The best indie games of 2023 on PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC

We’ve reached the final stages of a new year and it’s time to choose the GOTY among a selection of the best that has appeared during these last twelve months. Video games of all kinds and conditions are competing to win such a distinguished award, which will be the Game of the Year. And in MeriStation we have already started with our own search of which will be the best video game of 2023, through a genre competition from which the chosen ones will emerge, the titles that will fight against each other to become the best video game of this year, which is no small thing.

But there’s much more to gaming than only the best of the best of the best. There’s an entire world of titles that tend to go unnoticed for their smaller size, but they often are the ones to bring the best kind of creativity to the industry. We’re talking, of course, about independent games, those made by small teams that take huge risks to bring their ideas and dreams to life. And this year we have some incredibly good releases: from crazy platformers to charming diving/fishing/sushi simulators, dark fantasy, survival games, old-school JRPGs, and much more.

Sea of Stars

The creators of the acclaimed The Messenger decided to jump from action platforms to a very demanding genre such as the JRPG, and the result has been truly fantastic. An epic adventure, with classic mechanics like turn-based combat and puzzle solving, marked by an intense story and a world full of secrets to find. Will they change genres again for their next game?

Cocoon

Talking about the authors of Limbo and Inside are big words. And on this occasion, the atmosphere of mystery is maintained, but the playable aspect is completely changed. Because here we do not move in 2D, but in a three-dimensional environment that we explore from an isometric perspective. A strange science fiction adventure, with an overwhelming personality and in which puzzles are the main protagonist.

Blasphemous 2

The Spanish studio The Game Kitchen triumphed with Blasphemous a few years ago, and this time we have a sequel to which we can only say one thing: more and better. A new Metroidvania that is deeper, more complete, and refined than its predecessor, with more intense battles and endless secrets to find. If you like the genre, this is a must-have.

Sons of the Forest

The banner for survival of 2023. It arrived without making a sound and in a matter of hours pulverized all kinds of records. One of the great successes of the year thanks to its commitment to the open world, exploration, survival, and an interesting story. Perfect for those who want to enjoy the genre without playing with other people being essential.

The Talos Principle 2

Not only is it one of the best indies, but it is one of the best video games of 2023. The first installment is considered by many to be one of the best puzzle video games in history, and the second has nothing to envy. Questions about existentialism and masterfully designed riddles, anyone else?

Amnesia: The Bunker

Frictional Games is a genre studio since everything it does touches on horror in one way or another. They are the creators of the fantastic SOMA and, of course, the Amnesia saga. And this time we have a different proposal with classic elements of traditional survival horror, in which survival is more expensive than ever and in which we find similarities with Alien Isolation.

Dave the Diver

90 on Metacritic and 10 out of 10 on Steam? Big words. Exploring the seabed is something that attracts millions of characters, and here we can do it thanks to an intense adventure with RPG elements, fishing mechanics and a lot, a lot of sense of humor. It’s one of those titles that’s hard to label in just one genre, so it’s best if you don’t ask too many questions and try it right now.

Pizza Tower

A unique platformer of its kind, terribly addictive and with a truly particular personality capable of evoking the best memories of the Wario Land saga. Small but heavy, we could say when seeing its triumph with critics after a landing that went unnoticed by many players.