Best Of
Most Overlooked Indie Games of 2021
While it had its ups and downs, 2021 was never short of good titles to play. Knowing that it was so easy to miss some, I've compiled the list of overlooked Indie games that deserved far more attention. Enjoy.
Mundaun
A surprisingly well-crafted psychological horror comes from Hidden Fields. Mundaun takes place around a nearly desolate Alpine village, where unnatural forces still roam. Its somber atmosphere is very gripping and emphasized with black and white hand-drawn visuals. This immediately gives it a unique feel, which is deepened through an interesting folklore story. For those of us that are sick and tired of generic jump scares, Mundaun comes as a breath of fresh air.
Overboard!
Next, we have one of the best whodunnit Indies on the market. The premise is simple – you have to get away with killing somebody on the cruise. To do this, you'll need to clear the evidence, seduce or drug witnesses, and accuse other people on the ship. What makes Overboard! visual novel really stand out is the amount of freedom and replayability. It will take you a while to get things right and find out who to trust. There are also a lot of secrets that other passengers are hiding, so prepare for a lot of interesting twists.
An engaging detective story with a twist Steam
Kaze and the Wild Masks
If you are nostalgic about 90's platformers like Donkey Kong Country or Sonic, you'll love Kaze. As a female rabbit, it's your job to rescue your friend Hogo and save Crystal Islands from evil. The game has responsive controls, a great level design, and a solid soundtrack that'll keep you pumped. Although a bit short, Kaze is an addictive throwback into the golden age of SNES that will mostly be trully appreciated by an older audience.
Steel Assault
For another retro throwback, we have a badass action platformer. Steel Assault puts you in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic America in which you'll have to overthrow a dictator. The game is fast-paced, has interesting mechanics, beautiful sprite visuals, and epic boss battles. While short, Steel Assault is one of the most overlooked Indie games that we can't praise enough.
The Medium
The Medium is a 3rd person horror mystery in which you simultaneously explore the real and the spirit world. This unique mechanic makes for some interesting puzzles and storytelling moments. The game has a lot of twists that will completely shift your understanding of things, as well as your emotions. More importantly, The Medium expertly sets up an eerie atmosphere that really doesn't let go till the end.
Play through 2 time periods simultaneously Steam
No More Heroes 3
Stylish, messy, violent, and surrealistic are all the right words if you wish to describe the No More Heroes series. The third part doesn't stray from these trademarks, but ups the ante and may be the craziest entry to date. Once again, we take the role of bloodthirsty Travis Touchdown, whose goal now is to dominate powerful intergalactic overlords. While the controls are a bit clumsy, NMH 3 makes up with its style and will appeal to the fans of bizarre dark humor.
Rain on Your Parade
Rain on Your Parade is a refreshingly fun puzzle adventure. In it, you play as a badass cloud who had just enough of people having a good time. Through 50 increasingly hilarious levels, you'll wreak chaos in every possible scenario. The game never gets stale, as there are dozens of abilities to unlock, which will bring the end of the world a little bit closer. If you enjoy titles like Katamari or Untitled Goose Game, look no further and give this one a spin.
Never before has the cardboard cloud been so menacing Steam
Archvale
Archvale is a bullet hell RPG that does a lot of things right. It's as charming and harm, with a huge open world to tackle on your own terms. Here, there is no shortage of firepower, as there are hundreds of weapons and armor to choose from, while badges provide enough flexibility to create a unique build. Hectic and magical, Archvale serves both as a great introduction to the genre and a challenging feat even for most veterans.
Bonfire Peaks
To work out that ol' and dusty brain cells, I would recommend Bonfire Peaks. This is a charming pixel art puzzle adventure in which the goal is to burn your possessions. A lot of thought has been put into each of 200+ puzzles, as they require you to master increasingly sophisticated mechanics and never feel repetitive. You can also choose which challenges to solve to progress, so it's harder for you to get stuck. All in all, Bonfire Peaks will definitely appeal to the fans of puzzle games like Stephen's Sausage Roll.
Bonfire Peaks is a challenging and emotional journey Steam
Cozy Grove
Lastly, we have a cute and relaxing Indie made by Spry Fox. As a spirit scout, it's your job to explore the magical island of Cozy Grove and help the local ghosts. By wandering through forests, you will find new secrets and tools that will help you solve quests and bring colors back to the ol' place. What makes you come back are its loveable characters, in-depth lore, and a TON of content that just keeps adding up every day. Similar to Animal Crossing, Cozy Grove is a game with heart, and you'll wish that it never ends.
Great games are coming to Steam on a daily basis. Here are some of them.
