Summary

  • Roleplaying video games have evolved beyond traditional traits, with indie developers pushing boundaries and mixing genres for unique experiences.
  • Sea of Stars blends classic and modern RPG elements seamlessly, offering a visually nostalgic yet engaging gameplay experience.
  • Undertale's choice-based gameplay and memorable characters make it an iconic RPG, challenging players to fight or spare enemies with a heartfelt narrative.

Roleplaying games can be polarizing. What defines a role-playing game?A long time ago, roleplaying video games were riffing off of the success of Dungeons & Dragons, so the genre was defined by similar traits: companions traveling with you, skill trees to develop, a unique character to play. These days, the rules are much blurrier.

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It's all for the best. No industry or creative medium stays the same forever. We have tons of new games with fresh, exciting mechanics to explore now, and games that mix genres in order to create something wonderfully new.No one is better at pushing boundaries and trying out new things than indie developers. In this article, we'll detail some of our favorite indie RPGs that you should definitely consider picking up.

Updated on July 13, 2024 by Jouanna Bondakji: The RPG genre is an old one, but to this day, there are many amazing ones coming out. Many of them turn out to be from indie developers, whether they started out that way or still are. It can be hard to keep up with which RPGs are worth your time, and that's exactly why this list is here. Now we've added more entries for you to check out!

11 Sea Of Stars

Past And Present RPG Mechanics Work Together

Sea of Stars

RPG Released August 29, 2023 Developer(s) Sabotage Publisher(s) Sabotage Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One Powered by Expand Collapse

Sea of Stars is a game that blends the classic and modern elements of RPGs together to give you a satisfying overall experience. The graphics and UI likely provoke some nostalgia, but without the frustration of things that tend to dampen the fun of RPGs, like grinding for experience.

In the game, the threat of an evil alchemist known as the Fleshmancer looms ever closer, and it's up to the two main characters, harnessing the powers of the sun and moon, to stop him and his monsters. That doesn't mean you can't stop to fish, cook, and play minigames along the way, though.

10 Undertale

Fight Or Spare?

Undertale

RPG Released September 15, 2015 Developer(s) Toby Fox Publisher(s) Toby Fox, 8-4 Platform(s) PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

If you enjoy RPGs but haven't tried Undertale out yet, you're missing out. The game has had a lasting impact despite coming out almost a decade ago because of how memorable everything about it is, from the gameplay to the characters to the writing. You play as a human who's fallen underground, into the world of monsters. Whether you fight any of them is up to you, as you can go through the entire game without harming a single monster.

Of course, they won't relent so quickly, so you have to guide your soul to dodge all sorts of attacks thrown at you. Every 'enemy' is different, but chances are they'll make you laugh all the same. Add in the heartfelt moments, and it's easy to see why Undertale is touted as one of the most iconic RPGs out there.

9 Omori

Horror And Whimsy In One Amazing RPG

OMORI

Horror RPG Released December 25, 2020 Platform(s) PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Developer Omocat Publisher Omocat, Playism Powered by Expand Collapse

Omori is the type of game where the less you know going in, the better. But either way, it's a game that sticks with you long after playing it. You play as Omori, a quiet boy with a lively group of friends, who lives in a seemingly strange and colorful world. But things aren't as they appear.

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You slowly come to know the truth as you move from the colorful world to the monochrome one, known as White Space. Along the way, your friends act as your party members, each with their own unique abilities, as you fight unusual (and sometimes super cute) creatures. The game's themes are surprisingly heavy once you get past the initial cheerfulness, so it's best to read the warnings first.

8 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Battle And Explore Solo Or With Friends

Divinity: Original Sin 2

RPG Released September 14, 2017 Developer(s) Larian Studios Publisher(s) Larian Studios Platform(s) Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a sequel, but don't let that scare you away; players say that they can understand the fantastical plotline of the game just fine. The premise is that you are a captured sorcerer who has been sent to an island prison. Things are about to get way more complicated. Don't they always? In fact, it's actually a great choice to introduce someone to the action-RPG genre.

It was developed and published by Larian Studios, receiving some of the highest praise that a video game has ever gotten. It sold more than a million copies in two months. As for gameplay, you're in for a top-down experience, where you control a main character with up to three companions at your side. They can be controlled individually, which makes for incredible strategy when it's called for. There are also multiplayer modes, online and local, competitive and cooperative.

7 Genshin Impact

Near-Endless Content

Genshin Impact

RPG Action Adventure Gacha Open-World Released September 28, 2020 Developer(s) HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo) Publisher(s) HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo) Platform(s) Mobile, iOS, Android, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Powered by Expand Collapse

An open-world action RPG that's developed and published by miHoYo, Genshin Impact is a game you can't have avoided if you've been in gaming spaces on the internet. It's free to play, with gacha mechanics that you can spend money on. In its first year, it made more than $3 billion in revenue.

It truly is beautiful, there's no denying that. As the protagonist, you explore a world rendered in an anime art style; there are vast forests, mountainous valleys, open plains, and more. The story asks you to search for your missing twin sibling, gathering friends to help you along the way.

6 Darkest Dungeon

An Enthralling Turn-Based Roguelike

Darkest Dungeon

RPG Released January 19, 2016 Developer(s) Red Hook Studios Publisher(s) Red Hook Studios Platform(s) PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS Powered by Expand Collapse

Darkest Dungeon, developed and published by Red Hook Studios, takes dungeon crawling to a whole new level. It's a roguelike, which basically just means that you'll be going through procedurally-generated levels that are different every time you explore them; and you will explore them a lot, since roguelikes also involve permadeath. Newcomers will need to prepare themselves for a tough game with plenty of trial and error.

The art style is absolutely stunning; a gothic setting awaits you, where you'll deal with psychological stresses on top of everything else. The story involvesrecruiting and training heroes to reclaim an ancestor's estate, now overrun with monsters.

5 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

A Hidden Gem

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

RPG Indie Action Adventure Released November 21, 2019 Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Developer Moonsprout Games, Moonsprout Games S.A. Publisher DANGEN Entertainment, Limited Run Games Powered by Expand Collapse

Bug Fables is a platformer RPG that isoften compared to Paper Mario, thanks to its similar art style and gameplay mechanics. The gameplay involves balancing three characters' special abilities from a side-scrolling point of view to adventure around a world known as Bugaria.

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Developed by Moonsprout Games, Bug Fables is a great choice for any RPG fan. It follows three pals, Vi, Kabbu, and Leif (all bugs, of course) who are on a quest to find the Everlasting Sapling, which is said to grant immortality. As you journey along you'll need to solve puzzles, defeat your foes, and stay fearless in order to find your prize.

4 To The Moon

Get Ready To Cry

To the Moon

Adventure Released November 1, 2011 Developer(s) Freebird Games Publisher(s) X.D. Network Platform(s) Switch Powered by Expand Collapse

To the Moon is a lesser-known title, but just as good as any other game featured here. The story is what everyone loves so much about it; it follows a pair of doctors — Eva Rosalene and Neil Watts — who have a special job. They meet an old man, Johnny Wyles, whose dying wish is to go to the moon. The doctors can't really send him to the moon, but they can give him memories of doing it.

At its core, To the Moon is a 16-bit 2D adventure game. You spend your time investigating Johnny's memories,solving puzzles, and discovering secrets to delve deeper into his mind and discover the root of his obsession with visiting the moon. The experience is brief, but it'll have you on the edge of your seat.

3 Stardew Valley

Fighting Monsters Or Planting Crops? Why Not Both?

Stardew Valley

RPG Simulation Released February 26, 2016 Developer(s) ConcernedApe Publisher(s) ConcernedApe Platform(s) PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch Powered by Expand Collapse

Stardew Valley may be one of the most well-known indie success stories around. If you don't know, the entire game was made by one man, Eric Barone (known online as ConcernedApe). He did all the coding, made all the art, composed all the music, and so much more.

The plot of Stardew Valley follows you, a big-city office worker who has decided to move out to the countrysideand refurbish your grandfather's old farm. The game isas cozy as games get. In fact, one of your first missions is literally just to meet everyone in the nearby town. You spend your time raising animals, growing crops, investigating local mysteries, and making friends.

2 Hades

Challenge The Gods

Hades

Action RPG Roguelite Released September 17, 2020 Developer(s) Supergiant Games Publisher(s) Supergiant Games Platform(s) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Gamers all over the world just can't get enough of Hades, made by Supergiant Games. The story, inspired by Greek mythology,centers around Zagreus, the son of Hades and Persephone. Zagreus is fleeing his father in the Underworld and trying to reach his mother up above. Other Greek gods and mythological figures make appearances and help Zagreus on his journey.

Since it's a roguelike, the game is procedurally generated and always new, as mentioned previously. Gameplay asks you to fight your way through various dungeons and environments with a hack-and-slash combat system and a touch of magic.