It’s easy to miss smaller titles with so many big, bombastic games coming out all the time, but it’s worth taking a few moments to look at the indie titles that dare to make a name for themselves by being different. Sometimes indie games come along with a concept or an experience that a larger studio wouldn’t even consider.
Through dedication and hard work, indie developers manage to deliver stories and gameplay that can change the way we think about games. Sometimes they’re short and sweet, while other times they’re expansive and thoughtful. You can never quite tell what an indie game is going to do and that’s part of their charm. Fortunately, PlayStation Plus has a wide offering of indie titles with unique experiences just waiting to be played by you.
10 Abzu
If you’re looking for a relaxing experience, then definitely download Abzu. This is a short experience; it lasts maybe around three hours. It doesn’t ask much from the player, which can be great if you want something chill or it can be boring if you’re looking for an adventure.
Abzu shines when you’re exploring the depths of the ocean absolutely teeming with colorful life all around you. There’s so much sea life swimming around the player that the game avoids being a lonely experience. You can even grab the fin of a dolphin and have it take you for a ride.
9 Bad North
Welcome to the cute real-time strategy rogue-lite, Bad North. Here you’ll defend your procedurally generated islands against invaders looking to take your people out. While the opening missions seem simple, the game quickly turns up the heat.
An extra wave of enemies or a new enemy type can flip the script pretty quickly. One little mistake can lead to punishing consequences that send you back to the beginning. Despite the harsh nature of the game, it’s easy to play in small bursts and keeps the player coming back time and time again.
8 Celeste
While this is a retro platformer, it’s also so much more than that. Celeste attempts to handle delicate subjects like depression and anxiety, and it does so surprisingly well.
With excellent writing and a great soundtrack, this 10+ hour experience is definitely worth the time of anyone who loves challenging platformers. While the game is incredibly charming, you’ll also find that it controls like a dream. The jumps and dashes feel satisfying and sharp on the controller, allowing you to conquer platforming challenges with extreme precision.
7 Dead Cells
The procedurally generated levels of Dead Cells are both extremely challenging and incredibly gorgeous. It’s an action-platformer that will see you making run after run, becoming a little better and a little more well-equipped with each playthrough.
You never know how far you’re going to make it, but the addictive gameplay will probably keep you coming back for more. Unique weapons and creative items make this game a joy to play, so give it a download if you’re in the mood for a bit of a challenge.
6 Little Nightmares
This puzzle-platformer is creepy. In Little Nightmares you play as a little girl named Six who is fleeing for her life from all kinds of sinister adults, nefarious children, and slinking creatures. Little Nightmares isn’t a game about fighting, it’s a game about hiding and sneaking out of dangerous situations.
You might even find yourself holding your breath as you navigate Six behind the back of a gruesome butcher preparing his next meal. The sound design in this game is incredible, with every little tap of a foot or creak of the floor keeping you on edge. If you’re in the mood for a horror game, give this one a download.
5 Chicory: A Colorful Tale
The world of Picnic is a colorful place, well, until all of the color suddenly vanishes. Chicory: A Colorful Tale deals with some heavy themes of self-doubt and depression. When all the color goes missing from Picnic, the player must take on the role of the new wielder, using a magic brush to color the world once again.
While the puzzles can be a little simple, this game remains entertaining all the way through, encouraging you to help everyone in Picnic as you restore beauty to a world that’s suffering.
4 Bugsnax
In this first-person adventure game, aptly titled Bugsnax, you’ll go around a mysterious island observing and capturing half-food half-bug creatures called… Bugsnax. With nine different biomes and 112 different Bugsnax, you’ll find there’s no shortage of places to explore and creatures to discover.
On your journey, you’ll also encounter Grumpuses who will ask you for favors while revealing their own personality and story. You’ll also find a ton of secrets in this game that shines a light on just what’s happening on this mysterious island. It’s a wonderful game with a story that may be darker than it first appears.
3 Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
This 2D side-scroller manages to be both a Metroidvania and a souls like, meaning it’s perfect for gamers looking for a challenge. The game takes place in a subterranean world filled with insectoids and other creatures.
The opening setting of Hollow Knight, the kingdom of Hallownest, has been ravaged by an infection. The player must find a way to fight the source of the infection, but the journey won’t be an easy one. This game came out to much critical acclaim and has continued to impress players over the years. Definitely give this game a shot, especially if you love a good challenge.
2 The Artful Escape
If you’re looking for a game with great music, dazzling visuals, an engaging story, and chill gameplay, then this is the perfect game for you. The gameplay of The Artful Escape is simple to a fault. The entirety of the game hinges on the player enjoying the cosmic journey of Francis, a man supposed to be a folk singer (like his ancestor) but who lives for glam rock.
It’s a story about finding yourself, embracing yourself, and believing in yourself. In a world that wants to tell you what you should be, The Artful Escape tells you to be who you are. It’s a fantastic game and a short must-play experience on PlayStation Plus.
1 Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition
In Spiritfarer you play as Stella and take over Charon’s role as ferryman of the dead. It’s something of a quiet, thoughtful game. You encounter spirits who will make a home on your ferry. You’ll learn about their story and their final wishes. As you help them find peace, they’ll ask to be taken to the Everdoor, where they will give one final goodbye before departing for good.
It’s an emotional game about life, loss, and finding peace with who we are and the things we’ve done. All of this is neatly wrapped into a management simulator where you take care of the ferry, building things for your guests, preparing meals, and ensuring everyone is comfortable. It might not be packed with action, but this is a unique game worthy of anyone’s attention.