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
Hush Hush - Only Your Love Can Save Them
A Visual Novel with a twist - improve skills, charm girls, and learn dangerous secrets... by any means necessary.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
Dust off your coffee machine and prepare your warmest smile to meet your customers again in the second episode of the much loved coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator; Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly.
Deepening Fire
Deepening Fire is a side-scrolling action adventure game. Choose different classes, with appropriate equipment, explore hidden complex map, defeat powerful enemies, expose the conspiracy of the chaotic world, experience the souls-like battle
Shieldwall
Shieldwall is a funny third-person tactical battle simulator with strategy elements. It allows you to feel like a squad leader right on the battlefield.
Cave Crawler
Cave Crawler is a short horror game where you pilot a drone into a cave and discover something horrible.
The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™
From Digital Sun, creators of Moonlighter, The Mageseeker is an action RPG in the League of Legends universe. Play as Sylas, a mage now freed from years in captivity. Wield the chains that once bound you and liberate Demacia from the Mageseekers' tyranny.
Pets Hotel
Welcome to Pets Hotel, a place where you can start the business you always dreamed of! Pets Hotel gives you a unique opportunity to build, design, and run a place where pets can feel at home. Cats, dogs, turtles, and many other animals are waiting for you to take care of them!
Mohism: Battle of Words
Mohism: Battle of Words is a detective game set in the world of wuxia. The game follows Zhang Xiaochen, investigates unsolved cases and comes into his own as a hero. He must rely on his wits and razor-sharp tongue to best his opponents, find the culprit and ensure justice prevails!
Rewind Or Die
There's a serial killer stalking your video store, and you just got called into work on your day off! Stock shelves, deal with customers and RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
Hunt the Night
Plunge into a retro-style action-adventure game that combines a fast, skilled gameplay with dark fantasy and lore. Play as Vesper, a virtuous member of 'The Stalkers,' and explore the vast world of Medhram, filled with ruins and horrors.
I Did Not Buy This Ticket
Weep for the dead! In this short psychological horror story, play as a professional mourner travelling between funerals. Ride a nightmarish bus whose destination depends on how you choose to face your traumas.
Wartales
Wartales is an open world RPG in which you lead a group of mercenaries in their search for wealth across a massive medieval universe. Explore the world, recruit companions, collect bounties and unravel the secrets of the tombs of the ancients!
Lightracer Spark
Lightracer Spark is a Sci-Fi Narrative game. You are an amender from a high civilization, descending to various extraterrestrial worlds. Guide living beings to prosperity, or nip a spark in the bud. Accumulate strength through choices and strategies to grasp the rise and fall of all civilizations.
Fast and Low
Fast and Low is a VR Tactical Shooter mixed with a traditional FPS. Players can play solo, locally via asymmetric multiplayer or play together online to breach rooms, neutralize hostiles, and rescue civilians. 'Cause when the bad guys gotta go...you gotta hit 'em Fast...and you gotta hit 'em Low.
Rusted Moss
Rusted Moss is a twin-stick shooter metroidvania where you sling around the map with your grapple, blasting your way through witches and rusted machine monstrosities alike. This wasteland once harboring mankind has since fallen, and Fae long forgotten now knock on humanity's door...
Crimson Dawn
Crimson Dawn is a roguelite horde survival game with RPG elements. Recruit mercenaries and survive 5 stages by fighting the hordes of evil. Unlock more characters and weapons with unique abilities. Carve your path to stop the hordes of evil once and for all!
Minds of Nations
Grand Strategy Game. How does reincarnation affect the evolution of a state ? Control the material well-being of your country with a backbone of spiritual growth. Religion. Economy. Diplomacy. War. Souls. Karma. Ideology. Tech. Stories. Single-Player. MMO.
Interior Worlds
Snap your own homemade liminal space photos using a mysterious SLR camera as you explore a variety of empty, strange, and familiar spaces.
Idle Clans
Idle Clans is a multiplayer idle game that combines the classic MMORPG experience with simplified gameplay and less time commitment. Features include a player-driven economy, PvE, trading, quests, crafting and opportunities to play, socialize and collaborate with other players.
Oxygen
Oxygen is a survival city builder. Build your city around the Oxygen Center and ensure your people's survival in a post-apocalyptic future, threatened by crack explosions, deadly winds, droughts and frosts. Lead your people and more importantly keep the Oxygen Center running!
Supplice
Supplice is a stylish throwback shooter inspired by the mid-90s FPS glory days and the legendary Doom modding community. Mixing the retro stylings of 90s era shooters with colorful graphics and frantic gameplay, it creates an experience that's ever so familiar but also exciting and fresh.
Organs Please
A dark and satirical management sim, where you take control of a recycling factory with a twist: it recycles humans. Your job is to decide who gets to escape our dying planet in a cozy spaceship and who sacrifices their blood, sweat and tears for humanity. Literally.
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 18th 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 29,612 reviews of which 27,646 were positive and 1,966 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 45,961 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.1
27,646
1,966
45,961
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 337,547 reviews of which 328,601 were positive and 8,946 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 17,969 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among indie games based on player count.
9.6
328,601
8,946
17,969
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 78,398 reviews of which 75,801 were positive and 2,597 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 11,567 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among indie games based on player count.
9.5
75,801
2,597
11,567
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 5,547 reviews of which 5,141 were positive and 406 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 6,250 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played indie games.
9.0
5,141
406
6,250
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 5,093 reviews of which 3,450 were positive and 1,643 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 5,218 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played indie games.
6.6
3,450
1,643
5,218
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 14,179 reviews of which 12,835 were positive and 1,344 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 4,049 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played indie games.
8.8
12,835
1,344
4,049
players
7. 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 3,505 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played indie games.
9.3
11,443
496
3,505
players
8. 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 4,472 reviews of which 4,139 were positive and 333 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 3,242 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played indie games.
8.9
4,139
333
3,242
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 2,872 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
2,872
players
10. FTL: Faster Than Light
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat. FTL: Faster Than Light is a rogue-like, space and strategy game developed and published by Subset Games. Released on September 14th 2012 has received 74,348 reviews of which 70,940 were positive and 3,408 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 1,785 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played indie games.
9.4
70,940
3,408
1,785
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 18th 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 1,314 reviews of which 891 were positive and 423 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
423
-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 692 reviews of which 570 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
570
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 3,151 reviews of which 2,815 were positive and 336 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
2,815
336
-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. 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 7,687 reviews of which 6,600 were positive and 1,087 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.3
6,600
1,087
-95%
32.20€
1.61€
7. 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 333 reviews of which 300 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 #7 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.3
300
33
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
8. 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 #8 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.2
1,147
182
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
9. 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 1,443 were positive and 259 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.1
1,443
259
-95%
24.00€
1.20€
10. Wordle
Wordle is a fun word puzzle game where you guess a hidden word within a few tries. Each guess gives clues about letter placement. Enjoy daily challenges, sharpen your skills, and track your progress in this simple and engaging game. Wordle is a puzzle, casual and indie game developed by PreoNus Games and published by Gigantum Games. Released on April 12th 2021 has received 614 reviews of which 521 were positive and 93 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.0
521
93
-95%
19.99€
0.99€
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 18th 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 5,547 reviews of which 5,141 were positive and 406 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 6,250 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free indie games on Steam.
9.0
5,141
406
6,250
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 3,505, this indie game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free indie games on Steam.
9.3
11,443
496
3,505
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 25,034 reviews of which 23,629 were positive and 1,405 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 1,534, this indie game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free indie games on Steam.
9.2
23,629
1,405
1,534
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 1,885 reviews of which 1,612 were positive and 273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,162 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.2
1,612
273
1,162
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 1,680 reviews of which 1,563 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 869 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.8
1,563
117
869
players
6. 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 1,572 reviews of which 1,364 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 671 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.3
1,364
208
671
players
7. 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 706 reviews of which 688 were positive and 18 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 660 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
9.1
688
18
660
players
8. Poker Championship
Play the most authentic Texas Hold’em Poker App. Fair play guaranteed by the officially certified Random Number Generator implemented for every hand dealing. Compete with outstanding players throughout the world in real time and be the World Champion! Poker Championship is a free to play, indie and massively multiplayer game developed and published by BBstudio Inc.. Released on September 25th 2019 has received 2,495 reviews of which 2,013 were positive and 482 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 239 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
7.8
2,013
482
239
players
9. 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 1,629 reviews of which 1,301 were positive and 328 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 216 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
7.7
1,301
328
216
players
10. Cadria Item Shop
Cadria Item Shop is a casual simulation game with RPG elements. Craft legendary items, hire heroes, and expand your shop to rebuild the town. Join a mighty guild, fight together in faction wars and send your heroes to explore the mystic lands of Cadria! All of this and much more awaits you! Cadria Item Shop is a free to play, casual and simulation game developed by Moehaus Co. Ltd and published by BEST KIRIN GLOBAL LIMITED. Released on August 23rd 2018 has received 1,547 reviews of which 1,127 were positive and 420 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 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.
7.0
1,127
420
201
players