15 Outstanding Indie Games on PC: Guaranteed to Captivate You from the First Play

Tired of blockbuster AAA games? Are you seeking something fresh, a unique and creative gaming experience? Join us as we explore the list of the 15 best indie games on PC, carefully selected by the experts at PCGamesN.

Indie games, the brainchildren of independent developers, always bring delightful surprises. With their unique ideas and innovative gameplay, indie games have been winning the hearts of millions of gamers worldwide.

1. Limbo

Genre: Action, Adventure, Puzzle

Publisher: Playdead

Release Date: 03/08/2011

Download: Limbo

With its black-and-white aesthetic, Limbo tells the story of a nameless boy on a quest to rescue his sister who is being held captive. Despite lacking a clear storyline, the boy's journey easily draws players in, immersing them in a world akin to a personal hell.

Throughout the game, the young boy encounters numerous difficult challenges, requiring players to have a certain level of patience to overcome. This is an opportunity for gamers to showcase their problem-solving skills!

2. Disco Elysium

Genre: Adventure, RPG

Publisher: ZA/UM

Release Date: 15/10/2019

Download: Disco Elysium

Waking up after a night of drunkenness that left you with amnesia, you play as a detective caught up in solving a complex murder case. With no predetermined path, Disco Elysium requires players to find their own way to the truth.

In an open world with vivid 3D graphics, players' focus is "isolated" on the Detective character in the center of the screen. By controlling the detective, players have the chance to explore, interact, and possibly persuade NPCs (Non-player characters) to become allies in their investigation.

3. Stardew Valley

Genre: RPG

Publisher: ConcernedApe

Release Date: 26/02/2016

Download: Stardew Valley

With signature 2D graphics reminiscent of Nintendo, players now take on the role of a young man who decides to leave the hustle and bustle of life behind and return to Stardew Valley to manage a farm inherited from his grandfather. In the effort to bring life back to the somewhat "barren" land, he gradually learns more about the very Stardew Valley he inhabits.

In Stardew Valley, players are placed in a vast open world and can interact with a multitude of objects and characters. Additionally, players can make life-like choices, from planting crops, raising livestock, mining, socializing with friends, to even getting married and having children.

4. Inside

Genre: Horror, RPG, Action, Adventure, Puzzle

Publisher: Playdead

Release Date: 29/06/2016

Download: Inside

Waking up on a mysterious island, an unnamed boy discovers inhumane experiments being conducted there. The island is a research site for human body mysteries, diseases, and mind control, with corpses stacked into columns along with extremely "disgusting" specimens.

The boy soon realizes that masked figures are the masterminds behind these experiments. With deep 3D graphics and free interaction between characters and the environment, players can directly experience the island's eerie atmosphere.

5. Untitled Goose Game

Genre: Action, Adventure, Puzzle

Publisher: Panic

Release Date: 20/09/2019

Download: Untitled Goose Game

As the title suggests, players take on the role of a nameless goose on a mission to wreak havoc on a village in the most literal sense. Set in a middle-class English village, players can use skills like flapping wings, honking, or using the beak to steal items and complete set objectives.

While the graphics aren't overly realistic, they are sufficient for players to feel the unique atmosphere and culture of England at the time. Moreover, the game's creative concept and interaction with NPCs are highly appreciated by gamers.

6. Telling Lies

Genre: Horror, RPG, Puzzle

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

Release Date: 23/08/2019

Download: Telling Lies

A serious incident has occurred, and you, in the role of a detective, are sitting before recordings of conversations between four friends over a two-year period, trying to uncover the truth. 96 lies, one shocking truth—that's all the players know.

Sitting before a massive data archive, you'll need to smartly search for "key words" to find the most feasible leads. Unlike other puzzle games, the truth is now decided by the player.

7. Hypnospace Outlaw

Genre: RPG, Puzzle

Publisher: No More Robots

Release Date: 12/03/2019

Download: Hypnospace Outlaw

A primitive simulation of the Internet, where users can access it through their dreams, called Hypnospace. In the game, players take on the role of an "Enforcer" for Merchantsoft—the creators of Hypnospace—identifying and punishing illegal content, copyright violations, viruses, or "cyberbullying"...

Hypnospace Outlaw features interesting 3D animated graphics that create a distinct characteristic for the game. Throughout the game, players will face tough puzzles and must exert every effort to solve them.

8. Rocket League

Genre: Racing, Action

Publisher: Psyonix

Release Date: 07/07/2015

Download: Rocket League

Described as a soccer game, but played with supercharged cars, Rocket League offers players an incredibly thrilling experience. With 8 players on each team, players use rocket-powered cars to drive the ball and score points.

With stunning 3D graphics and diverse gameplay modes, this is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind soccer-racing experience. The game currently offers both Single-Player and Multiplayer modes, allowing everyone to enjoy matches with friends!

9. The Witness

Genre: RPG, Action, Adventure, Puzzle

Publisher: Thekla, Inc.

Release Date: 26/01/2016

Download: The Witness

Waking up on a mysterious island, players assume the role of a character with no remaining memory. Before you lies a myriad of puzzles waiting to be solved, and that is your only hope of discovering who you are and "how to get home."

A beautifully designed 3D puzzle game, The Witness is unique in that throughout the game, you won't find a single word written anywhere. Instead, players will approach puzzles from the simplest ones to grasp the rules and mechanics of the game.

10. Into the Breach

Genre: Turn-based Strategy, Action, Puzzle

Publisher: Subset Games

Release Date: 27/02/2018

Download: Into the Breach

Set in a deadly future where Earth is invaded and ravaged by monsters known as Vek, players control soldiers in giant suits equipped with heavy weapons to eliminate the enemies.

On an 8x8 square battlefield, players move and attack in turns to defeat the opponent. The map shrinks with each turn, requiring players to devise a truly strategic plan to progress through the game.

11. Oxenfree

Genre: RPG, Action, Puzzle

Publisher: Night School Studio

Release Date: 15/01/2016

Download: Oxenfree

While her mother is on a honeymoon with her new husband, Alex decides to explore a local island with her foster brother and friends. Upon arriving, they start to notice strange supernatural phenomena, and a shocking event causes the group to become separated.

For most of the game, players are placed in beautifully designed caves. A deep storyline and challenging puzzles make this a tough experience for puzzle-survival game enthusiasts.

12. Hotline Miami

Genre: Action, Shooter

Publisher: Devolver Digital

Release Date: 23/10/2012

Download: Hotline Miami

Set in the fiery city of Miami in the 1980s, players take on the role of an anonymous character known as "Jacket," who receives an encrypted message assigning him the task of a brutal massacre against the Russian Mafia.

The top-down perspective allows players not only to control the title character but also to observe the behavior of surrounding enemies. Despite being built with 2D graphics, the diverse combination of weapons—from golf clubs to submachine guns—and blood-soaked takedown effects provide Hotline Miami with a unique, violent experience.

13. Gone Home

Genre: RPG, Puzzle

Publisher: The Fullbright Company

Release Date: 15/08/2013

Download: Gone Home

After a long period studying abroad across Europe, Kaitlyn "Katie" Greenbriar returns to her family's small home in the town of Boone County, Oregon. Her excitement quickly fades when she finds the house abandoned, with her family having moved away and the place in disarray as if someone had just broken in.

With highly realistic 3D graphics, Gone Home allows players to freely interact with objects in the house. Starting with a tape message from her sister Sam that triggers the investigation, Katie begins to uncover the events that transpired while she was away.

14. What Remains of Edith Finch

Genre: Adventure, RPG

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

Release Date: 25/04/2017

Download: What Remains

A foretold curse has fallen upon the Finch family, where only one member of each generation survives, while the others pass away in peculiar ways. In this game, players take on the role of Edith Finch, the last living member, as she embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery behind her family's curse.

Through poignant and often heart-wrenching narratives, this is not only a "horror game" but also a complex and emotional story that resonates deeply with players.

15. Hollow Knight

Genre: Action, Adventure

Publisher: Team Cherry

Release Date: 24/02/2017

Download: Hollow Knight

In the long-abandoned city of Hallownest, all creatures have been infected by a strange force, transforming them into mindless zombies. Players take on the role of a small warrior as they descend into Hallownest to confront powerful enemies, and gradually uncover the horrifying truth behind it.

Hollow Knight is presented with a side-scrolling 2D style, requiring players to engage in precision-based combat and platforming challenges. With its rich gameplay and depth, Hollow Knight is one of the top indie games worth playing!

Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for something new to explore, these 15 indie games promise an experience that's both engaging and unforgettable.