2021 was a pretty big year for games, seeing tonnes come from every facet of the industry. Although we recently looked ahead to 2022, we're still not done with all there is to offer. Here are some of the best indie games that came out in 2021.
Valheim
Valheim came out early in the year and managed to explode into the mainstream. Taking inspiration from all the survival crafting games that came before it, Valheim carved out a niche for itself and has kept going ever since.
If you want to survive cold Viking winters with your friends, this is a great choice.
Before Your Eyes
It's hard to capture what makes Before Your Eyes so special without ruining part of its charm. Being one of the most emotional story-driven games of the last year, you may need to bring a few tissues with you.
Controlling the game with your eyes, this is a special indie title not to be missed.
Loop Hero
2021 has had a handful of great time-loop games and Loop Hero is perhaps one of the best. Taking from clicker games, strategy games and tonnes more, it's one of the most unique games of 2021.
If you have the patience for it, this is well worth your time.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Chicory was a wonderful surprise earlier this year. With great painting mechanics and a surprisingly powerful story, this is not one to miss.
Blending a Metroidvania, bullet hell and paint together turned out to be a great combo.
Death's Door
As we said in our review, "Death's Door is one of the best games I've played over the last year, if not longer".
Taking the role of a soul reaping crow, you must take down big bosses to get a soul you've lost.
The Forgotten City
The second time-loop game in this list, The Forgotten City grabs an interesting premise of going back to an ancient Roman city and manages to inject it with enough philosophy to enthral any player. Working as a great entry point to many of these concepts, this is a great game if you're a bit of a thinker.
Taking its roots from a Skyrim mod, this has managed to outgrow its original material in great ways.
Inscryption
Inscryption is a hard game to recommend because talking about it may destroy some of its charm.
If you like horror, puzzles and deck builder games, this one is for you.
Unpacking
Environmental storytelling can be a little hard to do yet Unpacking totally nails it. Showing the progression of someone's life through the things they unpack, this is a great game for those looking for a bit of a chill evening.
Unpacking says so much about the way our neurosis manifest and yet lets you explore every moment yourself.
Little Nightmares 2
Little Nightmares 2 came out just before Resident Evil Village and is still one of the very best horror games released this year. If you're looking for a great puzzle platformer with a spooky soundtrack and fantastic visuals, this one is for you.
If you think Little Nightmares had potential but failed to live up to its best moments, Little Nightmares 2 may surprise you.
Overboard!
Whodunnit stories are now a staple of the detective genre but games rarely have you take the side of the person whodunnit. Overboard! has you cover for the murder of your husband on a boat - with only a handful of hours to establish your alibi.
With a very replayable story and a charming aesthetic, Overboard! is one of the most unique games of 2021.
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