Another year, another landfill of indie games spewed onto Steam and consoles. But amongst the endless Early Access survival crafting roguelikes and 2D pixel sidescrollers, there are some halfway decent-looking titles that may keep you distracted for a few hours before the screaming void returns. Here are 10 to consider before you start eyeing up the medicine cabinet.
Top 10 Best indie games you need to play in 2023
A Highland Song
Oh joy, another open-world action RPG, just what we needed. Prance around the highlands doing quests for doddery old druids and listening to that generic Celtic music they stick over everything these days. Still, plenty of district scrubland to get lost in when hiding from the bailiffs I suppose.
- Platforms: PC, consoles
- Genre: Action RPG
- Release: 2023
Dredge
A fishing game, but it’s a bit SPOOKY and ATMOSPHERIC. Ooooh. Catch haunted trout and wrestle the ghosts of sea captains. Includes a crafting system obviously, for all those times fishermen have to make their own harpoons at sea. I’m sure the story about respecting nature will be subtle.
- Platforms: PC, consoles
- Genre: Fishing, Adventure
- Release: Early 2023
Valheim
It’s as if the Vikings were into fort-building instead of pillaging. Kick back with your bearded chums, do a bit of mining, and kill the odd giant snake. Early access was done right for once, so a finished product could be pretty chill. Just hope they add more biomes, like Midgard IKEA or Asgard Bowling Alley.
- Platforms: PC
- Genre: Survival, Crafting
- Release: Full launch in 2023
Cult of the Lamb
Start your own cult as a satanic lamb, how quirky! Kind of played myself recruiting loyal followers in that sex cult last year though. At least I can live vicariously through this game before the trial.
- Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
- Genre: Roguelike, Simulation
- Release: 2023
Stardew Valley
Farming simulator makes its way to mobile so now you can water virtual plants on the bus to your dead-end job. The joy of joys. Admittedly it’s quite relaxing before your wife leaves you and takes the kids. Maybe I’ll give it a go between court-appointed therapy sessions!
- Platforms: PC, consoles, mobile
- Genre: Farming Sim
- Release: Mobile in 2023
Night in the Woods
An artsy adventure game with some millennial animal characters examining their directionless lives. Hmm, might cut a bit close to the bone for me. I’d say wait for a sale unless you really relate to the themes of mental illness and existential dread.
- Platforms: steam
- Genre: Adventure
- Release: 2023
Dead Cells
It’s as if Dark Souls was a fast-paced roguelike platformer with pixels. Dodge rolling through ghoul-infested dungeons, dying over and over again – a nice distraction until the agonizing pain returns. Might pair well with some real-life self-flagellation!
- Platforms: Steam
- Genre: Roguelike, Action
- Release: 2023
Celeste
This pixel platformer has you climbing a mountain while a girl whispers encouraging mental health advice. Charming if you’re into that kind of thing – personally I’ll stick to booze for curing my depression.
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Platformer
- Release: 2023
Vampire Survivors
It’s a bullet hell game except you just stand still and watch your guy auto-shoot everything. Good for mobile as you can play one-handed on the toilet. Killing vampires makes me oddly hungry for garlic bread – or maybe that’s the Italian in me.
- Platforms: PC, consoles
- Genre: Survival
- Release: 2023
Pizza Tower
A wacky platformer with a pizza theme because of video games. At least this might motivate me to finally order something instead of eating canned beans out of the tin. But I swear if I see one bloody NFT in this thing I’m tipping it off my shelf.
- Platforms: PC, consoles, mobile
- Genre: Platformer, Action
- Release: 2023
There you have it – 10 indie games with the potential to slightly alleviate the sense of impending doom in 2023. Just remember, true happiness can only be found at the bottom of a bottle of whiskey. Chin chin!
In Conclusion…
So that’s my hot takes on some of the more mouth-watering indie titles that might just keep you clinging to your miserable existence for a few more precious hours.
Will they fill the endless void inside you? Of course not. But these games could provide a fleeting distraction before the existential terror creeps back in. Before you know it, you’ll be staring down the barrel of another wasted year!
At any rate, it beats sitting around an empty apartment waiting for the sweet release of death. Just keep your expectations low and you might be pleasantly surprised. Chin up, old sport – it will all be over sooner than you think!
FAQs
1. What are some of the top upcoming indie games in 2023?
Well, well, well, brace yourselves for a smorgasbord of gaming wonders. Picture yourself frolicking in fantastical realms with titles like “Enchanted Portals,” “Between Horizons,” and the enigmatic “The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood.” If you’ve got an itch for the obscure and eerie, “The Last Faith” beckons. And let’s not forget the tantalizingly mysterious “This Bed We Made.” In this realm of pixelated dreams, there’s a flavor for every palate.
2. Where can I find reviews for the best indie games released in 2023?
Aha, the hunt for knowledge, an eternal quest! Seek the wisdom of gaming sages at websites like GamesRadar and Finger Guns. They’ve scoured the digital landscapes, dissected the code, and penned their thoughts for your enlightenment. But wait, there’s more! Dive deeper into the abyss of indie gaming with the Indie Spotlight series by GamesRadar. More recommendations than you can shake a joystick at!
3. How can I purchase and play these indie game titles?
Fear not, for the path to gaming nirvana is paved with options. You can nab these indie treasures on platforms like Steam, the Epic Games Store, GOG, and your trusty consoles—PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. But beware, the availability might sway depending on your chosen vessel.
4. Are there any major indie gaming events happening in 2023?
Indeed, there are! 2023 is shaping up to be a year of indie gaming extravaganzas. Keep your calendar marked for events like PAX West and Summer Game Fest. It’s where you’ll find fellow indie enthusiasts and maybe even stumble upon your next gaming obsession.
5. Can you recommend good indie games for specific platforms?
Absolutely! If you’re sailing the PC seas, consider titles like “Hades,” “Stardew Valley,” “Hollow Knight,” “Celeste,” and “Dead Cells.” PlayStation aficionados, feast your eyes on “Returnal,” “Death’s Door,” “Kena: Bridge of Spirits,” “Bugsnax,” and “The Pathless.” Xbox adventurers, “The Ascent,” “12 Minutes,” “The Artful Escape,” “Sable,” and “Tunic” await your command. Nintendo Switch wanderers, set your sights on “Eastward,” “Axiom Verge 2,” “OlliOlli World,” “Garden Story,” and “Boyfriend Dungeon.” Your platform, your choices!
There you have it, my gaming compatriots, your burning questions answered with a dash of Yahtzee-esque flair. Now, off you go, explore those indie wonders, and may your gaming adventures be as unpredictable as my rants. Happy gaming!
