As the years have gone onindie gameshave been released in higher quantities, with some of them finding plenty of commercial and critical success. These indie developers and publishers rarely have the marketing budget or reach of their AAA counterparts, and often build interest through self-built communities.
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Spanning genres, art styles, scopes, and audiences, there are plenty ofindie games set to release in 2023that people should know about and keep their eye on. In the modern era of streaming and digital content things can get lost in the fold, so knowing what’s interesting and when it’s coming out is of the utmost importance, especially in the indievideo gamespace.
8Moonstone Island
Deck-building games are nothing new in the world of indie titles. WhatMoonstone Islandfrom developer Studio Supersoft is looking to contribute to the genre is an open-world experience where players can craft items, explore, and much more.
Merging genres seems to be a trend these days but the mix ofStardew ValleyandSlay the Spirepainted in an adorable aesthetic that’s welcoming and heartwarming.Moonstone Islandwill initially launch on Nintendo Switch and PC, but the developers have stated ports to other platforms aren’t out of the question.
7Gunbrella
The title of a project can go a long way in communicating to people what it’s about. An indie game calledGunbrellais interesting because it clearly states the core gameplay of this self-proclaimed noir-punk action-adventure game from developer Doinksoft.
Don’t let their name fool you,Gunbrellais an action-packed thrill ride that has the player using aGunbrella, an item that can be used as a firearm, but also aids in traversal as it doubles as an umbrella. As with most hit indie games in the modern era it’s being published by Devolver Digital and is set to release in 2023.
6Planet Of Lana
A trailer showcasing a lovely hand-painted art style and a mysterious sci-fi world is what set the stage for the reveal of Wishfully’s upcoming game calledPlanet of Lana. It’s said to be a puzzle adventure game that functions as an epic saga taking place across time and space.
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It features a main character who’s accompanied by a small animal companion and between the music and visuals feels like it is set to take players on an emotional journey when it finally releases.Planet Of Lanaseems to present an experience unafraid to play with both scope and perspective during moments of the gameplay.
5Replaced
The realities of what occurs in the real world often have an effect on game development. One such case has to do with a noir dystopian game calledReplacedwhich fans have been eagerly awaiting. Initially revealed to release in 2022, the game’s developers Sad Cat announced that it would be delayed until 2023 due to the current conflict of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The decision was made to ensure the safety of the team and their families. Sure, players will have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on this visually stunning indie title heavilyreminiscent ofBlade Runner, but nothing is more important than the safety of innocent civilians.
4The Last Faith
As the days go by fans are constantly wondering if/when a sequel or port ofBloodbornewill be announced. A big part of why audiences fell in love with that FromSoftware title is due to it providing a dark gothic world that was detailed and vibrant in style.
The Last Faithfrom Kumi Souls Games is trying to capture that same feeling but in a 2D platform package. It’s unclear what Konami has planned in regard to the future of theCastlevaniaseries, butThe Last Faithmight be the closest thing toclassicCastlevaniatitlesgamers can get their hands on in the foreseeable future.
3Another Crab’s Treasure
In the modern era of games, it’s hard not to find Souls-like titles interesting. A lot of them attempt to tackle a dark fantasy world that often leads them to feel like knockoffs of the original product, but that’s not the path developer Aggro Crab chose.
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Their upcoming game calledAnother Crab’s Treasureis like ifDark Soulstook place in a colorful ocean and instead of controlling an undead entity players got the chance to take on the role of a curious and capable crab. Its trailer showcases how fulfilling exploration can be in the game, and also has plenty of larger-than-life bosses that feel like overwhelming walls standing in front of any and all progression.
2The Plucky Squire
Devolver Digitalhas quickly built a reputation for publishing some of the most unique and fascinating indie games out there, and it looks like they might have another hit with developer All Possible Future’s next title. That game isThe Plucky Squire, an adventure game that jumps between the 2D pages of a storybook and the 3D world outside of the pages of the book.
Trailers showcase mechanics and level design that feels largely inspired byThe Legend of Zeldaseries with a strong whimsical twist on the formula.The Plucky Squirefeels like the type of indie darling that could see critical acclaim if it meets its lofty expectations.
1Sea of Stars
Gaming is an entertainment medium that’s closely attached to nostalgic feelings. Anyone who is yearning for a turn-based role-playing game that feels deeply inspired by retro titles in the same genre should look forward to the release ofSea of Stars.
From developer Sabotage Studio, this game harkens back toclassic RPG gamesand has an art style that feels like the modern interpretation of those classic games. The studio is rather open with its development and regularly uploads short teases of game mechanics, designs, and much more on its Youtube channel.
