It’s amazing how video games have the power to transport us to new dimensions, to move us, and even to teach us valuable lessons. With that in mind, we have listed 5 indie games that are true works of art—games that, despite having small teams and limited budgets, manage to surprise and touch the hearts of true video game lovers.
It’s worth mentioning that while only five games are highlighted in this list, many other equally beautiful games could have also made the cut.
This selection focuses on games that may not be so conventional for those who are not yet familiar with the independent gaming scene—a scene composed of small teams, low budgets, and a lot of love, care, and dedication in every creation.
That said, let’s dive into the games:
05 – Journey
Journey is a game that deconstructs what many consider to be a “video game.” Released in 2012, it initially puzzled the gaming community, as it featured no dialogue, no enemies, no clear story, no text, and a completely subjective narrative communicated through an unreadable and non-existent language.
For this reason, Journey initially received a lot of hate for being considered a “boring walking simulator.” If you’re not familiar with the term, “walking simulator” refers to games that revolve primarily around exploring and walking through a map.
At first, this term was used pejoratively, but as the gaming community matured, “walking simulators” became a legitimate genre—even some AAA games now fall into this category, such as Death Stranding.
Undeniably, there were negative comments. However, the majority came from people who didn’t have the patience to truly experience Journey or simply never played it.
The truth is that those who chose to embark on the journey the game offers had their lives touched—especially on an emotional level—being impacted in countless ways by the beauty and subtlety of a game that feels more like a dynamic and interactive work of art.
How does the game work?
The premise of Journey is simple: you must reach the light at the top of a mountain. That is your journey.
At first, this may seem too simplistic, but as the game progresses, you begin to realize that everything is a grand metaphor for our lives, relationships, struggles, and moments of rebirth.
Journey conveys hope through some of the most beautiful visuals of the PlayStation 3 era, along with an emotional and award-winning soundtrack.
It’s a beautiful and relaxing game that may seem strange at first but soon reveals its surprising depth and unique sensitivity. In just over two hours of gameplay, it can truly enchant you.
Developed by Thatgamecompany, Journey won multiple awards, including recognition at the BAFTA Video Game Awards in 2013, earning various Game of the Year accolades and leaving a lasting impact on an entire generation.
Journey is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, iOS, Microsoft Windows (Steam & Epic Games).
04 – Outer Wilds
What if you had just 22 minutes to board a spaceship and explore an entire universe? And after those short minutes pass, everything around you is destroyed, making you see your entire life flash before your eyes.
Then, suddenly, you wake up—back at the starting point, just before boarding your ship.
Although everything seems exactly the same, you quickly realize that nothing was a dream. All the knowledge you gained in the last 22 minutes remains in your memory, making you even more prepared for the next time loop.
This is Outer Wilds, a space exploration game with no progression system, no skill trees, and unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
One of the best words to describe Outer Wilds is immersion. The sense of freedom you experience while piloting your ship to explore an entire galaxy is both incredible and impressive.
During the 22-minute loop, before the sun turns into a supernova and destroys everything—including you—curiosity will be your greatest guide. While it may feel a bit confusing at first, you’ll soon realize that the more curious you are, the more rewarding (and even terrifying) your discoveries will be.
How does the game work?
After completing the tutorials, your spaceship will always be available, serving as your main companion on the adventures that await you.
As soon as you take off, you’ll enter orbit and get a full view of the planets waiting for your arrival.
Once you choose which one to explore first, all that’s left is to prepare your heart, gather your courage, and set off on your adventure.
Each planet has its own unique characteristics, ranging from different gravity levels to distinct terrains, creatures, and mysteries.
Just to illustrate: Have you ever imagined landing on a planet only to find a world made entirely of water and tornadoes? Yes, that happens in Outer Wilds.
The entire adventure is accompanied by a soundtrack that will stay with you forever.
Andrew Prahlow was responsible for composing the game’s score, crafting it with such mastery that it captivated a legion of fans—many of whom get emotional just hearing the first notes of the banjo.
It may seem like it, but don’t make the mistake of thinking Outer Wilds is just another conventional space exploration game—because it’s not.
There are endless surprises for those who choose to venture into its universe, along with a rich and fascinating story for players who pay close attention to the details.
Developed by Mobius Digital, with a recently released DLC, Outer Wilds is a masterpiece—an absolute gem among games, one of the most captivating experiences ever created, and one of the most awarded games of 2019.
Outer Wilds is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows (Steam).
03 – Gris
Gris is a work of art. Its visuals, atmosphere, soundtrack, and story all come together in a game with the power to change lives.
Much like Journey, Gris plays with your imagination, and here, you become one of the storytellers, giving meaning and depth to many of the game’s events.
There is no dialogue, and text is almost nonexistent. Yet, it is within this minimalism that Gris finds its true greatness.
Saying that the game is beautiful feels redundant because its artistry is undeniably breathtaking—resembling hand-painted canvases that bring 2D visuals to life with rich colors and deep emotions.
The experience feels like watching an oil painting in motion.
As if its stunning visuals weren’t enough, Gris also moves us with a soundtrack that is undoubtedly perfectly in tune with the game.
This combination of elements creates powerful and unforgettable moments—capable of softening even the hardest of hearts.
How does the game work?
Gris is not an action game—and it doesn’t need to be—because its focus is on exploration and self-discovery.
During the gameplay, you will follow a young girl living in a colorless world as she embarks on a journey to restore color to her life and surroundings.
As the game progresses, everything becomes clearer, and you’ll begin to understand the metaphors and the important themes that Gris explores.
Developed by Nomada Studio, Gris is a unique experience that everyone should have the chance to live through.
Gris is available for Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Amazon Luna.
02 – Hollow Knight
What comes to mind when you hear the term “work of art”? The most common image might be breathtaking landscapes, vibrant colors, and stunning environments that captivate the eyes. However, in Hollow Knight, the concept of artistic beauty takes on a different meaning.
Released in 2017 and developed by a small team of two designers and one programmer known as Team Cherry, Hollow Knight is a magnificent game that revitalized the metroidvania genre—making us question whether Castlevania: Symphony of the Night still holds the title of best in its class.
In the game, you embark on an adventure through the mysterious world of Hallownest, controlling a “Vessel Knight,” as the name suggests.
Though the knight itself may be empty, the game’s level design is richly filled with gothic-like details that redefine our perception of beauty.
The 2D environments are crafted with such precision and artistry that they feel remarkably alive, making it hard to believe they exist in just two dimensions.
The way Hollow Knight’s designers created depth and movement in every hand-drawn element is nothing short of masterful.
Everything about this game is unique, offering an experience that is rarely found anywhere else.
For these reasons and many more, Hollow Knight unquestionably deserves a place on this list.
How does the game work?
Many consider Hollow Knight to be the “Dark Souls” of platformers.
This comparison comes from the fact that in Hallownest, you will encounter over 150 enemies, including more than 40 bosses—each with a considerable level of difficulty from the very beginning, becoming even more challenging as your exploration progresses.
Hollow Knight is an indie game that radiates passion in every detail. Though it has its flaws, its strengths shine brilliantly, making it a truly exceptional experience.
Everything is meticulously designed, allowing the game to revive the best aspects of its genre while introducing new mechanics that seamlessly enhance the gameplay.
One feature worth mentioning is the unique death mechanic.
Here, when you die, your spirit is separated from your body, and only your weak and fragile body returns to the last checkpoint.
On this perilous journey, where death comes easily and tension runs high, you must do everything you can to find your spirit.
When you do, it will appear as a “Shadow,” and you’ll need to defeat it in order to reclaim all of your lost currency.
If you die during this process, you will respawn at the last checkpoint—but without any of the money you had accumulated during your gameplay.
Hollow Knight revitalized its genre, introducing modern refinements that revolutionized its style and made it a truly unique game.
Beyond that, it features a breathtaking original soundtrack and fluid gameplay infused with Souls-like elements.
All these factors combined make Hollow Knight one of the best indie games in recent years.
Hollow Knight is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS.
01 – Ori and The Blind Forest
To conclude this list, I bring you one of the most beautiful and emotionally moving games of recent years: Ori and The Blind Forest.
The first thing that highlights the beauty, care, and dedication behind this wonderful game is knowing who created it.
Moon Studios, a team of developers with extensive experience in the industry, was responsible for bringing this journey to life.
The entire Moon Studios team worked with passion, united by a common goal:
To develop a truly unique game, free from external interference, filled with love and attention to detail.
As a result, this independent studio crafted one of the most breathtaking adventures in gaming.
Both Ori and The Blind Forest and Ori and The Will of the Wisps have become two of the most beautiful games in recent years—titles that fill our eyes with joy and emotion.
How does the game work?
Ori isn’t just great because of its beauty. The journey of the small spirit is crafted in true Metroidvania style, featuring impeccable and breathtaking level design.
The game was one of the pioneers in blending 2D and 3D elements in a fascinating and visually stunning way.
The challenges found in Ori’s adventures are incredible and genuinely demanding.
Its progression system, skill tree, soundtrack, and countless other details make Ori one of Microsoft’s best exclusives.
Ori carries a series of references to classic games and undoubtedly touches the hearts of those who spent hours playing Super Nintendo titles.
With its timeless art style, there’s no doubt that years from now, we will still look at Ori with the same admiration we do today.
Alongside Hollow Knight, Ori stands—at least in the humble opinion of this writer—as one of the best Metroidvania games of recent times.
Ori and the Blind Forest is available for Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One.
Honorable Mentions
Games like the ones listed here clearly prove that video games are a form of art.
That said, while these are incredible titles, many other indie games also deserve recognition, such as:
- Cuphead
- Life is Strange
- To the Moon
- Limbo
- AbzĂ»
- Celeste
- Spiritfarer
- Disco Elysium
- Inside
- Hades
- Undertale
And what about you? Which other games do you think deserve a spot on this list? Drop your suggestions in the comments! ❤️
