Indie Games That Became Major Success Stories

Highlights

• Indie games thrive on dedication and passion, often matching or outshining AAA titles.
• Titles like Lethal Company and Palworld show the engaging potential of indie games.
• From roguelikes like Crypt of the NecroDancer to platformers like Super Meat Boy, indies offer unique experiences.

Everyone loves a good underdog story; to see a newcomer make it to the top amidst more experienced competition is proof that anyone can make it big with enough dedication and passion. That may very well be why indie games endear players so much. Despite the odds of making it big in the video game industry, small-time developers manage to create something that matches (or even outshines) the expectations set by AAA titles.

Though most only see a modest amount of success, some popular indie games have etched their way into video game history by becoming must-have titles in any player’s library.

Updated June 8, 2024, by Ashely Claudino: There are hundreds of unique indie games that are worthy of recognition. This list includes a selection of some of these mighty indie games, and now it has been updated and features two additional games: Untitled Goose Game and Crypt of the NecroDancer.

26 Lethal Company

Hunt Down Scrap While Running Away From Monsters

Cooperative multiplayer horror games have become all the rage in the gaming community. Titles like Lethal Company show just how engaging these video games can be when the execution is sublime.

Players must scavenge for scrap in hostile alien worlds, while avoiding everything from extraterrestrial death traps to unknown monsters. The sheer chaos and hilarity that ensues when players hear one of their teammates screaming for their lives is entertaining every single time.

25 Palworld

The “Pokemon With Guns” Moniker Helped This Game Sell

Some people have rightfully criticized Palworld for emulating Pokemon‘s monster designs to a fault. However, there’s a lot of original work put into this game as well. It helps that the survival gameplay coupled with shooting elements make for a novel experience.

The game has gone on to sell millions of copies, and many people have found this title to be an escape from the mediocrity of the Pokemon series. Only time will tell if Palworld will maintain this level of relevance, but there’s no denying that this game is one of the biggest indie titles of 2024.

24 Crypt of the NecroDancer

A Roguelike That Will Make Your Heart Skip a Beat

There are tons of roguelike indie games, but Crypt of the NecroDancer is not only due to its adorable graphics but also due to its unique rhythm mechanic. Even though the rhythm feature can be turned off by selecting Bard as a character, it’s crucial to understanding the game.

The original Crypt of the NecroDancer was such great fun that the developers, Brace Yourself Games, teamed up with Nintendo to deliver Cadence of Hyrule, a unique spin-off Zelda game.

23 Inside

Playdead’s Last Game Made A Huge, Lasting Impression

It’s a shame that Playdead’s founders have split up since they are responsible for creating two of the greatest indie platformers ever made. Limbo was their first breakout hit, and this trend of excellence was continued with the release of Inside.

This game is an atmospheric romp through a mysterious world that is rife with dangers. Players assume that they’re just controlling a lone boy and protecting him from the horrors of the world, only for certain revelations later on revealing the truth of what really happened.

22 Braid

This Early Indie Hit Offers Time-Bending Puzzles and an Engaging Narrative

Braid is cited as one of the games that kickstarted the indie game revolution. The game’s unique time manipulation mechanics, ingenious puzzles, unique art style, and thought-provoking narrative captured the attention of gamers worldwide.

The best part of Braid was its ingenious plot twist at the end, questioning the role of gamers always being a hero in their respective titles. Even now, after all these years, Braid is still one of the most important indie video games of all time that has aged like a fine wine.

21 Limbo

An Atmospheric, Monochromatic Platformer

Limbo, developed by Playdead, quickly became a critical and commercial success upon its release. It’s a shame that the co-founders of the company ended up parting ways after some creative differences since it was clear that their collaborations had spawned some of the greatest video games ever made.

The game’s haunting, monochromatic art style, combined with its atmospheric sound design and clever puzzle mechanics, created an unforgettable gaming experience. Limbo was a game that didn’t shy away from showing just how brutal it could really be, and fans still theorize about the title’s story to this day.

20 Super Meat Boy

Everyone Loved Bashing Their Heads Against A Wall

Super Meat Boy is a challenging platformer that has become a beloved indie classic. The game’s precise controls, difficult platforming sections, and charming art style have made it a favorite among gamers.

For how cute the game looked, it was quite hilarious to see the main character be ground into a pulp or chopped to bits over and over again whenever players failed to accomplish a particularly hard platforming challenge. Players who want to test their platforming skills will be more than happy with what Super Meat Boy has to offer.

19 Unpacking

Unpack Items and Decorate a Home in This Cozy Puzzle Game

Releasing in 2021, indie gem Unpacking toogamesgames’ industry by surprise, thanks to its insurgence of popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. Unpacking was instantly a commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling indie games of all time by selling 100k units in its first ten days across all platforms.

Witch Beam’s dream is a zen puzzle game where players essentially unpack a life as they undergo the familiar process of taking possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Players experience a sense of intimacy with a character they never met and a story never told.

18 Untitled Goose Game

Unique Goofiness All-Around

Untitled Goose Game is a light-hearted game that incentivizes players to complete silly tasks while messing with humans. When it was first announced, it definitely stood out due to its uniqueness, not only in terms of gameplay but still as well.

Fans immediately fell in love with the game, and when it was released, it became a hit almost instantly. It’s undoubtedly a good time for anyone who decides to play it. There are tons of interactions to figure out and they’ll get a laugh out of just about anyone.

17 Ori And The Blind Forest

An Emotional Metroidvania With A Beautiful Art Style

Ori and the Blind Forest, released back in 2015, took indie publishers Moon Studios five years to create but only one week to turn a profit.

Winner of several prestigious gaming awards, Ori and the Blind Forest tells the tale of a young spritely orphan destined for greatness through a visually stunning Metroidvania-styled puzzle platformer. With its sequel, Ori and the Will Of The Wisps, also becoming a successful indie game, there is no limit to what Moon Studios can accomplish in the future.

16 Hades

Combines Roguelite Gameplay With Excellent Top-Down Action

Roguelike games are becoming increasingly popular with their endless replayability and diverse gameplay. It comes as no surprise then that Hades has sold over one million copies since its release in 2020.

Hades has received universal acclaim for its art direction, gameplay, and unique cast of characters, and it offers a plot inspired by traditional Greek mythology with a twist. The fact that a sequel to this game is coming out shows just how incredible this indie game really was.

15 Among Us

The Popularity Of This Game Blew Up During The Pandemic

Among Us took quite a while to explode in popularity. Debuting in 2018, it flew under the radar at first, only to become one of the most successful indie games on the market in 2020. Out of nowhere, Among Us was everywhere on YouTube and Twitch.

Stuck on a ship or another setting, depending on the map, Crewmates have to work towards completing tasks. However, some players are Impostors who will seek to sabotage the mission or just eliminate Crewmates. In turn, the good players can try to identify who the Impostors are. Among Us delivers a tense but fun social deduction experience, and the game isn’t disappearing anytime soon.

14 Cave Story

One Of The OG Indie Metroidvania Games

Cave Story is a platforming action-adventure by the one-man team Studio Pixel. Originally a free release on PC in 2004, the game remains fairly relevant, with its latest release being on the Nintendo Switch in 2017.

The game follows an amnesiac robot named Quote as he travels through a mysterious cave system and gathers a variety of weapons to fight the monsters within. Its age, as well as the near-universal praise for its gameplay and story, causes some to see Cave Story as the parent and originator of modern indie games.

13 Fez

This Unique Puzzle Game Uses A Player’s Perspective

Debuting in 2012, Fez is an early example of a huge breakthrough indie hit, and the game’s reputation has remained positive since its original release. A puzzle platformer that plays with perspective by blending 2D gameplay with a 3D world, Fez delivers an innovative and unforgettable campaign that, while not perfect, rarely has any truly underwhelming moments.

Fez received a standing ovation from critics, sold well, and has been ported to modern consoles such as the Nintendo Switch.

12 Shantae

A Fun Platformer With Great Action And A Likable Protagonist

The plucky half-genie made her platforming debut on the Game Boy Color in 2002, and while her first game sold fairly poorly, it still managed to attract critical acclaim. Since then, the developers at WayForward made four sequel games that have totaled over 3 million sales. The most recent title in the series, Shantae and the Seven Sirens was released on consoles back in May 2020.

With a combination of endearing characters, interesting level design, fantastic artwork, and lots of unique animal transformations, fans hope to see much more of this half-genie hero in the future.

11 Five Nights At Freddy’s

Created by Scott Cawthon in 2014, this eerie survival-horror game pits the player against the clock as they attempt to manage their power supply to keep four haunted animatronics at bay and survive the night.

The game rapidly garnered popularity with the help of internet personalities and theory crafters alike. The mysterious lore and jarring jumpscares attracted so much attention, in fact, that it warranted eight other sequel games, a plethora of spin-offs and fan games, a book series, and plenty of real-life collectible merchandise. Truly, this horror game defined the genre for a time and created a brand all of its own.

10 Cuphead

A Beautiful Retro Art Style with Tough-As-Nails Bullet Hell Gameplay

Whether from its run-and-gun gameplay or its use of vintage rubber hose animation, Cuphead has the ability to charm just about anyone who plays it. This carefully-crafted marvel began its run in 2017, selling over six million copies in just three short years.

StudioMDHR, the developer behind this quirky homage to 1930s cartoons, released the DLC entitled “The Delicious Last Course,” in August 2022 to expand on its success. Fans can continue to have a swell time walloping enemies, and can even enjoy the charming animated Netflix series of the same name.

9 The Binding Of Isaac

One Of The First Roguelike Games In The Indie Scene

Not even its own creators expected The Binding of Isaac to be such a significant hit. Released on Steam without much hype, the game eventually blew up through word of mouth (aka YouTube videos), swiftly developing a cult following.

Since its 2011 debut, The Binding of Isaac has been ported to multiple consoles, spawned a number of worthwhile expansions, and even received a spin-off card game. The Binding of Isaac has also received a critically acclaimed sequel, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth.

8 Shovel Knight

An Ode To Classic Platforming Games

The story of Shovel Knight’s inception is a classic tale of a group of individuals risking the comfort of their jobs to pursue their passion project. Former WayForward employees banded together to create Yacht Club Games and crowdfund an 8-bit style platformer featuring a dashing knight with an odd taste in weaponry. After its success on Kickstarter, it launched on Windows and Nintendo consoles in 2014 to overwhelming amounts of approval.

Critics and casuals alike praised the game’s retro graphics, compelling narrative, and memorable characters (some of whom became playable in later DLC campaigns). An inspiration to indie developers everywhere, the eponymous Shovel Knight has made over two dozen cameos since.

7 Terraria

A 2D Minecraft-esque Game That Blew Up At Launch

More than a decade following its debut, Terraria is still one of the cornerstones of the indie scene. The sandbox game offers players an impressively robust selection of mechanics and tools, where the world is their oyster.

Along with combat that utilizes a vast arsenal of weapons and bosses, Terraria allows players to leave their mark on the (randomly generated) world through building and customization options. Crafting is also a standout part of the package. Terraria can be played forever and never grow old, as it has truly withstood the test of time. It recently received its final major update, the ‘Labour of Love.’