2024 saw the release of some absolutely fantastic indie games spanning a variety of genres. Indie games are where unique ideas flourish and bring something new and exciting to the table. This year saw some amazing indie games that even went on to win awards across a multitude of categories, speaking plainly for their excellence.
Here are all of the titles we’ve picked for Wccftech’s best indie games of 2024. Truly, we were spoiled for choice. As usual, make sure to check out the other lists as they are released on the website to see what games came out on top this year.
UFO 50
UFO 50 is the third title to be made by Mossmouth, the creator of Spelunky. This game was released in September of this year and even received a 91 on Metacritic, with a User Score of 7.7. When it comes to scores, this is pretty darn fantastic. For those who haven’t yet played the game, UFO 50 is a collection of fun and vibrant games that can be played single-player or multiplayer. They span a variety of genres, from shoot-em-ups, puzzlers and platformers. The goal with this game was to replicate the nostalgic feeling of an 8-bit aesthetic, and they did just that.
Animal Well (8.6/10)
Animal Well was a surprising release this year, but a widely successful one at that. This title was made by a single developer and was published by Bigmode, a YouTuber videogamedunkey’s publishing company, with his wife, Leah. This wacky game went on to perform incredibly well, with vibrant and surreal aesthetics as you explore an interconnected labyrinth, collect items and platforms, and do your best to survive. Below is an excerpt from Kai Tatsumoto’s review.
For such a tiny pixelated world, Animal Well is overflowing with secrets. Merely acquiring a new upgrade tool opens the floodgates of possibilities for exploration. As players explore the depths of the well, one of the recurring collectibles to discover comes by way of eggs, of which there are 64 in total to collect. Collecting certain thresholds of eggs rewards the player with various new tools, including the ability to leave hint stamps or draw lines on the in-game map. If it weren’t for these tools, I probably would have been at a loss for some of these eggs where I could see something clearly amiss in the room that I didn’t have the correct tool for at the time.
Balatro
Balatro has taken the world by storm. Even for people who have never played a game of poker in their lives, this has become a favorite for many people across the globe. It’s widely accessible on every platform and serves as a great time sink. This game has been so successful that it even went on to win multiple awards at The Game Awards this year, with a nomination for Game of the Year, which is a huge achievement for an indie game.
Balatro was released in February this year, and it doesn’t seem that there is any sign of it slowing down any time soon. People continue to play it, and the developer continues to add fun aesthetic updates to the game, with plans for other add-ons in the future. Looking at the Metacritic scores, Balatro received a score of 90, with a User Score of 8.2.
Hades II
Hades was a huge success when it was released, and saw a lot of people fall in love with Greek Mythology via a video game. Hades II is no different. This highly anticipated sequel was launched on Early Access in May and has been widely successful since its release. The game has already seen a ton of updates and content added to the game to help flesh it out, and it’s well on its way to being a fully-fledged product. Instead of playing as Zagreus in this title, players get to experience the life and story of Melinoe, Zag’s sister. It features a cast of different Gods and Goddesses to interact with, different weaponry, and much more.
Hades II was also on our highly anticipated indie games of 2024 list released last year, and it certainly hasn’t disappointed thus far.
Thank Goodness You’re Here!
Thank Goodness You’re Here is such a peculiar game and is perfect for those who are looking for a comedic experience in their game. Released in August this year, Thank Goodness You’re Here is a comedic slapformer, set in Northern England. The game is fully voiced, and features some iconic voice actors in the game to help set the tone.
This title received a 90 on Metacritic from critic reviews and a 7.6 User Score. While the game may not be for everyone, it’s a pretty surreal experience and provides some great laughs when you need them.
Community Poll
What was your favorite indie game this year? Vote in the poll below and let us know!
Honorable Mentions
If the top five didn’t do it for you, here are some other fantastic indie games that were released this year:
- Palworld
- Liar’s Bar
- Nine Sols
- Another Crab’s Treasure
- 1000xResist
