My sincere apologies for the delay of this month’s indie column, but I have been struck down with the plague (well, no, just the usual pre-Christmas sickness, but close enough). In any case, better late than never eh? As a special treat this month, I have compiled a list of this year’s best (and most deserving) indie games. Check out our list and let us know if you agree!
8. Game Title: Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine
Developer: Pocketwatch Games
Release Date: April 2013
Format: PC, Mac, Xbox 360
Love puzzles and team strategy? Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine is a top-down stealth action video game where you can build your own team of thieves and execute the perfect crime. Play single player or co-op in this challenging charming game that would make the perfect holiday gift.
7. Game Title: Stealth Inc
Developer: Curve Studios
Release Date: July 2013
Format: PC, PS3, PS Vita, iOS
If you’re a fan of fast-paced platformers and you fancy something a little different, Stealth Inc may interest you. A stealth platformer first and foremost, players must endue brutal hazards, ruthless enemies, and solve fiendish puzzles whilst sneaking and jumping their way through 80 levels. Armed with only a pair of top-of-the-line Goggles, it’s your job to sneak your way through a deadly facility determined to extinguish your life at every hurdle. Even better is the ability to create your own deadly chambers in Stealth-Inc’s fully featured level editor. Supports Cross Buy.
6. Game Title: Gunpoint
Developer: Tom Francis
Release Date: June 2013
Format: PC
Yet another stealth game, Gunpoint is a puzzle game in which you play as a freelance spy, tasked with infiltrating high security buildings to fulfill assignments from various clients. The player must bypass security features with the aid of some high-tech gadgetry and avoid guards, all whilst attempting to clear your name in the murder of a high-profile weapons manufacturer.
5. Game Title: The Stanley Parable
Developer: Davey Wreden
Release Date: Oct 2013
Format: PC, Mac
First-person exploration games have become all the rage lately. Stanley works in an office building, tasked with monitoring data coming on a computer screen and pressing some buttons without further questions. One day, when the screen goes blank, Stanley decides now is his chance to see what is going on, and discovers a building devoid of humanity. From here, the story branches into multiple possiblities, based on the player’s choices, and player’s can opt to follow the narrator’s path of choice or go about things a little differently. There is also a total of six possible endings, so plenty here to sink your time into.
4. Game Title: Rogue Legacy
Developer: Cellar Door Games
Release Date: Jun 2013
Format: PC, Mac, (PS3, PS Vita, PS4 2014)
An indie platformer with roguelike elements, in Rogue Legacy players explore a randomly generated dungeon, defeat four bosses in each of the unique environments and defeat the final boss. Jump, slash, and wield your special abilities as you advance. You will die plenty, but your children will avenge you, who each possess their own set of unique abilities, be it colorblindness, ADHD or Dwarfism (yes, these are abilities, believe it or not!). Hugely challenging but especially fun, Rogue Legacy will not be forgotten so easily.
3. Game Title: Spelunky
Developer: MossMouth
Release Date: August 2013
Format: PC, XBLA, PS3, PS Vita
A game suited for all ages, this action-adventure puzzler about a cave-exploring spelunker will have players immersed for hours as they explore underground tunnels collecting as much treasure as possible and saving damsels in distress, all whilst avoiding traps and enemies. Featuring tons of randomly generated levels, a co-op mode, and a level editor, there’s so much to love about this game.
2. Game Title: Papers Please
Developer: Lucas Pope
Release Date: August 2013
Format: PC, Mac
Papers, Please is a puzzle simulation game that follows the life of an immigration inspector at a border checkpoint for the fictitious country of Arstotzka. There’s much more to this game than meets the eye though, with multiple possible endings depending on the player’s actions taken throughout the game, as well as an unlockable randomized endless play mode. It may sound bizarre, but it’s truly a game that has to be experienced.
1. Game Title: Gone Home
Developer: The Fullbright Company
Release Date: August 2013
Format: PC, Mac
The eldest daughter of the Greenbriar family arrives home after a year away to a deserted house, with only its secrets and mysteries for company. Gone Home is a first-person game, entirely about exploration, mystery and discovery, in which players can explore the house as they see fit. Open doors, drawers, and wardrobes to investigate what’s inside, all whilst piecing together the mysteries from notes and clues left behind that tell a story of a year in the life of the Greenbriar family.
Sadly, that’s it for now, but join us in a few weeks for a look at 2014’s biggest and most anticipated indie games. Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
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