We saw a ton of awesome Indie games in 2023 that kept us busy and engaged with their fun gameplay and epic stories. Well, it seems we can expect the same in 2024, with many great Indie titles set to come out.
From thrilling adventures to pixel-perfect wonders, this list introduces my top 20 picks for Indie games that are coming out in 2024.
1. Black Myth Wukong – [August 20, 2024]
First up, we have Black Myth Wukong, one of the most-anticipated indie games of 2024. It’s an action-packed RPG title that puts you in the shoes of the Destined One, a total warrior badass, on a quest to uncover the ancient mysteries of a mythical Chinese world. This game is like a deep dive into ancient Chinese mythology, with epic battles that will have you on the edge of your seat all along.
The combat in this game is next-level, fast-paced, and jam-packed with a ton of moves and spells that look really cool. But Black Myth Wukong isn’t all about throwing punches, it also digs deep into the stories behind each character. So, it’s a fine blend of kickass combat and a compelling narrative that promises to keep you hooked for hours. And the game is set to come out on August 20, 2024.
2. Replaced – [2024]
Then we have Replaced, this cool-looking action platformer that throws you into a wild 1980s America with neon-lit streets, outlaws, and a ton of corruption. In this game, you play as REACH, an AI stuck in a human body, trying to survive in a society that’s gone bonkers after a nuclear oopsie. Replaced caught my eye with its epic cinematic action vibes and free-flow combat.
It’s like an invitation to kick some pixelated butts in the most stylish way possible. The game’s even got a deep storyline that’s not just for show – it dives into heavy stuff like greed, corruption, and the whole struggle of being human in an AI-dominated world. There’s no fixed release date for this one, but Replaced is expected to drop sometime during 2024.
3. Palworld – [January 2024]
Now, if you are a Pokemon fan, this one should definitely be on your list of games to play in 2024. Palworld is an exciting Pokemon spinoff that introduces guns and gadgets to your favorite monster-taming gameplay. Instead of Pokemon, players get to collect whimsical creatures called Pals and use them for everything from fighting off dangers to working on farms and factories.
You even get to explore some dark and shady dungeons alongside your trusted Pals or poach a rare one by sneaking into wildlife sanctuaries and selling them off for a quick few bucks. But the best part is, you get to share this experience with your friends in multiplayer mode. Palworld is set to come out in the first month of 2024 and the devs have even promised a PvP mode in the future.
4. Another Crab’s Treasure – [2024]
Then we have Another Crab’s Treasure, a rather cute-looking take on the super brutal souls-like genre. In this game, you step into the shoes – or, more accurately, the claws, of a tiny Hermit crab on a quest to reclaim its lost shell. This stylized action-adventure game throws you into a vast open-world ocean where survival takes center stage, and trust me, it’s a tough neighborhood out there.
The souls-like combat is where this game shines the brightest. You get to engage in some wild battles, taking on enemies many times your size with makeshift shells that you find along the way. If you’re into action adventures with a side of souls-like combat, Another Crab’s Treasure is definitely the game to keep an eye on.
5. Anger Foot – [2024]
But, if you are looking for something a bit MORE exhilarating, Anger Foot might just be the perfect game for you. It’s a turbo-charged first-person shooter that laces you up with an arsenal of crazy footwear that lets you unleash your wrath on hordes of enemies across different city districts and environments.
As you stomp through slums, sewers, and skyscrapers, you unlock new weapons, and sneakers, and upgrade your powers in super absurd yet fun ways. If you are a fan of old-school classics like Doom, I am sure you will have a blast with this one when it drops sometime next year.
6. Hades 2 – [2024]
Hades took the entire indie gaming community by storm, receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews for its exceptional gameplay, gripping story, and unique take on the roguelike genre. And naturally, fans are super pumped for its sequel, which is expected to drop sometime during 2024. In this sequel, you take on the role of the immortal Princess of the Underworld, embarking on a grand adventure in a much larger and deeper mythic world.
Hades 2 stays true to the roots of its predecessor, keeping the OG gameplay intact while tossing in a bunch of new gods, monsters, and a whole cast of fully-voiced characters. We’re talking fresh new locations, tougher challenges, and a beefed-up upgrade system. Hopefully, won’t have to wait too long for its release.
7. Pacific Drive – [22 Feb, 2024]
Next up, we have Pacific Drive, an epic-looking horror survival game that throws you headfirst into a wild, post-apocalyptic world where your car is not just a mode of transport but your entire survival kit. Imagine cruising through a twisted Pacific Northwest, facing supernatural dangers in the Olympic Exclusion Zone.
This game’s all about keeping your wheels intact, while you scavenge for resources, dodge anomalies, and tweak your ride to handle the bizarre challenges of this dark world. What sets Pacific Drive apart is the seamless blend of driving and survival. If you are looking for a post-apocalyptic horror game with a refreshing twist, Pacific Drive is definitely worth a shot.
8. Harold Halibut – [2024]
Now, if you enjoy a good story, Harold Halibut might be a good option for you. It’s a story-rich narrative adventure game that puts you in the shoes of a young lab assistant on a journey to explore the challenges of life aboard a city-sized spaceship submerged in an alien ocean.
The game shines in its expansive character ensemble, allowing players to connect with a variety of unique characters living on the spaceship through meaningful conversations and shared experiences. Harold Halibut truly stands out with its unique stop-motion aesthetics, where every detail is meticulously hand-crafted. Again, there’s no fixed release date for this one but it’s set to come out sometime during 2024.
9. Nightingale – [22 Feb, 2024]
Next up, we have Nightingale, an upcoming open-world survival game that throws you into a mystical world that’s about to die. But before that happens, you need to find your way to Nightingale, the only safe haven for humans. In this game, you’re doing a bit of everything – exploring, crafting, and fighting. You will have to gather resources, build stuff, and cook food as you travel through weird forests and tricky swamps filled with all sorts of monsters. The fun part is, you don’t have to take this journey alone – Nightingale also lets you team up with friends online for a shared survival experience. This one’s coming out on 22 Feb 2024.
10. Still Wakes the Deep – [2024]
Then we have Still Wakes the Deep, an upcoming horror survival game where you play as a worker, stuck on an oil rig after a brutal storm wrecks everything and cuts off all means of communication with the outside world. Now, your only goal is survival, with the oil rig on the brink of collapse and a menacing storm that’s determined to make your life a living nightmare.
However, Still Wakes the Deep isn’t like any other horror survival game – there’s no combat, no fancy weapons or powers. It’s just you, your wits, and a determination to survive in this eerie, dark environment using whatever resources you can get your hands on. The absence of traditional horror game elements like fighting back adds a sense of tension and dread to it. It might not be everyone’s go-to, especially if you’re all about action, but if you dig a gripping story over constant battles, this one’s a must-try when it hits the gaming market next year.
11. Manor Lords – [26 April 2024]
Next up, we have Manor Lords, an upcoming strategy game that puts you in the shoes of a medieval lord, in charge of building a new settlement from the ground up. This strategy game comes packed with some cool new features, like gridless city-building, in-depth resource management, and historical warfare that add a hefty dose of immersion to the gameplay.
Unlike most strategy games, it’s a more dynamic experience where the changing seasons, unpredictable weather, and the political moves of neighboring kingdoms can change the whole course of your journey at any time. For fans of large-scale tactical battles with social simulations aspect, Manor Lords seems like it’s going to be an epic one when it drops on 26 April 2024.
12. Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes – [April 23, 2024]
Now, if you are a fan of classic JRPGs, Eiyuden Chronicles Hundred Heroes might just be the perfect game for you. It’s an upcoming story-rich role-playing title that takes you to Allraan, a once-peaceful world turned upside down by war, where humans, beastmen, elves, and desert folks used to live in harmony. Now, your mission is to bring back that long-lost peace, no matter the cost.
True to its name, the game throws a whopping hundred unique heroes into the mix, each with its own set of skills and abilities for you to mix and match. The gameplay is a sweet blend of classic turn-based battles and exploring a vast, breathtaking world full of secrets. This one’s coming out on April 23, 2024.
13. Hollow Knight Silksong – [2024]
Hollow Knight is nothing short of a game-changer in the world of Metroidvanias. It didn’t just redefine the genre; it breathed new life into it with its exceptionally thrilling gameplay. And we are about to get a second round with its sequel, Hollow Knight Silksong, that’s set to come out in 2024.
In this game, you assume the role of a Hornet on a mission to protect the kingdom of Hallownest from the evil forces of darkness. Silksong promises to keep the essence of Hollow Knight’s gameplay intact while introducing a ton of new content – we’re talking weapons, traps, puzzles, treasures, and a whopping 150+ fresh enemies to battle. Again, there’s no fixed release date for this one, but it’s expected to come out in 2024.
14. Nine Sols – [Q1, 2024]
In a similar vein to Silksong, we also have Nine Sols, yet another epic-looking 2D action platformer coming out in 2024. In this game, you step into the shoes of Yi, a hero on a vengeful quest to defeat evil rulers known as the 9 Sols. The game beautifully combines Sekiro-inspired Soulslike combat with a rich Asian fantasy setting to create a unique gameplay experience.
The combat in this game is all about slashing, deflecting, and charging into enemies with precise timing and control. But when you are not fighting enemies, you are either busy exploring the interconnected regions of New Kunlun or admiring the game’s gorgeous Manga-inspired cutscenes. Nine Sols is all set to come out during the first quarter of 2024.
15. The Plucky Squire – [2024]
The Plucky Squire is probably the most innovative Indie game on this list. It’s a cute-looking action-adventure title that puts you in the shoes of Jot and his storybook friends as they embark on a perilous journey into the 3D world after getting kicked out of their storybook by villainous Humgrump.
Now, in order to restore that classic happy ending, Jot’s got to tackle some crazy new challenges and obstacles. You will constantly be jumping between 2D and 3D worlds, solving puzzles, throwing punches at badgers, strapping on a jetpack and so much more. This one’s also coming out in 2024 with no fixed release date.
Looking for Indie Pixel Art Games? Check out our list of the Best Upcoming Indie PixelArt Games in 2024
16. Europa – [16 April, 2024]
Now, if you are into Zelda-like games, you might wanna keep an eye on Europa. It’s an upcoming action-adventure title where you play as Zee, an Android exploring the lush paradise of the moon named Europa. Your mission is to uncover the mysteries of a fallen utopia. It’s like a chill blend of adventure, exploration, and meditation, much like breath of the wild.
Players get to glide through the gorgeous landscapes with their jetpack, solve challenging puzzles, uncover hidden secrets, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of Europa’s serene environment. It’s coming out on April 16, 2024, with a demo already out for players to try out.
17. MirthWood – [2024]
Then we have Mirthwood, an upcoming Life Sim RPG title set in a captivating medieval fantasy world that offers a unique sandbox experience. You can choose to manage a homestead, work on farms, engage in trade, take on wild quests, and even fight enemies with real-time combat. But what really sets Mirthwood apart from other games in the genre is its dynamic story that grows organically with dynamic events, intriguing NPC encounters, and whatnot.
Speaking of NPCs, the game also offers Sims-style interaction system, that allows you to form relationships with characters that you come across in your journey. Mirthwood seems to be a promising blend of life simulation and RPG elements and it’s coming out in 2024.
18. Paralives – [2024]
Speaking of Life Sims, we also have Paralives, an upcoming life simulation game that has caused quite a bit of stir in the gaming community and for very good reasons. For one, Paralives comes packed with a ton of unique building options, including grid-less constructions, curved walls, resizable objects, split-level floors and a whole bunch more.
It’s like the Sims, but with features that are completely unique to it. But it’s not just about building and decorating houses – you also have an expansive open-world outside your crib where you can grab jobs, make friends, and even join social events. Just like Sims, you have full control over the lives of your characters and an in-depth character customization system that lets turn your imagination into reality. Paralives is shaping up to be a promising new addition to life sim genre that’s worth waiting for.
19. Citizen Sleeper 2 – [2024]
Then we have Citizen Sleeper 2, a much-anticipated sequel to the first game that is bringing us another Android story that’s all about rebels and escaping crazy situations. In this game, you play as another rebel Android with no recollection of your past life and a massive bounty on your head.
Much like the first game, your job here is to get a crew, fix your ship, and pull off a daring escape during a system-wide crisis. Citizen Sleeper 2 offers classic tabletop RPG gameplay mechanics where you literally roll the dice to decide your destiny. Roll high, and you’re on the road to success. If you loved the first one, you should definitely look forward to this sequel as well.
20. Little Kitty, Big City – [2024]
Last but not least, we have Little Kitty, Big City, a wholesome new adventure game where you take control of a mischievous cat, looking for a way back home. This game is like a big playground where you can take your time, find surprises, and make friends with chatty animals that stumble upon on the streets.
You get to decide what to do in this game, you can complete quests, help your animal pals, dive into trash cans, or break stuff for fun. You can also dress up your kitty with lots of adorable hats and other accessories. This game’s all about fun, freedom, and a bit of mischief in a big, bustling city.
