Best Indie Games 2023

New year same me recommending more Indie Games that we will hopefully get our hands on in 2023. Once again we are blessed with a chock-a-block menu full of fantastic titles for everyone to get lost in. I’ve been spending my time scouring Reddit, Twitter, my own Steam Wishlist, and more to find what I think are the best-looking games. I’ve tried to keep the list to games that I’m 99% sure will release this year. However, that’s not always so easy to predict.

Check out some of the Best Indie Games 2023 has to offer.

Indie Games 2023

Dark and Darker

Developer: Ironmace
Release Date: Q4 2023 (Early Access likely earlier + playtests)
Platform(s): PC
Genre: Dungeon Crawler, Fantasy, Pvp, Extraction-Style

For those who enjoy games like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown etc… This is one for you. This PvPvE fantasy dungeon crawler game has been a highlight for me and my friends during the recent playtests. It’s fun, challenging, chaotic, and an all-around good time.

Songs of Glimmerwick

Developer: Eastshade Studios
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PC
Genre: RPG, Adventure, Life-Sim, Fantasy

Immerse yourself in a woodland fantasy land where casting spells is as easy as learning a song. Attend Classes, sow and grow all manner of arcane plant life, and investigate local rumours in an unfolding narrative of quests that focus on unique characters and their stories. It’s looking beautiful and sounds like a really fun and chilled game.

Manor Lords

Developer: Slavic Magic
Release Date: Coming Soon (2023)
Platform(s): PC
Genre: Strategy, City-Builder, RTS

Manor Lords isn’t just an excellent-looking city-builder. It’s also got some great in-depth-looking battle systems. Like a cross between Farthest Frontier or Banished and the Total War games. Manor Lords looks fantastic. It was playable during the recent Steam Next Fest (although I missed out on playing it). Many were praising it then. Additionally, it was in pretty good shape, so hopefully that ‘coming soon’ date is actually soon.

Sea of Stars

Developer: Sabotage Studio
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5 & 4
Genre: RPG, Adventure, Pixels

You won’t find many lists of people’s most anticipated games for 2023 and not see Sea of Stars on it. This turn-based RPG tells the story of two children of the Solstice who combine the powers of the moon and sun to perform Eclipse Magic. With engaging turn-based combat, freedom to explore by swimming, climbing, and clambering around all kinds of terrain. As well as a story-rich adventure. Sea of Stars is a must-watch for this year.

Creature Keeper

Developer: Fervir Games
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PC
Genre: Creature collector, RPG, Combat, Pixel

There are quite a few monster-taming games out there. But many fall short of capturing the magic of Pokemon. Creature Keeper is another entering the fray and looks like it can be a real contender. Befriend creatures, level them up, and build your own knowledge. Craft items for yourself and your creatures. Explore the magic of the Pocket Garden – a magical portable farm. Creature Keeper is looking very cute and great fun.

You can download a demo of Creature Keeper here!

Planet of Lana

Developer: Wishfully
Release Date: Spring 2023
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X & S, Xbox One
Genre: Puzzle, Platformer, Adventure, Sci-fi

Embark on a rescue mission through a colourful world full of unfamiliar creatures. The planet used to be a place of balance between humans and nature, but now it is something else entirely. Be brave and journey with your companion to solve puzzles across an epic sci-fi saga.

Replaced

Developer: Sad Cat Studios
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X & S, Xbox One
Genre: Action, 2D Platformer, Pixel

Set in a retro sci-fi alternate 1980’s, REPLACED is an action platformer where you play as an artificial intelligence trapped in a human body. Everything is ruled by corruption and greed and the people in power see humans as nothing more than currency. With a beautiful cinematic retro look experience a deep and engaging story in a dystopian world.

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals

Developer: Night School Studios
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PC, Playstation 5 & 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action, 2D Platformer, Pixel

This feels like a long time coming. The follow-up to the 2016 hit Oxenfree should finally be with us this year! Set five years after the events of the first game Riley returns to her hometown to investigate some mysterious radio signals. Expect more creepy goings-on and a mind-bending story as you shape the story through your conversations and dialogue choices.

The Day Before

Developer: FNTASTIC
Release Date: 1st March 2023
Platform(s): PC,
Genre: Open-world, Survival, Zombies, Multiplayer

I’ll be honest, I’m still unsure about this one. I really hope that it turns out well. But these open-world survival-type games can go one way or the other a lot of the time. The Day Before looks fantastic visually, the environment looks really good. I just hope that the gameplay can match up with it as we’re still a little light on those details at the moment. Keep your fingers crossed!

Shadows of Doubt

Developer: ColePowered Games
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PC,
Genre: Open-world, Detective, Immersive-sim

As a private investigator, you will have the freedom of the city to solve the case of a serial killer in a huge neo-noir city. Explore every inch of the city, investigate clues, and follow leads and suspects to narrow down your search. Additionally, make use of gadgets to hack CCTV, or computer systems. It’s an ambitious-looking game. But after a recent playtest it is shaping up very well.

I could keep going, 2023 has so many good-looking Indie Games coming!

-Will