2021's lineup of indie games will give AAA a run for their money. This year has indie games for all types of gamers since its most anticipated indie games cover numerous genres like RPG, simulation, adventure, narrative, action, and more. They individually capture exciting stories, gameplay, visuals, and music.
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These stories and art are not something that gamers would find in large-scale games. These ten indie games represent some of the many creative and unique stories indie developers bring to the table. Gamers should keep an eye out for the following games in 2021.
10 Sable
Sable is an open-world adventure game where the main character, named Sable, glides through the Moebius-style desert. It's an exploration game that emphasizes the freedom to play the game how players choose to. It doesn't have a set pace that players need to follow. There are secret areas to find, collectibles, puzzles, and meet nomads along the way. The soundtrack will offer a delightful experience on its own with music by artist Japanese Breakfast.
9 Backbone
Backbone is a dark, detailed pixel art point-and-click adventure game that will engulf players in its dystopian noir take on Vancouver. The main character is an anthropomorphic raccoon private investigator following a string of intriguing cases. Backbone is an RPG with branching storylines, exploration so players search for clues, and a doom jazz soundtrack to feel the despair in the air.
8 Minute of Islands
Minute of Islands is an upcoming puzzle-platformer game that will have players feeling like they jumped inside a graphic novel. Mo, a mechanic, and her family live on an eccentric group of islands where ancient giants once lived.
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Beneath the islands are gigantic machines that need to be kept active because of a destructible threat. With the help of her trusty Omni Switch, players will discover secrets and environmental puzzles in a captivating comic-style world.
7 Open Roads
Tess and Opal are a mother-daughter duo on a road trip to discover family secrets at previous family properties. The hand-drawn art aesthetic and cozy colors of Fall bring the world to life. The road trip and destinations will have interactive dialogue and actions to uncover truths and new information about the characters. Open Roads will truly have players sit back and enjoy the ride.
6 Stonefly
Stonefly follows the story of Annika Stonefly, an inventor who is on a journey to take back a family heirloom. It's also her path of self-discovery and belonging. This colorful, painterly world takes inspiration from mid-century modern design. Both the natural world and machinery capture that style. While this is a more relaxed action-adventure game with mech crafting and bug battles, players will strategically fight eccentric critters in this colossal flora.
5 Venba
Venba shares the warmth of home, family, and food through this narrative game. Players will experience the story of an Indian mother who immigrated to Canada with her family in the '80s. Venba doubles as a cooking game that helps build the story. Players will make vibrant, authentic regional South Indian dishes to help her recover lost recipes. Her recipes are her cherished connections to her homeland.
4 Hoa
If gamers are looking to transport into a magical place, that place is Hoa. This puzzle-platformer creates a calming atmosphere but still puts players up to the challenge. Hoa looks like a fantastical painting with the vibes of an adventurous Studio Ghibli-esque film featuring this tiny, red-cloaked character.
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Both the flora and fauna present obstacles, but also opportunities for progress. The gentle music in the background tops it off.
3 Mind Scanners
Mind Scanners is a point-and-click simulation game. Players will diagnose psychiatric issues in residents of The Structure and aid them by examining their views of the world. This game will place players in situations where morals and ethics are questioned. This dystopian, retro-futuristic game implements retro colors and technology with its pixel art to create an immersive RPG. Players will learn about the Zygnoka power source, The Structure megacity, technological control, and the character's motivation.
2 Teacup
If anyone is longing for a youthful, nostalgic game, this is the perfect match. Teacup is a beautifully illustrated, side-scroll narrative game with entertaining dialogue. It's about an introverted frog named Teacup who loves tea. Teacup embarks on an urgent journey to gather all the ingredients she's missing for her upcoming tea party. She'll come across all sorts of animals and plants in the forest. The animals will lend a hand, but only if she promises to help them as well.
1 Song of Farca
The protagonist, Isabella Song, is a private detective in a technologically advanced, cyberpunk future. Song of Farca is a simulation game where players need to click through Isabella's screen, the character doesn't move around. The goal is to use mechanics such as hacking and surveillance to connect the dots. Although some cases may seem unrelated, they will come together to form a bigger, intense story. Also, the choices the player makes are consequential.