We are approaching the end of this year 2023 and it is time to take stock of the games released. Of course we think of giants like Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 or the remake of Resident Evil 4. But what about independent productions? Small games that have slipped under the radar of the general public? Rest assured, iGamesNews has put together a list of indie games you shouldn’t miss in 2023.
Songs of Sennaar, the language of the people
We’re starting off strong Songs by Sennaar, which you may have seen in the “Best Game with a Positive Message” category at the Game Awards 2023. We play a character who wakes up in a mysterious tower. The latter is inhabited by different peoples with different and distinct cultures, and the goal is to successfully reach the summit. However, this will not be an easy task, especially since you do not know the languages of the people you meet. Armed with your notebook, it’s up to you to decipher what you’re told and make your way to the top of the tower. This indie game is beautiful, touching and exercises your gray matter. Plus, it brilliantly translates the frustration that comes with the language barrier into real life. Here you can easily overcome this problem and it always motivates you to discover new things and be curious.
Songs by Sennaar is available on consoles and PC.
Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, the future is in the stars
Let’s continue this selection of indie games not to be missed in 2023 with Sisterhood of the Cosmic Wheel. The game’s action takes place almost entirely in the protagonist’s house, which is located on an asteroid. She has been banished because of her oracular powers and her situation is becoming increasingly difficult. To escape her exile, she summons a Behemoth, a creature that is normally forbidden to summon. Together they will make a pact and create a new tarot deck for Fortuna, our heroine. The latter has special properties that will change the course of history. It’s up to you to find out why by taking part in this unforgettable adventure with a captivating narrative and very well-written dialogue. We are faced with a true masterpiece that manages to offer us a universe so rich while standing in front of a closed door. We don’t see that every day.
The Sisterhood of the Cosmic Wheel is available on PC (Steam, GOG) and Nintendo Switch.
Jusant, the unforgettable climb
Comment? Juant In the list ? Yes, we’re still talking about a game from Don’t Nod Entertainment, the makers of Life is Strange. The difference is that the studio publishes itself and therefore meets the criteria to be an indie studio. Here we are invited to climb (again) a tower that rises in the middle of a desert world. All the inhabitants seem to have left without knowing the reasons for this exodus. The special thing about this game is that there are no dialogues. It is the notes we find and the environmental narrative that will tell us the story of the huge building we climb and the people who lived in it. So it’s not just about climbing. Take your time and admire the decor, which is truly breathtaking. In summary, it is a contemplative experience without the hassle, in short, ideal for the Christmas holidays, which are all about relaxation.
Juant is available on consoles and PC.
Cocoon, simple but effective
cocoon, it is the new indie game from Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE. These titles surely mean something to you as they have made an impression. We are faced with an ingenious puzzle game whose seemingly simple gameplay has been praised several times. We are thinking in particular of the main mechanic of jumping between worlds, whose originality and effectiveness have always pleased players. Cocoon also has the advantage of being affordable for a title of this type and, above all, it will captivate you with its universe and its innovative game design.
cocoon is available on consoles and PC.
Storyteller, the narrator is you
While we’re on the subject of puzzle games, let’s talk about it teller. Do you like children’s stories? Laugh a lot while playing? You have come to the right place. In Storyteller you have to create comic book style stories based on a title. For this purpose, frames and characters are provided to us. You then need to place them in the right place to create a coherent story related to the given title. Very often the stories we put together are rather unusual, with crazy love stories, betrayal and even monsters on the menu. As a bonus, you should know that last September it received new content that allowed it to extend its lifespan a little, which some people consider too short.
teller is available for PC, Mac, iOS, Android and Nintendo Switch.
Dredging, fishing like Lovecraft
excavator is a somewhat special case in the sense that it results in a rather unexpected mix. For good reason, it’s a mix between a fishing game with advanced boat customization and… creatures straight from the Lovecraft universe. Yes, we are not used to seeing such a wedding and that helped make the game famous. It’s an adventure that will both relax and scare you, especially if you don’t like deep water. At least if you have the courage to venture abroad far from civilization. We’re exaggerating the statement a little, but we really invite you to take a look.
excavator is available on consoles and PC.
Viewfinder, smile, it’s for the photo
Would you like to play a puzzle game again? Viewfinder is not like Chants of Sennaar or Storyteller. It’s a puzzle game with a single mechanic: the use of an instant camera. Put like that, it’s not necessarily exciting, but it has a very special quality. Once the photo is taken, it is possible to retrieve it and literally embed it into the decoration in real time. Then everything becomes a question of perspective, of point of view. For example, you can “capture” a wall and build a bridge out of it. And be careful, it’s not boring, quite the opposite, because the game manages to constantly renew itself and always surprises. For fans of the genre, it is one of the must-have indie games of this 2023.
Viewfinder is available for PS4, PS5 and PC.
Sea of Stars, the role-playing game that left no one indifferent
Sea of starsis the big winner in the Best Indie Game category at the Game Awards 2023. There have been a few RPGs this year, and this is one of the most interesting to ever come out. Whether in terms of gameplay mechanics, turn-based combat or “old-school” graphics, it constantly plays with a touch of nostalgia. However, it manages to maintain a unique identity while offering a fascinating story and charismatic characters. You could almost sum up Sea of Stars like this: If you miss the JRPGs of the 90s, you absolutely have to play it. In addition, even if you are a newbie, it remains a great adventure that will not leave you indifferent.
Sea of stars is available on consoles and PC.
Bramble: The Mountain King, explore the horror of Scandinavian folklore
Let’s now delve into Scandinavian folklore Bramble: The Mountain King. In this indie game we travel through a world that seems magical at first glance. In truth, he hides dark secrets, and you must prepare to flee from abominations that want only one thing: to devour you. One of the title’s greatest strengths is the way it juggles between the wonderful and the outrageous, making us feel like we’re immersed in a real story. For comparison, the way we progress through the story and the situations we encounter can be reminiscent of the excellent Little Nightmares. You may know the franchise, and if so, we invite you not to ignore Bramble.
Bramble: The Mountain King is available on consoles and PC.
Lethal Company, the phenomenon of the moment
If you follow the news at all, you’ve no doubt heard about it Deadly company. It is THE phenomenon of the moment, with a pitch that fits on a piece of paper. We work for a company that sends us to collect materials on deserted planets. There you must explore abandoned facilities while avoiding being massacred by the monsters found there. Like Phasmophobia, you earn money by completing missions, allowing you to unlock equipment. It makes progress easier and avoids constant dying. The icing on the cake is that it is possible to play with multiple people. In fact, it is highly recommended as Lethal Company has a proximity voice chat mechanism. Basically, the further away you are from a player, the harder it is to hear them. Like in real life, which is pretty well thought out.
Deadly company is available on PC.
Terra Nil, the reverse city builder
Terra Nile, it is an indie strategy game that has attracted a lot of attention. At the same time it has a really nice concept. You need to take barren land and transform it into a thriving, pollution-free environment. For this purpose, advanced eco-technology and other very useful facilities are at your disposal. However, it is not about creating a civilization, but rather about finding a balance for the environment. We have to leave the untouched nature behind us, which is why the game has been described several times as a “reverse city builder”. It is an ideal choice to end the year gently, especially since we are dealing with a theme that perfectly suits our times.
Terra Nile is available for PC, iOS, Android and Nintendo Switch.
The Talos Principle 2, the return of a great puzzle game
We’re ending this list with an… indie puzzle game! This holiday season we want to really warm up your brain. But we’re not talking about just anyone here. It is The Talos Principle 2, the sequel to the excellent first-person puzzle game from 2014. The principle is largely the same and we again find a strong presence of philosophical themes. We won’t call it accessible to everyone for now, as it is still quite difficult in terms of the puzzles it offers. Still, they have the virtue of being really well put together and ingeniously varied until the curtain falls.
The Talos Principle 2 is available on consoles and PC.
We have reached the end of this list and hope that we were able to introduce you to some great productions. Of course we could also have mentioned Planet of Lana, Have A Nice Death, Mediterranea Inferno or even Tchia, but that doesn’t claim to be complete and should already provide a good basis. Please share with us your own independent discoveries from this year.
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