Indie games are receiving more and more attention from the general public and are becoming more popular among gamers. These games are born out of individual initiatives or small studios that generally don't have financial backing from big companies, which allows them to unleash their creativity to create true masterpieces that will reach the end consumer.
Taking into account the huge number of indie games on the market today, we've selected the ten best indie adventure games so that you can embark on this world and be amazed by the quality of what they have to offer! Follow us and check out the titles listed! Who knows, maybe your next favorite game is among them?
A Space for the Unbound (2022)
Developed by Mojiken Studio, Space for the Unbound is one of the best indie adventure games ever created. The game's story starts out simple, taking place in 1990 and mixing magic and fantasy in rural Indonesia. However, as the narrative progresses, the plot becomes more complex, adding supernatural forces that want to take over the world.
In general, players complain a little about the game's uneven pace, with easy stages and others that are almost impossible. However, they also highly praise the construction of the characters and classify it as worthy of providing "an unforgettable experience". It's available for PC, via the Steam website, and is also available for other platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Sea of Stars (2023)
Also available for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, Sea of Stars is also recommended as one of the best indie adventure games. It was developed by Sabotage Studio and follows the mechanics of turn-based RPG games such as the famous Honkai: Star Rail by Hoyoverse, but with a focus on paying homage to the JRPGs of the 16-bit era due to its graphic style and soundtrack.
The game follows two children who possess powers relating to the sun and the moon and together can perform Eclipse Magic. This magic is the only thing in existence capable of combating the evil creations of Fleshmancer, an alchemist regarded as the game's villain. The general public experience is very satisfactory and the characters are rated as "very endearing".
Pacific Drive (2024)
Pacific Drive is a first-person survival game that sends shivers down the spines of its players due to its supernatural elements and the difficulty provided by the mobs. It is one of the best indie adventure games produced by Ironwood Studios and is available for PlayStation 5, GeForce Now and PC.
The main objective of the game is to uncover the mysteries behind an abandoned laboratory in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean. However, the path to this place is full of anomalies and hostile mobs and you'll have to find your way to fulfill your objective, since going on foot is a practically impossible task. Player feedback is always focused on the difficulty of the game and some bugs involving the controls from time to time, but, according to the players themselves, the unpredictability of the game pays off since "something new can be found around every corner and surprise you".
Cocoon (2023)
For those who like challenges that make the player think, Cocoon could be a great choice among the best indie adventure games. That's because the game's producers, Geometric Interactive, have added a number of interesting puzzles so that the player can reach the final goal. The title is available for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and has received a lot of positive feedback about its gameplay.
In the game's story, the player encounters a group of aliens who arrive on Earth wanting to rescue alien pods that have been placed in an abandoned swimming pool. But, unaware of the situation, three elderly people end up using the pool and everything starts to go downhill.
Venba (2023)
Developed by Visai Games, Venba is also great when it comes to the best indie adventure games. With it you can immerse yourself in a universe of culinary challenges while trying to survive as an Indian immigrant in Canada. The pixel art is highly praised by the public.
Available for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Venba is described by players as a moving experience. The game offers a meaningful and profound narrative for those who want to understand more about the life of an immigrant in another country.
Sheepy: A Short Adventure (2024)
If you're a fan of platform games, then Sheepy: A Short Adventure is the best indie adventure game for you. It's a short game developed by MrSuicideSheep that's only available for PC via Steam. The graphics are beautiful and the tense soundtrack provides the player with an immersive experience.
Here, we follow a discarded sheep that develops a conscience of its own and sets off on an adventure in an abandoned facility, which leads to elevators and platforms that disappear under its feet. But in the course of this journey, the little sheep protagonist makes some frightening discoveries about the people who have passed through, which may shock the player. Reviews of the game are very positive and many consider it to be one of the essential indie games for those who want to dive into this world for the first time.
Jusant (2023)
Jusant is a game that tells the saga of a traveler who is making his way through a mountain. This place had previously been inhabited, but due to a lack of water, it ended up being abandoned. The game was developed by Don't Nod and is available for PS5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S.
The challenges of climbing mountains and getting to know new civilizations make Jusant one of the best indie adventure games. The moments of peace are short, the temperatures are challenging and the cultural information provided by the devs about the civilizations created is great.
The Binding of Isaac Rebirth (2014)
Available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC, The Binding of Isaac Rebirth is one of the best indie adventure games ever created. It is the sequel to a game with the exact same premise: follow the protagonist through an unknown world as he flees from his mother who wants to sacrifice him in the name of her religion.
The game was developed by Edmund McMillen from the Nicalis studio and has won fans all over the world due to the challenges offered by the gameplay. You, as Isaac, the protagonist, manage to acquire supernatural powers while facing various enemies, solving puzzles and discovering frightening things in order to escape safely. It is considered by many to be one of the best indie adventure games and deserves its place on this list.
Palworld (2024)
Palworld was a pleasant surprise for independent studio Pocket Pair, becoming one of the best indie adventure games produced and also one of Steam's best sellers shortly after its release. The game stands out for its open world exploration and the little monsters very reminiscent of Pokémon, a game created by Nintendo.
But it doesn't stop there. The game also features gun battles, base and farm building and a system for combining pals to create new species. It's available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S and PC and is one of the best options for fans of RPGs and world exploration.
Terraria (2011)
Terraria is one of the best-known indie mobile games on the market and one of the best indie adventure games out there. It was produced jointly by Re-Logic, AK Tronic, 505 Games and Chunsoft and is available for the following platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, PC.
Here you can create your own objectives, building houses, fighting bosses or exploring the world around you and its dangerous dungeons. The game's NPCs offer different benefits and are unlocked according to the objectives you complete, so you're basically never left without something to do while you're playing Terraria! Players always speak highly of the game and highly recommend it!
Conclusion
Of course, there are many other indie games that deserve the public's attention, but here we've listed the ten best of them! Did you know any of them? Share them with us in the comments! Also check out our article on the best combinations in Palworld! We guarantee you'll like it!
Frequently asked questions that may interest you:
Which are the most critically acclaimed indie adventure games?
Celestia and Undertale are the most critically acclaimed in this genre.
Which indie adventure games offer the best 2D experience?
Undertale and The Binding of Isaac Rebirth are the indie games with the best 2D experience.
How do I find high-quality free indie adventure games?
On Steam you can use the "indie" and "free" tags in the search filter to find titles that match what you want.
