The year 2021 so far has been an excellent year for the worldwide gaming industry. Big studios with massive teams and resources launched many AAA titles. The industry witnessed appreciations with games like Resident Evil Village and Returnal to Hitman 3 and some great indie games like Phasmophobia and Raji.
Surprisingly, there are studios with limited resources designing great games. These indie games fall into this niche and keep the spirit of the gaming industry alive and functioning. Reminding everyone that the best games are not only made from big-budget studios and ample resources, rather through the great storyline, environment, and immersive gameplay it could offer.
And if you’re looking for such games to play, then you’re in the right place, as we’ve compiled a list of the best Indie game to play in 2021, especially for enthusiasts like you.
| S.No. | 7 Best Indie Games you should not miss playing | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Raji: An Ancient Epic | PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| 2. | Phasmophobia | PC |
| 3. | Valheim | Linux, PC |
| 4. | Hades | Nintendo Switch, macOS, PC |
| 5. | Disco Elysium | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, PC, Google Stadia. |
| 6. | Carrion | Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, PC |
| 7. | Mortal Shell | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
1. Raji: An Ancient Epic
This masterpiece game is developed by an indie studio, Nodding Heads Games, from India. A team of just 9 people set an example of perfection without big studios and a large team. Raji: An Ancient Epic was released in August 2020 and was nominated for the Game Award for the Best Debut Indie game of the year, among many other awards.
The gameplay is a feast to the eyes, often persuading you to take screenshots more often. Raji: An Ancient Epic tries to portray Hindu mythology with its great storyline. This storyline is captivating with intricate details and does justice to the viewers. Raji is one such indie game everyone must play, even if you are an indie genre fan or not.
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Download: Raji: An Ancient Epic
2. Phasmophobia
A spine-chilling horror indie video game by Kinetic Games, Phasmophobia touches all the ingredients that make it a near-perfect horror game. Phasmophobia also won the Game Award for the Best Debut Indie Game of the year 2020.
If you’re into horror games, Phasmophobia should be on top of your list. Moreover, if you wish to revamp the experience, Phasmphobia also offers VR support, which might give you sleepless nights and enhance your experience.
Platforms: PC
Download: Phasmophobia
3. Valheim
Another great game by Swede indie developer, Iron Gate AB. Although Valheim is still in early access, the game has gathered a massive following among gaming enthusiasts. Valheim is originally a survival RPG emphasizing crafting and survival, but the game has more to it than survival.
While most survival games felt like excessive grinding, Valheim, on the other hand, offers what other established survival games don’t. Don’t worry; we won’t spoil the game for you; you can try it out yourself.
Platforms: Linux, PC
Download: Valheim
4. Hades
Hades is another masterpiece indie video game from the studio Supergiant Games. A combination of roguelike, third-person, and RPG elements makes this game stand out. The artistically beautiful environment, captivating music, and great performance make Hades one of the finest works.
The story of Hades is easy to follow, and the hellishly fun combat is also rewarding. If you missed this indie title, we suggest you try this before embarking on your next AAA title.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, macOS, PC
Download: Hades
5. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is an indie game to watch out for. A winner of many awards, including the best debut BAFTA Game Award, alongside BAFTA awards for best music and best narrative. Disco Elysium is a CRPG with a fantastically written storyline and fascinating gameplay.
You get to play as a cop, whose personality can be modified according to your preference, and 30-hour gameplay in which players get to decode a murder mystery.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, PC, Google Stadia.
Download: Disco Elysium
6. Carrion
Another impressive indie horror game by Phobia Game Studio. However, Carrion is not your regular horror video game. I mean, you’re not tormented by spirits or monsters in this game. Instead, you play as a monster that stalks and kills humans as it makes its way outside a facility.
A reverse horror game and a slaughterhouse, Carrion is a fairly simple game. The protagonist is a monster with unknown origins and solves puzzles to escape while killing its human captors.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, PC
Download: Carrion
7. Mortal Shell
Mortal Shell is an action RPG by Cold Symmetry, which draws heavy influences from Dark Souls’ hit video game series. The beautifully dark environment of Mortal shell is what makes the game stands out. Alongside a well-written plotline, Mortal Shell’s combat style and boss fights make it a worthy competitor to the legendary Dark Souls franchise.
If you’re a dark genre fan or a fan of Dark Souls in particular, then Mortal Shell is a must-play for you.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Download: Mortal Shell
Which one did you like?
So there you have it, the 7 best indie games to play in 2021. Indeed other good indie games are worth playing, offering some AAA games a run for their money. However, we’ve decided to keep the list short and reliable with only 7 prominent indie games. Meanwhile, we’ll make sure to add any other worthy indie titles to this list as they come up. Feel free to tell us your opinions and choices in the comment section.
