We are reaching the end of this year 2023, and it is time to take stock of the games that have been released. Obviously, we think of juggernauts like Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 or the remake of Resident Evil 4. But what about independent productions? Little games that have gone under the radar of the general public? Rest assured, Gameblog has put together a list of indie games that you shouldn’t miss in 2023.
Chants of Sennaar, the language of the people
We start strong with Songs of Sennaar, which you may have seen in the “Best game with a positive message” category at the Game Awards 2023. We play a character who wakes up inside a mysterious tower. The latter is inhabited by different peoples, with diverse and varied cultures, and the goal is to succeed in reaching the summit. But this will not be an easy task, especially since you do not know the languages spoken by the people you will meet. Armed with your notebook, it’s up to you to decipher what you’re told, and make your way to the top of the tower. This indie game is beautiful, touching, and it will exercise your gray matter. Plus, it brilliantly translates the frustration that comes with the language barrier into real life. Here you can easily overcome this problem, and it motivates you all the time to explore, to be curious.
Songs of Sennaar is available on consoles and PC.
Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, the future is written in the stars
Let’s continue this selection of indie games not to be missed in 2023 with Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. The action of the game takes place almost entirely in the protagonist’s house, which is located on an asteroid. She has been banished because of her oracle powers, and her situation is starting to be too difficult. To escape her exile, she calls upon a Behemoth, a creature that is normally forbidden to summon. Together, they will make a pact and create a new tarot deck for Fortuna, our heroine. The latter has special properties that will change the course of history. It’s up to you to discover why by taking part in this memorable adventure which has a gripping narration and very well-written dialogues. We are faced with a real tour de force which manages to offer us a universe that is oh so rich, while we are faced with a closed door. It’s not every day that we get to see that.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is available on PC (Steam, GOG) and Nintendo Switch.
Jusant, the unforgettable ascent
How ? Ebbing in the list ? Yes, we are still talking about a game from Don’t Nod Entertainment, the creators of Life is Strange. The difference is that here, the studio is self-publishing, hence the fact that it meets the criteria to be among the indie. Here, we are invited to climb a tower (again) which rises in the middle of a desert world. All the inhabitants seem to have deserted it, without knowing the reasons behind this exodus. The particularity of this game is that there are no dialogues. It is the notes that we find and the environmental narration that will tell us the story of the immense building that we are climbing and the people who lived inside. So it’s not just about climbing. You have to take your time and admire the decor which is truly breathtaking. To sum up, it is a contemplative experience, without any hassle, in short, ideal for this Christmas holiday period dedicated to relaxation.
Ebbing is available on consoles and PC.
Cocoon, simple, but effective
cocoon, it’s the new indie game from Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE. These titles surely mean something to you as they have made an impression. We are faced with an inspired puzzle game whose seemingly simple gameplay has been praised on numerous occasions. We are thinking in particular of the main mechanic of jumping between worlds, whose originality and effectiveness did not fail to please players. Cocoon also has the merit of being affordable for a title of its kind, and above all it will captivate you with its universe and its innovative game design.
cocoon is available on consoles and PC.
Storyteller, the narrator is you
Since we’re on the topic of puzzle games, let’s talk about Storyteller. Do you like children’s stories? Have a good laugh while playing? Then you are at the right address. In Storyteller, you have to create stories in a comic book style based on a title. To do this, frames and characters are made available to us. You must then place them in the right place, so as to create a coherent tale in relation to the title given. Very often, the stories we put together are rather unusual, with crazy love stories, betrayals and even monsters on the menu. As a bonus, know that it obtained new content last September, which allowed it to extend its lifespan a little, considered too short by some people.
Storyteller is available on PC, Mac, iOS, Android and Nintendo Switch.
Dredge, fishing like Lovecraft
Dredge is a somewhat special case, in the sense that it makes a rather unexpected mixture. For good reason, it’s a mix between a fishing game, with advanced boat customization, and… creatures straight from Lovecraft’s universe. Yes, we’re not used to seeing such a wedding, and that’s what helped make the game famous. It’s an adventure that will both relax you and frighten you, especially if you don’t like deep water. At least, if you have the courage to venture offshore, far from civilization. We exaggerate the line a little, but we really invite you to take a look.
Dredge is available on consoles and PC.
Viewfinder, smile, it’s for the photo
Would you like to play a puzzle game again? Viewfinder is not like Chants of Sennaar or Storyteller. It’s a puzzle game with a single mechanic: the use of an instant camera. Said like that, it’s not necessarily exciting, but it has a very special property. Once the photo has been taken, it is possible to retrieve it and literally embed it in the decor in real time. Everything then becomes a question of perspective, of point of view. For example, you can “capture” a wall and use it to create a bridge. And be careful, it’s not boring, on the contrary, since the game manages to constantly renew itself, always creating surprise. For fans of the genre, it is one of the essential indie games of this year 2023.
Viewfinder is available on PS4, PS5 and PC.
Sea of Stars, the RPG that left no one indifferent
Sea of Stars, it’s the big winner in the “Best Indie Game” category at The Game Awards 2023. There have been a few RPGs this year, and this is one of the most interesting that has come out. Whether in terms of game mechanics, with turn-based combat, or “old school” graphics, it constantly plays with the string of nostalgia. However, it manages to keep a unique identity, while offering a fascinating story and charismatic characters. We could almost summarize Sea of Stars as follows: if you miss the JRPGs of the 90s, you absolutely have to play it. Besides, even if you are a newbie, it remains a great adventure that will not leave you indifferent.
Sea of Stars is available on consoles and PC.
Bramble: The Mountain King, explore the horror of Scandinavian folklore
Now let’s dive into Scandinavian folklore with Bramble: The Mountain King. In this indie game, we travel through a world which, at first glance, seems magical. In truth, he hides dark secrets, and you will have to prepare to flee from abominations who only want one thing, to devour you. One of the greatest strengths of the title is its way of juggling between the marvelous and the monstrous, giving us the sensation of being immersed in a real tale. For comparison, the way we progress in the story and the situations encountered can bring to mind the excellent Little Nightmares. You may be familiar with the franchise, and if so, we invite you not to ignore Bramble.
Bramble: The Mountain King is available on consoles and PC.
Lethal Company, the phenomenon of the moment
If you follow the news at all, you have undoubtedly heard of Lethal Company. It’s THE phenomenon of the moment, with a pitch that fits on a piece of paper. We work for a company that sends us to collect materials on desolate planets. Once there, you must explore abandoned facilities, all while avoiding being massacred by the monsters found there. Like Phasmophobia, you make money by completing missions, and this allows you to unlock equipment. It makes progression easier, avoiding constantly dying. The icing on the cake is that it is possible to play with several people. It is even highly recommended, because Lethal Company has a proximity voice chat mechanic. Basically, the further you are from a player, the more difficult it is to hear them. Like in real life, which is pretty well thought out.
Lethal Company is available on PC.
Terra Nil, the reverse city-builder
Terra Nile, it’s an indie strategy game that has gotten a lot of attention. At the same time, it has a really nice concept. You have to take barren land and transform it into a thriving environment free of pollution. To do this, you will have at your disposal advanced eco-technology and other very useful facilities. However, it is not about creating a civilization, but rather about finding a balance for the environment. We must leave untouched nature behind, hence the fact that the game has been described on several occasions as a “reverse city-builder”. It’s an ideal choice to end the year gently, especially since we’re dealing with a theme that fits perfectly with our times.
Terra Nile is available on PC, iOS, Android and Nintendo Switch.
The Talos Principle 2, the return of a great puzzle game
We end this list with an… indie puzzle game! This Christmas season, we really want to warm up your brain. But here, we are not talking about just anyone. It is The Talos Principle 2, the sequel to the excellent first-person puzzle game released in 2014. The principle is generally the same, and we once again find a strong presence of philosophical themes. For now, we are not going to describe it as accessible to everyone, because it remains quite tough in terms of the puzzles offered. That said, they have the merit of being really well put together, and of diversifying in an ingenious way until the curtain drops.
The Talos Principle 2 is available on consoles and PC.
We have reached the end of this list, and we hope that we have been able to introduce you to some great productions. Obviously, we could also have cited Planet of Lana, Have A Nice Death, Mediterranea Inferno or even Tchia, but it is not exhaustive, and it should already give you a good basis. Please share your own independent discoveries from this year with us.