As an editor who loves exploring the gaming world, I’m always amazed at how indie games can offer fresh and out-of-the-box experiences. Amidst the onslaught of AAA games with bombastic budgets, the independent game scene always finds a way to shine with super creative ideas that make us curious. Well, towards the end of 2024 and projected into 2025, there are several indie titles that have truly kept me up at night with anticipation.
Let me spill the beans on which ones are most worth adding to your wishlist and getting ready to download as soon as they’re released!
- Hollow Knight: Silksong — The Hornet Knight That Makes You Curious
Seriously, when talking about the most anticipated indie games of all time, Hollow Knight: Silksong is like a living legend! Personally, I can’t wait to explore this new world as Hornet, our favorite charismatic character. After the huge success of the first Hollow Knight, Team Cherry promises a bigger world, a more acrobatic combat system with Hornet’s elegant movements, and enemies that will make you excited. From the trailers that have been released, the visuals remain stunning with a distinctive dark fantasy touch.
Although the exact release date is still a mystery (it’s like a Korean drama, waiting forever!), many are hoping to swallow its new world in 2025. I’m sure this will be another masterpiece that offers a super metroidvania experience. You will also love this: The increasingly intriguing exploration sensation and more fluid gameplay are guaranteed to make you forget time while searching for all the secrets in Pharloom!
- Hades II — A Roguelike That’s Not Just Addictive, But Also Full of Character
Next, there’s Hades II! To be honest, Supergiant Games is really good at making addictive games with strong narratives. If you’ve played the first Hades, you know how fun a roguelike combined with engaging Greek god stories and iconic characters is, right? Well, in Hades II, we will play as Melinoë, Zagreus’s sister, whose main mission is to defeat the Titan of Time, Chronos.
I’ve tried the early access (FYI, it’s been released in Early Access since May 2024, and is still being updated!), and the gameplay is getting crazier with new gods, more varied weapons, and a deeper storyline. Each run is different, and there is always progress that makes us want to keep playing, especially the boon system and *upgrades* that are getting more complex. With a full release predicted in 2025, this will be a must-have for your collection. You will also love this: The combination of fast-paced combat that is super fun with storytelling that is addictive, guaranteed to keep you coming back again and again to defeat Chronos!
- The Plucky Squire — A Unique Concept That Astonishes
Finally, there’s The Plucky Squire! Honestly, when I first saw the trailer, I was immediately speechless at its super mind-blowing and innovative concept. Just imagine, we become Jot, a knight from a storybook who can literally jump out of the book pages into the 3D world on a child’s bedroom table. The transition between the 2D world inside the book and the 3D world outside is seamless and makes the gameplay super innovative.
I’m really curious how the developers, All Possible Futures and Devolver Digital, will develop the puzzles and adventures in these two different dimensions. This is not just a game, but like an interactive work of art that makes us think outside the box! This game is still scheduled for release in 2024/2025, so my anticipation is still very high until now. You will also love this: Its unique visual aesthetics and fresh gameplay mechanics are guaranteed to be a breath of fresh air for the puzzle-adventure genre that is looking for innovation!
Conclusion: Indie Creativity Never Dies!
So, are you ready to add to your game wishlist? The series of indie games above is proof that small studios with big visions can absolutely create gaming experiences that are no less impressive, and often even more so, than blockbuster titles. This is pure creativity that makes me fall more in love with the world of games. I hope you can feel the excitement too! Let’s continue to monitor their development until they are officially released and we can play them!
