Check Out Our List of the Best Indie Games to Play in 2026; The Best Picks

Indie games are truly underrated gems that are made by small but super creative teams. Although they don't have a budget like the big companies, their engaging storylines and ideas make the game addictive. From thrilling adventures to emotional tales, you will get a worthy experience.

The best part is that they are affordable, run on gaming PCs or consoles and deliver the best on a small scale. In this article, we have listed the top 10 best indie games to explore.

Top 10 Best Indie Games

These are the best Indie video games that you can play today. From Hollow Knight to Cuphead, here's our 10 best picks:

You can also check out our separate coverage of the best free games on Steam by visiting our official website.

10) Balatro

This super fun game is made by just a single person. It is like a mix of poker and deck-building. You can play poker hands to rack up huge scores and beat scores in every run. The game is easy to learn, but to master it, you need to have many runs. It has already sold 5M+ copies and is loved by 98% of people on Steam.

9) Undertale

Undertale is one of the best indie games that was released in 2015. You play as a kid who falls into the Underground, which is a hidden world of monsters. The gameplay mixes fights with bullet-hell dodging. The interesting thing is that you can befriend everyone in the game and explore the world filled with puzzles. The writing of Undertale is hilarious, with brilliant characters and epic music.

8) Celeste

Celeste is a 2D platformer that was released in 2018. Here you play as Madeline, who climbs the magical mountain. Climbing walls, jumping, and dodging can be tough. If you die, respawn will be nearby. The story of Celeste is deep and real, and the pixel art graphics make the game more interactive. The controls are easy, and every win feels earned.

7) Return of the Obra Dinn

Lucas Pope made Return of the Obra Dinn in 2018 for PC and Mac. Later, the game also hit PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. You are an insurance investigator in the game who is boarding a ghost ship. The gameplay is very engaging, and you can use a magic pocket watch to rewind to the exact moment. Hunt clues like clothes, tattoos, and more, and do the interesting detective work. The game is a total masterpiece for those who love mysteries.

We also recently covered the best PC Games of All Time, so do check out this article.

6) Outer Wilds

Another one of the best indie video games, Outer Wilds, was released in 2019. You are a cute alien explorer in the game who is stuck in a 22-minute loop. The game has no combat or quests, just pure discovery. If you want to feel like a real astronaut uncovering secrets, Outer Wilds is the perfect choice. It perfectly blends science and emotional story.

5) Animal Well

Animal Well is a cool puzzle-platformer game where you play as a little blob hatching from a flower in a huge, dark underground well full of animals and secrets. The game has no fighting, just smart tools and puzzles. Every room has wild secrets that will surprise you. For users who love chill exploring, Animal Well is the perfect gaming title and is one of the best indie games as well.

4) Cult of the Lamb

In this game, you play as a pretty lamb saved by a dark god. You can build your own cult of cute animal followers, feed them, perform rituals, and manage the camp. The game is addictive and mixes dark humour, pretty art, and action.

3) Cuphead

It is a fun game where you play as Cuphead, who lost a bet at a casino and must battle bosses to get their souls back. The game sounds like the 1900s cartoons and hand-drawn animation. You can play it alone or with your friends as well. The catchy music and visuals, with overall fun gameplay, make the whole game a fine indie gem.

If you want to know about the best free games on Steam, check out our other article as well.

2) Disco Elysium

In Disco Elysium, you play as a detective who is solving a murder. The game has no fights, just talks and thinking, while exploring a rich world full of politics. The game has top-tier writing; it is funny and emotional. The game won the Game of the Year Award and is truly a masterpiece, and one of the best indie video games.

1) Hollow Knight

Holly Knight is considered one of the best indie games by many users. You play as a silent bug knight exploring the huge kingdom. The place is full of tough bosses, hidden secrets, and bugs. The handwritten art and epic music create a magical world in the game, making you addicted to the game. Although the combat is challenging, you will learn a lot.

Ranking Factors

There are many factors, such as player reviews, high engagement, downloads, and more, that contribute to the overall quality of the game. To make this list of the best indie games, we have also taken certain factors like them into account:

• Reviews/Ratings: Positive player reviews and ratings explain how the game has impressed different users.
• Graphics: The visuals are another important aspect in any game because how graphically pleasing the title looks matters a lot.
• Gameplay: The gameplay is, without a doubt, the main thing about any game. If the gameplay is engaging, you will surely enjoy the title.

This brings our listicle on the best Indie games on Steam to an end. You can also check out the latest gaming news coverage by visiting our official website.