 50% of the progress they made, again and again just to get it right!
Just started playing it, and I'm certainly not disapointed. Tough I'm before all of the time shifting stuff and metroidvania terrain. I'll see how this works out for me, since I'm really not into the metroidvania stuff. But as the linear side scroller it is YET, it's damn good and was already worth my money. I'm just stunned at what indie games can do. For relative low prices I can play games that are SO damn enjoyable. I've paid for some AAA games literally ten times the money as this game and didn't have nearly as much fun playing it.
@@sagichdirdochnicht4653 When you come to the metroidvania section i would advise you to follow a guide online, not to say you cant do it on your own, but i personally got really lost and confused and following a guide helped me a lot, anyway i hope you enjoy the game!!! :)
My one problem with the Messenger is the sudden difficulty spike when fighting the bosses. Exploring new areas is really fun but eventually I was spending more time struggling with bosses then anything else
There are guides for the bosses too, but I understand if you want to do a blind no guides playthrough. All the bosses follow the same pattern each and every time, soo if you learn that pattern it would be easy for you to defeat the bosses. Other than that just have fun and never give up!
@@sonicmario64 Sorry you don't see the appeal, but plenty of other people do. Minecraft is one of the biggest games ever, and it would be very ignorant to say that Steve doesn't deserve representation in Smash.
I know it’s gonna sound mainstream but my kids got me into Minecraft I love that game.. I love all games that influence creativity. It’s the best selling indie and best selling game of all time I think it deserves a spot on this list. Also Stardew valley would be on my list
He probably didn't add it to the list because it was bought by Microsoft (a triple AAA company), and then soared beyond indie sales and became a big enough brand to exceed the standards of being an indie title. But I agree, Minecraft is one of the most influential games ever, and at the top of my list for favorites.
Cave Story is an incredible game!!! Really accessible and my first indie title I ever played back when it was a Wiiware title. Would highly recommend it!
the messenger made me feel young again lol, I really enjoyed that game alot. Sometimes meatboy just got really really hard. Cave story was pretty good but the messenger is a favorite still
Cave storys great. But maaan I dont know how many times I need tk say this. Galak-z is the most underrated indie game of all time. Fuck they got the voice of dean Venture from the Venture bros , the best control, best background and images, best mechanics , and no one wants to give 17Bit. There due. It makes me sad, because I want a sequel. And illl never get it because it's in the void of the ignored great indies. I love schmups, and I love exploration games, and I love mechs. It's a great game no one ever talks about and I wish I had someone that appreciated it as much as I do. The games on this list I wanna play and haven't are The messenger and Shovel knight. I bought dead cells thinking it was the messenger, I wasn't disappointed but know I need to go back and play the messenger. But god dynamite, Galak-z has become one of my favorite games of all time, ..... and it gets no love. I 😭😢😰
@@Niviso I disagree. Story of Seasons (on 3DS) never felt nearly as enjoyable to me as Stardew Valley did. Plus it's really laggy. I'm not saying it's a bad game, but I feel like Stardew has more varied gameplay and feels less grindy.
Slay the spire, binding of isaac, cavestory, to the moon, hollow knight, axiom verge, dusk, and undertale are literally perfect games and no one can tell me otherwise. Edit: Shit can't believe I forgot Lisa the painful.
One of my favorite indie games is Night in the Woods because it evokes such a strange, powerful feeling in me whenever I play it, seeing the characters, read the dialogue, listen to the music, etc. I found it by complete chance and it changed my life.
By far my favorite game of all time is Celeste. I love everything about it and it was there for me when I need it especially with it’s fantastic music. It is than followed by hollow knight. Whatcha is just a great game.
1. Hollow Knight 2. Shovel Knight 3. Celeste 4. Undertale 5. Cuphead 6. Enter The Gungeon 7. The Binding of Isaac 8. Please, Don't Touch Anything 9. Papers Please 10. Deltarune I just listed them here to see how similar our lists were don't mind me
I think this list is pretty good. Some games you didn't mention that would be on my personal top 10 list would be night in the woods, Stanley parable, and the witness. I've also been playing hypnospace outlaw which i really enjoy but haven't finished yet so i don't know for sure.
Oh if terraria counts its definitely 1 And undertale is like the worst game ever made.... I hate the story i hate that it pushes the pacifist route. I hate that the genicide route is boring except for 2 bosses. I hate that gay part with alphys and undyne like freaking get that disgusting shit out of my face... The only thing it has is its kind of cool combat and the music
I'm glad u threw in Hotline Miami. I love that game so much. Broforce is such a great game too. The first game I ever completed with a friend of mine. ❤️
While I want to be sad that Ori and the Blind Forest didn’t make the list, seeing this roster of indie titans makes me not feel so bad. I’m glad we have so many good indie games these days. :)
I'd argue cuphead suffers from a pretty bad RNG. The music and animation are absolutely masterpiece level but there is sometimes unavoidable bullshit that is unacceptable on games on this level of difficulty.
God, there's so fucking many amazing indie games out there now, and it makes me so happy. FTL, Hotline Miami, A Short Hike, Axiom Verge, Bastion, Hyper Light Drifter, Risk of Rain 1+2, Hidden Folks, and so so so many more......
My top 10: 1: Transistor, OFF, Undertale, Lobotomy Corporation, Hotline Miami 2, Enter The Gungeon, FNAF series, Celeste,Broforce, Stardew Valley. What? I never choose between favourites, they are all equal in my mind.
I mean indie games have become super popular Undertale, baldi's basics, binding of Isaac and so many more. It's so cool that even smaller developers can make things that inspire others so much and become legends in their own right. One day I'll do something like that.
I made my first Pokemon fangame when I was ten. Even if it's just pfutzing around and making games in Scratch, you can and should start whenever you have the time and the passion. Good luck!
Hollow Knight is one of my favourite games of all time. Without question it sits within my top 10, if not my top 5. It truly combines everything I love about games and melds it all together so beautifully that it's impossible not to get caught up in.
Solid List. I haven't played many indie games but for me. My number 1 will always be A Hat in Time. I adore everything about it and will love it forever
If Jirard played more of the Shantae games and took more time to sync with them, then Shantae definitely would've been on this list for sure, as it is easily one of the greatest indie game series ever made!
I feel like all of those are pretty easy picks. Most people will agree, that the majority of these are Indie Legends, that cannot be missing on a List like this
The list was pretty basic not that it’s a bad pick but the most common favorites. Ehh it was interesting to watch in that list the order just depends on the person
@@noddyboffin2988 Outside of the unique aesthetic and sound, Cuphead doesn't really do anything special gameplay wise and it's punishing old school lives system involving restarting levels from the beginning can kill the momentum.
Well I dont think everybody is going to fnaf right know. But ı am really exicted for Security Breach. I think as a İndie fnaf is really succsesful. Many people is just like: JuMpScaReS CHeAp. If you use them right they are effective. Also Fnaf 4 is the best example in my opinion. Some of the best Jumpscares.
Shovel knight is one of my favourite games, and just a few days ago started playing hollow knight. Also love dead by daylight, but does it count as an indie, i feel like its more of a double a title, anyways a great game
There's something I noticed when looking through my Steam library, it's that especially over the last 5-7 years, it's harder to define what exactly an "indie" game is anymore. The concept is a lot more nebulous. Like, is it games that don't have outside funding/aren't owned by a major publisher? By that metric, The Outer Worlds is technically an indie game. Is it limited simply by development team size, like
Yeah... I think it was a great list except for Dead By Daylight. I think the game has had an indie feel for a long time, mostly because at launch it flew under the radar a bit and was buggy as heck. However, the studio that makes it has 600 employees, and it's published by 505 games, Deep Silver and Koch Media. I don't think it counts as indie by any metric.
Still have hope she will be the first indie character to get in smash... doubt it though. But hey Min Min gives hope since she debunked that dumb spirt bs about how they couldnt join smash
I have the original shantae on my 3ds as virtual console but it is one of my favorite games even though some basic enemies are harder then the final boss ( but I spent hours upon hours on that game and I still have squids to find for dances and one more heart container to find)
Wait wait wait wait. Completionist: i loved the game for pretty much the same reasons the extremely difficult bosses. Also completionist:shows a clip of gruzmother.
"Shovel Knight" IS pretty awesome. I don't know the order of my personal top ten, but for me, "Hollow Knight" is at the top... And not just in the indie category. I have such unrealistic expectations for Silksong! "The Missing: J.J. MacField and the Island of Memories" & "Braid" are definitely also on my list.
Denvers I’m not much of a gamer and HK was one of the first indie games I played. I loved the first 12 hours but after that it felt so boring. I finished it but never went back to it. I liked Celeste more maybe because it wasn’t as long although i didn’t enjoy it as much as other people do.
Denvers HK took me about 25 hours and that was looking up guides. Not because it’s too hard but I got bored traversing the samy level design over and over again.
Watching this video reminds me of how glad I am that Xbox (live arcade) and CZcams exists and helped to bring the indie genre to the forefront. It's always nice to see the many joys of indie games and how much others enjoy them.
Some of my favourites are Night in the woods, hollow knight, minecraft, terraria, oxenfree, this is the police, undertale, deltarune THERES SO MANY THEYRE ALL AMAZING
I recently fell in love with Cuphead and Bloodstained Ritual of the Night. Speaking of I can't wait for you to complete Bloodstained, as soon is Igarashi stops updating the thing!
A game that I am almost to afraid to start up because I loose myself in it for days is Stardew Valley. Such a great relaxing game to sit down and let an entire week just disappear from life just like that. With a gameplay loop that opens your mind to thinking "Just one more day" and the hour fly by just as they would in a 4X game with their "Just one more turn"
Definitely my favorite indie game ever is A Hat in Time! It is incredibly charming and has very tight and good-feeling controls. And Snatcher’s Death Wish still kicks my butt every time despite how much I’ve played it.
I was honestly surprised to know every single game on this list.... but they're all great games. The real surprise was Dead by Daylight. It's a good game especially with how recently they added in crossplay and reworking the dynamics of their matchmaking... so it'll be a real treat to see how that one grows.
For me the best indie game I’ve or even the best game I’ve ever played is Lisa:the painful this game made laugh my ass off, love the major and minor characters and made my cry and feel guilt about me decisions for a bunch of pixels and lines of code. While it’s not for everyone I loved every second of it
Katana Zero is a game that came out recently, less than one or two years ago I would say, it's not very known, but it is as good as some of the greatest titles it takes ideas from like Hotline Miami. You control a samurai and can slow down time to reflect bullets in a precision platformer / try and die, what more do you really need... Take a look at it, I promise you will not be disapointed.
I´m kind a sad you didn't make any honorable mentions because there are a lot of indie games that are awesome and I´m a little bit sad that hyper light drifter didn't make the list but it's fine
My Top 5: 1. Undertale I don´t even have to justify this placement, if you played Undertale spoiler-free you know why it deserves 1st place. 2. Hollow Knight Just like Undertale, Hollow Knight´s Atmosphere speaks for itself. Even disregarding all of the amazing gameplay, the weird creepyness of Hallownest is the most emersive Experience ever. 3. A Hat In Time With it´s admitedly lackluster textures (especially for character models), A Hat In Time doesn´t have the best Presentation, but it makes up for the flaws with enjoyable gameplay, hilarious humor and almost as much charme as Undertale. 4. celeste Celeste´s apeal was already masterfully described in this video, nothing to add here. 5. katana zero easily the best game of the hack-n-slash genre with some of the most fun gameplay in any videogame ever and a suprisingly deep and heartwrenching story, but with about 5 hours of runtime a little short honorable mentions: spelunky enter the gungeon ape out the end is nigh dicey dungeons
Undertale 1th???? Hahahaha the story is ok, but other is shit vs hollow knight... Gameplay grafic=Gameboy version, sound 8bit, animation=zero special effect =2.....hard gameplay =6(hk gameplay crazy, only 1% win in godmaster).... Ps :the story of HK is better than Undertale
Katana zero is so underdiscussed. I don't see many people talking about it (kinda because it's short but still) . Also loved dead cells because how much variety there is in builds etc.
I’m suppressed he didn’t mention Ori and the blind forest let alone Minecraft except Minecraft is now owned by Microsoft which makes is not indie but it started indie
Rest In Peace Minecraft. Your Indie status was forgotten ages ago, but I will always remember.
Fnaf too
Can I get an elegant key mr sly?
@@please4366 sure but it costs 1000000000 geo
Damm. I guess I’ll just go down to Lemm and give him all my seals
Minecraft is far past indie status now...
That's how incredible the indie scene has become: every game on here absolutely deserves to be highlighted, and yet I can think of a dozen more worthy of being here. The indie scene is in a golden age that doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
There's also something I noticed when looking through my Steam library, it's that especially over the last 5-7 years, it's harder to define what exactly an "indie" game is anymore. The concept is a lot more nebulous. Like, is it games that don't have outside funding/aren't owned by a major publisher? By that metric, The Outer Worlds is technically an indie game. Is it limited simply by development team size, like
@@PalmelaHanderson I think that indie should imply both a small development team and little support from any company. Instead, I hear it used to describe any game that isn't made by the owner of the console it's played on. I've never heard a real consistent term for the middle ground, so perhaps that's why A/AA games aren't recognized as such?
just goes to show that some indie games are just as good if not better than big AAA 3rd party games. i would GLADLY take Shovel Knight(and i have Treasure Trove on switch) over something like Destiny any day of the friggin week.
Can you please list the other dozen here?
Hollow Knight burrowed it’s way into my heart and soul faster than I knew any game could. Such a masterpiece.
Ikr
"soul"
I gues you could call it a "Soul Eater"
One of the best games ever made in my opinion
I honestly just clicked on this video so I could hear some more praise for Hollow Knight, since I knew it would be here. Awesome.
Same
Totally not me listening to reviews of games I've already completed just to hear people praise everything I like about it 😌
Thought I’d see Darkest Dungeon on here, but I guess overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer.
A SINGULAR STRIKE!!! ...against your opinion.
But yea, totally agree.
The completionist hasn't answered the letter yet.
Ruin has come to this list...
OMG YES 😱😱😱
all these people talking about how their favorite games didnt make it and how dissapointed they are... this could be a top 50 or top 100 list and there would still be incredible games left out. plus, its just an opinion.
agreed, Indie Gaming has produced some of the greatest games to ever grace our TV and PC screens, so many in fact that if i personally made a list, it would be a Top 100, no less would do them justice.
A GAME OPINION, THANKS FOR READING
I've only played a few indie games, and loved all of them! They all also made the list.
Honestly it just makes me really happy about it because it shows how GREAT indie games have gotten and how many awesome ones there are in the market
@@Fusrodog DANG IT I WANTED TO SAY THAT
Night in the Woods felt like it was created specifically for me and what I was going through in my life at the time I played it. Highly recommend.
I love Night In the Woods, its super charming but super scary. (in well, more ways then one)
I’ve just finished it a few days ago. Gonna play it again with different story background from the intro story. Besides that and OXENFREE, would you recommend another one in that same style of “choose your actions” game?
@@carlosaguilar9091 Road 96 is coming out soon and it has over 100,000 possible outcomes (at least thats what they say)
Don’t Starve is my favorite indie game. It got average reviews when it came out but they added so much content, polished the game, and the added multiplayer is so fun with friends.
“I need more of these tiny bug people in my life and i need it right now”
The ad that played for me immediately afterwards began with bold text “SICK OF BUGS?”
@@letsBrn Why though? It's fun in his opinion
@@letsBrn Yeah, this make sense
Mine is Outer Wilds. Just dang, what a beautiful game.
With that said, Shovel Knight and Hollow Knight would be on my top ten (honestly, probably top 5) list as well.
What is the lady you live with favorite indie game
I agree Outer wilds was amazing
@@alejandroinc9575 From what she has played so far, Shovel Knight.
Ya hollow knight
I agree, Outer Wilds has earned my praise. It's not only my favorite Indie Game, but as it stands it's likely my favorite game of all time.
Some of my favorites are: Minecraft, Hollow knight, cuphead and To the moon.
Plus fnaf
@@thesalad943 only Fnaf 2 and Help Wanted, the rest aren't great
@@thelytz9806 the first 2 games are the only good one
@@facebookuser1653 i agree but i thought sister location was pretty good
Spelunky is good
One of mine is dont starve, the art style is just so charming
Yeah, reminds me of 2D Tim Burton movie.
I played so many metroidvanias that I can't find anymore to pick my interest. Hollow knight surpassed everything. Is not only my favourite metroidvania but also in the top 5 video games for me. Let's hope Silksong will be at least equal.
I think it could and probably will surpass it! 😉
It is my 2nd favorite game coming up just behind rdr2
oriwotw...
@@amandasuze I can confidently say that rdr2 is the best open world game ever made.
@@personperson4328 Yes! Thank you!
Let me be that guy for the first time ever:
00:55 10 Cave Story
02:28 09 The Binding of Isaac
04:02 08 Super Meat Boy
05:40 07 The Messenger
07:15 06 Enter The Gungeon
08:47 05 Hollow Knight
10:01 04 Celeste
11:22 03 Dead By Daylight
13:20 02 Undertale
14:51 01 Shovel Knight
I was looking for this to be highly upvoted. Thank you
YES
except for DBD and Messenger, this list is universal
He almost has my exact taste
@@uwnbaw does this mean you dislike DBD and The Messenger?
@@noheffthing dbd, as with any multiplayer game, is an inevitable turn-off for me
messenger on the other hand, is that one game i mistook for hyper light drifter, but when i saw the platforming in that game, i might try it out
Cuphead is definitely in my top 3 at least, if not at the very top of my favorite indie games list.
The art and music have been a huge inspiration for me over the past few years, and it’s always been a blast to play through.
Watching this video to see where Hollow Knight lands. Anyone else?
Yeah I was hoping for number one but it can’t be number one on everyone’s list
Same lol
Fair it is my favorite game I'm just dieing inside form the pantheon of hallownest
Ya
I was looking for terraria and hallow knight
in 10 years when silksong comes out we'll be waiting a much longer for the video
Nice grammar
Was scheduled for this year, probably delayed until mid next year.
@@denvers1291 we all know everything this year was delayed
Eduardo montoya I was just guessing, I don’t pay attention to that game.
@@denvers1291 it wasn't delayed just natural development taking longer. It wasn't because of covid
I’ve scrolled through the comments and I don’t see anyone saying Terraria by Re-Logic that game is so good honestly top 3 games of all time for me.
It is my favorite game of all time.
@@darthvidar8746 Thirded. Terraria has charm, depth, challenge... cool lore, mechanics (and an actual mechanic npc), and of course, creativity.
Terraria never clicked with me. Starbound is another story. Mostly for how easily modeable it is. And that you can visit other planets.
I really agree, but honestly I don't really think of it as an indie game anymore.
I guess it is.
And, by that logic, could you technically call Minecraft an indie game still?
@@nac157 no. Indie means independent. Re-Logic is it's own company, they answer to no one else. Mojang started out as an indie studio, but since they were bought by Microsoft, they're not indie anymore. The indie label has nothing to do with how big their game becomes.
Right now I’m playing through Hollow Knight but it the first time and oh my gosh is it one of my favourite games already. I’ve been playing for maybe a week and have like 25 hours in already
Came here for Celeste. Didn’t disappoint. That game literally changed my life.
same! i was gonna riot if that wasnt on the list lol
Same with me but for undertale, when I’ll play Celeste i think It will too
My 3 favourites are undertale, hollow knight and celeste.
Undertale was the game that changed my life lol
It's actually the game that introduced me to indie games.
Me too😂
Heh, Dead By Daylight really sticks out like a sore thumb in that list, doesn't it.
Was just about to say this exact same thing lol
The only 3d game
Agamemnon2 A list composed of pixel or 2d style games... except for one
Yeah, DBD hides more than half their content behind expansions
@@littleratfella6857 yeah. You cant afford to keep developing a game constantly with a secondary form of monetization especially when you have to buy licensing rights.
The list is great, it just hurts my heart that Stardew Valley didn’t make the list
That game is definitely for a certain type of person
It still pretty good tho
Sepoohroth and minecraft
@@magicmaximo2416 its not really a indie anymore, its a mainstream game owned by mojang and a AAA company (microsoft)
It originated as an indie game made by notch but then was bought by Microsoft its still an indie game
Inside was such a perfectly paced game. I love that indie game
And the ending 😱 Sooooooo good! Haha
The best indie game I have ever played is Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Everything about this game is just absolutely perfect. The gameplay is fun and engaging, the story is mesmerizing, the soundtrack is beautiful, the art style is gorgeous, and it's a perfect sequel to a game I already loved. I could go on and on about every little thing Ori has to offer. This game will forever stick with me.
Crosscode is one of my favs, and is such a criminally underrated game, even for the soundtrack alone.
Currently doing my first playthrough and I totally agree!
Yeah, nobody really talked about it even though I think it is one of the best 2d RPG you can possibly play right now... It is more "RPG-like" than any other RPGs
Crosscode is the definition of retrospective, since it catches perfectly those emotions I've developed as a kid when I first played my very first SNES action RPGs like Secret of Mana or Terranigma (which I ofc love to this date) and therefore made me who I am today. You *can't* just forget this title, it's polished to an extreme level and it made me proud to see that there are still people out there who conquer that level of passion games had in the past with their own game, deleting more than 50% of the progress they made, again and again just to get it right!
I liked the game but too much puzzle game play for my taste
The story is what I loved most about it, so much is happening
I just finished “a short hike” that was incredible even if it was super short.
Super pumped it’s on switch now along with hades in the next 3 months
I loved it
I’m currently stuck but I’m still having a good time!!!
Bryce Winbourn what are you stuck on? I played it while back but remember a good amount
Just finished it, totally in love with it.
i absolutely love celeste and hollow knight, mainly because of all the post-game content
Night in the woods: Am I a joke to you?
Man "the messenger" is sooo underrated. Its just a so fun good game, it deserves way more popularity
Just started playing it, and I'm certainly not disapointed. Tough I'm before all of the time shifting stuff and metroidvania terrain. I'll see how this works out for me, since I'm really not into the metroidvania stuff. But as the linear side scroller it is YET, it's damn good and was already worth my money.
I'm just stunned at what indie games can do. For relative low prices I can play games that are SO damn enjoyable. I've paid for some AAA games literally ten times the money as this game and didn't have nearly as much fun playing it.
@@sagichdirdochnicht4653 When you come to the metroidvania section i would advise you to follow a guide online, not to say you cant do it on your own, but i personally got really lost and confused and following a guide helped me a lot, anyway i hope you enjoy the game!!! :)
My one problem with the Messenger is the sudden difficulty spike when fighting the bosses. Exploring new areas is really fun but eventually I was spending more time struggling with bosses then anything else
There are guides for the bosses too, but I understand if you want to do a blind no guides playthrough. All the bosses follow the same pattern each and every time, soo if you learn that pattern it would be easy for you to defeat the bosses. Other than that just have fun and never give up!
Here’s my top 5 (in no specific order):
Hollow knight
Shovel knight
Cuphead
Undertale
Ori and the blind forest
I wouldnt call (Ori and the blind forest) Indie, but alright
I always forget that Cuphead is an indie game, just because of how big it is now. XD
@@1Piecer it technically is?
Undertale made me a fan of YT gaming scene. Enjoyed the content I've seen
One of my favorite indie games is spiritfarer, man that was such a beautiful masterpiece
The insanely though boss battles
*SHOWS GRUZZ MOTHER*
you'd be surprised at how many people even died to that boss.
@@unlimited8410 yeah people have died to it but like there are so many other bosses twenty times harder at least than gruz mother
I beat gruz mother first time, now I'm on Hornet 1 :D
Shovel knight "Apearing in smash bros. ... as a trophy."
Yeah just rub it in.
The salt sizzles in my veins
I would rather have Shovel Knight as a playable character instead of Steve from "Minecraft". :P
@@sonicmario64 Steve definitely deserves it though
@@totallyrealcia Maybe, but only if "Minecraft" was a series that appealed to me, though...
@@sonicmario64 Sorry you don't see the appeal, but plenty of other people do. Minecraft is one of the biggest games ever, and it would be very ignorant to say that Steve doesn't deserve representation in Smash.
I know it’s gonna sound mainstream but my kids got me into Minecraft I love that game.. I love all games that influence creativity. It’s the best selling indie and best selling game of all time I think it deserves a spot on this list. Also Stardew valley would be on my list
He probably didn't add it to the list because it was bought by Microsoft (a triple AAA company), and then soared beyond indie sales and became a big enough brand to exceed the standards of being an indie title. But I agree, Minecraft is one of the most influential games ever, and at the top of my list for favorites.
@@bluejam7634 Minecraft was big even before Microsoft bought Mojang so it's still Indie Game for me.
One of my favorites that's not on this list is hyper light drifter. What a game!
I still have yet to play Cave Story, Super Meat Boy or The Messenger. I got a ways to go!
Cave Story is an incredible game!!! Really accessible and my first indie title I ever played back when it was a Wiiware title. Would highly recommend it!
Glad to see you're still active.
the messenger made me feel young again lol, I really enjoyed that game alot. Sometimes meatboy just got really really hard. Cave story was pretty good but the messenger is a favorite still
Wow I feel like every Let’s Player has done Cave Story already
Cave storys great. But maaan I dont know how many times I need tk say this. Galak-z is the most underrated indie game of all time.
Fuck they got the voice of dean Venture from the Venture bros , the best control, best background and images, best mechanics , and no one wants to give 17Bit. There due. It makes me sad, because I want a sequel.
And illl never get it because it's in the void of the ignored great indies.
I love schmups, and I love exploration games, and I love mechs.
It's a great game no one ever talks about and I wish I had someone that appreciated it as much as I do.
The games on this list I wanna play and haven't are The messenger and Shovel knight.
I bought dead cells thinking it was the messenger, I wasn't disappointed but know I need to go back and play the messenger.
But god dynamite, Galak-z has become one of my favorite games of all time, ..... and it gets no love. I 😭😢😰
I didn’t know a game could be so my brand until I met Stardew Valley
Sammmeee. I just gave it a shot a week ago and I'm now 30 hours in. So cute.
Dude same, I bought it last week, I cant drop it.
You should try Story of Seasons, they are the ones that created the formula and are way better that Stardew
@@Niviso I'll have to check it out. I gotta say I prefer the retro graphics of stardew though
@@Niviso I disagree. Story of Seasons (on 3DS) never felt nearly as enjoyable to me as Stardew Valley did. Plus it's really laggy. I'm not saying it's a bad game, but I feel like Stardew has more varied gameplay and feels less grindy.
Slay the spire, binding of isaac, cavestory, to the moon, hollow knight, axiom verge, dusk, and undertale are literally perfect games and no one can tell me otherwise.
Edit: Shit can't believe I forgot Lisa the painful.
You are the first comment I've seen so far mentioning LISA. Kind of sad, honestly...
@@tibik.8407
I really want Jirard to play Lisa now cuz he kinda does look like Brad if he shaved his head
One of my favorite indie games is Night in the Woods because it evokes such a strange, powerful feeling in me whenever I play it, seeing the characters, read the dialogue, listen to the music, etc. I found it by complete chance and it changed my life.
stardew valey, spelunky, ddlc
stardew valley really misses here
I fucking love stardew valley!
God wish i had money
DDLC gives me PTSD ;-;
@@deleted4913 lol
By far my favorite game of all time is Celeste. I love everything about it and it was there for me when I need it especially with it’s fantastic music. It is than followed by hollow knight. Whatcha is just a great game.
seriously surprised nobody’s talking about terraria here, it’s one of my favourite games of all time
So true
@Harry probably not. The same with minecraft, it's not an indie game anymore. Still great games tho
Geometry dash is underrated 😎
1. Hollow Knight
2. Shovel Knight
3. Celeste
4. Undertale
5. Cuphead
6. Enter The Gungeon
7. The Binding of Isaac
8. Please, Don't Touch Anything
9. Papers Please
10. Deltarune
I just listed them here to see how similar our lists were don't mind me
For me it’s probably Dead Cells, Hollow Knight and Celeste.
Edit: Oh, and also Spelunky. There are just too many good ones to name.
Ah yes the holy trinity, they are simply the most popular but also the best gateway into indie games
@@syfx1485 for me I love hollow knight and dead cells yet really did not like Celeste when I played it, I seem to be the only one to think that though
@@syfx1485 Aren't the most popular Undertale, Cuphead and Fnaf?
Sy Fx yeah but I played dead cells since day one
the top 3 recent ones across all platforms and fantastic for switch owners with the lack of game choices, and the portable suitability.
Dead Cells
Slay the Spire
Hollow Knight
Shovel Knight
Broforce
Dust. An Elysian tail
@@thatloner2831 quite good
Dead Cells is seriously addictive
Pretty much my list...but I would replace Broforce with Darkest Dungeon...or FTL.
Crypt of the necrodancer, hyperlight drifter, cave story and vvvvvv. Don't forget Bleed, a really fun run and gun that literally NO ONE KNOWS!
I think this list is pretty good. Some games you didn't mention that would be on my personal top 10 list would be night in the woods, Stanley parable, and the witness. I've also been playing hypnospace outlaw which i really enjoy but haven't finished yet so i don't know for sure.
I loved "The Witness"!!
Spelunky is probably one of my favourite indie game of all time!
The quality of these indie games are so good, you could say that they're... _indie-scribable_
yes
HAHAHAHAHAH I shat my self
Puns are what keep me alive.
Good one.
Enter the dungeon is free tomorrow!
I mostly play games while listening to podcasts so for me it's: Euro/American Truck Simulator, Starbound or Stardew Valley.
I never realised I could listen to podcasts while playing games. You really opened up a new door for me friend.
Saptarshi Sarkar always do that it’s great
Stardew is perfect for that, plus the music is great but not super intrusive so you can leave the music on and listen to both
Enter the Gungeon is probably the best indie I’ve played ever
Same. I makes me feel like i have friends
As soon as I saw that first screen of The Messenger, I got so happy that it made the list. This game is absolutely amazing.
Terraria is an indie game so it hurts that it didn’t make the list
It’s only *Technically* an indie, I think indies have to have an actual story/campaign/end goal
@@kerrybarneyiii1202 LMAO absolutely not
Well excuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuse ME princess!
Oh if terraria counts its definitely 1
And undertale is like the worst game ever made.... I hate the story i hate that it pushes the pacifist route. I hate that the genicide route is boring except for 2 bosses. I hate that gay part with alphys and undyne like freaking get that disgusting shit out of my face... The only thing it has is its kind of cool combat and the music
dragonator 101 so yeah undertale is a bit over rated but you’re reasoning is partly homophobic so stop
Here's my Top 5 Favourite Indie Games :
1. Broforce
2. Guacamelee
3. The Messenger
4. Super Meat Boy
5. Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
Oh Broforce, what a game xD
I detect a lot of testosterone in that selection... but, hey, you do you.
I'm glad u threw in Hotline Miami. I love that game so much. Broforce is such a great game too. The first game I ever completed with a friend of mine. ❤️
You haven't played hollow knight have you
@@bobobluedog No, i haven't played Hollow Knight but i've heard good things about this game. The game i was looking for to buy was Shovel Knight.
"Okay, either Hollow Knight or Cave Story better be on this list."
*J-man actually lists both like a boss*
"That's my boy."
I wasn't suuuuper interested in the video, but I had to make sure Hollow Knight was on the list, thanks for saving me the trouble lol
@@Countdownsmiles same
My favorite is Hyper Light Drifter. Really digging the combat. Hope there are more games similar to it.
While I want to be sad that Ori and the Blind Forest didn’t make the list, seeing this roster of indie titans makes me not feel so bad. I’m glad we have so many good indie games these days. :)
Only saddened by the lack of Hat in Time and Cuphead but other than that a really good list
Oh no.
I'd argue cuphead suffers from a pretty bad RNG. The music and animation are absolutely masterpiece level but there is sometimes unavoidable bullshit that is unacceptable on games on this level of difficulty.
is cuphead really an indie game tho?
Gaaah hat in time is so goooood
@@Jbam17 Yeah, or No Man's Sky? Like, they had huge budgets, but small teams, so what are they?
God, there's so fucking many amazing indie games out there now, and it makes me so happy. FTL, Hotline Miami, A Short Hike, Axiom Verge, Bastion, Hyper Light Drifter, Risk of Rain 1+2, Hidden Folks, and so so so many more......
Ahh, good old Hidden Folks, so underrated
I snapshotted this comment to find more indie games to play.
Spelunky 1 and 2
Owen Kammer that game hurts my eyes. But because of free dlc I guess its cool
Dead cells lol
The fact that I thought DBD was made by a triple A company until I saw this speaks volumes about how quality it is.
Machinarium is way too underrated tbh, such a charming game
My top 10:
1: Transistor, OFF, Undertale, Lobotomy Corporation, Hotline Miami 2, Enter The Gungeon, FNAF series, Celeste,Broforce, Stardew Valley.
What? I never choose between favourites, they are all equal in my mind.
So you haven't played Hollow Knight yet
Sad there was no Hyper Light Drifter, one of my favorite games ever.
My friend also loves it
Bought the physical when it came out. I love the map it comes with!
My favorites are To the Moon and its sequel Finding Paradise.
0:03 beautiful spaghetti code right there
I mean indie games have become super popular
Undertale, baldi's basics, binding of Isaac and so many more.
It's so cool that even smaller developers can make things that inspire others so much and become legends in their own right.
One day I'll do something like that.
Do it today bro. Don't wait. Do it yourself and start now.
I made my first Pokemon fangame when I was ten. Even if it's just pfutzing around and making games in Scratch, you can and should start whenever you have the time and the passion. Good luck!
Hey edge lord, I’d love a game with all the characters in your own artstyle. It’s simple, but very fun. If you actually make one I’d buy it
If you don't start today you're going to fail
i mean
Some indie games that I loved a LOT :
-hollow knight
-shovel knight
-Hyper Light Drifter
-katana zero
-a hat in time
-journey
Hyper Light drifter feels so under appreciated. THAT soundtrack plus the gameplay makes it so good!
Both if the risk of rain games too
no furi :(
I loved "Journey"!!
Hollow Knight is one of my favourite games of all time. Without question it sits within my top 10, if not my top 5. It truly combines everything I love about games and melds it all together so beautifully that it's impossible not to get caught up in.
Solid List. I haven't played many indie games but for me. My number 1 will always be A Hat in Time. I adore everything about it and will love it forever
If Jirard played more of the Shantae games and took more time to sync with them, then Shantae definitely would've been on this list for sure, as it is easily one of the greatest indie game series ever made!
This was probably one of the hardest top 10s you ever had to make
I feel like all of those are pretty easy picks. Most people will agree, that the majority of these are Indie Legends, that cannot be missing on a List like this
The list was pretty basic not that it’s a bad pick but the most common favorites. Ehh it was interesting to watch in that list the order just depends on the person
I feel like him referencing Cuphead visually means it was going to be on originally but got bumped off
@@noddyboffin2988 Outside of the unique aesthetic and sound, Cuphead doesn't really do anything special gameplay wise and it's punishing old school lives system involving restarting levels from the beginning can kill the momentum.
Top 10 Indie Games: Exist
Me:Where FNAF?
Well I dont think everybody is going to fnaf right know. But ı am really exicted for Security Breach. I think as a İndie fnaf is really succsesful. Many people is just like: JuMpScaReS CHeAp. If you use them right they are effective. Also Fnaf 4 is the best example in my opinion. Some of the best Jumpscares.
If I could choose one it would easily be Subnautica!
Shovel knight is one of my favourite games, and just a few days ago started playing hollow knight. Also love dead by daylight, but does it count as an indie, i feel like its more of a double a title, anyways a great game
Haven't played Shovel Knight, but I loved Hollow Knight. I think it was actually my first Metroidvania game
There's something I noticed when looking through my Steam library, it's that especially over the last 5-7 years, it's harder to define what exactly an "indie" game is anymore. The concept is a lot more nebulous. Like, is it games that don't have outside funding/aren't owned by a major publisher? By that metric, The Outer Worlds is technically an indie game. Is it limited simply by development team size, like
Pretty sure Shoji Igarashi is a fan too. There's a Shovel Knight enemy in Bloodstained: ROTN.
Shovel knight is amazing
Yeah... I think it was a great list except for Dead By Daylight. I think the game has had an indie feel for a long time, mostly because at launch it flew under the radar a bit and was buggy as heck. However, the studio that makes it has 600 employees, and it's published by 505 games, Deep Silver and Koch Media. I don't think it counts as indie by any metric.
Shantae: the original indie series.
Still have hope she will be the first indie character to get in smash... doubt it though. But hey Min Min gives hope since she debunked that dumb spirt bs about how they couldnt join smash
I have the original shantae on my 3ds as virtual console but it is one of my favorite games even though some basic enemies are harder then the final boss ( but I spent hours upon hours on that game and I still have squids to find for dances and one more heart container to find)
Papers, Please! Definitely deserves a spot on this list. Amazing from start to finish. Minecraft too.
Surprised no Stardew Valley, but I agree with the opening statments of "there are so many good ones, everybody's list could be different"
One of my favorite indie games is Night in the Woods, it is such an experience
Indeed
No Axiom Verge?
I remember you hyping the hell out of it back a few years.
Superliminal is super unknown, and it is truly an experience. I loved it so much, even though it’s short.
Wait wait wait wait.
Completionist: i loved the game for pretty much the same reasons the extremely difficult bosses.
Also completionist:shows a clip of gruzmother.
"Shovel Knight" IS pretty awesome.
I don't know the order of my personal top ten, but for me, "Hollow Knight" is at the top... And not just in the indie category. I have such unrealistic expectations for Silksong!
"The Missing: J.J. MacField and the Island of Memories" & "Braid" are definitely also on my list.
I really wanted to like Hollow Knight but I just hated it. Such a shame! I hope you enjoy Silksong just as much!
Denvers I’m not much of a gamer and HK was one of the first indie games I played. I loved the first 12 hours but after that it felt so boring. I finished it but never went back to it. I liked Celeste more maybe because it wasn’t as long although i didn’t enjoy it as much as other people do.
Cletokings my main issue with Hollow Knight wasn’t even its own fault - I just hate Metroidvanias. How long is the game?
Denvers HK took me about 25 hours and that was looking up guides. Not because it’s too hard but I got bored traversing the samy level design over and over again.
Same, Hollow Knight makes a pretty good case for being GOAT for me.
One of my favorite indie games that wasn't on this list is Slay the Spire, but I know strategy card games aren't for everyone
Watching this video reminds me of how glad I am that Xbox (live arcade) and CZcams exists and helped to bring the indie genre to the forefront.
It's always nice to see the many joys of indie games and how much others enjoy them.
pc has more indie games with Humble Bundle, and its cheaper!
Some of my favourites are
Night in the woods, hollow knight, minecraft, terraria, oxenfree, this is the police, undertale, deltarune
THERES SO MANY THEYRE ALL AMAZING
I recently fell in love with Cuphead and Bloodstained Ritual of the Night. Speaking of I can't wait for you to complete Bloodstained, as soon is Igarashi stops updating the thing!
A game that I am almost to afraid to start up because I loose myself in it for days is Stardew Valley. Such a great relaxing game to sit down and let an entire week just disappear from life just like that. With a gameplay loop that opens your mind to thinking "Just one more day" and the hour fly by just as they would in a 4X game with their "Just one more turn"
Definitely my favorite indie game ever is A Hat in Time! It is incredibly charming and has very tight and good-feeling controls. And Snatcher’s Death Wish still kicks my butt every time despite how much I’ve played it.
A hat in time is probably my favorite indie game, it's so fun.
I was honestly surprised to know every single game on this list.... but they're all great games.
The real surprise was Dead by Daylight. It's a good game especially with how recently they added in crossplay and reworking the dynamics of their matchmaking... so it'll be a real treat to see how that one grows.
Crypt of the Necrodancer got a great soundtrack while adding a rhythm game roguelike. It's the reason why Cadance of Hyrule is also good.
you have literally just named a list of almost all my favorite games. i dont think i could have agreed more.
For me the best indie game I’ve or even the best game I’ve ever played is Lisa:the painful this game made laugh my ass off, love the major and minor characters and made my cry and feel guilt about me decisions for a bunch of pixels and lines of code. While it’s not for everyone I loved every second of it
DID SOMEBODY SAY LISA !!!?!!
*Work Harder intensifies*
I watch northernlion play binding of Isaac every night to help me sleep
playing baseball game today it seems :(
There's just so much of his content lol. I tried his stuff but just couldn't believe how much there was
Katana Zero is a game that came out recently, less than one or two years ago I would say, it's not very known, but it is as good as some of the greatest titles it takes ideas from like Hotline Miami.
You control a samurai and can slow down time to reflect bullets in a precision platformer / try and die, what more do you really need...
Take a look at it, I promise you will not be disapointed.
Great pick, my background is Zero(If i didnt forget) and little girl watching the city.
@@1Piecer I have it too in my animated backgrounds playlist :P
i wish it was longer tho
I was missing Dead Cells, Stardew Valley and DDLC. All three of these games are amazing, and you should totally check them out.
Ori and the will of the wisps also
I´m kind a sad you didn't make any honorable mentions because there are a lot of indie games that are awesome
and I´m a little bit sad that hyper light drifter didn't make the list but it's fine
My Top 5:
1. Undertale
I don´t even have to justify this placement, if you played Undertale spoiler-free you know why it deserves 1st place.
2. Hollow Knight
Just like Undertale, Hollow Knight´s Atmosphere speaks for itself. Even disregarding all of the amazing gameplay, the weird creepyness of Hallownest is the most emersive Experience ever.
3. A Hat In Time
With it´s admitedly lackluster textures (especially for character models), A Hat In Time doesn´t have the best Presentation, but it makes up for the flaws with enjoyable gameplay, hilarious humor and almost as much charme as Undertale.
4. celeste
Celeste´s apeal was already masterfully described in this video, nothing to add here.
5. katana zero
easily the best game of the hack-n-slash genre with some of the most fun gameplay in any videogame ever and a suprisingly deep and heartwrenching story, but with about 5 hours of runtime a little short
honorable mentions:
spelunky
enter the gungeon
ape out
the end is nigh
dicey dungeons
Undertale 1th???? Hahahaha the story is ok, but other is shit vs hollow knight... Gameplay grafic=Gameboy version, sound 8bit, animation=zero special effect =2.....hard gameplay =6(hk gameplay crazy, only 1% win in godmaster)....
Ps :the story of HK is better than Undertale
@@Varengo85 you know that this list is HIS top 5 right?
ps: your ps is a subjective.
@@Varengo85 what a bad image for the HK community
Katana zero is so underdiscussed. I don't see many people talking about it (kinda because it's short but still) . Also loved dead cells because how much variety there is in builds etc.
@@Varengo85 undertale is a good game. The community around it may not be very helpful always but the game itself is really great
I know the "Walking Simulator" has come a long way, but Gone Home is still a classic.
Gone home is one of the best games ever made it would definitely be high on my top 10 indie list
Hollow Knight, Bug Fables, Murder by Numbers, and Underhero are some of my favorite indies
I have a feeling you are a fellow arlo fan, either that or you just have good taste
I’m suppressed he didn’t mention Ori and the blind forest let alone Minecraft except Minecraft is now owned by Microsoft which makes is not indie but it started indie