Thanks to the likes of Unreal Engine and Unity, it has never been easier for indie developers to create their own games. As the aforementioned software is geared largely towards developing 3D titles, however, those hoping to replicate the 16-bit style of the mid-nineties often turn instead to Enterbrain's excellent RPG Maker. Some of the resulting games have been truly spectacular.

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First released almost three decades ago, the package has grown into one of the most prominent and easiest to use game design programs on the market. Although geared mainly towards RPGs, it can be used to create games in a wide range of genres; giving its users the power to customize just about every element of their creations as they go. This has led to some unique titles over the years, many of which are definitely worth checking out.

10 The Crooked Man

The Crooked Man is a 2D indie horror game with a solid narrative that expertly guides players towards its multiple branching endings. It may not be too much to look at, but the dark and foreboding atmospheres created by the developer really draw players into the game's world and make for a spooky and enjoyable adventure in the process.

Although some of the other titles in Uri Games' The Strange Man series do have slightly better visuals, none of them are quite able to match the excellence of the developer's debut title when it comes to tone and narrative. That said, the others are definitely worth checking out too, especially considering how cheap they all are on Steam.

9 Skyborn

Like many of the games made using RPG Maker, Skyborn is a relatively short affair. What it's lacking in length, however, it more than makes up for with its overall quality. The game's story is excellent and features a likable cast of interesting characters. The soundtrack offers plenty of variety too and combat is intuitive, albeit a little generic at times.

What really sets the game apart though is the distinct lack of grinding, with players able to battle as much or as little as they like on their way towards the game's climax. There's also a battle arena for those who really want to push themselves to the limit and taking on all of the challenges found there can go some way towards padding out the game's short story.

8 The Way

First released in 2008, The Way is an epic six part series that tells the story of a young warrior named Rhue as he searches for his true love. Some of the episodes are definitely stronger than others, although each plays its part in the overarching narrative well while also introducing new and interesting characters for the player to interact with.

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Though it may initially look like just another generic RPG Maker title, there's a lot more depth to the game than first meets the eye. A lot of this can be found within the main story, but Rhue and his companions are arguably just as worthy of exploration too, if not more. The game's combat is perfectly serviceable and the mini-games and branching storylines can help to pad out its otherwise short length.

7 Corpse Party

The 16-bit gore that punctuates the first Corpse Party game may not be as impactful or graphic as some of the scenes found in the likes of Resident Evil and The Evil Within, but it is still able to create a terrifying atmosphere nonetheless. This and the game's fantastic characters are its biggest assets, although that's not to say that there aren't plenty of other things to enjoy here.

The game's story does an excellent job of evoking emotions from players, typically by killing off characters who they had slowly become attached to. The music is great too, with only the game's visuals really holding it back. Those who are able to look past this will likely have a lot of fun with the game, while those who aren't may want to consider checking out one of the series' more recent entries instead.

6 Yume Nikki

Visually, Yume Nikki is fairly reminiscent of the classic nineties RPG, Earthbound. The experience it provides, however, could not be more different. It's an eerie, free to play adventure game that takes place across a wide range of vibrant and varied locations and features some unique mechanics that really help to differentiate the game from other indie titles.

There is no real aim or goal to speak of, with players simply expected to explore the game's wacky and wonderful world. It can be pretty trippy at times and truly terrifying at others, with some of the dreams that players are given access to touching on some dark and depressing themes. Not everyone will enjoy it, but those searching for something a little different will definitely find it here.

5 Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition

Ara Fell and its enhanced edition really do an excellent job of capturing the classic 16-bit RPG vibes that were first popularized by the likes of Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy VI. It really does look fantastic and features a well thought out combat system that is very easy to pick up and rarely feels like a grind. Equipment upgrades are simple enough too and serve as an excellent way of managing player progression.

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Unfortunately, however, the story is something of a mixed bag. It's certainly presented well enough and moves along at a nice brisk pace, but it does start to stumble quite a bit as it nears its underwhelming climax. This shouldn't be enough to taint the entire experience for most players, although it does detract a little from the game's otherwise overall excellence.

4 LISA: The Painful

LISA: The Painful is a charming and humerus game that tackles some fairly serious issues along the way. At its core, it's a game about survival and the sacrifices that people must make in order to maintain their own physical and mental well-being. Players will be faced with many difficult decisions and will likely learn a lot about themselves as they gradually make their way towards the end of the story.

There are more than 30 different party members for players to find and recruit as well as the odd mini-game to distract from the main story when needed. It can be a little depressing at times and some of the choices can be difficult to make, but the overall experience is a positive one that will likely stick with players long after they have finished playing.

3 OMORI

Though its combat and gameplay may be reasonably straightforward, the narrative threads that combine to make up OMORI's main story are anything but. The themes and ideas that the game addresses are both dark and deep, but there is a certain beauty to be found through exploring them that most other games simply cannot provide.

At first glance it may seem like another Undertale clone, but any similarities with the Toby Fox title are purely superficial. The presentation is only a small part of what makes the game as enjoyable as it is, with the narrative doing the vast majority of the heavy lifting. The soundtrack does deserve a special mention though, as, just like the one found in Undertale, it perfectly complements what's happening onscreen.

2 OneShot

Despite being made in RPG Maker, OneShot chooses to focus primarily on puzzle solving rather than turn-based combat. This works surprisingly well and is backed up by a fantastic soundtrack, a wide range of well-crafted environments and one of the best indie game protagonists of all time. For as well realized as Niko is though, the gender ambiguous cat-person is just one of many great characters to appear throughout the game.

The visuals may be a little basic, but combine well enough with the music to create an ever-changing atmosphere that matches the tone and content of the story. It's not too difficult either, although offers just enough challenge to make progress feel rewarding to players. The real prize comes through the player's interactions with Niko, however, which are both memorable and thought-provoking in equal measure.

1 To The Moon

To the Moon is one of the best indie games ever made and excels in just about every area. It looks stunning, is easy to pick up and play and is full of interesting and well-written characters who are an absolute joy to interact with. Where the game really shines, however, is through its unique story, which is both expertly told and beautifully presented.

Players take control of two doctors as they make their way through the memories of a patient in order to fulfill his dying wish. In doing so, they'll learn all about Johnny's interesting past while also meeting some of the people who helped to shape his life. The melodious piano soundtrack that accompanies them on their journey is truly delightful too and serves as the metaphorical cherry atop a perfectly baked cake.

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