Summary
It’s no secret that thebiggest companiesfor development and publishing have always dominated the industry with their games. But in more recent years, with game development becoming even more accessible to the average user, there has been a big rise in the independent side of the gaming industry.
Games likeTerraria, Stardew Valley, Rocket League,and so many more, which all got their start originally as humble, indie titles, have since grown into some of the most popular and widely played games out there. But, with so many new titles out there being released on Steam every day, there’s a chance that players have missed out on some awesome indie games, hidden among the vast selection.
Abiotic Factoris a newer indie title in the open-world survival crafting genre that’s been steadily growing in popularity since its initial release back in mid-2024. While indie games in that genre seem to bepretty commonnowadays,Abiotic Factorputs its own unique spin on the common theme and formula.
The interesting atmosphere ofAbiotic Factoris one of its standout qualities, also mixing in a bit of a horror element to the gameplay. Taking place in a secret underground research facility, players are dropped in to survive in the midst of total chaos in the subterranean lab, caught between paranormal monsters, other-worldly events, and a military incursion. Scavenge for resources and arm up with melee weapons or firearms to face the many threats and unravel the mysteries that lie in this mysterious underground facility.
Even though the list of open-world survival crafting indie games on Steam is a long one,Abiotic Factorhas an addictive gameplay loop and stands apart with its unique atmosphere — which can obviously be seen bythe game’s Steam store page, where it currently has an overwhelmingly positive review score from players.
WEBFISHINGis a bit of an odd one, but absolutely deserves a mention here. Made by a solo indie developer who goes by the handle “lamedeveloper” (great name, by the way), the title is a sort of hidden gem in the genre of casual indie games. It was originally a free game, created in only eight days for a Game Jam in 2022 and later being updated and re-released on Steam in 2024.
At its core,WEBFISHINGis a casual, social fishing game with a simple concept and gameplay loop: the player creates their own anthropomorphic animal avatar and goes off to catch some fish. While solo play is an option, the core of the game is in its multiplayer. Casually meet and interact with other players online, while relaxing and collecting various aquatic creatures along the way. Players can earn money through fishing to buy and upgrade their gear, as well as customize their character in whatever way they see fit.
It trades the sometimes difficult and competitive nature of other online games for a simple and calming experience. Currently sitting at anoverwhelmingly positive review score on Steam, for only a few dollars, it’s a delightfully fun experience that is absolutely worth exploring for a change of pace.
5Old School Rally (2024)
PS1 Racing Fans Rejoice!
Old School Rallyis a faithful and near-perfect replication of the feeling of an old-fashioned PS1 rally-racer. Sure, other modern racing titles may have stunning graphics, in-depth mechanics, and customization. ButOld School Rallylives up to its self-explanatory title: a simple, no-fuss, no-muss rally racing game, filled with all the nostalgia retro game fans could ever ask for.
Naturally, the concept will be familiar to anybody who has played a rally title before, racing a variety of tracks from start to finish, aiming to get the fastest time overall. Where the game gets it right is in the way it handles its gameplay, offering mechanics that are simple to get the hang of overall, but balancing that with its difficulty, where some technique will be required to learn track layout and proper cornering. Of course, the presentation here is a standout point too, whereOld School Rallymimics the iconic “wobbly” look of the original PlayStation but tones it down a bit to be easier on the eyes.
Suffice to say, for players out there longing for a nostalgia trip back to the days ofColin McRae Rally, wobbly polygons, and simple-to-learn yet hard-to-master gameplay,Old School Rallywill be right up their street. And,for just around $10 on Steam, it’s an absolute steal for how much of a blast it is.
Drova - Forsaken Kinmay just be the perfect fit for those who are fans of old school or moreretro-style RPG games. Released in the fall of 2024, the newer indie ARPG combines a darker, grim atmosphere with a theme based in Celtic mythology, and it manages to balance the two very well in its stylish pixel art.
Forsaken Kinputs the player in control of a druid who is trapped in the titular land ofDrovaafter being banished from their tribe. Along the way, they will battle mystical enemies, interact with different factions, and uncover various mysteries, all the while trying to escape the harsh land they find themselves stranded in. Its gameplay definitely seems to be inspired by old-school RPG games, with a touch of modernization to its mechanics. Combat is often challenging, and not much detail is given to the player in terms of markers or directions. While this can make the experience seem more difficult to some, it brings the focus more to player exploration like the aforementioned retro RPG games, making the experience feel both interesting and rewarding.
Drova - Forsaken Kincertainly isn’t the first pixel art ARPG out there, but it has definitely proved itself to be one of the more unique and polished indie titles in the category, perfect for gamers who love a classic RPG experience.
7 Days to Dieis an open-world survival crafting indie title that’s been around since the early days ofSteam’s old Greenlight Programin 2013. The game has recently seen a resurgence in late 2024, when it finally got its full 1.0 release for PC and its long-awaited new console versions. While some have been quick to criticize the game’s rough appearance at times,7 Days to Dieoffers so much more to make up for it.
Choosing between either a pre-made or a randomly generated world, players are dropped into a large map featuring different biomes, cities, and traders, with the ultimate goal of surviving the zombie apocalypse and harsh environment. Gather resources and build a base with loads of crafting and upgrade options to experiment with, a formula not unfamiliar to the genre. However, where7 Days to Dieis different from the rest of the genre is mentioned right in its title. Every 7 days, by default, a horde of fast, powerful zombies will storm players and their base (if they have one), with no option to hide or escape.It’s pretty tense for new playersbut offers big rewards for experience and the loot zombies can drop.
7 Days to Diehas grown a lot over the years, not only in the content it offers but in its community as well, as it’s been sitting in the top 100most played games on Steamfor many years in a row now. Despite having been in early access for over 10 years, the 1.0 update injected quite a bit of life into the game. It’s still evolving and receiving big updates from its developers. Definitely a great option for fans of survival crafting games — and slaying hordes of the undead, of course.
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republicmay sound like it could be a game mostly made for cracking the common political jokes, but the truth is, this expansive city builder is anything but. Developed by a small indie studio from Slovakia named3DVISION,Workers & Resourcescould be best described as an in-depth city-builder,colony-simulator, and management game all wrapped up into one, of course, with its Soviet-era, Eastern Europe theme.
Players can start a pre-made or random map — either completely empty, or dotted with towns and inhabitants throughout to get a head start — and from there, it’s on to the building. Instead of just designating zones and letting the game do the work like some other city-builders out there,Soviet Republictasks players with building it all from the ground up. Everything from housing, amenities, power generation, andtransportation — and really, that’s not even scratching the surface, because a big part of the game is the industries. Since the player’s Republic will need funding, figuring out import, export, and production costs is crucial to success in the game and can get very in-depth very quickly.
Due to its complexity at times, though, it may not be every gamer’s cup of tea, so to speak. But, for those who enjoy in-depth management and building games, or those who want to give them an honest shot,Workers & Resources: Soviet Republicmay be one of the strongest options currently out there. Definitely a hidden gem among Steam’s indie games.
Elinis so expansive for an indie title that it’s almost hard to describe, combining elements of open-world survival, crafting, colony building, and pretty much everything in between, with the classic pixel art style ofold-school JRPG games.
Create a custom character with a diverse range of skill and personality options and essentially be set free in a forested area, where players can choose whichever path they want. Players can explore other areas of its isometric map, build a homestead, or maybe recruit other settlers and build a small town — and that’s barely scratching the surface of what can be done.Elinappears simple, but the game itself has a lot to learn and plenty to explore. Luckily, there are a few NPCs to act as guides near the beginning of the journey to show players the ropes and guide them through its many mechanics.
It’s easy to glaze overElinwith the thousands of other indie titles out there on Steam, but the sheer amount of things it offers is truly unmatched. And, it is definitely a must-play for those who want the total freedom to carve their own path.
