25. GRIS Opening this list is an indie game that’s
teeming with vibrant colors and surreal escapism. from Nomada Studio, GRIS is unlike most games
on the list as it centers around its breathtaking presentation with simple controls and a relatable
story.
There are no brutal boss fights, challenging combat or shady DLCs, it’s a powerful visual
story that can be understood regardless of any spoken language. All you have to do is
sit back, relax and enjoy.
It receives a playscore of 9.00
24. A Short Hike Adamgryu’s small indie project is what it
is-- it is a short hike. Much like GRIS, the game lures you into its peaceful atmosphere
with no choice but to reflect and possibly, go emotional. Explore the island in any way
you like and meet its eccentric dwellers or discover secrets.
Despite its short length, it makes up for its nonchalant charms that don’t demand
much of your time. A playscore of 9.00
23. Katana ZERO Badass doesn’t even cut it. Devolver’s
hyper-violent platformer is stylish to the core. Set in a bleak cyberpunk society, assume
the role of an amnesiac assassin on the hunt for his missing past.
Utilize sci-fi drugs to slow down time and turn the tide in your favor. Nothing is more
satisfying than deflecting bullets and dismembering enemies. In addition to its slick feels, its
soundtrack makes every slicing and dicing memorable.
A playscore of 9.00
22. Baba Is You 2019’s critically acclaimed indie game by
Hempuli Oy is not as easy as it looks. Enter a surreal 2D plane that’s reminiscent of
the classic puzzler, Sokoban. Manipulate the mysterious blocks and observe every detail
to solve each level.
Every new level presents new and unique interactions, creating a fresh experience every playthrough.
It takes the simple idea of pushing blocks to new heights and creating something almost
magically inventive.
It tops our PC Indie list of 2019 with a playscore of 9.04
21. What Remains Of Edith Finch Another award-winning indie game from Giant
Sparrow. You might think of this as some sort of horror game, but it’s not. This transcendental
experience puts you on the shoes of Finch as she takes a stroll around its cursed Washington
home with repressed memories about her family’s lingering past. Follow her as she uncovers
the mystery between her dysfunctional family’s history.
A playscore of 9.04
20. Crypt Of The NecroDancer The PC’s extensive library of games ranges
from Triple A’s to Indies. In a growing list of gaming genres, Indies continue to
change the way we see videogames time and time again. Brace Yourself Games’ take on
the RPG takes it to a whole new level. Blending rhythm and roguelike into one seamless experience.
Crypt manages to hit the right notes as you progress its procedurally generated world
while you dance -- and fight to the beat.
A playscore of 9.05
19. RimWorld Ludeon Studios’ sci-fi colony simulator
feels like a whole season of Lost. Instead of a mysterious island, it lets you create
your own mesmerizing story and help these crash-landed survivors. Characters have different
paths and the planet isn’t all too friendly with the human race. Every scenario is randomly
generated, adding more depth to its survival elements.
It's a realistic take on the space sim genre with a playscore of 9.05
18. Nuclear Throne Nuclear fallouts bring out the worst of human
nature. Nuclear Throne is a prime example of ‘life finds a way’ in a hilariously
grotesque experience. Mutated limbs and radioactive wastes are an everyday sight as humanity no
longer exists in this top-down shooter from Vlambeer. Make your way to the Nuclear Throne
by blasting your way through procedurally generated levels… one mutation at a time.
A playscore of 9.05
17. SEKIRO: Shadows Die Twice The winner of The Game Award’s GOTY for
2019 sets an example to action-adventure veterans out there.. Set in a fictional world in the
Sengoku Era, lead Sekiro in his path of vengeance. Master the arts of the shinobi by unleashing
a flurry of swift sword attacks at your enemies. It is difficult, yes, but its satisfying combat
and the captivating story makes FromSoftware's SEKIRO a fantastic game worthy of its universal
acclaim.
A playscore of 9.07
16. Hollow Knight Speaking of difficult games, another patience-testing
title comes from Team Cherry. This Souls-like Metroidvania adventure won our hearts, not
only due to its challenging gameplay, but its adorable young knight.
Dive deep into a mysterious world swarming with infects. Wield magical powers, and use
your trusty Nailsword to defeat difficult bosses.
A playscore of 9.08
15. Cuphead Relive the glory days of 1930’s animation
in this award-winning Indie platformer from Studio MDHR. Help Cuphead and Mugman as they
break their deal with the devil. Explore its surreal cartoonish landscapes full of odd
characters.
It features a classic run and gun style gameplay with hardcore boss battles to face. Power
up your character in solo, or grab a friend for an even more challenging co-op mode.
It receives a playscore of 9.08
14. Day Of The Tentacle Remastered LucasArts and Double Fine Production’s wonderful
graphic adventure game straight from the buried past. Originally Maniac Mansion 2, follow
a group of friends as they stop an evil purple tentacle from taking over the world. This
Remastered version captures the feel of the classic well with enhanced visuals and major
quality of life changes.
Point and click your way to solve puzzles and uncover the game’s time-bending story.
A playscore of 9.13
13. Slay The Spire Deckbuilding and Roguelike go hand in hand
in this tactical CG game from Mega Crit. It’s among the many CGs that survived the trend.
Mixing turn-based strategy, cards, and rogue-like into one title, this ever-changing gauntlet
tests your luck and deck-building skills With each of its randomly generated levels, so
make do with the limited cards you have at your disposal and fend off a horde of ghastly
enemies with their own set of challenges.
May the RNG god guide you. A playscore of 9.13
12. Ori And The Blind Forest The release of The Will of the Wisps gave
a significant boost to Ori’s popularity. Despite gaining great reviews, it still can’t
compete with the original’s success.
Make your way to The Blind Forest, and carry out Ori’s duty as a forest spirit to save
this magical woodland. His journey around the ethereal foliage is one that rekindles
the flame of classic Metroidvania.
Take your time. Bask in the game's carefully crafted visuals and symphonic soundtracks,
and fall prey to their unexpectedly stirring moments. A playscore of 9.14
11. Dead Cells Make your way through randomly generated dungeons
and survive a horde of dangerous enemies in this fast-paced action game from Motion Twin.
Live and die again as the game features a cycle of life and death with limitless potential.
Every rebirth offers a different set of challenges for your character, and it’s what made Dead
Cells unique than most roguelikes.
A playscore of 9.15
10. DUSK The age of 90’s shooters may be over but
its legacy continues. David Szymanski's DUSK borrows elements from iconic contemporary
3D shooters and refines the age-old genre with their own style and form. Set in a ‘Lovecraftian’
world where you fend off an army of backwater cultists and demons, discover what lurks beneath
the Earth.
It’s the ideal PC first person shooter that doesn’t just pay homage to the retro-FPS
days, but stands on its own as a fantastic modern classic. A playscore of 9.18
9. Celeste The quintessential platformer with classic
and modern elements packed into one. Celeste is a masterclass in indie game design. Dealing
with tough issues like mental health, it tells the story of Madeleine's treacherous climb
of self-discovery.
Mind you, The path to the mountain is long and dangerous. Like many platformers, it celebrates
punishment before one could reach resolve. The levels are torture chambers full of hair-pulling
moments, but it makes up for its stellar soundtrack.
A playscore of 9.19
8. Return Of The Obra Dinn From the team behind Papers, Please, this
brand new title takes players into the year 1802 where the merchant ship of Obra Dinn
sets out from London to embark on a perilous trading quest.
A true indie-game experience. Players pick up the pieces to find out what really happened
to the mysterious Obra Dinn.
It’s worth every penny and it receives a playscore of 9.19
7. Resident Evil 2 The Nemesis may be relentless, but Claire
and Leon’s journey scored higher compared to Jill’s escape from Raccoon City and CAPCOM
steps up their game with this groundbreaking Remake. The creeping atmosphere and tense
survival-horror aspects stays to the classic RE feels. Playing as Leon and Claire as they
journey around a zombie-infested Raccoon City is unforgettable, not to mention Mr. X constantly
chasing you to the very ends of the earth.
A playscore of 9.21
6. Disco Elysium This 2019 open-world RPG from ZA/UM is a class
of its own. Play as a detective with a knack for mystery and partake in the myriad of activities
in its dystopian world. Dialogue is your only key and your weapon. Talking to people to
fuel your investigation not only gives you solutions, but it might bring more problems
in its impressive take on the pen and paper format. Take matters into your own hands.
Especially with its revolutionary dialogue system. The degree of freedom in each of its
well-crafted missions takes you hours and hours of groundbreaking storytelling.
It has a playscore of 9.22
5. Stardew Valley It’s a shame the PC doesn’t have Animal
Crossing, but despite its absence, it’s also home to many fantastic life simulators
which includes none other than Chucklefish and ConcernedApe’s Stardew Valley.
It’s a refreshing title full of great mundane moments. Waking up and getting ready for the
day is different from all other players. You’re either spending the rest of your day fishing
or giving gifts to your favorite person. Making relationships is as enjoyable as exploring
its peaceful town.
A playscore of 9.24
4. Undertale An RPG that doesn’t follow a formula. Toby
Fox's Undertale is unconventional. Take on the role of a kid lost in a mysterious underground
world. Enter in its turn-based combat which gives you the choice to either spare or kill
a character. Each character in the game has its own set of dialogue, weaknesses, and strengths
and these choices will greatly affect the game’s world and its ending.
A playscore of 9.35
3. Divinity: Original Sin II Like Disco Elysium, Larian Studios’ award-winning
RPG is impressive to say the least. It brings the spirit of pen and paper RPGs to the videogame
world, Divinity Original Sin II is an outstanding piece of emergent gameplay. Each interaction
gives you more room for experimentation and other ‘crazy’ ideas.
It’s a game played better with friends. Gather your buddies and role-play your way
into Divinity’s fully-realized world with intriguing mysteries and complex characters
stories.
A playscore of 9.37
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt The Netflix adaptation may be a step in the
right direction for the future of this franchise, but to completely experience Geralt’s story
requires more than just watching the show and reading the books.
The Wild Hunt is a master-crafted fantasy RPG by CD Projekt RED that could even go face
to face with Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls franchise. Its massive open-world is home to many evils
and its interesting amount of side-quests rivals that of the main story.
It has a playscore of 9.40
1. Half-Life: Alyx It may not be Valve’s elusive Half-Life
3, but this impressive take on the VR formula acts as a follow-up to their award-winning
sci-fi story. Despite it being a prequel, it still adds enough story details to determine
the future of the series.
This is Valve’s most ambitious work to date. Aside from its already great story, its VR
elements are responsive and satisfying. It perfectly utilizes Steam’s VR functionalities
in more ways than one.
It receives a playscore of 9.47