2020 was quite the year for better or worse, but the gaming industry was able to rise to new heights, as many companies experienced record sales. Many big name titles were released last year, but there were just as many amazing indie games in 2020 that kept gamers happy. Over the years, many indie games have become superstar hits among gamers, like Minecraft, Undertale, or Cuphead. Games like these often provide players with a unique experience that they haven't been getting in more mainstream titles, which helps boost these games' popularity.
Plus, several of these games that independent developers are creating have been able to garner incredible recognition in the industry. Hades, which many gamers might consider the best indie game of 2020, was nominated for several different awards with different organizations. The title even won Game of the Year at The Gayming Awards and The New York Game Awards. Indie games have long been developed by studios on their own, but as the gaming industry grows, many indie developers have been able to partner with game publishers to help games reach brand new audiences. It may end up being indie games that help push gamers through 2021.
Indie Games Will Be There, While AAA Games Delay
Gamers have become very familiar with hearing about delays over the last year or so. Delays might be nothing new, but it seems that a majority a game studios have been affected in some way due to the COVID-19 pandemic that expanded in 2020. As the days go by, more and more games that were originally supposed to come out this year look to be pushed back. While Nintendo fans will get news for the Breath of the Wild sequel later this year, there is a very real possibility that the game will not come out until 2022.
Even God of War Ragnarok may likely be delayed as well, though it was touted as a big selling point for the PS5. Regardless of the delays from AAA games, there will always be new indie titles hitting the market. Since players have to wait to experience the Norse world of the next God of War, they can always pick up the recently released Valheim to help keep them satisfied in the meantime. The numerous options when it comes to indie games can help provide exciting experiences for players waiting for the next big release.
Some indie games that released or boomed in popularity last year plan to add more content in 2021. Thunder Lotus Games' Spiritfarer plans to add new content in 2021, and multiplayer games like Among Us and Fall Guys will receive content updates for the foreseeable future. Some of these games will also have content crossovers with larger games, like Fall Guys with its special costumes.
In 2021, gamers will also see the release of the Playdate handheld console, which is exclusively dedicated to indie games. This Game Boy-like console is being developed by Panic, a company know for publishing indie darlings like Untitled Goose Game and Firewatch. The device features a standard D-pad, and A and B buttons, but it's the analog crank it has on its side that makes it unique, since the crank can be used as a type of controller.
Official Playdate games will be released in "seasons," with the first season confirmed to have 12 unique games from some big-name developers. While some gamers might not even give the Playdate a second glance, the novelty of the device, plus the unlimited possibility for future games on the console, make it an intriguing option for playing games.
Indie Games Are In Every Genre, On Every Platform
While the Playdate will have an assortment of exclusive games, people can find indie games on every platform known to man. It is getting easier every year for indie developers to put their creations onto the digital stores for systems like the Nintendo Switch, the PS5, or Xbox, and there are several options for PC storefronts. Since players can find indie games everywhere, it's never been easier to pick one out and dedicate some time to it.
Plus, there are games from smaller developers for pretty much every genre ranging from action games, to visual novels, to farming sims, to RPGs. If a player liked Hades, there are several other indie rouge-likes that are similar, like the recent Curse of the Dead Gods. Those that liked the platforming combat of Dead Cells can try out Cyber Shadow. Players who have finished Assassin's Creed: Valhalla can build their own Viking villages in Valheim. Horror fans that are continually waiting for a new Silent Hill game can try out Phasmophobia. The examples and options are nearly endless.
Generally, indie games have more flexibility when it comes to the stories each wants to tell than some AAA games. Projects from indie devs can often make an effort to present representation, diverse stories, or highly unique gameplay elements. There are indie games that feature POC characters, or tell LGBTQ+ stories. The representation and accessibility features that are in Ikenfell, for example, probably wouldn't exist if the game was designed as a JRPG from a AAA studio. This type of culture is definitely changing in the industry overall, which is great, but indie games are often where better representation can be found.
Indie Games Are Often Cost-Efficient
For better or worse, many high-profile games are upping the cost to $70 this console generation. While an argument can be made for the increase, many gamers will have to grapple with the decision to pay for a game that's almost a hundred dollars, especially in the midst of a pandemic while many people in the US are stuck on a $7.25 minimum wage. Fortunately, indie games are typically much more cost-efficient, and can provide similar lengths of gameplay. For example, Valheim is only $20, but some players have already logged hundreds of hours of playtime. There are plenty of games in the $5 to $30 price range that are highly rewarding.
On a different thought, many people still have to deal with living in a mostly-online world. While the near future looks bright, there is still a pandemic going on. Waiting for people to get vaccinated means people should still think about staying inside when they can. The situation might not be as dire as it was last summer, but games can still provide a much-needed distraction from the real world. Games can also be a great way to come together with friends in a digital space, and many indie titles are able to provide that opportunity.
Selection of Indie Games Coming in 2021
Whether its to satisfy gamers who are waiting for news of Elden Ring, or to provide fun distractions from real world troubles, indie games will be able to carry gamers through 2021. Gamers are still engaged with previous years' games like Dead Cells, The Binding of Isaac, Hades, Phasmophobia, and Among Us, but there are even more games coming in 2021 for players to look forward to. While this list is obviously not exhaustive, it can be a starting point for some games to look into.
- Valheim, Viking-inspired survival crafting game, is available now in Early Access on Steam.
- Curse of the Dead Gods, a roguelike action game, is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One.
- Maquette, a puzzle game featuring the vocal talent of Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
- Hundred Days - Winemaking Simulator, think Farmville, but with wine, is available in May 2021.
- Goodbye Volcano High, a dinosaur high school adventure, should release for PC and PS5 this year.
- Stray, the cyberpunk cat adventure game, should release for PC and PS5 this year.
- Baldo: The Guardian Owls is an RPG inspired by The Legend of Zelda and Studio Ghibli films.
- Garden Story is an RPG where players defend a fruity island as Concord, a young grape.
- Nadir, a dark Divine Comedy-inspired JRPG, should release on PC and Nintendo Switch this year.