Sick of reading about the same old AAA releases that everyone else talks about? Here is what I found for new indie games that you should know about.
Gaming news is dominated by major studios, but the indie scene is slowly building some of the most attention-grabbing titles in 2025. I dug into lists of upcoming games and discovered 15 hidden gems the majority of gamers have never heard of.
These indie games include a noir detective story featuring a mouse protagonist and a mind-bending platformer that examines eternal life. With individual mechanics and art direction, the games above offer memorable gaming experiences. These selections also illustrate the creativity and diversity of independent game development.
Morsels
Image Source: Steam
Indie gem of weird retro mechanica Morsels caught in between whilst compiling a post about examples of games I was excited for scheduled to release, as well as in this enlightening process of what makes the indie game scene as creatively interesting as it is. This unconventional roguelike had me hooked with its clever premise: you revel as a starving mouse that finds a magical fatberg in the sewers which allows you to take the form of different creatures.
Morsels Gameplay Features
Its creature-collecting system is where Morsels really shines. You can switch between your different “Morsels” at will, and they each have different skills and benefits. These critters also gain power-ups and quirks that change how they behave, lending a layer of strategic depth to every encounter.
Notable features include:
Harvested Morsels to toggle with one click
Fighting at Strategy Allegelon vs. The Catz
Secret bonus levels that are a megatest of your skills.
RelatedCrush Morsels: The Plant-Based Smart Snacking InitiativeThe Art Style and Atmosphere of Morsels
The handdrawn art style was a very unique visual presentation aside from game play. The game mixes whimsy with darker themes that give the gameplay an environment that is delightful yet unsettling. The environments span filthy sewers to fantastical realms, and each one shows absolutely phenomenal detail.
Morsels Release Details
This quirky indie project comes on Feb. 2025 |- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5. PC The development team of FURCULA and publisher Annapurna Interactive are polishing the game to ensure it debuts smoothly.
Cairn
Image Source: Steam
Cairn is one of the most exciting upcoming indie games that gives a new spin on mountain climbing simulation.
Cairn Climbing Mechanical
I was stunned by the game’s realistic climbing system. The controls are simple enough that players can move each limb separately. The game forms a new genre called “Survival-Climber,” where players must deftly manage decreasing resources like pitons, chalk and finger tape. When stamina gets low, your character’s limbs begin to shake, lending an even more realistic feel to climbing.
Here are the key features of the game:
System for controlling individual limbs naturally
Survival element resource management
With no established mutineers, the journey was route-based.
Customizable experience with difficulty adjustment
Cairn Visual Design
Its stylized art direction contributes its own unique personality to the game. The evolution of his environment — from shifting sunlight to growing shadows — makes this clear.
Cairn Development Progress
This will be the latest title from The Game Bakers, makers of Furi and Haven. A 25-person development team has spent 4 years developing the game. The demo features different modes of gameplay. In Expedition mode, you can choose to play as person Aava or Marco.
Drop Duchy
Image Source: Steam
I was pleasantly surprised to find a genre-bending title rated most anticipated in 2025 that fuses block-dropping puzzles with strategic kingdom construction. When I first laid eyes on Drop Duchy, I was intrigued at how it was there mixing some gamestyles I was attuned to.
Drop Duchy Unique Mechanics
Drop Duchy really puts a nice spin on the traditional block-stacking formula. The game progresses past the basics of line-clearing. Players need patchworks of terrain to grow a vibrant realm. The variety of block types have their own purposes and can be used for expanding territories and gathering resources. By intelligently placing your infrastructure, you can create potent resource synergies akin to placing farms next to fertile plains.
Drop Duchy Strategic Elements
With over 80 different cards that let you customize structures and bolster the recruit of soldiers, it has an incredibly rich deckbuilding system. There are three unique factions for players to select from:
The Duchy
The Order
The Republic
Each faction has its own quests and rewards, adding hours of replay value. But the procedural generation system is what adds the actual strategic depth in each playthrough, with new challenges.
Drop Duchy Early Access Plans
The dev team pushed its release window back from late 2024 to early 2025. That additional time allows them to pack in more content and features before release. There will be 50 challenges at launch to guide players through their journey.
Mouse: PI for Hire
Image Source: Steam
One of the most interesting looking upcoming indie games to cross my gaming radar recently combines film noir and old-timey cartoon visuals. Mouse: P.I. for Hire drops me into the shoes of Jack Pepper, a private investigator who prowls the venal streets of Mouseburg.
Mouse PI Gameplay Overview
The game distinguishes itself with its combination of action-heavy combat and detective work. Players will have access to an impressive arsenal that includes:
The Mauser, a vintage multishot pistol
The Turpentine Gun, which makes enemies disappear
Tommy Gun for heavy powered fire
Movement upgrades introduced through a metroidvania-style progression system add variety to the gameplay. The mouse turns into a grappling hook, as well as gliding with a helicopter up its tail.
Mouse PI Visual Style
The game uses 1930s rubber hose animation as inspiration to form a monochromatic world full of hand-drawn characters. A retro jazz soundtrack serves to complement the visual style, bringing to life the contrasts of the era. The team has refined their animation quality, especially in environments, weapons, and character designs.
Mouse PI Release Information
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is set to release in 2025 for various platforms. Where the noir adventure will be available:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- PC via Steam
Midnight Walk
Image Source: indie games devel
While digging through the stream of new indie releases, I found a gem: a dark fantasy adventure where all of its elements are made completely of clay. There is something very special about The Midnight Walk that equally embraces both traditional craftsmanship and modern gaming technology.
Midnight Walk Story Elements
The Burnt One rises from its muddy grave and the haunting narrative follows The Burnt One in their quest for meaning. The protagonist encounters Potboy, a dormant lantern creature who springs to life when reignited. Constrained to travel along the same treacherous highway, these two characters traverse five interwoven stories that illustrate the dual nature of fire — its warmth, and its destructive force.
Midnight Walk Art Direction
The creation process is very much what sets the game apart. Each and every asset was physically sculpted in clay before being 3D scanned in the video game. Such an artistic way achieves wonderful results with:
Sculpture-like Shapeshifters with Muddy Textures
Complicated environmental aspects developing fingerprint imprints
Animation that uses a stop-motion style that gives a genuine claymation vibe
If you discard any of these items, we recommend calling a waste management company and having them take the trash away.
The team behind Moonhood discovered maps that were an unusual source of inspiration. They had finished their previous game Lost in Random and started to find their creativity again through clay sculpting. Blessed is this novel for being approached in such a new way, as it has a Spring 2025 release window. The game is set to release on various platforms:
- PlayStation 5 (standard and VR)
- PC with VR support
- Steam VR compatibility
Tears of Metal
Image Source: Steam
My search for standout upcoming indie games led me to a thrilling medieval hack-and-slash that blends roguelike elements with Scottish warfare. Tears of Metal grabbed my attention with its unique take on battalion-based combat.
Tears of Metal Combat System
The game’s core mechanics let players lead a powerful Scottish battalion against invading forces. The combat system feels engaging and allows players to combine over 100 artifacts with powerful upgrades to create devastating builds. The permanent progression system makes it stand out – soldiers gain lasting skills between campaigns, but fallen warriors are lost forever.
Tears of Metal World Design
Players can explore 45 handcrafted environments that offer unique scenarios and objectives. The game features:
- Expandable settlement system with new shops
- Special objectives unlocking artifacts and characters
- Mysterious Dragon Stone Meteor storyline
Tears of Metal Release Timeline
Paper Cult, the team behind Bloodroots, showed the game at Summer Game Fest 2024. The game will launch on PC via Steam in 2025 and supports both single-player and co-op gameplay modes. The exact release date isn’t set yet, but the development team is putting final touches to ensure a smooth launch.
Possessors
Image Source: Steam
My recent dive into upcoming indie games led me to discover a visually striking side-scrolling game that blends horror and sci-fi elements. Possessors stands out as one of the most predicted games from Heart Machine, the creators of Hyper Light Drifter.
Possessors Story Overview
A quarantined mega-city, torn apart by an interdimensional catastrophe, sets the stage for this tale. The story follows Luca, who must build an uneasy alliance with Rehm, a mysterious counterpart forced upon her. Their relationship grows as they traverse through collapsed skyscrapers and abandoned aquariums.
Possessors Gameplay Features
The combat system takes inspiration from platform fighters and offers:
- Ground and air attacks with combo potential
- Multiple weapon types with upgrade possibilities
- Unique movement abilities that improve exploration
Possessors Technical Details
The game impresses with its blend of 3D environments and hand-drawn animated characters. Neon flashes and orange sunsets create a haunting atmosphere. The game supports both keyboard and mouse controls, but the developers suggest using a controller for the best experience.
The development team targets a 2025 release. Their focus remains on balancing precise combat with engaging storytelling through interconnected world design.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Image Source: Reddit
I’ve been checking out upcoming indie games and came across an amazing RPG that grabbed my attention. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 mixes turn-based combat with real-time action in a fresh way. The game tells a gripping story where time becomes your worst enemy.
Expedition 33 Combat System
This game’s combat system changes how we look at turn-based battles. The mix of strategic planning and quick reflexes pulled me right in. Notable features include:
- Real-time dodging and parrying mechanics
- Free-aim system for targeting weak points
- Chain combos through precise attack rhythms
Each character brings their own special abilities to the fight. To name just one example, see Gustave with his mechanical arm that charges up devastating attacks. Lune can create elemental effects that lead to powerful combinations.
Expedition 33 World Building
The story takes place in a world shaped by Belle Époque France. A mysterious figure called the Paintress dooms people of a certain age to death each year. The plot follows Expedition 33’s race against time to stop the Paintress before she paints the number “33”.
Expedition 33 Release Plans
The game will hit the shelves in spring 2025. Players can expect over 30 hours of main story content and plenty of side quests for completionists. At $49.99, the price tag matches the game’s scope and unique features perfectly.
The Stone of Madness
Image Source: Game Rant
The Stone of Madness stands out among upcoming indie games as a masterpiece of tactical stealth gameplay. The Game Kitchen currently develops this intriguing title that brings a fresh perspective to the stealth genre.
Stone of Madness Stealth Mechanics
The game combines live tactical gameplay with a unique approach to failure. Players can learn from their mistakes since there’s no game-over state. Five distinct characters bring their remarkable abilities to the game:
- Alfredo Martin can light up dark spaces and wear disguises
- Agnes Santos manipulates light sources effectively
- Three other prisoners showcase their specialized skills
Stone of Madness Setting
An 18th-century Spanish Monastery in the Pyrenees serves as the game’s backdrop. This weathered Jesuit monastery doubles as a madhouse and inquisitorial prison. The game’s day-night cycle affects guard patterns and brings paranormal elements after dark.
Stone of Madness Development Progress
The game’s creation tells an interesting story. Teku Studios started the project before The Game Kitchen acquired it. The developers created hand-painted visuals inspired by Francisco de Goya’s artwork. The game will launch on January 28, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC.
Croak
Image Source: Indie Games Showcase
I spent time learning about many upcoming indie games and ended up falling in love with a unique precision platformer that brings fresh movement mechanics to life. The team behind Cuphead and Rick & Morty developed Croak, which looks set to deliver an exceptional gaming experience.
Croak Movement System
The game’s core mechanic stands out with its SuperBonk ability. This system lets players use the prince’s tongue as a grapple that propels and bounces them through levels. The movement feels easy-to-use yet challenging, and players need to think strategically to become skilled at the simple-looking controls.
Croak Level Design
The game world features several distinct biomes that add unique twists to gameplay. My exploration revealed:
- Dangerous mysterious swamps
- Secret-filled haunted mines
- Treacherous snow-covered mountain paths
Each area showcases hand-crafted rooms packed with interactive platforming elements. The game rewards players who explore with hidden areas and collectibles, which makes every playthrough exciting and fresh.
Croak Release Information
WoodRunner Games’ team has crafted each animation by hand, drawing them frame by frame using traditional techniques. The exact release date hasn’t been announced yet, but the game will launch on PC through Steam. This fractured fairy tale ended up becoming a precise platforming challenge that tells the story of a cursed prince trying to save his kingdom.
Eternal Strands
Image Source: www.eternalstrandsgame.com
A remarkable physics-based action-adventure game caught my attention while browsing upcoming indie releases. Eternal Strands stands out with its fresh take on magical combat and environmental manipulation that changes how players interact with creatures.
Eternal Strands Combat Features
The game’s physics-based combat system amazed me with its creative possibilities. Players need a combination of sword skills, spell combinations, and strategic climbing to defeat colossal enemies. The combat system shines with these notable features:
- Ice magic to make enemy armor brittle
- Kinetic powers for launching objects
- Flame abilities that spread realistically through environments
Eternal Strands World Design
The world gives players complete freedom of movement because every surface can be climbed. Player actions directly affect the environment – fires spread naturally, ice changes mobility, and weather patterns change without warning. The game’s next-generation physics system encourages players to explore creatively.
Eternal Strands Development Status
Yellow Brick Games, led by former Dragon Age lead Mike Laidlaw, heads this exciting project. The game packs between 25 and 35 hours of content and will launch on January 28, 2025. The studio has plans for post-launch content and will work with Square Enix’s Creative Studio III to create new epic creatures and weapons.
Tenjutsu
Image Source: Steam
I just came across an amazing project in the indie games world. Sébastien Benard, who created Dead Cells, has something special brewing. His new game, Tenjutsu, grabbed my attention with its fresh take on roguelike gameplay mixed with martial arts action.
Tenjutsu Roguelike Elements
The game puts you up against four powerful crime syndicates that run Secret Garden City. Here’s what makes it interesting – your choice of which syndicate to take down first really changes how things play out. Taking out one group early gives the others time to beef up their forces. The city comes alive as you make progress, and new shops and restaurants pop up where defeated organizations once stood.
Tenjutsu Combat System
The fighting style feels like you’re in the middle of a John Wick or Jackie Chan movie. The game’s arsenal is pretty impressive with:
- 10 melee weapons that each play differently
- A mix of ranged weapons and special powers
- A smooth 360-degree combat system that lets you fight in any direction
Tenjutsu Release Timeline
PC and console versions are in the works right now. The team has built nine unique districts for players to explore. Each area packs a lot into a small space but stays vibrant, and you can take different routes to get around. The game doesn’t have an exact launch date yet, but we know it’s coming in 2025.
The Eternal Life of Goldman
Image Source: Steam
I came across an amazing hand-drawn adventure game in the big world of upcoming indie titles. The Eternal Life of Goldman caught my eye with its detailed frame-by-frame animation and captivating story.
Goldman Platforming Mechanics
Goldman’s versatile cane is the game’s centerpiece that works as both a movement tool and puzzle solver. The cane has three parts you can customize:
- Different handles that give you unique abilities
- Points you can upgrade to boost movement
- Stick sections you can modify for special powers
The platforming feels precise but welcoming, and it offers challenging sequences without becoming too hard.
Goldman Art Style
The game’s visuals blew me away with beautiful hand-drawn artwork. Artists create each frame without any AI help, building a world that takes elements from ancient Greek, Jewish, and Mesopotamian folklore. The development team spends up to a year making each biome, and this shows in the rich details and life packed into every environment.
Goldman Development Progress
This amazing project kicked off in 2017 with 25 developers who put their heart into every detail. The team’s dedication to traditional animation techniques shows in every scene. They chose the hardest path to create a pure 2D experience. Players can look forward to playing the game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Grit and Valor 1949
Image Source: Steam
My exploration of upcoming indie games led me to discover a fascinating dieselpunk tactical game that puts a new spin on World War II. Grit and Valor 1949 blends roguelite elements with real-time strategy in a way that stands out from other games.
Grit and Valor Gameplay Features
The game puts you in command of an elite Mech Squadron during real-time tactical battles. Players need to deploy units and protect a vital Command Vehicle. Here are the exciting tactical elements the game brings:
- Terrain and cover create tactical advantages
- Waves of enemy forces from all types
- Mechs and pilot abilities you can upgrade
Grit and Valor Setting
The story takes place in an alternate 1949 where World War II never reached its end. Europe remains under Axis control, and their mechanized forces keep the continent in a tight grip. The Resistance’s mission sends you deep into enemy territory with an EMP weapon. Your target is their mech production facility – the Machine Tower.
Grit and Valor Release Details
Milky Tea Studios has set a 2025 release window. The game will launch on several platforms at once:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch
Beta testing has started, and the game shows promise as one of the most predicted tactical releases of 2025.
Comparison Table
| Game Title | Release Window | Platforms | Key Gameplay Features | Developer/Publisher | Genre/Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morsels | February 2025 | Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC | Creature-collecting, Dynamic combat mechanics, Strategic creature switching | FURCULA/Annapurna Interactive | Roguelike |
| Cairn | 2025 | Not mentioned | Independent limb control, Resource management, Survival elements | The Game Bakers | Survival-Climber |
| Drop Duchy | Early 2025 | PC | Block-stacking, Kingdom building, Deckbuilding with 80+ cards | Not mentioned | Strategy/Puzzle |
| Mouse: PI for Hire | 2025 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC | Dynamic combat, Detective work, Metroidvania progression | Not mentioned | Action-Adventure/Noir |
| Midnight Walk | Spring 2025 | PS5 (Standard/VR), PC, Steam VR | Clay-based visuals, Dark fantasy narrative | Moonhood | Adventure |
| Tears of Metal | 2025 | PC (Steam) | Battalion-based combat, Permanent progression, 45 environments | Paper Cult | Hack-and-Slash/Roguelike |
| Possessors | 2025 | Not mentioned | Platform fighter combat, Combo-based attacks, Multiple weapon types | Heart Machine | Side-scrolling Action |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | Spring 2025 | Not mentioned | Hybrid turn-based/dynamic combat, Free-aim system | Not mentioned | RPG |
| The Stone of Madness | January 28, 2025 | PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC | Tactical stealth, No game-over state, Multiple playable characters | The Game Kitchen | Stealth |
| Croak | 2025 | PC (Steam) | SuperBonk tongue mechanics, Precision platforming, Hand-drawn animation | WoodRunner Games | Platformer |
| Eternal Strands | January 28, 2025 | Not mentioned | Physics-based combat, Environmental manipulation, Climbing mechanics | Yellow Brick Games | Action-Adventure |
| Tenjutsu | 2025 | PC and Consoles | Dynamic combat system, Multiple weapons, Evolving city | Not mentioned | Roguelike/Action |
| The Eternal Life of Goldman | 2025 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC | Cane-based platforming, Puzzle-solving, Customizable abilities | Not mentioned | Hand-drawn Adventure |
| Grit and Valor 1949 | 2025 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Dynamic tactical combat, Mech warfare, Wave-based missions | Milky Tea Studios | Tactical/Dieselpunk |
Conclusion
The year 2025 looks promising for independent gaming with 15 standout indie titles. These games avoid tried-and-tested formulas. Each title brings something new to the table – from Morsels’ creature-collecting mechanics to The Stone of Madness’ stealth gameplay that embraces failure.
AAA titles may dominate gaming discussions, but these indie projects show remarkable creative courage. Midnight Walk’s developers crafted clay assets by hand, while Goldman’s team created frame-by-frame animations. These passionate developers value artistic vision more than production convenience.
Small teams driven by creative passion, not market trends, have created impressive technical breakthroughs. Cairn’s independent limb controls and Eternal Strands’ physics-based combat system challenge gameplay conventions in exciting ways.
These hidden gems remind us why indie games drive gaming innovation forward. Dedicated developers have poured countless hours into each title and taken bold creative risks. Their unique visions and groundbreaking mechanics will deliver unforgettable gaming experiences throughout 2025.
