20 Perfect 10/10 Indie Games You Must Play

Summary

This video highlights 10 of the best indie games, each offering unique experiences in different genres. The list includes intense strategy games like *Battle Brothers*, action-packed titles like *Dead Cells* and *Sifu*, and engaging, immersive worlds like *Stardew Valley* and *Journey*. Games like *Cult of the Lamb* and *Return of the Obra Dinn* combine narrative depth with gameplay mechanics that provide a fresh twist on popular genres. From roguelikes to farming sims, the video showcases indie gems that offer innovative gameplay, beautiful visuals, and compelling storytelling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Battle Brothers is a brutal and unforgiving strategy game where random elements can lead to failure, but the depth and systems make it a rewarding experience for strategy fans.
• 😀 Dead Cells combines Soulslike combat with Metroidvania exploration, and its frequent updates keep the game fresh and engaging with new areas, weapons, and power-ups.
• 😀 Cult of the Lamb is a unique blend of roguelike action and cult management, with a fun base-building mechanic that balances combat and strategy in an engaging way.
• 😀 Return of the Obra Dinn stands out for its captivating mystery, exploration, and puzzle-solving mechanics, delivering a tight and rewarding experience without overstaying its welcome.
• 😀 Stardew Valley is the definitive farming simulation game, offering a perfect balance of addictive gameplay and surprising complexity, with long-term engagement thanks to seasonal changes and a thriving community.
• 😀 Journey is a visually stunning and emotionally profound game that offers a unique, nonverbal storytelling experience, making it accessible yet deeply meaningful for players.
• 😀 Sifu is a kung fu roguelike that blends tight combat mechanics with deep progression systems, offering an engaging experience for players who enjoy mastering complex systems for epic martial arts sequences.
• 😀 Battle Brothers' permadeath system and random world generation create a high-stakes experience where players become attached to their characters, only for them to be at risk of sudden destruction.
• 😀 Dead Cells' seamless mix of retro-inspired gameplay with modern roguelike elements creates an addictive and fluid experience that feels different with each playthrough, thanks to weapon variety.
• 😀 The indie games discussed in the list are known for their uniqueness, blending genres and delivering gameplay that pushes the boundaries of typical expectations for their respective categories.

Q & A

What makes *Battle Brothers* unique among roguelike games?

The uniqueness of *Battle Brothers* lies in its challenging, unforgiving nature, where players create and manage a band of mercenaries in a randomized world. The game focuses on the consequences of failure, as even minor mistakes can lead to the ruin of your team. It also offers multiple playstyles, allowing for strategic depth in combat and management.

Why does *Dead Cells* stand out in the roguelike genre?

*Dead Cells* combines elements of Soulslike, Metroidvania, and roguelike gameplay, creating a highly addictive action brawler. It emphasizes frenetic, fluid combat and introduces persistent progression systems, making every run feel rewarding. The game’s constant updates add new content, enhancing its replayability and keeping the experience fresh.

How does *Cult of the Lamb* differ from other roguelike games?

*Cult of the Lamb* mixes dungeon crawling and cult management, where the gameplay is divided between combat and building a base of operations. The game stands out by making the management part engaging, turning what could be busy work into an enjoyable mechanic. The unique art style, inspired by Tim Burton and *The Binding of Isaac*, also sets it apart.

What are the core elements of *Return of the Obra Dinn*?

*Return of the Obra Dinn* is a mystery-based exploration game where players investigate an abandoned ship and its crew’s fate. The game uses a unique art style reminiscent of old-school computer graphics and focuses on puzzle-solving, with players having to deduce the identities and deaths of all crew members using clues scattered throughout the ship.

What makes *Stardew Valley* a standout game in the farming genre?

*Stardew Valley* revolutionizes farming simulation games by combining the relaxing nature of farming with a surprising depth of complexity. The game captures the essence of *Harvest Moon* while offering more open-ended play and seasonal variety. Its systems turn what would be considered busy work in other games into a rewarding, meaningful experience.

What is the appeal of *Journey*, and why is it considered a classic?

*Journey* is a simple yet profound game that relies on exploration and non-verbal storytelling. Its stunning graphics, otherworldly soundtrack, and the unique experience of helping or being helped by random players contribute to its universal appeal. It’s short but captivating, providing a rare gaming experience that resonates emotionally with players.

What sets *Sifu* apart from other action games?

*Sifu* is a kung fu action roguelike that focuses on mastery of its complex combat systems. Unlike typical button-mashing games, *Sifu* requires players to learn and perfect its mechanics. The game stands out for its fluid, realistic martial arts sequences and the satisfying progression system that rewards mastery with increasingly powerful abilities.

How does *Sifu* incorporate a progression system that enhances replayability?

*Sifu* uses a unique aging mechanic, where the protagonist ages with each death, gaining more power but also losing vitality. This system encourages players to approach challenges differently and restart sections of the game to perfect their techniques, increasing replayability and creating a satisfying loop of improvement.

What is the significance of the art style in *Cult of the Lamb*?

The art style of *Cult of the Lamb* is heavily inspired by Tim Burton’s whimsical gothic designs and *The Binding of Isaac*. The aesthetic is dark yet charming, contributing to the game’s atmosphere and complementing its unique blend of dungeon crawling and cult management. The visual style enhances the game’s quirky, dark humor.

Why is *Dead Cells* often considered an example of perfect game design in the roguelike genre?

*Dead Cells* is praised for its exceptional game design, which combines fast-paced combat, tight controls, and a satisfying progression system. The developers have fine-tuned every aspect of the game, from the balance of difficulty to the variety of weapons and power-ups, making it feel rewarding and fun with every run.