Best Indie games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated indie games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free indie games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Costume Quest 2
A sequel to the popular Halloween adventure from Double Fine Productions!
Metal Dead
A hilariously terrifying adventure filled with laughs, blood, insanity, and of course... hordes of the undead.
Left in the Dark: No One on Board
Discover what connects a lost ship’s disappearance with Devil’s Island and a local family’s unsolved murder.
Silence of the Sleep
You play as a man called Jacob Reeves. A man who has lost his reason to live. He throws himself into a blackness to end his misery, but instead of it being the end he wakes up without a memory of his life before.
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments
Become the most celebrated detective of all time: Sherlock Holmes! Use your impressive talents as a detective to solve six thrilling and varied cases: murders, missing persons, spectacular thefts and numerous investigations that sometimes lead you into the realms of the fantastic.
STARWHAL
The local multi-player space narwhal fighting game that has rocked the internet is finally ready for its big debut in a fully loaded release! Flop it out with 1-4 players in a retro, epic narwhal battle in space! The heart-piercing action is furious and unrelenting. STARWHAL will change your life.
TinyKeep
TinyKeep, a top-down procedurally generated dungeon escape game with permadeath - you die and it's game over. Master the frantic physics-based combat, lure enemies into traps or make them fight each other for dominance. There are many ways to survive in TinyKeep!
Starpoint Gemini 2
Captain your own space ship and roam the galaxy in 3D in this tactical space simulator with tons of RPG depth ! Space has never looked so inviting - but images can betray...It has been two years since the end of the second Gemini war, the situation in the wartorn system is further from resolution than ever.
Neverending Nightmares
Experience true psychological horror as you explore nightmares inspired by the creator's struggles with depression and OCD. The defenseless protagonist must avoid monstrous manifestations of what haunts his subconscious in his quest to wake up into reality.
Kraven Manor
Turn out the lights, take a deep breath, and prepare yourself. Explore the depths of the immersive, atmospheric world of Kraven Manor. Uncover its secrets, solve its mystical puzzles, and face its growing threat. Face your fears and see if you have what it takes...the doors of Kraven Manor await you.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery. Purchase this game to get both the original and the Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux.
DG2: Defense Grid 2
Setting the bar as the definitive tower defense game, Defense Grid 2 introduces new worlds and threats to test your tower placement strategies. With a bold new look and the addition of new game modes, player-versus-player and multiplayer co-op, every play brings fun new opportunities and challenges.
Beyond Gravity
Beyond Gravity is procedurally generated "platformer" where you jump in-between planets and try to collect as many pickups as you can. This gets progressively harder the further you jump. No need to worry tho as you can upgrade your character with loads of upgrades and power-ups!
Magicmaker
Ever wanted to shoot poisonous lightning lasers? Freezing fireballs? Turrets that fire waves of miniature suns? How about lasers that shoot exploding black holes that suck out your enemies' life force? You can do that all in Magicmaker, the spellcrafting-focused platformer dungeon-crawler!
Cannon Brawl
Cannon Brawl is action RTS and artillery hybrid. Pilot an airship, command powerful weapon emplacements and use the destructible terrain to out think and destroy your enemy! It's a new take on artillery strategy!
Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now
The world's first high-speed internal organ liberation simulator is back in full 3D! The slaughter is bloodier, the body parts fly further, and the destruction is heavier. Crash and burn through the 3D rendered crowds with the pedal to the metal.
6180 the moon
Simple space, dynamic jump. 6180 the moon offers a fresh, unseen game play style by connecting the top and bottom of the screen.
Melissa K. and the Heart of Gold Collector's Edition
Welcome to a beautiful Adventure set in a unique interactive 3D world full of mysterious puzzles and Hidden Objects. Prepare for an unforgettable experience!
Wasteland 2: Director's Cut
From the producer of the original Fallout comes Wasteland 2. With over 80 hours of gameplay, deck out your Ranger squad with devastating weaponry, test the limits of your strategy skills, and bring justice to the Wasteland! The choices are yours…but so are the consequences.
ENDLESS™ Legend
ENDLESS™ Legend is a 4X turn-based fantasy strategy game by the creators of ENDLESS™ Space and Dungeon of the ENDLESS™. Control every aspect of your civilization as you struggle to save your homeworld Auriga. Create your own Legend!
Heavy Bullets
Heavy Bullets is a randomized FPS dungeon crawler where players make their way through a colorful maze, while protecting themselves from aggressive creatures and malfunctioning security devices. The goal lies at the end of the 8th level, where they must reset the security mainframe to restore order and reap the rewards.Most played indie games on Steam
Take a look at the top indie games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 26th 2025.
1. Crosshair X
Overlay custom crosshairs on every game you play. Choose from thousands of unique crosshairs created by the Crosshair X community or design your own using the designer. Crosshair X is a action, indie and adventure game developed and published by CenterPoint Gaming. Released on August 17th 2020 has received 29,953 reviews of which 27,964 were positive and 1,989 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played indie game, thanks to its 46,458 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.1
27,964
1,989
46,458
players
2. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a randomly generated action RPG shooter with heavy Rogue-like elements. Following Isaac on his journey players will find bizarre treasures that change Isaac’s form giving him super human abilities and enabling him to fight off droves of mysterious creatures, discover secrets and fight his way to safety. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a action roguelike, rogue-like and indie game developed by Nicalis, Inc. and Edmund McMillen and published by Nicalis and Inc.. Released on November 04th 2014 has received 338,481 reviews of which 329,506 were positive and 8,975 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 16,984 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among indie games based on player count.
9.6
329,506
8,975
16,984
players
3. Cookie Clicker
An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam. Cookie Clicker is a clicker, idler and casual game developed by Orteil and DashNet and published by Playsaurus. Released on September 01st 2021 has received 78,685 reviews of which 76,069 were positive and 2,616 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 11,130 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among indie games based on player count.
9.5
76,069
2,616
11,130
players
4. VTube Studio
VTube Studio is all you'll ever need to become a Live2D VTuber, with innovative features such as pinning props to your model and many more still to come. VTube Studio is a indie and anime game developed and published by DenchiSoft. Released on March 12th 2021 has received 5,571 reviews of which 5,163 were positive and 408 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 6,501 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played indie games.
9.0
5,163
408
6,501
players
5. DSX
DSX is an easy-to-use software that connects DualSense, DualSense Edge, and DualShock 4 controllers to your PC. It unlocks advanced features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback for a more immersive gaming experience. Allowing support for games that don't support Playstation Controllers. DSX is a simulation, indie and controller game developed and published by Paliverse. Released on June 24th 2022 has received 5,124 reviews of which 3,476 were positive and 1,648 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 5,675 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played indie games.
6.7
3,476
1,648
5,675
players
6. Melvor Idle
Inspired by RuneScape, Melvor Idle takes the core of what makes an adventure game so addictive and strips it down to its purest form! This is a feature-rich, idle/incremental game combining a distinctly familiar feel with a fresh gameplay experience. Maxing 20+ skills has never been more zen. Melvor Idle is a idler, rpg and casual game developed by Games by Malcs and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on November 18th 2021 has received 14,219 reviews of which 12,871 were positive and 1,348 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 4,736 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played indie games.
8.8
12,871
1,348
4,736
players
7. OVR Advanced Settings
OVR Advanced Settings is a Dashboard Application for VR, that allows you to access many settings. OVRAS also has a myriad of utility features such as: simulated movement, adding smooth/snap turn to any game, video controls for the headset such as brightness, per-app bindings and much more. OVR Advanced Settings is a vr, utilities and software game developed and published by OVRAS Team. Released on April 14th 2020 has received 4,483 reviews of which 4,150 were positive and 333 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 4,059 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played indie games.
8.9
4,150
333
4,059
players
8. NGU IDLE
NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up! NGU IDLE is a free to play, idler and indie game developed and published by 4G. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 11,939 reviews of which 11,443 were positive and 496 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 3,464 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played indie games.
9.3
11,443
496
3,464
players
9. Hades
Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre. Hades is a action roguelike, rogue-lite and hack and slash game developed and published by Supergiant Games. Released on September 17th 2020 has received 278,334 reviews of which 273,481 were positive and 4,853 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 2,804 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played indie games.
9.7
273,481
4,853
2,804
players
10. Celeste
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain. Celeste is a precision platformer, difficult and pixel graphics game developed by Maddy Makes Games Inc., Extremely OK Games and Ltd. and published by Maddy Makes Games Inc.. Released on January 25th 2018 has received 118,288 reviews of which 115,289 were positive and 2,999 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 1,708 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played indie games.
9.6
115,289
2,999
1,708
players
Best deals on indie games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of indie games available on Steam right now, updated on April 26th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted indie games.
1. We Are The Dwarves
We Are The Dwarves is a real-time tactical adventure where you take control of three Dwarven astronauts and lead them through the hordes of enemies in the depths of their Universe. We Are The Dwarves is a indie, adventure and action game developed and published by Whale Rock Games. Released on February 25th 2016 has received 1,316 reviews of which 891 were positive and 425 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Featuring a massive 97% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for indie category.
6.6
891
425
-97%
43.00€
1.29€
2. Upside Down
Upside Down will immerse you in an incredible adventure. Sharpen your reflexes for this fast-paced, precise puzzle-platformer. Upside Down is a indie, casual and action game developed by EGAMER and published by SA Industry. Released on February 14th 2017 has received 694 reviews of which 572 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in indie games.
7.8
572
122
-96%
31.00€
1.24€
3. EARTHLOCK
Earthlock is an indie developed, adventure RPG inspired by the classic 3D RPGs of the late 90's, with a fresh take on turn based combat and character progression. EARTHLOCK is a rpg, adventure and strategy game developed and published by Snowcastle Games. Released on March 08th 2018 has received 574 reviews of which 419 were positive and 155 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in indie games.
7.0
419
155
-96%
31.50€
1.26€
4. The Night of the Rabbit
Lose yourself in a tale of magic and wonder, where anything is possible and where nothing is quite as it seems: join young Jerry and follow a peculiar white rabbit to the wondrous realm of Mousewood, a land where critters can speak and where mystery abounds. The Night of the Rabbit is a adventure, point & click and indie game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on May 28th 2013 has received 3,155 reviews of which 2,820 were positive and 335 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.6
2,820
335
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
5. Goodbye Deponia
More chaos, more destruction, more Rufus. Not one, not two, but three Rufuses cause all kinds of crazy mayhem in the long-awaited adventure comedy Goodbye Deponia! Goodbye Deponia is a adventure, point & click and comedy game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on October 17th 2013 has received 2,348 reviews of which 2,085 were positive and 263 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.5
2,085
263
-95%
21.00€
1.05€
6. Dreamscaper
By night, delve deep into your subconscious and discover powerful artifacts to conquer your nightmares. By day, explore the city of Redhaven and build relationships to unlock the power of your dreams. DREAM. DIE. WAKE. REPEAT. Dreamscaper is a action roguelike, rogue-lite and action game developed by Afterburner Studios and published by Maple Whispering Limited and indie.io. Released on August 05th 2021 has received 3,014 reviews of which 2,660 were positive and 354 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.5
2,660
354
-95%
23.20€
1.16€
7. Iratus: Lord of the Dead
Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a turn-based tactical roguelike RPG set in a dark fantasy universe. Lead an army of undead to help an angry necromancer in his quest to reach the surface world and bring death to the mortal realms! Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a rpg, strategy and indie game developed by Unfrozen and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 23rd 2020 has received 7,699 reviews of which 6,611 were positive and 1,088 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.3
6,611
1,088
-95%
32.20€
1.61€
8. Helheim Hassle
Helheim Hassle is a narrative adventure game with puzzle platforming elements. Play as Bjørn, a pacifist Viking that can detach and combine limbs at will to solve challenging puzzles and get out of uncomfortable situations involving desperate Norse Gods, Goblins, Dragons, and angry skeletons. Helheim Hassle is a adventure, indie and puzzle game developed by Perfectly Paranormal and published by Yogscast Games. Released on August 18th 2020 has received 337 reviews of which 304 were positive and 33 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.3
304
33
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
9. Inertial Drift
An arcade racer that tears up the rule book with innovative twin-stick controls, completely re-imagined driving mechanics and a huge roster of fiercely individual cars and tracks. Inertial Drift is a racing, indie and arcade game developed by Level 91 Entertainment and published by PQube. Released on September 11th 2020 has received 1,329 reviews of which 1,147 were positive and 182 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.2
1,147
182
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
10. Sairento VR
VR was made for this. Perform triple jumps, wall runs, power slides and slow time down while blasting away at a foe before landing to deliver a blade attack on another. Kit yourself with katanas, firearms, bows, throwing glaives and legendary relics. Keep upgrading as you play. PURE CYBER NINJA FUN. Sairento VR is a action, rpg and indie game developed by Mixed Realms Pte Ltd and Swag Soft Holdings Pte Ltd and published by Mixed Realms Pte Ltd. Released on February 06th 2018 has received 1,702 reviews of which 1,444 were positive and 258 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.1
1,444
258
-95%
24.00€
1.20€
Free indie games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play indie games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 26th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play indie games.
1. VTube Studio
VTube Studio is all you'll ever need to become a Live2D VTuber, with innovative features such as pinning props to your model and many more still to come. VTube Studio is a indie and anime game developed and published by DenchiSoft. Released on March 12th 2021 has received 5,571 reviews of which 5,163 were positive and 408 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 6,501 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free indie games on Steam.
9.0
5,163
408
6,501
players
2. NGU IDLE
NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up! NGU IDLE is a free to play, idler and indie game developed and published by 4G. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 11,939 reviews of which 11,443 were positive and 496 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 3,464, this indie game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free indie games on Steam.
9.3
11,443
496
3,464
players
3. Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game
Blow leaves, upgrade your gear, and automate your progress as you explore the Leaf Universe. A satisfying incremental idle game where every leaf blown brings you closer to the next big upgrade. Simple, relaxing, and endlessly rewarding. Let the leaves fall, and your progress rise! Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game is a idler, clicker and casual game developed and published by Humble North. Released on December 04th 2020 has received 25,088 reviews of which 23,681 were positive and 1,407 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 1,451, this indie game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free indie games on Steam.
9.2
23,681
1,407
1,451
players
4. Idling to Rule the Gods
Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play Idle-Game with a lot of content and some Minigames. Depending on your play-style, you can play it fast or slow. Either way it can be fun for hundreds of hours! Idling to Rule the Gods is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by Shugasu GmbH. Released on May 27th 2016 has received 1,889 reviews of which 1,616 were positive and 273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,309 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.2
1,616
273
1,309
players
5. SAO Utils 2: Progressive
SAO Utils 2 provides you a fresh-new customizable Full-Dive 3D app launcher with varieties of themes, desktop widgets and powerful utilities. SAO Utils 2: Progressive is a utilities, software and anime game developed by Joshua Chen and published by Studio GPBeta. Released on November 05th 2022 has received 1,683 reviews of which 1,566 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,033 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.8
1,566
117
1,033
players
6. Satisfactory Modeler
Model your Satisfactory builds. Set up your machines however you like, adding optional limits to the number of any of those machines and the tool will calculate how the parts will flow and how many of each machine type are getting used. Satisfactory Modeler is a free to play, indie and simulation game developed and published by David Price. Released on September 17th 2024 has received 733 reviews of which 712 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 685 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
9.1
712
21
685
players
7. Idle Wizard
RPG/Idle hybrid about becoming the most powerful wizard there is. Pick a class, get a pet, configure and improve your character in a myriad ways! Idle Wizard is a idler, free to play and clicker game developed and published by TwoWizards. Released on January 24th 2019 has received 1,574 reviews of which 1,365 were positive and 209 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 576 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.3
1,365
209
576
players
8. Cube Racer
Cube Racer is a round based multiplayer racing game with cubes. Every round, all players race against each other to the finish line. Before every round, the players get to build one or more obstacles on the map. In the next round, all players have to pass all the obstacles, which have been built yet. Cube Racer is a indie, action and casual game developed and published by Simon Blasen. Released on October 30th 2017 has received 1,950 reviews of which 1,766 were positive and 184 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 236 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.6
1,766
184
236
players
9. Crusaders of the Lost Idols
Crusaders of the Lost Idols is an idle game of heroic awesomeness! Create a band of fighters to fight monsters, earn gold and create strategies for the perfect formations over multiple campaigns! Upgrade your heroes, collect unique gear, and unlock new Crusaders in regular new events. Crusaders of the Lost Idols is a free to play, clicker and casual game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on October 13th 2015 has received 2,919 reviews of which 2,415 were positive and 504 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 203 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.0
2,415
504
203
players
10. Territory Idle
Strategic idle game. Develop the kingdom, then abdicate and get gold! For gold, you can buy new tiles and expand the territory. Territory Idle is a idler, free to play and clicker game developed and published by Aleksandr Golovkin. Released on September 10th 2019 has received 1,628 reviews of which 1,300 were positive and 328 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 201 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
7.7
1,300
328
201
players