Indie Games Killed It in 2025, Here's Some of the Best

For the past few years, I have made it my mission to champion some of the best indie games, whether they have made it viral or have slipped under the radar, buried beneath the incredible AAA releases launched alongside them.

Created by small teams, or even just solo developers, the indie games released throughout 2025 prove just how incredible video games can be when they are the heart and soul of their creators.

Featuring beautiful stories, handmade visuals, and important messages, I have put together a short list of some of my personal favourite indie games which launched throughout 2025.

Ranging from whodunnits to all-out puzzles, Disney-inspired horrors and the occasional cosy building game, this list is guaranteed to have something to suit your interests and, of course, you will be supporting a small but dedicated team at the same time.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best 2025 indie game releases.

Bye Sweet Carole

Released just last month, Bye Sweet Carole is a narrative-driven atmospheric horror game with an art style inspired by classic Disney.

Ironically, I have never been a Disney girl and yet something drew me to this completely hand-drawn tale which tells the story of Lana who is desperate to find her missing friend Carole after she disappears from the Bunny Hall Orphanage.

Despite being a horror (and there being a fair few jumps that will catch you out), Bye Sweet Carole instead focuses on the dark and oppressive atmosphere, and coupled with puzzles that will challenge you but not drive you wild, it makes for the perfect cosy game for the later months of 2025.

Why you should play: stunning handmade visuals and art design, challenging but fun puzzles, creepy atmosphere.

Look Outside

Taking place entirely in one apartment complex, Look Outside is widely regarded as one of the best horror games of the year.

In this survival horror RPG, players will find themselves stuck inside this building after learning of an event which now makes it impossible to look outside, even for a moment.

With grotesque monsters lurking in the halls and supplies dwindling, you will have to choose your team carefully as you make your way around the ever-falling apartments.

I was drawn to Look Outside due to its pixel-art graphics and the premise of it all being set inside one building. This allows the player to feel the ever-present horrors outside and the claustrophobia that comes with not being able to escape.

Not only that but Look Outside features some of the best monster-designs which are straight out Eldritch but it also asks the question: what really makes a monster?

Why you should play: smooth turn-based combat, excellent art style and monster design, authentic survival RPG elements.

Francis Coulombe

No, I’m Not a Human

Best known for its eerily realistic art style, its green hues and a cute ginger cat, No, I’m Not a Human took gamers by surprise this year by offering a unique spin on the horror genre.

Created by three friends based in Russia, this psychological horror game is set during the End of Times where the sun burns anybody in its path and Visitors have crawled up from underground.

By taking on the appearance of humans, you will have to listen to daily news reports to be able to tell the symptoms of Visitors which is all the more important considering you have to let people into your home on a nightly basis.

No, I’m Not a Human has cemented itself as one of my favourite horror games of all time. Don’t expect jumpscares or heaps of gore but rather the horror of humanity, the power of judgement and an emphasis on the human spirit.

Why you should play: unique and realistic art style, incredible world building, simple but effective gameplay.

The Sèance of Blake Manor

This list may be in no particular order but there is no denying that The Sèance of Blake Manor is one of my favourite 2025 game releases.

Set in a 19th century manor in the heart of Ireland, you will take on the role of a detective who is summoned there in search of a missing woman.

Fans of Agatha Christie and a whodunnit will love this supernatural detective mystery as you question, investigate and uncover the secrets behind the manor’s many guests across the course of three days.

This game made me feel like a proper detective and when a puzzle finally came together, there was no better feeling.

Not only that but The Sèance of Blake Manor also touches on a lot of the troubles facing Ireland during this time period and so the history buffs out there will also appreciate all the research that went into this one.

Why you should play: fun art style, incredibly curated mystery to uncover, diverse characters.

Spooky Doorway

Tiny Bookshop

Growing up as a bookworm, it has always been my dream to own my very own bookshop and now it is my dream to own a small mobile bookshop in a seaside town.

In Tiny Bookshop, you get to live out my new dream by running your very own mobile bookshop and cater to the needs of the town’s adorable residents.

Travel and park up at various spots around the town, whether that is the local cafe or the castle ruins, and stock books from a variety of different genres.

As you do, you will meet the local residents, learn their interests and even take part in some small jobs for them.

With an adorable art style, simple and relaxing gameplay, and with even the ability to decorate your mobile shop (complete with resident dog and cat), Tiny Bookshop is one of the cosiest releases of the year.

Why you should play: warm and colourful art style, simple mechanics, nods to some of your favourite books.

Schedule 1

From running your own bookstore to running a drug empire, we have taken quite a U-turn when it comes to Schedule 1.

Released in the first half of 2025, Schedule 1 took the gaming sphere by storm by allowing players, alongside friends, to expand their drug empire by working their way up from a “small-time dope pusher to a kingpin” in the city of Hyland Point.

Make and manufacture your own drugs, create your own recipes and make regular customers around the city as you steadily build up your workshop and client base.

However, with cops around every corner and a nighttime curfew, you will have to stick to the shadows if you wish to make a clean getaway.

Playing Schedule 1 with a friend was a highlight of 2025 and with regular updates posted throughout the year, it is clear that this management game with a twist is here to stay.

Why you should play: fun gameplay, unique art style, regular updates.

TVGS

MakeRoom

There have been plenty of building and designing games released throughout 2025 but MakeRoom is perfect for those who want to dive into that genre without having to worry about too many unnecessary mechanics.

In MakeRoom, players can design and decorate their very own rooms, gardens and even campervans with over 1,000 objects to choose from.

Not only that, but with the ability to craft your very own furniture, you can make each space entirely your own without any time pressure.

You only have to look at the promotional images for MakeRoom to see how adorable and kitsch this game really is and will make for the perfect game to spend the winter months with.

Why you should play: fun and non-demanding gameplay, replayability value.

And there’s some I’m yet to try

The next batch of indie games are not ones that I have got around to playing myself, but they have managed to rack up quite a dedicated following over the past year.

First is Blue Prince which is widely regarded as the best puzzle game release of the year and will no doubt crop up at this year’s The Game Awards.

Described as a “genre-defying strategy puzzle adventure”, our very own Ewan Moore claimed that Blue Prince “consumed” his life.

“I’ve never experienced anything quite like this game. It’s an endlessly captivating labyrinth of twists and turns, with a world that will crawl inside your head and refuse to leave until you’ve finally wrestled its final secrets into submission,” his review read.

Another cosy game released this year was Wanderstop, a narrative-centric title about the importance of change and tea from the creators of The Stanley Parable.

Ivy Road

“Much like the tea shop itself, Wanderstop is a place to stop, sit back, put down the frenetic games, and breathe,” our review here at GAMINGbible reads.

“It’s a point to rest, to recharge, to enjoy life and all of its eccentricities. Wanderstop is joy, distilled into a lovely cup of tea.”

For those looking for a “brick-breaking, ball-fusing, base-building survival roguelite” indie title, you will love BALL x PIT.

CloverPit is for the gamblers amongst us but not those who are into microtransactions and real-life spending.

And finally, MegaBonk is the talk of the town as players fend off waves of enemies and grow more and more powerful as they grab loot, level up, unlock characters, and make some impressive builds.

This list is not a comprehensive one of all the indie games released throughout 2025 but it consists of the ones I have played and loved or the ones that I hope to play and love in the near future.