Our 100 Best Indie Games of All Time

You’ve likely seen other sites posting their lists of the “Top 100 Games of All Time” or “Top 100 Games to Play Now”, or some variation thereof. Here at GameLuster, while we do love our AAA heavy hitters, the majority of our coverage has always been and always will be the smaller indie games that don’t get the attention they deserve. Sure, there are your giant breakout hits that make every list. You’ve got your Stardew Valleys and your Undertales, and those are amazing games! But there’s so much great stuff out there that doesn’t get the respect it deserves, often on marketing budgets of $0 and from a single developer, that we felt compelled to highlight as many as we could.

As picked by our staff through a rigorous ranked voting process, here are the top 100 Indie Games of all time, each one linked to a review for the game if our site has one, along with the primary genres of the game and platforms where you can find it. Click on the hyperlink for the platforms to be taken to the Steam page to learn more about each game! Most PC games are playable to some degree on Steam Deck, but please check the Steam page for that individual game to verify. Remember that all PlayStation 4 games can be purchased and played on PlayStation 5, and same for Xbox One games on Xbox Series X or S.

Review scores may not line up exactly with placement on the list, as it is a conglomeration of all of our opinions and different staff writers have come and gone over the years. With all that in mind, one…two… indie!

Nine Sols
Pictured: Nine Sols. Gorgeous Chinese art and heart-stopping action!

100. Sayonara Wild Hearts (2019) – Rhythm – iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One

99. Signalis (2022) (Our Review) – Survival Horror – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

98. Nine Sols (2024) (Our Review) – Action, 2D Platformer – PC, macOS

97. Tavern Talk (2023) (Our Review) – Visual Novel – PC, Nintendo Switch

96. Cult of the Lamb (2022) (Our Review) – Management, Roguelike – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Scorn screenshot
Pictured: Scorn. Grossly glorious! If you love the Alien films, this is your next obsession.

95. Cyber Hook (2020) – Action, 3D Platformer – PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

94. Scorn (2022) (Our Review) – Survival Horror – PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

93. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami (2024) (Our Review) – Adventure, Point and Click – Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC

92. Animal Well (2024) (Our Review) – 2D Platformer, Metroidvania – PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

91. Pepper Grinder (Our Review) – Action, 2D Platformer – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Mondealy 04
Pictured: Mondealy. So, is that the love of my life… (yes)

90. Lil Guardsman (2024) (Our Review) – Puzzle – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

89. Mondealy (2024) (Our Review) – Adventure – PC, Nintendo Switch

88. Season: A Letter to the Future (2023) (Our Review) –  Adventure – PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

87. Touhou Luna Nights (2018) (Our Review) – Metroidvania, Action – PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch

86. Wildermyth (2021) – Tactics, RPG – PC, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

1920Sandrock
Pictured: My Time at Sandrock. This farm ain’t gonna run itself! Or maybe it will?

85. Stray (2022) (Our Review) – Adventure, Puzzle – PC, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

84. Road 96 (2021) – Adventure, Roguelike – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

83. My Time at Sandrock (2023) (Our Review) – Life Sim, Farming Sim – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

82. Limbo (2010) & INSIDE (2016) (Our Review) – Horror, Puzzle Platformer – iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

81. Inscryption (2021) – Horror, Roguelike, Deck Builder – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

before your eyes 7
Pictured: Before Your Eyes. This incredibly unique game is controlled entirely by your eyes via webcam!

80. A Highland Song (2023) (Our Review) – Adventure – Nintendo Switch, PC

79. CONSCRIPT (2024) – Survival Horror – PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

78. Before Your Eyes (2021) – Adventure – PC, macOS, iOS, Android, PlayStation VR2

77. Knytt Stories (2007) – Adventure – PC

76. Undertale (2015) – RPG, Adventure – PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

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Pictured: This War of Mine. This was the first ever game to be added to a national recommended reading list when it was chosen in Poland in 2020.

75. This War of Mine (2014) – Survival – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android, OSX

74. The House in Fata Morgana (2012) – Visual Novel – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS

73. Night in the Woods (2017) (Our Review) – Adventure – PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS

72. Contraband Police (2023) – Action, Simulator – PC

71. What the Golf? (2019) – Sports, Simulator – PC, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5

Spark the Electric Jester 3 5
Pictured: Spark the Electric Jester 3. Must move quickly! Ah, he’s always saying that classic catchphrase.

70. The Invincible (2023) (Our Review) – Walking Simulator – PC, OSX, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S

69. Spark the Electric Jester 3 (2022) – 3D Platformer – PC, Nintendo Switch

68. South of the Circle (2020) – Adventure – PC, iOS, Nintendo Switch, macOS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

67. Shadowrun Returns (2013) – Turn-Based Strategy, RPG – PC, OSX, Linux, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

66. Potions: A Curious Tale (2024) – Puzzle, Adventure – PC

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Pictured: El Paso, Elsewhere. We all know that Blade movie is never getting made. Why not hunt vampires here instead?

65. Oxenfree (2016) – Narrative-Driven, Adventure – PC, OSX, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

64. El Paso, Elsewhere (2023) – Third-Person Shooter – PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, PlayStation 5

63. Dwarf Fortress (2006) – Colony Sim – PC, MacOS, Linux

62. Ori and the Blind Forest (2018) – Metroidvania, 2D Platformer – PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

61. Chants of Sennaar (2023) – Adventure, Puzzle – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

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Pictured: I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. Is this the gay agenda? Yes, yes it is. Welcome in!

60. What the Car? (2023) – Simulation, Racing – PC, iOS

59. Project Zomboid (2013) – Survival, RPG – PC, OSX, Linux

58. I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (2022) (Our Review) – Adventure, Life Sim – PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5

57. Hand of Fate (2015) – Roguelike Deckbuilder – PC, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

56. Fez (2012) – Puzzle, 2D Platformer – PC, Linux, OSX, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Transistor
Pictured: Transistor. Sadly, images are very bad at communicating that this game has one of the best soundtracks of all time.

55. Transistor (2014) – RPG, Action – PC, Linux, OSX, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

54. Tunic (2021) – Puzzle, Adventure – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

53. Umurangi Generation (2020) – Adventure – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & 5, Quest 2 (VR)

52. The Banner Saga (2014) – Strategy, RPG – PC, Android, iOS, Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

51. Imposter Factory (2021) – Adventure – PC, Linux, macOS

Dea
Pictured: Death’s Door. If you have ever found yourself asking “what if a bird had a sword” this game is for you.

50. Fields of Mistria (2024) (Our Review) – RPG, Farming Sim – PC

49. Dread Delusion (2024) (Our Review) – Adventure, RPG – PC

48. Death’s Door (2020) (Our Review) – Action, Soulslike – PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

47. Teardown (2021) (Our Review) – Immersive Sim, Sandbox – PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

46. To the Moon (2011) – Adventure – PC, Linux, OSX, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

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Pictured: Children of the Sun. One shot, one kill baby.

45. Inmost (2019) – Puzzle, 2D Platformer – PC, iOS, MacOS, Nintendo Switch

44. Higurashi: When They Cry (2002) – Visual Novel, Horror – PC

43. Darkest Dungeon (2016) – Roguelike, RPG – PC, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

42. Children of the Sun (2024) (Our Review) – Third Person Shooter, Puzzle – PC

41. Record of Lodoss War – Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth (2021) – 2D Platformer, Action – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

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Pictured: Little Nightmares II. This game was easy, she’s nowhere near as scary as my actual 3rd grade teacher.

40. Subnautica (2018) – Survival, Action-Adventure – PC, Mac OS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

39. Little Nightmares II (2021) (Our Review) – Puzzle, Horror – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

38. Little Inferno (2012) – Puzzle – PC, iOS, Android, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch

37. Hardspace: Shipbreaker (2022) – Action-Adventure, Simulator – PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

36. Change: A Homeless Survival Experience (2020) (Our Review) – Survival, Simulator – PC

Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe Game Review Indie Game Fans Review 1
Pictured: The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. *Wiggles fingers* Oho, don’t mind if I do.

35. Balatro (2024) (Our Review) – Deckbuilder, Roguelike – PC, macOS, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

34. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (2019) – RPG, Narrative-Driven – PC, macOS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

33. The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe (2022) – Narrative-Driven, Adventure – PC, Nintendo Switch, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS

32. Journey (2012) – Adventure, Puzzle – PC, PlayStation 4, iOS

31. Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight (2016) – Metroidvania, 2D Platformer – PC, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

stasis
Pictured: Stasis: Bone Totem. If you’re one of those freaks that loves exploring freaky worlds and freaking the freak out – this one’s for you.

30. Valheim (2021) (Our Review) – Survival, Sandbox – PC, Linux, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

29. Steamworld Dig 2 (2017) – Metroidvania, Action – PC, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

28. Stasis: Bone Totem (2023) (Our Review) – Puzzle, Adventure – PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

27. Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville (2022) – Strategy, Simulator – PC

26. Rain World (2017) – Survival, 2D Platformer – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

against the storm release date
Pictured: Against the Storm. Will no one think of the plight of the lizard people in the face of beaver people oppression?

25. Guacamelee (2013) – Metroidvania, Beat ‘Em Up – PC, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

24. Undying (2023) – Survival – PC

23. Terra Invicta (2022) (Our Review) – Grand Strategy – PC

22. Anodyne 2: Return to Dust (2019) – Action-Adventure – PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

21. Against the Storm (2023) (Our Review) – City-Builder, RTS – PC

the vanishing of ethan carter coming to xbox one new mode ad wwv9
Pictured: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. See that mountain? You actually can’t climb it, but look! So pretty.

20. Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse (2014) (Our Review) – 2D Platformer, Puzzle – PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch

19. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (2014) – Horror, Adventure – PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

18. Gris (2018) (Our Review) – 2D Platformer – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

17. Dredge (2023) (Our Review) – Adventure, Horror – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

16. Cuphead (2017) – 2D Platformer, Action – PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, PlayStation 4

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Pictured: Affogato. This stylish game is a reverse tower defense! AKA one of my favorite genres – reversing the entire basis of an established genre.

15. Citizen Sleeper (2022) (Our Review) – Simulator, Adventure – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 & 5

14. Celeste (2018) (Our Review) – 2D Platformer – PC, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

13. Affogato (2023) – Tower Defense, Strategy – PC

12. Slay the Spire (2019) – Roguelike, Deckbuilder – PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, Xbox One

11. Beacon Pines (2022) (Our Review) – Narrative-Driven, Adventure – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

 

And Now *Drumroll*… The Top 10!

 

10. Stardew Valley (2016) (Our Review) – Life Sim, Management – PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

stardew
If you haven’t heard of this one already, how are you even someone who found our website?

 

 

9. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (2014) – Roguelike, Action – PC, Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Nintendo Switch

binding of isaac
 If you’re one of those Reddit people looking for a game you can actually play forever, here it is.

 

 

8. Return of the Obra Dinn (2018) – Puzzle, Adventure – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Return of the Obra Dinn
The clues are so much sharper in black and white!

 

 

7. Hades (2018) (Our Review) – Roguelike, Action – PC, Nintendo Switch, macOS, iOS, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

hades 09 dec 2019 01
I wonder if you’ve heard of this little known hidden gem?

 

 

6. The Case of the Golden Idol (2022) (Our Review) – Puzzle, Adventure – PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 & 5

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I have been asking and asking if this game was inspired by the Golden Poop running gag on American Dad, but the developers keep telling me “how did you get in here?” and “I’m calling the cops.”

 

 

5. Neon White (2022) (Our Review) – Arcade, First-Person Shooter – PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

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This ultimate evolution of the very idea of arcade games will help you find your inner freak!

 

4. What Remains of Edith Finch (2017) – Adventure, Narrative-Driven – PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS

Edith
Each subsequent story is just a little more exhilarating and heart-breaking than the last.

 

3. Outer Wilds (2019) – Adventure, Puzzle – PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Outer wilds
The next discovery is just a banjo away.

 

2. Hollow Knight (2017) – Metroidvania, Action – PC, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

hk
Silksong confirmed to shadow drop TOMORROW.

 

1. Spiritfarer (2020) – Management, Action Platformer – PC, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android

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Aren’t you just DYING to play our #1 pick?

 

Honorable Mention: Minecraft (2011) – Sandbox, Survival – PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android

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From humble beginnings to the biggest video game of all time.

While Minecraft is now a gigantic, monolithic force and owned by Microsoft, it began as a humble solo project by an ambitious indie developer. Before the microtransactions and online realms, before the Jack Black movie and the 200 million sales, Minecraft carved its own way into the halls of video game legend through its earnest community, modders, and organic word of mouth. Minecraft earned its way onto this list many, many years before it became a AAA money-printing machine, so we wanted to give a special shout out to the early access indie darling that started it all. Maybe check it out sometime?

What’d you think? We’d love if you share this list with any friends who are looking for a new indie game to get lost in, or something innovative and fresh to strike inspiration in them where AAA games have fallen short. Did we miss any of your favorite games? Let us know in the comments below!

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