2020 has no shortage of indie games but it’s easy to lose track of the release dates or miss these games entirely. So what can you expect coming out of the indie scene in 2019 and beyond?
Here at Nerd Much?, we’re big fans of indie games – and so is the industry at large. Many sites have stopped separating indie games into their own genre. It’s clear that small studios can pack a punch.
And with indie game experiences often being shorter in length and cheaper in price, there’s no reason not to fly through as many games as you can from these smaller studios. So, from games backed by major powerhouses, like EA Originals’ Sea of Solitude, to games made in studio apartments, like Ooblets, this list covers it all.
If you’re looking for some brand new indie games to play/keep an eye out for, we’ve got you covered with this working list of the top 26 most anticipated upcoming indie games of 2020 (and beyond).
**Note: These are not ranked in any order, and expect this list to be updated as more releases are announced.
Untitled Goose Game
Developer: House House
Publisher: Panic
Platform: Nintendo Switch and PC
Release Date: September 23, 2020
In Untitled Goose Game you’re a goose and subsequently a jerk. Ruin everyone’s day by wrecking gardens, running through shops, stealing hats, honking in people’s faces and anything else you can think to do. This slapstick-stealth-sandbox game lets you run wild in an otherwise lovely village. Cause chaos by accomplishing various troll-like tasks/challenges throughout the neighborhood. Everyone will know who you are and they’ll hate you more for it. In their most recent Indie Direct, Nintendo announced that Untitled Goose Game will get a free update in September to add co-op, so you can troll the neighborhood with a friend.
Hades
Developer: Supergiant Games
Publisher: Supergiant Games
Platform: Switch, PC
Release Date: Fall 2020
Lovers of Greek mythology will want to check out Hades, the upcoming hack n’ slash rogue-like dungeon crawler from the studio behind Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. The game released in Early Access in 2018 as an Epic Games Store timed exclusive, and then on Steam in December 2019 to Overwhelmingly Positive reviews. (If you already have it on PC, don’t worry—it will have cross-save capabilities.) You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, trying to fight your way out of the underworld. You’ll receive Boons from Olympians to help you on your quest, and if you die, you’ll return home but maintain any abilities and upgrades you’ve obtained. Of course, it features the gorgeous hand-drawn art and atmospheric style fans have come to expect from Supergiant Games.
Mineko’s Night Market
Developer: Meowza Games
Publisher: Humble Bundle
Platform: PC, Switch
Release Date: TBA 2020
A crafting heavy game with a strong story, Mineko’s Night Market involves cat racing and draws on Japanese tradition to establish its lore. What really makes Mineko’s Night Market stand out among the crowd is the diverse range of adorable activities players get to partake in: from working in a Ramen shop to riding on cats. The “Night Market” in the game will feature 16 unique weekly main events. Resource gathering involves things like cutting trees, catching fireflies, snow monkey grooming (whatever that means). All crafting will involve interactive minigames and you’ll be guided through the main campaign via non-invasive quests to accomplish. It’s a game about “crafting crafts, eating eats, and catting cats.” With costumes to make and plenty of locations on Mt. Fugu to explore, Mineko’s Night Market is shaping up to give us an adorable adventure to embark on this year.
Spelunky 2
Developer: Mossmouth
Publisher: Mossmouth
Platform: PS4, PC
Release Date: September 15, 2020 (PS4)
Following up the original game, Spelunky 2 builds on the formula of the first game. While it’s primarily more of the same the team has added a few features such as liquid physics which creates unique moments in the game when combined with the destructible terrain. Expect new areas, items, monsters, and straps. Most importantly this game will include rideable mounts (and online multiplayer). Get ready to jump back into what many consider to be one of the best indie platformers of the generation.
Super Meat Boy Forever
Developer: Team Meat
Publisher: Team Meat
Platform: Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: TBA 2021
A sequel to one of the most recognizable indie games of all time, Super Meat Boy Forever takes an autorunner approach to the difficult platforming fans love from the first game. Even though Meat Boy and Bandage Girl are always running doesn’t mean the game is never-ending. There’s still a story and an ending. The entire game is controlled with just two-buttons: you have a jump, a jump attack, a dive, and a slide. The most intriguing design choice is the way difficulty scales in the game. As stated on the official website:
“Each level consists of 100 carefully designed “chunks” that are placed together to create a level. Chunks are like little Meat Boy levels that are designed, decorated, and given a difficulty rating. Each time you beat a level, an increased difficulty criteria is used to generate the harder version of that level. Also, levels need to have a certain cadence to them so they don’t feel like just random stuff thrown at you. We’ve worked on a system that allows us to give a criteria of difficulty and pacing that makes the levels randomly, but still within the confines of what we want the levels to be presented as.”
The whole thing sounds unique and ambitious and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Edmund McMillen.
Tunic
Developer: Andrew Shouldice
Publisher: Finji
Platform: Xbox One and PC
Release Date: July 1, 2020 (Out now)
Formally unveiled on Microsoft’s stage at e3 2018, this action adventure game has you playing as a tiny fox in a green tunic and pink scarf. You wake up on a beach only to stumble across a sword that will aid you on your quest. Open treasure chests, explore a big world, and vanquish foes much larger than you as you journey through the wilderness. Bound to draw Legend of Zelda comparisons due to the framing of the story and design choices, Tunic draws on history while aiming to create a path of its own.
Deleted: Read More Here.
Among Trees
Developer: FJRD Interactive
Publisher: FJRD Interactive
Platform: PC
Release Date: Steam Early Access 2019 (out now)
Marking this studios debut of this studio, the team aims to “create rich worlds with breathtaking art and immersive gameplay.” Among Trees will be a small but vibrantly colored survive sandbox game taking place in the wilderness. Located in a lush forest you can expand and upgrade your cabin, adding new rooms and unlocking additional game mechanics such as cooking, gardening, and crafting tools. Explore the environment and survive any way you can by scavenging for food, fishing, and chopping down trees.
This game has been in development for 1.5 years thus far. While early access will open up soon there’s no word on when the full game will release.
Ooblets
Developer: Glumberland
Publisher: Double Fine Presents
Platform: Xbox One, PC
Release Date: July 15, 2020 (Early Access)
A two-person team consisting of Rebecca Cordingly and Ben Wasser, Ooblets is a self-proclaimed cross between Harvest Moon (when it was good), Pokémon, and Animal Crossing. Brimming with character customization options, superfluous dance breaks, and 35 confirmed creatures, Ooblets is shaping up to be an adorable, pastel, simulation game with some turn-based battle elements.
The fact that the game is being published by Double Fine Presents, the company tied to indie hits like Escape Goat 2, adds credibility to the title. While fans have been waiting a long time for Ooblets you can rely on plenty of updates to tide you over. Cordingly and Wasser are constantly updating their community by sharing cute gifs on Twitter, detailed development decisions via blog posts, and unique rewards on Patreon.
Sable
Developer: Shedworks
Publisher: Raw Fury
Platform: Xbox One and PC
Release Date: 2019
A coming-of-age tale with that looks like an Image comic come to life, this story will take you across an open world desert on the back of your hoverbike as you discover relics of the past. Learn valuable lessons throughout your journey as you meet nomadic people who you assist on their quests. You’re the young Sable, traveling across an alien planet hoping to find your place in the world.
The Last Campfire
Developer: Hello Games
Publisher: Hello games
Platform: TBD
Release Date: 2019
From the developers of No Man’s Sky comes a new (much smaller scale) adventure game. The Last Campfire features an adorable lead in an oversized pullover. This character is an ember that has drifted from the flame. In an attempt to make it home you’ll have to paddle across the water and navigate the puzzle-filled relics of the surrounding areas. With a somber tone and an adorable art style, The Last Campfire is ominous yet inviting.
The Pathless
Developer: Giant Squid
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platform: PS4, PC (via Epic Games Store)
Release Date: 2019
From the team that brought us Abzu comes The Pathless: a mythic adventure of an archer and an eagle exploring a vast forest. You’re tasked with hunting corrupted spirits while making sure you don’t become the hunted yourself. Battle against your foes and solve puzzles in ancient ruins. Maintaining a bond with your eagle will be instrumental to your quest to save the fate of the world. Fight against the dark mystical creatures and forces until their grip on the planet finally comes loose and peace is restored.
Read More Here.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
Developer: Galactic Cafe
Publisher: Galactic Cafe
Platform: PC and consoles
Release Date: 2021
The iconic walking simulator, The Stanley Parable, is finally coming to consoles for the first time ever (and PC again) featuring more content and some new endings. Originally release back in 2013, you play as Stanley who upon exiting his office for the first time realizes no one is there. In the game, you venture through the office in an attempt to find out what happened, using the narrator’s directions as a guide for the story. Or doing exactly the opposite. Or following some directions but not others. Or just trying to break the story however you can. The game changes with each playthrough and what you do in one run can affect the next. Over the years it has remained one of the gold standards of its genre. The PC release of Ultra Deluxe is still a bit unclear. Will it be available at a fraction of the price, a standalone game, or a sort of update. On the game’s official website the team said “because the game is so substantially different, we’re trying to find a way to make the original Stanley Parable and Ultra Deluxe both separately accessible. Not totally sure yet on how that’ll work.”
Ancestors
Developer: Panache Digital Games
Publisher: Private Division
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: 2019
Tracing all the way back to 10 million years ago, players will embark on an odyssey through human evolution itself. Starting off in Neogene Africa at the dawn of humankind. Take in the beauty but beware of the danger lurking around every corner. This third-person, open world survival game challenges players to expand their territories by forming bonds and working with others eventually evolving through multiple generations.This ambitious title lets you forge your own path which each decision shaping how you will “overcome obstacles, increase your species, and what knowledge will pass on to future generations. Focus on specific attributes or choose a more balanced approach to survival.”
Psychonauts 2
Developer: Starbreeze Studios
Publisher: Double Fine Productions
Platform: PCs and consoles
Release Date: 2019
The follow-up to Psychonauts finally picks up on the cliffhanger and continues Razputin’s story. Raz realizes his dream and visits Psychonauts Headquarters only to realize they really need his help. Psychonauts 2 will feature a new hub world inside Psychonauts HQ, allowing you to access new mental worlds as Raz looks into the minds of a cast of new characters. “Raz will hone his secret agent PSI-abilities—and learn new ones too—using them to solve mysteries and uncover evil plots.”
Sayonara Wild hearts
Developer: Simogo
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 2019
Unveiled as one of the world premiere announcements at The Game Awards 2018, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a cel-shaded, neon music video fever dream about “being awesome, riding motorcycles, skateboarding, dance battling, shooting lasers, wielding swords, and breaking hearts at 200 mph.” Visually overwhelming but undoubtedly gorgeous, every stage is set to a song of a custom-written pop album. While the game is described as being full of “sensory overloading arcade game action” the genre itself is still unclear. But considering the fact that the game is locked at 60fps both docked and undocked, it’s safe to say things will be moving quickly.
The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: 2019
From the team that made Until Dawn comes more decision driven horror. But this time the experiences are much smaller. Rather than create one massive story, Supermassive Games is launching The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of standalone horror games. The first in this series in Man of Medan. The game will be more feature one primary playable character rather than have you control the entire cast. Survive the supernatural horrors that exist on board a ghost-ship adrift in the South Pacific during this four-hour long adventure. Make your choices quickly and they very well might be a matter of life and death.
Wattam
Developer: Funomena
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platform: PS4, PC
Release Date: TBD
From the creator of Katamari Damacy comes a game that might be even quirkier. This unique sandbox adventure has been in development with Funomera since 2015 and centers on odd interactions with over 100 unique characters. Unlock and befriend everyone in the world. Described as a goof-around simulation game, you’ll spend this title playing with physics and animations, solving puzzles, and playing bizarre minigames. Freely switch between co-op and same screen multiplayer for added fun. But considering how long it has been openly in development the release date could be any day now or years away. It’s a toss-up but Annapurna Interactive has been publishing quality indies left and right so hopefully this will be one of them in 2019.
Garden Story
Developer: Picogram
Publisher: Rose City Games
Platforms: PC, Switch
Release Date: 2021
Garden Story gives off major Stardew Valley vibes. In this debut console game from developer Picogram, you play as an adorable grape named Concord, the newly-appointed Guardian of the Grove. As Guardian, you are tasked with fending off what’s known as Rot, restoring your island home, and inspiring your fellow inhabitants. As you complete requests for the residents and earn their trust, they will help you on your quest in return. It sounds like the perfect blend of combat, exploration, gathering, gardening, building, and puzzle-solving; throw in the charming pixellated art style and this is definitely one you’ll want to keep an eye out for in 2021.
Bear and Breakfast
Developer: Gummy Cat
Publisher: Armor Games Studios
Platform: Switch, PC
Release Date: TBA 2021
The highlight of the recent Nintendo Indie World Showcase, for me, was easily the charming-looking management adventure game Bear and Breakfast. In it, you play as a bear named Hank who, with the help of his friends, opens a B&B in the middle of the woods. You’ll be able to upgrade and customize the inn to keep your guests happy, but this is more than just a laid-back management sim; you will also explore the surrounding woods to complete quests and uncover secrets. The end of the trailer makes it pretty clear that there is something sinister afoot—the woods are apparently home to more than your run-of-the-mill adorable woodland critters. I’ve loved other indies like Moonlighter and Spiritfarer that combine adventuring and management, and I’m sure this will be no different.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Developer: Edelweiss
Publisher: XSEED Games
Platform: PS4, Switch, PC
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is the newest title from studio Edelweiss, the studio behind Astebreed. Sakuna combines Japanese mythology, side-scrolling action, and farming and crafting simulation for a fantastic-looking experience. Players take on the role of the titular character, a harvest goddess banished to an island to dwell among outcast humans, where they will harvest rice, improve life for Sakuna’s human companions, and fight demons—using farming tools as weapons. The inspiration for the landscapes and enemies comes directly from Japanese lore, and the artwork looks absolutely stunning.
Preorders for the physical copy are open now, including the Divine Edition, which includes a 130-page artbook, the 42-song OST, and a Japanese Omamori charm.
Haven
Developer: The Game Bakers
Publisher: The Game Bakers
Platform: PS4, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Release Date: TBA 2020
Haven is a gorgeous-looking, romantic sci-fi adventure RPG that can be played solo or co-op. The story revolves around Yu and Kay, a couple that escapes to a lost planet for reasons unknown, where they will explore, gather resources, and cook. Creative Director Emeric Thoa says he wanted to make, “a game that feels like a gentle breeze. A game that lets you relax. A game that’s like holding hands on a nice outdoor walk.” Although there is JRPG-style combat, it omits many RPG elements (like quest logs, health bars, weapons, and skill trees) in favor of simplicity. At its heart, Haven is a love story, and the developers want that to be the focus.
Maquette
Developer: Graceful Decay
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platform: PS4, PS5, PC
Release Date: TBA 2021
Maquette is a first-person, story-driven puzzle game with a unique concept: it’s set in a recursive world (one that is nested inside itself infinitely), and everything you do in smaller versions of the world will affect the larger world (and vice-versa), creating a that setup really allows you to flex your creative problem-solving muscle. There’s more to it than just mind-bending puzzles, though; as you explore and progress, you’ll “uncover memories of a young couple in love, solving puzzles through creative thinking” (PlayStation Blog). The world itself looks beautifully whimsical, and the fantastical scenery combined with the emotional narrative and outside-the-box gameplay promise to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Windjammers 2
Developer: DotEmu
Publisher: DotEmu
Platform: Switch, PC, Stadia
Release Date: TBA
French Developer DotEmu is releasing with a sequel to the cult classic disc-throwing game, which was originally released in 1994 for the NEOGEO system. Along with updated hand-drawn 2D graphics, Windjammers 2 promises all-new moves, gameplay mechanics, characters, and stages; it looks to breathe life into the classic game while maintaining a cool retro aesthetic. If you’re not familiar with the concept, the objective is to throw a flying disc over a net either into a goal or to a place your opponent can’t catch it, earning you points. The object is to be the first to reach 12 points in 2 out of 3 games.
Windjammer 2 will include online multiplayer as well as local PVP so you can compete against friends near or far in the fantastical Flying Power League. The game was initially slated to be released in 2020, but as the year goes on, unfortunately, that’s looking less and less likely.
Atomic Heart
Developer: Mundfish
Publisher: Mundfish
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: TBA4
Atomic Heart is a sci-fi action RPG with FPS elements set during the height of an alternate-universe Soviet Union; the developers describe it as similar to Black Mirror, and the trailer definitely evokes games like Nier: Automata, Bioshock, and Fallout. It’s a tale as old as time: mankind develops robots to serve them, robots rebel and must be put down. The protagonist is KGB special agent P-3, who is dispatched to Facility 3826 to investigate the robot control system malfunction. Naturally, the robots are equipped with combat capabilities in case of war, so this will be no easy task.
Atomic Heart looks interesting because it explores technological advancement in the context of communism and totalitarianism. The game is available for preorder through the developers website, but no word yet on when it will be released.
