A Gaming Decade: 10 Unforgettable Indies From the 2010s

Today, we have decided to go through our favorite oldies and present you with the indies that marked an excellent gaming decade. We invite you to take the trip down memory lane and see our top 10 picks. Let's go!

Dead Cells

We will start with an excellent mix of roguelite and Metroidvania. Dead Cells features unforgiving but rewarding combat and gives you 50+ weapons and spells to choose from. It's also nonlinear, so you can choose different paths based on your build. Dead Cells puts a lot of emphasis on exploring your surrounding, as there are secret rooms hidden on every step. If you love challenging action games packed with epic battles, Dead Cells will be right up your alley.

A badass souls-like Metroidvania Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Night in the Woods

Night in the Woods is a soulful adventure with a lot to offer. In it, you take the role of Mae Borowski, a college dropout that wants to resume her former life, only to find that the world has moved on. However, strange things soon begin to happen that will capture your attention. What sets it apart from similar indies is a lush and colorful world, an engaging story, and a big cast of unforgettable characters. This is one of those rare games that you can play multiple times, and always find something new that enriches your experience.

What's the matter cat, got your tongue? Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

This War of Mine

Next, we have an anti-war game that follows a desperate group of civilians in their quest to survive. In it, you will have to strategically scavenge for food and medical supplies during the night, and reinforce your shelter during the day. What impressed me is that the game doesn't pull punches, and you will have to constantly make tough emotional decisions. This War of Mine also has high replayability, as each choice will take you in an entirely different direction. If you enjoy dark gritty survival games, you will hardly find a better one.

A dark and atmospheric survival gem Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Disco Elysium

Now, how about a layered noir RPG that introduced a lot of novelty to the genre? Disco Elysium puts you in the role of detective and it's on you to decide how you want to approach your cases. So much so, that the final result will be vastly different with each playthrough. Its world feels alive, its inhabitants unique, and your options nearly endless. In short, Disco Elysium is a memorable experience that will hardly be topped anytime soon.

Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Stadia

Bastion

Bastion is an imaginative RPG/action game made by Supergiant Games. It puts you in a colorful Miyazaki-inspired world that got shattered to pieces by a force known as Calamity. Bastion has a complex story that will keep you engaged, and a great soundtrack to support it. Its immersive world is filled with memorable moments, and although the battle system is not very complex, it's really fun. Overall, Bastion is a well-rounded indie RPG that still very much holds up.

Bastion's lush world is warm and inviting Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch

Cuphead

And now, make room for one of the most memorable platformers. Cuphead is a nostalgic time capsule that transports you back into the classic cartoon era of the 1930s. Its world is colorful and filled with bizarre and charming characters. As fun as it looks, Cuphead is also quite challenging, with boss fights that are as chaotic as they are rewarding. In short, this is a unique and addictive experience that serves as a perfect homage to the long-forgotten times.

Mesmerizing trip down the memory lane Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Stardew Valley

If you ever wondered what is a game equivalent to heroin, Stardew Valley might be an answer. As you inherit your grandpa's old farm, it's time to create a new home and start living off the land. In essence, this is a farming sim/RPG with a seemingly endless amount of things to do. Learn how to grow crops, create machines, improve your community, explore mysterious caves, find a perfect partner, and much more. Stardew Valley is very rewarding, so prepare to spend endless hours on creating a perfect farm once you start.

A one of a kind farming sim Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Celeste

Celeste follows the journey of Madeline, a girl with a lot of demons who tries to climb on the top of a massive mountain. It is one of those platformers that is as hard as it's rewarding, although the controls are simple. The game also has a compelling story that introduces you to a slew of charming characters. If you loved Super Meat Boy, Celeste will feel familiar, but it has its own magic that runs deep.

Can Madeline climb on the top of Celeste Mountain? Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia

The Witness

One day, you wake up on a breathtaking island. You don't remember anything, and as you begin to explore, you find out that it's filled with secrets. As you discover them, the bits of your memory slowly start piecing an intriguing story. This is the gist of The Witness, a puzzler/walking-sim hybrid that will challenge you at every step. With 500+ puzzles spread across the open world, the game never loses its sense of mystery, and as such still remains as one of the best titles of the previous gaming decade.

A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Inside

Lastly, we have a dystopian, story-driven adventure called Inside. Here, you will take a role of a young boy who finds himself amidst a sinister project. To find out what is happening, you will have to solve challenging puzzles. With its perfect combination of visuals and ambient soundtrack the game immediately sets a tense atmosphere that doesn't let go. Inside is created by the same team that made Limbo and pretty much expanded on everything that made it a classic.

An eery adventure that transcends the genre Steam

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch