Must-Play Indie Games in 2025

Indie game lists and awards in 2025 highlight how “indie” now spans both breakout hits and blockbuster sequels

A wave of year-end roundups and editorial lists in 2025 highlighted how the definition of “indie game” continues to expand—covering everything from solo-developed passion projects to large, highly anticipated sequels that are still self-published.

Several lists pointed to Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong as examples of that shift. Both are considered indie on paper because they are self-published by developers not connected to a larger publisher, even as they arrive with major built-in audiences as follow-ups to widely successful games.

Critics also noted that sequels can be risky for independent studios, but Hades II was cited as an example of a studio executing well across game design, audio, art direction, and an Early Access approach. Silksong, meanwhile, was described as challenging but fair, earning its place among notable releases of the year.

Beyond the highest-profile sequels, IndieGameReviewer.com published a “deeply debated” list focused on indie titles released in 1.0 form during 2025. The site framed the year as another demonstration of indie developers’ ability to push the medium forward across genres and storytelling styles.

That broader view included smaller-scale and highly specific creative efforts. Asterism, for example, was described as a “playable indie-rock concept album set in outer space” built by solo developer Claire Morwood, who handled music, visuals, and code.

Other frequently mentioned titles reflected the diversity of formats and play styles receiving attention in 2025:

• Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer, highlighted as a strong point-and-click detective sequel with an estimated 10–14 hours of playtime
• Megabonk, recommended as a rougelite intended to refresh interest for players tired of the formula
• Split Fiction, cited among standout co-op releases in a year noted for strong cooperative games
• A Pizza Delivery, described as a shorter, more heartfelt experience with queer representation

At the same time, the wider games conversation in 2025 remained dominated in parts by major releases and platforms, including Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 titles such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and a new Donkey Kong, alongside big-name franchises like Borderlands 4 and high-profile projects such as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Amid the mix of lists and accolades, one highlight referenced an award outcome: Blue Prince was named Best Indie Game, with its “journey to reach Room 46” singled out as a memorable part of the year.

Taken together, the 2025 roundups underscored a central reality of the current indie landscape: “indie” increasingly describes a publishing and production context rather than a single scale or style, placing solo-made experiments and globally anticipated sequels in the same category.