Or 2017, or 2018…
Alright, last time I did this, most of these games didn’t come out the next year. In fact, some of the “top indies of 2013” according to mestillaren’t out. That’s the indie lifestyle I suppose, releasing a game “when it’s ready.”
Hopefully I have better luck this time, and these games actually come out this year. Hopefully.
Why 33? Well, it’s actually my favorite number! When I was a kid (and even now), Patrick Ewing was my go-to role model athlete. His number on the Knicks? 33 of course! It’s also the number of Larry Bird, an all-time great.
Let’s start with a handful of games I listed in 2013 that have still yet to come out. They aren’t counted for this list, but you should still look out for them and I hope they come out this year:A Hat in Time, Distance, Intruder, New Game+, Overgrowth, Owlboy, Project Zomboid, Quadrilateral Cowboy, Routine, Scale, The Iconoclasts,The Magical Realms of Tír na nÓg: Escape from Necron 7 – Revenge of Cuchulainn: The Official Game of the Movie – Chapter 2 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa, The Moonlighters, The Witness, Under the Ocean.
Wow, so that’s 15 games that have takenat least2 years longer than I thought they would. Whoops! Anyway, here’s some more that will be sure to disappoint me when they release in 2020.
BombernautsDeveloper:Eyebrow InteractiveFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I play it now?Yes
It would be easy to writeBombernautsoff as just someBombermanclone, but you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice. While this is a large departure from the studio’s last game,Closure, the pedigree is there.Bombernautsis online, voxel-based mayhem that reminds me more of the multiplayer inSuper Monkey Ballthan traditionalBomberman. It’s wacky and zany, and is even available now onEarly Access.
CogmindDeveloper: Grid Sage GamesFollow it:,TwitterCan I play it now?Yes
Please, don’t let the aesthetic turn you away. I get it, ASCII graphics are a turnoff. But think about the beauty ofDwarf Fortress! What I’m trying to say here is that gameplay is everything.Cogmind‘s world is procedural and challenges the player to think strategically to navigate it. And really, it’s not pure ASCII graphics. As the website puts it, it’s “ASCII evolved.”
Seeing the aesthetic in motion clears things up a bit, and in fact, it’s rather beautiful. It’s a roguelike with permadeath and turn-based combat, which is like taking the highway straight into my heart. All the little things start to add up inCogmind: a destructible environment, lack of grinding XP, stealth as an alternative to combat, and its apparent “living world” that will evolve as the player exists within it. This is definitely one to look out for.
Courier of the CryptsDeveloper: Emberheart GamesFollow it:Mailing list,Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it now?Yes
Courier of the Cryptsis one of the most intriguing games on this list to me. Players guide a courier through crypts (duh) using his handy-dandy torch, solving puzzles and killing enemies along the way. But the way it’s presented making it look slower and more methodical than you might think. For example, it seems that the primary way to kill enemies is leading them into traps that, from the looks of it, are likely designed to kill the player instead.
It’s got great pixel art and a wonderful premise, and I’m very interested in these “magical torch mechanics” the game mentions…
CRYPTARKDeveloper: AlientrapFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
I’ve playedCRYPTARKin its current Early Access stage, and it’s easy to see this game’s bright future. Made from the same team that didApotheon, one of my favorites of 2015,CRYPTARKbrings players into space as they search through “alien space-hulks” with their space mech.
It’s got a lot of customization, a great art style, and most importantly, wonderful impact behind the gameplay. Going through these alien vessels is a blast, thanks in large part to the combat mechanics at play.
CupheadDeveloper:Studio MDHRFollow it:Blog,TwitterCan I buy it?No
Cupheadis all style. If you’re not enraptured by the complete dedication to its aesthetic, well, I have nothing more to say to you. While aesthetic can only go so far, I think the level of love poured into a project like this speaks volumes. We can only hope that Studio MDHR has put the same amount of time and dedication into the actual gameplay as they have the aesthetic.
Darkest DungeonDeveloper:Red Hook GamesFollow it:Steam,TwitterCan I buy it?Yes
This one is coming out soon! January 19, to be exact.Darkest Dungeonhas been in Early Access for most of 2015, and has certainly had its ups and downs. Fans were very disappointed at an update that made the gameincrediblyhard, but Red Hook Games responded appropriately and listened to its community. Long story short: the disliked elements have been turned into options that can be toggled on or off, depending on an individuals preferences.
This is a brutal roguelike that focuses on heading into dungeons with a handful of party members and doing your best just to make it through alive and sane. Party members can have mental problems creep up and take over them, hindering their abilities. Definitely worth it for fans of brutal challenges.
Dead RealmDeveloper: Section StudiosFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
I’ve had my eye onDead Realmever since it was added to Steam. My friends and I have spent a good amount of time inDamned, a clunky, yet enjoyable multiplayer horror game, andDead Realmlooks like a great addition to that genre.
It’s basically a horror-filled version of hide and go seek or manhunt (the outdoor game, not the video game). The asymmetric gameplay and the environments are key here. The humans need to escape from the ghost in any way possible, which includes moving objects around and building little forts. I’m hoping this is a little more complete and fluid thanDamnedis, but it looks to be a fun time with friends regardless.
DrifterDeveloper: Celsius Game StudiosFollow it:Steam,TwitterCan I buy it?Yes
I’ve mentioned this a lot in the past, butFreelanceris one of my favorite games of all time.Drifterlooks to capture a lot of the same vibes with space trading, exploration, bounty hunting, piracy, all in a procedurally generated sandbox galaxy. It’s been in Early Access for quite some time, and is currently in version “0.6.3.” The last time I booted it up it was genuinely enjoyable, but incredibly clunky. With those clunks ironed out, this might be my go-to game to kill time in.
Oh, and the music is by Danny B, so youknowthat will be great.
Due ProcessDeveloper: Giant Enemy CrabFollow it:Blog,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it? No, but there is analpha sign-up
I want this game….so bad. It’s a multiplayer strategy first-person shooter where one team must defend an area while another must infiltrate. What’s unique is that there is a planning phase beforehand where players literally draw on the map to orchestrate their plan, all while choosing weapons and discussing strategy with the team. All of this culminates in (hopefully) everything being executed and seeing who had the better plan.
It’s brilliant and simple to the point where IT NEEDS TO BE OUT RIGHT NOW. This is easily one of my most anticipated games of the year.
Dungeon SoulsDeveloper: Mike StudiosFollow it:Steam,Tumblr,TwitterCan I buy it?Yes
What I love most aboutDungeon Soulsis its pace. It’s quicker than many roguelikes out there, which forces players to really think on their feet. When last I played it, it was a bit easy, but the game is still in Early Access. It’s more hack-n-slashy, which contributes to the fast pace, but attacks really feel like they pack a punch. With various classes and an amazing art style,Dungeon Soulsstands out in an incredibly over-saturated genre.
DuskersDeveloper: Misfits AtticFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
Duskersis…sort of hard to describe. Players remotely control various drones inside of empty spaceships in order to find out what has happened to the ships and possibly the universe. What’s unique is that all drone commands are given by legit command prompts. Oh, and don’t worry, the game has an auto-complete feature for typing, so players won’t have to type the same things a million times during a playthrough.
What makesDuskersworth keeping an eye on is its atmosphere. Everything is seen through the drone’s motion sensor, and there’s always a lot of unknowns out there. This stuff gets creepy real fast. It also forces players to continually think of and implement new strategies to tackle the obstacles in their way, which helps prevent things from getting stale.
The Devourer may be slow, but he’s a force to be reckoned with#gamedev#indiedev#screenshotsaturday#gameart#ue4pic.twitter.com/12sAptghFU
— Dying Ember (@piratevninja)Jul 01, 2025
Dying EmberDeveloper: Private Beats NinjaFollow it:Twitter,TIGSource ForumsCan I buy it? Nope
Dying Emberis described by its creator as “2D/3D isometric action RPG inspired byDark Souls.”
That have your attention? Good, it should!
Now, I’ll admit, this one could easily be pushed into a 2017 release date,as stated by its developer, but it’s too interesting to not put on your radars right now. The animations look smooth as butter from what’s been shown, but unfortunately it’s all in small chunks. Scrolling through the Twitter page reveals plenty of short GIFs that exemplify my point. As long as the combat feels as good as it looks, this is sure to steal the hearts of many.
Enemy StarfighterDeveloper: Marauder InteractiveFollow it:Twitter,Can I buy it? No
Space games are hot right now, as evidenced by this being the fourth or so game already on this list that focuses on space.Enemy Starfighteris being developed by ex-Bungie employee Mike Tipul, and focuses more on the combat portion of space travel (hence the name). It’s great to see a project more focused than the tradition “do all the space stuff!” pitch.
The aesthetic looks wonderful, and from the videos produced so far, much of the fun will come from unscripted events, which are pretty much my favorite.
ErnestoDevelopers: Daniel Benmergui, Jeremias Babini, & Hernan RozenwasserFollow it:Twitter,Dev Blog (tumblr),Can I buy it? No
Note: The video above gets the concept across, but the art isveryoutdated.
Ernestois a puzzle game with combat, loot, and riddles, oh my! Sorry that was lame. Regardless,Ernestoputs many things into its design blender and the result, so far, looks wonderful. It’s a game about dealing with the punches and optimizing a path through the enemies and chests in order to get the best result. Perhaps the best news is that it’s coming to PC, Mac, andtablets, since this game looks perfect for a touch-interface and could also be great in small bursts!
Gang BeastsDeveloper: BoneloafFollow it:Twitter,SteamCan I buy it?Yes
Oh boy. Where do I begin withGang Beasts? It’s a game of goofy physics and relatively complex controls that my friends and I have played for hours on end, even past the point where sanity was still with us. I guess it’s a 3D fighting game? But that sort of sells the game short. It’s a physics-based local multiplayer combat game, where players can individually control arms and grab things.
You can pick things up, including other players, climb walls, jump around like an idiot, and even get thrown into meat grinders. The game sets itself up for some of the most hilarious unintended consequences during these fights, and the animations only play in to the fact that you will be grinning ear-to-ear if you get some buddies around the TV to fight each other.
Hyper Light DrifterDeveloper: Heart MachineFollow it:Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Pre-order
Damn, is this game gorgeous or what? A “2D action RPG” that oozes personality, this is sure to make any list similar to mine. It just seems to nail the feel of theeverymove. Even just watching the trailer, there’s so muchumphto things! I mean, I justcan’tstop italicizing words!Dang!Ourpast previewhad great things to say, and boy am I jealous that other people have played it who aren’t me!
KrautscapeDeveloper: Mario von Rickenbach, PlayablesFollow it:Steam,,TwitterCan I buy it?Yes
I absolutely loveKrautscape.It’s a racing game that actually feels innovative and enjoyable. First of all, the leader of the race dictates how the track is set up. The track is built as players race on it, and the next “chunk” is created depending on where the leader drives when they reach the end of the current track. If they are all the way to the right, it’ll be a hard right turn. In the center? Keep it going straight! Slightly to the left? Slight left turn is next. You get the idea.
OH AND DID I MENTION you’re able to FLY? At any time, players can sprout wings and take to the skies. This is especially helpful for the players who fall behind, and adds a new layer of strategy to track creation. Oh, the leader is making a harsh right turn next? I’ll just jump off the edge and fly straight there! The music and overall aesthetic are soothing and beautiful, and I hope that more people enjoyKrautscapeas I have done in its Early Access period.
Lethal TacticsDeveloper: SkyBox LabsFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
I’ve already written aboutLethal Tacticsbefore, and I’ll take any opportunity to do so again! It’s very much like the amazingFrozen Synapse, though does enough to differentiate itself. Plus, more of a great thing is still a great thing! The environment plays a key role inLethal Tactics, since various objects can be destroyed during play. I just hope they add enough singleplayer content to satisfy a large chunk of potential customers.
LiegeDeveloper: Coda GamesFollow it:Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Pre-order
I finally got to try outLiegeat PAX East last year, and now it easily tops my list of most anticipated games. Though it describes itself as a “JRPG,” I’d say it’s more along the lines of an “SRPG” because of its turn-based tactical approach to the battle system. Actually, developer John Rhee just came out with ablog posttalking about the battle design. He transitioned the battles to have player and enemy turns happen simultaneously, but has recently decided to move back to the separate turns design.
As I played through a tutorial-ish area at PAX, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the game’s aesthetic and accessibility. I understood the mechanics quickly, but could tell that things would go way deeper further into the game. As a huge SRPG fan, this game feels made for me.
MiegakureDeveloper: Marc ten BoschFollow it:,Twitter,Facebook, feedlyCan I buy it? No
I don’t understand what the fuck is going on in this game and I love it.(There’s actually a really well written explanationhereand you should all read it and be super stoked for Miegakure)
No Man’s SkyDeveloper: Hello GamesFollow it:,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it? No
I’ve always wondered if it’s difficult to go from making games likeJoe Dangerand its sequel to makingNo Man’s Sky. Not only is the scope a billion times bigger, but just about everything is drastically different. Unless maybe there are motorcycles and jumps hidden away on planets? Or maybe we can be giant cupcakes and race our friends through loopty-swoops and fire pits! Yeah, definitely thinking that last one is true.
OverlandDeveloper: FinjiFollow it:,TwitterCan I buy it? No
When the creator ofCanabaltis making a new game,you know it belongs on this list.Overlandis a survival strategy game that has players on a “road trip through a ruined continent.” Players will be scavenging for supplies in randomly generated levels in order to complete their journey. After watching the gameplay overview (embedded above), it looks like players will have to make a lot of smart and challenging decisions.
This is yet another game where the art is wonderful. The whole thing gives me a bit of aKentucky Route Zerovibe, which is probably one of the best compliments I can give!
Paradise NeverDeveloper: Kitty Lambda GamesFollow it:TwitterCan I buy it? No
PlayingParadise Neverat PAX East and speaking with developer Calvin French made me realize that this game is going to be big. It has a repetition cycle reminiscent ofMajora’s Mask, with a cellphone that keeps data between time skips. Judging from French’s work withThe Real Texas, I expect wacky and memorable characters alongside meaningful mechanics, with a good dose of goofy thrown in for good measure.
ParkitectDeveloper: Texel RaptorFollow it:Twitter,TumblrCan I buy it?Yes
Parkitectis taking something that many people hold sacred, the rollercoaster management sim, and attempting to make it worthwhile in 2015. If this were some run-of-the-mill sim game, it wouldn’t make it on this list.Parkitectseems to naileveryaspect. It uses a light-hearted aesthetic to create a beautiful atmosphere that fits perfectly with the theme (heh) of the game. I’m not sure I trust any major players to re-ignite the love of theme park sims, but I believe that this indie team can do exactly the right thing!
Plus, it has mod support! Just think of all the crazy crap the community can come up with.
SpeedrunnersDeveloper: DoubleDutch GamesFollow it:Steam,TwitterCan I buy it?Yes
Similar toGang Beasts,Speedrunnershas been on regular rotation at my local multiplayer game night for quite some time. There is nothing as intense as a match ofSpeedrunners. Players race laps around a 2D platforming level and can run, slide, jump, and most importantly, grappling hook their way into first place. Jumping and nailing a perfect grappling hook to get around obstacle is easily one of the best feelings in competitive gaming.
I think my favorite thing thatSpeedrunnersdoes is slowly brings in the edges of the screen to focus on the remaining racers and eliminate the one who are too far behind. What you’re left with is two racers with no peripheral vision where one mistake means losing. God damn, what a thrill!
SquadDeveloper: Offworld IndustriesFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
I’m a sucker for games that go for a strong cooperative experience.Squadis all about coop. I mean, it’s calledSquad!Reading experiences from those who have been playing it in its Early Access phase, it’s somewhere betweenCounter-StrikeandArmain terms of realism, leaning towardsArma. In other words, it’s pretty realistic but not inaccessible. It’s a game that relies on solid communication, so prep your headsets and get ready to COMMUNICATE!
StarCrawlersDeveloper: Juggernaut GamesFollow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
I haven’t playedStarCrawlerssince its early days, but even then I knew it was something special. The atmosphere is wonderful, regardless of whether you’re exploring ships likeLegend of Grimrockor sitting in the hub city talking to NPCs. The gameplay goes back and forth between roaming spaceships and turn-based combat. This is a game that I briefly lost myself in, and forced myself to stop and wait for it to be more completed.
….is it completed yet?
Stephen’s Sausage RollDeveloper: Stephen LavelleFollow it:TwitterCan I buy it? No
It’s a puzzle game. With a sausage. What else do you need to know? Also, please do yourself a favor and check out thewebsite.
STRAFEDeveloper: Pixel TitansFollow it:Tumblr,TwitterCan I buy it? No
DISCLAIMER: I BACKED THIS SHIT ON KICKSTARTER
Personally, I’m excited that more indie developers are going for the 90s low-polygon count models. I don’t want it to get abused, but I enjoy it as of now.STRAFEis a fast-paced shooter that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s “90s retro” as hell and makes no apologies about it. It’s gotattitudethat only 90s kids will remember lololololol 😉
This also has an amazing website which you need to check out ASAP.
Sub RosaDeveloper: Cryptic SeaFollow it:Steam,TwitterCan I buy it? No
One of my favorite things is to watch people playSub Rosa. It’s not a competitive eSport or anything that I usually watch, but the events that happen are completely player-driven. It’s a game that gives the players a world, objectives, and mechanics, and let’s the rest happen naturally. Players work for corporations and have to make deals with other players for colored discs, which grant the players and corporations bonuses. The result is tense deals, double and triple crossing, and plenty of hilarity.
TacomaDeveloper: FullbrightFollow it:TwitterCan I buy it? No
This is another game that deserves attention by pedigree alone. Fullbright, the team behind thegameGone Home, is back with a more Rapture-esque feel to it, except it’s in space and not underwater. If anyone can create an atmosphere and own it, it’s Fullbright games. I look forward to rotating many space things in 2016!
Tooth and TailDeveloper: Pocketwatch GamesFollow it:Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it? No
Tooth and Tailhas had a couple of name changes so far. Announced asArmada, it later became known asLEADtoFIRE. Now, it’sTooth and Tail, which is leagues ahead of both of the previous names. This is a real-time strategy game by the developers ofMonaco: What’s Yours is Mine. The goal is to create anaccessible RTSthat feels comfortableon a controller. Very bold goals, since the RTS genre is notoriously difficult to get into for many.
If Andy Schatz and company can pull it off, this could be a breakthrough game of the genre. More accessibility is a great thing, especially in such a tough genre.
The Long DarkDeveloper: Hinterland Studio Inc.Follow it:Steam,Twitter,FacebookCan I buy it?Yes
I boughtThe Long Darkduring the most recent Steam sale, and absolutely fell in love with my first experience with it. It’s unforgiving as hell, which is ironic because the game world itself is cold as….ice? It’s a survival game that tasks the player to simply survive while dealing with the elements. I’m terrible at it, but that hardly prevents me from thoroughly enjoying my time dying.
I’ll likely never forget my first venture out into the wilderness. I left my cabin behind in search for something,anything, to help my sustain my future. Well, turns out that night wasn’t too long off. So I headed towards a broken down cabin I came across, hoping it had a stove. It did! However, it also had a corpse right next to it. So, with no other real options, I opened my bed roll, threw some wood and tinder into the stove, and slept all night next to some stranger’s corpse. It was a bit of a harrowing experience, and I can’t wait for the game to be completed.
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So, what did I miss? What indies are you pumped for in 2016? Oh, and I made aconvenient Twitter “list”of all the games and developers mentioned here in case you want to use that.
