The indie gaming scene has seen a surge in popularity over the past decade, with more and more developers breaking into the market to create unique and innovative games. Steam, the largest digital distribution platform for video games, has been a major player in this scene, allowing indie developers to reach a wide audience and compete with larger studios. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best Steam indie games from the last 5 years and the impact they’ve had on the industry.
- Hollow Knight (2017) – Team Cherry Hollow Knight is a 2D action-adventure game that takes place in a vast underground world. The game features challenging combat, intricate environments, and a deep lore that has captivated players since its release. Developed by the Australian studio Team Cherry, the game was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple awards and selling over 2.8 million copies as of 2021.
- Celeste (2018) – Matt Makes Games Celeste is a 2D platformer with a focus on precision movement and storytelling. The game follows the journey of a young woman named Madeline as she climbs a dangerous mountain. Developed by the Canadian studio Matt Makes Games, the game received widespread critical acclaim for its gameplay, visuals, and themes of mental health. It sold over 3 million copies as of 2021.
- Dead Cells (2018) – Motion Twin Dead Cells is a 2D action-platformer with rogue-like elements. The game features procedurally generated levels, challenging combat, and an upgrade system that encourages experimentation. Developed by the French studio Motion Twin, the game was a commercial success, selling over 5 million copies as of 2021.
- Undertale (2015) – Toby Fox Undertale is a 2D RPG that subverts traditional RPG mechanics by allowing players to solve conflicts without violence. The game features a unique cast of characters, a memorable soundtrack, and multiple endings based on player choices. Developed by American developer Toby Fox, the game was a surprise hit, receiving critical acclaim and a passionate fanbase.
- Stardew Valley (2016) – ConcernedApe Stardew Valley is a farming simulator with RPG elements. The game allows players to grow crops, raise animals, and build relationships with the inhabitants of a small town. Developed by American developer ConcernedApe, the game was a commercial and critical success, selling over 10 million copies as of 2021.
- Cuphead (2017) – Studio MDHR Cuphead is a 2D run and gun game with a distinct 1930s cartoon aesthetic. The game features challenging boss battles, tight controls, and an original jazz soundtrack. Developed by the Canadian studio MDHR, the game was praised for its art style and difficulty, selling over 6 million copies as of 2021.
- The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (2014) – Nicalis The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a rogue-like dungeon crawler with twin-stick shooter mechanics. The game features procedurally generated levels, permadeath, and a twisted sense of humor. Developed by American developer Edmund McMillen and published by Nicalis, the game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 5 million copies as of 2021.
- Katana ZERO (2019) – Askiisoft Katana ZERO is a 2D action-platformer with time-bending mechanics. The game features fast-paced combat, a branching narrative, and a retro-futuristic aesthetic. Developed by American developer Askiisoft, the game was praised for its gameplay and storytelling, selling over 200,000 copies within the first week of release.
- A Short Hike (2019) – Adam Robinson-Yu A Short Hike is a relaxing adventure game that follows the journey of a young bird as they explore a park and interact with its inhabitants. The game features charming visuals, a calming soundtrack, and a focus on exploration. Developed by Canadian developer Adam Robinson-Yu, the game was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and selling over 500,000 copies as of 2021.
- Katamari Damacy Reroll (2018) – Bandai Namco Katamari Damacy Reroll is a remastered version of the cult classic game that originally released in 2004. The game features a unique gameplay mechanic where players roll a ball to collect objects and grow larger in size. Developed by Japanese studio Bandai Namco, the game received critical acclaim for its charm and simplicity, selling over 1 million copies as of 2021.
- Return of the Obra Dinn (2018) – Lucas Pope Return of the Obra Dinn is a mystery game that takes place on a ghost ship in the 1800s. The game features a unique black-and-white visual style and a narrative that unfolds through player exploration and deduction. Developed by American developer Lucas Pope, the game was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and selling over 500,000 copies as of 2021.
- Hades (2020) – Supergiant Games Hades is a 2D action-rogue-like game set in the underworld of Greek mythology. The game features fast-paced combat, a deep upgrade system, and a compelling story that unfolds through repeated playthroughs. Developed by American studio Supergiant Games, the game was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and selling over 2 million copies as of 2021.
- Outer Wilds (2019) – Mobius Digital Outer Wilds is a space exploration game that takes place in a fictional solar system. The game features a unique time loop mechanic that encourages players to learn from their mistakes and explore the world at their own pace. Developed by American studio Mobius Digital, the game was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and selling over 500,000 copies as of 2021.
- Golf Story (2017) – Sidebar Games Golf Story is a 2D golf RPG that blends traditional golf mechanics with a lighthearted story and RPG elements. The game features a charming visual style, fun minigames, and a variety of courses to play on. Developed by Australian studio Sidebar Games, the game was a commercial success, selling over 250,000 copies as of 2021.
- Papers, Please (2013) – Lucas Pope Papers, Please is a dystopian document thriller that takes place in a fictional country. The game features a unique gameplay mechanic where players act as a border checkpoint officer, deciding who is allowed to enter the country and who is denied. Developed by American developer Lucas Pope, the game was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and selling over 2 million copies as of 2021.
- Night in the Woods (2017) – Infinite Fall Night in the Woods is a narrative-driven adventure game that follows the story of a college dropout who returns to her hometown. The game features a unique visual style, relatable characters, and a focus on exploring themes of mental health and identity. Developed by American studio Infinite Fall, the game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies as of 2021.
- Firewatch (2016) – Campo Santo Fire watch is a narrative-driven adventure game that takes place in a national park in Wyoming. The game features a strong emphasis on storytelling and character development, as players take on the role of a fire lookout who must navigate through a series of personal and professional challenges. Developed by American studio Campo Santo, the game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2.5 million copies as of 2021.
- Ori and the Blind Forest (2015) – Moon Studios Ori and the Blind Forest is a 2D platformer with a focus on exploration and storytelling. The game features stunning visuals, challenging platforming sections, and a touching narrative that has resonated with players. Developed by the independent studio Moon Studios, the game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 3 million copies as of 2021.
- Among Us (2018) – InnerSloth Among Us is a multiplayer social deduction game that has become a cultural phenomenon. The game features a simple premise where players take on the role of crewmates on a spaceship, trying to identify the impostor among them. Developed by American studio InnerSloth, the game became a viral hit in 2020, gaining widespread popularity on social media platforms and selling over 500,000 copies on Steam alone in its first month of release.
- Baba Is You (2019) – Hempuli Baba Is You is a puzzle game that allows players to manipulate the rules of the game world. The game features a unique mechanic where players can change the rules of the game by moving words around on the screen. Developed by Finnish developer Arvi Teikari (known by the pseudonym Hempuli), the game was a critical success, winning multiple awards and selling over 200,000 copies as of 2021.
The Impact of Indie Games on the Industry
Steam has played a significant role in the rise of indie gaming over the past decade. By providing a platform for independent developers to sell their games directly to consumers, Steam has enabled a new generation of game creators to reach a wider audience and compete with larger studios.
The success of indie games on Steam has also challenged traditional notions of what a video game can be. Indie developers are often free to experiment with unique gameplay mechanics, art styles, and storytelling approaches, resulting in games that are often more creative and innovative than those produced by larger studios.
The success of indie games on Steam has also had a significant impact on the economics of the industry. While the production costs of indie games are often lower than those of larger titles, the potential for high sales figures on platforms like Steam means that independent developers can often earn a significant profit from their work.
Trends in Indie Gaming
The indie gaming scene continues to evolve and innovate, with new games and developers emerging every year. Some of the current trends in indie gaming include:
- Increasing diversity: Indie games are often more diverse in terms of their themes, characters, and settings than traditional AAA titles. This trend is likely to continue as more developers from different backgrounds enter the industry.
- Continued experimentation: Indie developers are known for their willingness to experiment with new gameplay mechanics and narrative structures. This trend is likely to continue as developers seek to differentiate their games from the competition.
- More collaboration: As the indie gaming scene has grown, we’ve seen an increase in collaborative projects between developers. This trend is likely to continue as developers seek to pool their resources and expertise to create more ambitious games.
Statistics of Indie Game Sales on Steam
Steam remains the most popular platform for indie game developers to sell their titles. According to data from Steam Spy, there were over 23,000 indie games available on Steam as of 2021, with an average of 50 new indie games being released on the platform
every day.
In terms of sales, indie games continue to be a major force on Steam. According to data from Statista, indie games accounted for over 40% of all games sold on Steam in 2020. The average indie game on Steam sold over 8,000 copies in 2020, with the top indie games selling well over 1 million copies each.
In terms of player demographics, indie games have a global appeal. According to data from Steam, the top 5 countries in terms of indie game sales on the platform are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. However, indie games have also found success in a number of other countries, including Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Australia.
Conclusion
The indie gaming scene on Steam continues to be a vibrant and innovative space, with new games and developers emerging every year. From 2D platformers to narrative-driven adventures, the best indie games on Steam have challenged traditional notions of what a video game can be, and have had a significant impact on the industry as a whole.
As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s clear that indie games will continue to play an important role in shaping the future of gaming. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and experimentation, indie developers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming, and creating experiences that resonate with players around the world.
