The Ultimate Countdown: Top 17 Indie Gems to Play in 2024!

As we bid farewell to 2024, we celebrate its selection of remarkable indie games. It’s the most extensive list so far–in five years of devising this year-end countdown, the rivalry is fiercer than ever, and numerous fantastic titles had to be discarded.

Here are the 17 finest indie games of 2024. As always, this represents but one perspective–some of your preferred titles may not appear here, but please assist in spreading the word by sharing your cherished small-studio games in the comments or elsewhere. After facing a couple of challenging years, independent creators require all the support they can muster as they confront what is likely to be another tough 12 months for the gaming industry.

If you appreciate this compilation, explore my favorite indie games of 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020–there’s a good chance you missed out on one or several exceptional hits over the past five years.

17) Toy Trains VR

Platforms: Meta Quest, SteamVR, PSVR

Developer: Something Random

The inaugural game I evaluated in 2024 is also one of the most unforgettable. Toy Trains VR is a delightful and cozy sandbox experience from Something Random, the team behind SUPERHOT VR, delivering a notable deviation from their earlier work. With this installment, the studio provides a tranquil VR journey that allows players to craft and investigate whimsical realms: a nostalgic venture evoking simpler moments in gaming and life itself.

Check out my complete review of Toy Trains VR.

16) Aaero2

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Mad Fellows

The rhythm-action sensation Aaero2 is among the most underrated indie games of 2024: a charming blend of Audiosurf, Wipeout, and Rez, where players trace light ribbons to music while combating foes. It’s far from refined–on Xbox, it still resembles a rudimentary port of a PC version–but it functions beautifully, merging a fantastic soundtrack with exciting combat and breathtaking environments.

15) Botany Manor

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S (PS4 and PS5 TBC 2025)

Developer: Balloon Studios

Few titles in 2024 were as cozy or reflective as Botany Manor: the most soothing puzzle exploration game you can envision, where you roam through a 19th-century English manor filled with plants you discover and cultivate.

Initially, it may appear somewhat tedious–and at times, unclear–but its classic puzzle mechanics eventually click into place. If you get stuck, the game expertly guides you in the right direction, offering constant satisfaction without ever making you feel foolish.

14) Hypercharge: Unboxed

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Digital Cybercherries

Certainly, it was released on PC and Switch in 2020, but this year’s Xbox adaptation of Hypercharge: Unboxed was truly worth the wait. It’s the toy-themed PvE shooter you’ve always envisioned, combining nostalgic charm with captivating mechanics, imaginative level design, and impressively substantial combat.

There’s abundant replay value between its single and multiplayer modes, and there are no microtransactions–a perfect couch co-op game for companionship with friends and family alike.

Check out my review of Hypercharge Unboxed from May.

13) Pacific Drive

Platforms: PC, PS5

Developer: Ironwood Studios

Pacific Drive presents an unusual concept: a survival-driving indie title set in the Pacific Northwest, merging elements of STALKER, Jalopy, and Control. As a mute driver, you manage and upgrade your magical vehicle while dealing with strange occurrences and perilous settings, revealing the narrative behind the catastrophe as you progress.

Pacific Drive doesn’t coddle you, nor should it–this is edgy content and one of the most distinctive games in recent times. Immerse yourself in its bizarre universe and allow it to challenge you.

12) Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

Platforms:PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Seedy Eye Software

Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore cleverly reinvents notorious Philips CD-i games, transforming their clumsy allure into an enjoyable, retro-styled 2D platformer. Created by the cleverly named Seedy Eye Software, Arzette combines tight, gratifying gameplay with a hilarious, absurd storyline featuring quirky characters including a teleporting scarecrow, a cat pirate, and a fairy who may or may not indulge in class-A substances.

Despite its brief length, Arzette excels in its replay potential, with an abundance of collectibles, mini-quests, and nicely structured progression. It achieves a wonderful balance of nostalgic tribute and contemporary polish, providing a fresh perspective on a largely disregarded and perhaps unreasonably criticized console.

Here’s my complete analysis of Arzette from February.

11) Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5

Developer: Simogo

The Swedish indie creator Simogo’s sequel to Sayonara Wild Hearts did not disappoint. This highly stylized noir murder mystery invites you to solve numerous puzzles in a mansion, which become increasingly intricate as you advance. It’s unquestionably one of the most visually stunning games of 2024, packed with imaginative concepts and disquieting themes, even if its straightforward mechanics can occasionally frustrate you–although that sometimes seems to be the objective.

10) Caravan SandWitch

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS5,

Developer: Plane Toast

Caravan SandWitch is among

the most enchanting open-world escapades in recent times: a game that emphasizes exploration and puzzle-solving within a low-pressure setting, providing a rejuvenating and contemplative getaway.

As the main character Sauge, you embark on a quest to locate your absent sister on your native planet—one that’s breathtaking yet fundamentally ravaged by anti-ecological avarice. Absence of death mechanics allows the game to prioritize piecing together the narrative while assisting communities you encounter as you travel through the mesmerizing terrain in your Party Wagon-style vehicle. It’s an exquisite and contemplative journey, layered with melancholy and regret.

9) Fear the Spotlight

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: CozyGamePals

As the initial entry in a quartet of horror titles on this list—and among three influenced by vintage games—Fear the Spotlight marks an impressive debut from Blumhouse Games, made even more remarkable by its creation from the two-person team CozyGamePals. You take on the role of Vivian Singh, traversing a haunted school linked to a tragic backstory, while evading the game’s singular, intimidating antagonist, The Spotlight.

With its PS1/PS2 aesthetic, immersive storytelling, and clever puzzles, the game presents a rejuvenated perspective on traditional survival horror conventions, balancing procedural stealth, symbolic narrative components, and inventive puzzles to deliver a captivating three-hour adventure, alongside a creative alternative story mode. Technical glitches may occasionally arise, but at $20, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Check out my complete analysis of Fear the Spotlight from October.

8) Parking Garage Rally Circuit

Platforms: PC

Developer: Walaber Entertainment

Don’t be mistaken, Parking Garage Rally Circuit is the ultimate arcade racing game of 2024, and likely the finest of the decade to date. This enchanting, nostalgia-drenched racer, inspired by classic Sega Saturn titles—the singular vision of Tim “Walaber” FitzRandolph—melds quirky parking-garage courses with expertly responsive drifting and boosting mechanics.

It’s one of the most gratifying driving experiences in recent times, and at $10, it’s a must-experience for both retro enthusiasts and racing aficionados.

Take a look at my review of Parking Garage Rally Circuit.

7) UFO 50

Platforms: PC

Developer: Mossmouth LLC

Why settle for a single indie game when you can enjoy 50 in one go? UFO 50 provides an extraordinary collection of 50 retro-inspired games developed by a fictional company between 1982 and 1989, covering beloved genres of that time including shoot ’em ups, platformers, and RPGs. It resembles the magnificent Atari 50 strikingly, and almost serves as a credible historical account—you finish UFO 50 wishing UFO Soft had been a real entity.

UFO 50 is not akin to Mario Party—each installment is a fully-fledged game, with some providing versus and co-op modes. Like any compilation, some experiences shine brighter than others, but the majority are enjoyable. Out of the lot, about 10 to 15 stand out as exceptional—personal highlights being Bushido Ball and Elfazar’s Hat, which could have easily been released as independent titles. Perhaps that’s the ambition—Mossmouth has established the groundwork to build a fictional retro gaming empire.

6) Animal Well

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Billy Basso, Shared Memory

As one of the most delightful revelations of 2024, Animal Well provides a perfect amalgamation of atmosphere, tension, exploration, and puzzles. It’s also among the year’s more challenging titles to articulate: you can complete Animal Well in just a few hours, but there’s an abundance of depth and intricacy in its meticulously crafted world that keeps unfolding.

This Metroidvania experience forgoes combat and direction, prompting you to interact with its concepts through tools and challenges. Stick with it—regardless of your expertise level, it’s incredibly enjoyable to engage with and visually stunning. Whatever investment you make will yield rich rewards.

5) Conscript

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Jordan Mochi, Catchweight Studio

Top-down survival horror Conscript, set amidst the horrors of WW1, offers an exhilarating, demanding, and emotionally charged experience. It’s not merely a remarkable indie; it stands as the finest WW1-themed game since Valiant Hearts, perhaps even the best ever developed.

Conscript was created single-handedly by Jordan Mochi, whose dedication is as motivating as the game itself. With no prior coding skills, he spent six years perfecting this impressive work of art. Conscript demonstrates that passion and tenacity can result in something extraordinary, making it essential for enthusiasts of survival horror and historical narratives alike.

Here’s my complete review of Conscript from August.

4) Crow Country

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: SFB Games

Crow Country serves as a masterclass in retro survival horror—a creation that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. Drawing inspiration from 90s PS1 giants like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, this five-hour treasure from SFB Games weaves together gloomy, unsettling landscapes with an eccentric, colorful ensemble to forge a world that is as enchanting as it is eerie. Featuring a gripping narrative and high-quality dialogue, it maintains tension without veering into absurdity; every interaction feels significant, and every twist resonates powerfully.

The evocative art style is enhanced by well-crafted puzzles, charming theme park settings, and unsettling adversaries, presenting both a challenge and a rewarding experience. Its rough edges—awkward combat, clunky controls, and oddly concealed items—add a quaint touch. This is survival horror at its finest: an ode to a genre that remains strong in its original 3D format.

Read my review of Crow Country from May.

3) Still Wakes the Deep

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: The Chinese Room

Taking place on the dilapidated Beira D oil platform in the 1970s, Still Wakes the Deep taps into a myriad of shared anxieties like heights, darkness, solitude, and drowning, but the ultimate dread lies in the inescapability of death.

Its true prowess is showcased through its remarkable voice performances and the fragility of the narrative…

of the protagonist Caz McCleary, a deeply flawed individual striving for personal atonement–just not like this. As you navigate the oil platform, the terrors are less about combating foes and more about mere existence, as your associates transform into ghastly entities. The strain is perpetual, especially since Caz–noted for being quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat–remains defenseless and vulnerable against the abominations aboard.

While sporadic platforming glitches and disruptive alerts can occasionally disrupt the immersion, Still Wakes the Deep shines in its storytelling and emotional narration. It may not be the most terrifying title of the year, but its character-focused performances render it an unforgettable adventure.

Take a look at my June assessment of Still Wakes the Deep.

2) Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Platforms: PC, Mac, Switch, PS4, PS5

Developer: Coal Supper

Thank Goodness You’re Here! is the most amusing game of the past decade: a surreal, slapstick, ridiculous, yet unexpectedly spicy sketch show set in an absurd caricature of Yorkshire. This two-hour fever dream radiates charm and innovation, with its hilarious writing augmented by an exceptional voice cast that includes, but is not solely dependent on, the legendary Matt Berry.

Whether you’re mending beer lines, serving chips to a cow, or undergoing a David Lynch-inspired existential body horror episode inside a slice of ham, every second of Thank Goodness You’re Here brims with humor and surprises. Developer Coal Supper has fashioned a distinct, essential experience that revels in irreverent British comedy at its finest.

Discover my insights on Thank Goodness You’re Here! in my review from July.

1) Balatro

Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, Mac, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Developer: LocalThunk

Balatro isn’t merely the top indie game of 2024–it’s the finest game of the year overall. It transcends that: Balatro is a yawning void into which you will initially test the waters, and before you know it, you’ve dedicated 150 hours to it and find yourself sinking deeper and deeper into its endless abyss.

This poker-infused roguelite must be experienced to be comprehended. Once it resonates, it will monopolize your thoughts. Its risk-and-reward dynamics are extraordinary, and the mental gymnastics you undergo will regularly drive you to the brink–in a positive way. Throughout, its soundtrack keeps you captivated–even though, after a few hours, it becomes apparent that Balatro has only one surprisingly melancholic tune playing on repeat.

Allow me to make one suggestion: avoid acquiring Balatro on your mobile device. I’ve somehow resisted–only because I’ve made considerable progress on the Xbox version, which I’ve now installed and uninstalled four times–but it will consume your existence. During two days of riding the London Underground in December 2024, I noticed at least a dozen individuals playing it.

They’re all ensnared now. They’re likely facing foreclosure and separation, yet I bet they still feel contented–they possess Balatro in their hands. They look up at the towering joker. Many weeks it took them to comprehend what kind of grin was concealed beneath the paint. O cruel, needless misapprehension! O stubborn, self-imposed exile from the cherished game! Two Red Bull-scented tears stream down the sides of their noses. But it is all fine, everything is well, the struggle has concluded. They had triumphed over themselves. They adore Balatro.