Autumn has come, and it carries themes of change, coziness, and ghost stories. It is the favorite season of many, especially gamers, who can feel cozy with a blanket, video game, and maybe some hot chocolate while watching the colors change outside. Fall is a season perfect for playing indie video games as the skies darken earlier.
There are a lot of video games that take place during autumn. Life is Strange and The Last of Us are two big autumn titles, but most gamers have already played these. Now is a good time to shop indie, as a ton of indie games actually take place in fall and lean more into the seasonal themes, making them the pumpkin spice of the gaming world. `
Night In The Woods and Coffee Talk
Night in the Woods is an indie game made by Secret Lab and Infinite Fall. It was funded through a Kickstarter and ended up being one of the more well-known indie games out there. It won awards for Most Fulfilling Community-Funded Game, Writing in a Comedy, and Excellence in Narrative. Fall is a big theme throughout the story, with Halloween events, spooky forests, and the existential questions of how people and the world are changing.
Coffee Talk is a lesser known indie title, made by an Indonesian studio called Toge Productions. It is a visual novel with a cozy but fantastical premise. It takes place during autumn in Seattle, Washington, with fantasy races like mermaids, elves, and succubi. The game is about overseeing a coffee shop and listening to people's problems. There are not as many fall visuals as there are in some other games, but the coziness of the coffee shop is off the charts.
The Stillness Of The Wind and The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter
The Stillness of the Wind is an indie game farming simulator unlike most. Playing an old woman in an isolated farm, players explore sobering themes of aging and loss. The farmer, Talma, is old and struggles to take care of her farm (though she enjoys it very much). While there are multiple seasons in the game, autumn colors are abundant throughout and Talma's journey is one aligned with endings, like autumn.
Made by an indie Polish studio, The Astronauts, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a part horror and part adventure game. Not only does the game take place in autumn, but the themes are perfect for the Halloween season. As a paranormal investigator, the player must find a missing 12-year-old named Ethan in his hometown of Red Creek Valley.
Old Man's Journey and What Remains Of Edith Finch
Old Man's Journey is a short and simple indie game that has won many awards such as Best Art and Best Narrative. The game is beloved for its environmental storytelling. It takes place in autumn with golden hills, red leaves, and campfires. Players take the role of an old man who received a letter and thus goes on a journey. There is no dialogue, but the player gets to see flashbacks of his life as he makes his journey.
What Remains of Edith Finch is another autumn-set game full of flashbacks. Players take the role of Edith, who visits her old family home and recounts how each of her family members died. She is the sole survivor of the family, which seems to be cursed with tragic deaths. The indie game is the poster child for magical realism in video games.
Firewatch and Rainswept
Firewatch is a very well known indie game. While it takes place over a couple of seasons, its autumn moments are what shine the most. The game is full of golds, reds, and oranges. Players play as Henry, who becomes a fire lookout for the Shoshone National Forest after his wife develops dementia. The game has a plot, but players are also encouraged to explore the park and take in its beauty.
Rainswept is an indie murder mystery game that takes place in a small town called Pineview. It is a point-and-click adventure that takes place in autumn. It covers some mature topics such as trauma and suicide alongside the immersive story. The game has plenty of atmosphere, full of coffee, rain, and pine trees. Steam players have given it positive reviews for its compelling story, interesting characters, and overall atmosphere.