Must-Play Indie Games for 2025
Indie game releases in 2025 highlight how “independent” can include both blockbuster sequels and small-scale surprises
A roundup of 2025 indie games is drawing attention to a growing tension in how “indie” is defined in games media: some of the most prominent titles that fit the label are also among the industry’s most anticipated sequels.
The list points to Hades 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong as indie games on the basis that they are self-published by developers not connected to a larger publisher. At the same time, the roundup notes that both are major follow-ups to widely successful originals, placing them in a different category of market visibility than most independent releases.
Alongside those large-name sequels, the roundup highlights smaller projects that can be easier to miss. One example is Cinnabunny, described as a “hidden gem” that combines elements of a farm simulator and a cooking simulator, with an additional cozy-design influence likened to Tales of the Shire through its Hobbit house-style designs.
According to the roundup, Cinnabunny may have been overlooked by some players because its cover art does not reflect the game’s “adorable” in-game art style. Despite that disconnect, the game is said to hold a Very Positive overall rating on Steam based on player feedback.
The broader context is that the indie label increasingly spans two very different realities: established studios releasing high-profile sequels without traditional publishers, and smaller teams producing niche games that rely more heavily on discovery and word of mouth. As 2025 releases roll out, those differences shape which games get immediate attention and which require stronger community signals—like user reviews—to break through.
