If you’re into indie games, there are lots of exciting ones coming up (or very recently dropped) that are worth bookmarking. Here are some upcoming indie titles (and recent indies) that are catching buzz. We have included games from different genres across all platforms. So, no matter what you are into, you will have something to play.
1. Absolum
Release Date: October 09, 2025
A stunning hand-drawn roguelike beat ’em up that looks like it came straight from an art book. Every run in Absolum throws you into fresh layouts filled with enemies, flashy combos, and stylized chaos. It’s that perfect mix of tight combat and expressive visuals. Think Hades meets Okami.
2. Replaced
Release Date: Early 2026 (Q1 / Q2)
This one is pure cyberpunk perfection. Replaced is a cinematic pixel-art action platformer set in a grim, alternate 1980s America, where you play as an AI trapped in a human body. It’s giving Blade Runner energy but in side-scrolling form.
The visuals are ridiculously gorgeous, with smooth animation, moody lighting, and atmospheric rain-drenched cityscapes. Combat is slick and brutal, mixing hand-to-hand brawling with gunplay. The soundtrack also absolutely slaps with synth-heavy vibes. This one’s launching in 2026 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, and it’s definitely shaping up to be one of the most stylish indies of the year.
3. Mina the Hollower
Release Date: Was scheduled for October 31, 2025, but delayed, new date unannounced
From the legendary devs at Yacht Club Games (aka the Shovel Knight creators), Mina the Hollower brings back that nostalgic Game Boy Color aesthetic but amps it up with modern gameplay.
You play as Mina, a whip-wielding inventor exploring eerie crypts, spooky villages, and monster-infested caverns. Her ability to burrow underground adds a whole layer of strategy, making combat dynamic and exploration fun.
It’s got Castlevania and Zelda: Link’s Awakening energy, but way more polished. Yacht Club’s attention to detail basically guarantees this will be a banger when it launches across all major platforms in the coming times.
4. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Release Date: September 4, 2025(Already released)
Yup, it’s finally here. Silksong is the long-awaited sequel that everyone’s been losing their minds over for years. Hornet takes the spotlight this time, and she’s way faster and more agile than the Knight.
The new kingdom of Pharloom is massive, filled with deadly bugs, beautiful ruins, and haunting music that’ll make you pause mid-combat. Team Cherry’s design is still top-tier, with handcrafted environments and enemies that’ll test your patience and skill.
It’s already being praised as a masterpiece by early reviewers. Available now on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, this one’s a must-play for Metroidvania fans.
5. Grave Seasons
Release Date: 2026
Grave Seasons is a spooky twist on the cozy farming sim formula, coming in 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Set in the quiet town of Ashenridge, you farm, fish, and build relationships, but there’s a dark secret lurking beneath the surface. Someone in town is a killer, and each playthrough randomizes who it is, making every run feel fresh and tense.
You’ll balance daily farm life with investigating murders, protecting townsfolk, and maybe even romancing the wrong person. Developed by Perfect Garbage and published by Blumhouse Games, it’s basically Stardew Valley meets a murder mystery horror.
6. Winter Burrow
Release Date: November 12, 2025
Winter Burrow is a cozy woodland survival game from Pine Creek Games (dev) and Noodlecake (publisher). You play as a city mouse returning to your childhood burrow, which is all broken down, and your aunt (who was caring for it) is missing.
The game blends relaxing sim elements, gathering resources, crafting tools, knitting sweaters, baking pies, decorating your burrow, with a mystery and light survival challenge. It’s launching on November 12, 2025, on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One (including Game Pass Day One), and Nintendo Switch.
7. Little Devil Inside
Release Date: TBD
This one’s been in development for what feels like forever, but 2025 might finally be the year we see it drop. Little Devil Inside is a semi-open-world adventure featuring survival, exploration, and quirky RPG elements.
You’re part of a group investigating supernatural events, traveling across beautifully stylized landscapes, from deserts to snowy peaks, all while managing gear, stamina, and encounters. It’s got this dry, British sense of humor and an art style that feels handcrafted. If it sticks the landing, this could be a standout indie experience across all major platforms.
8. Goodnight Universe
Release Date: November 11, 2025
Goodnight Universe is a narrative adventure game from Nice Dream (the team behind Before Your Eyes) and Skybound Games. You play as Isaac, a six-month-old baby who starts developing spooky psychic powers. The story is part feel-good family drama, part creepily corporate sci-fi, because while you just want love and acceptance, there’s a tech company that wants to use your powers for their own ends.
This game has a unique mechanic; on platforms that support a webcam or face tracking, you can use your face/eyes as a control or input (similar to how Before Your Eyes used blinking). On other platforms, you’ll use normal controls, but they’ve designed both playstyles to feel meaningful.
9. The Gecko Gods
Release Date: TBD
If you’re into cozy, relaxing games, The Gecko Gods is one to watch. You play as a tiny gecko exploring an ancient island, solving puzzles, and discovering ruins at your own pace. The visuals are soft and inviting, and the climbing mechanics make exploration feel super natural and fun.
It’s like A Short Hike meets Journey, but with a reptilian twist. It’s meant to be a low-stress, chill experience, something you can unwind with after a long gaming session. Dropping in 2025 for PC and all consoles.
10. Ball x Pit
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Okay, pure chaos incoming. Ball x Pit blends bullet-hell, roguelite, and base-building into one whole package. You’re dodging literal walls of projectiles, upgrading between rounds, and trying to survive increasingly fun runs. It’s fast-paced, fun, and dangerously addictive, the kind of game where “just one more run” turns into three hours.
Final Thoughts
It’s a good time to be an indie games fan. From adventures like The Gecko Gods, dark action, and stylistic masterpieces like Replaced, there’s a seriously awesome game coming out in the near future. The creativity coming out of the indie games this year feels unmatched, and lowkey, it’s outshining a lot of AAA stuff.
