10 Best Independent Games of All Time

Early video games were mostly created by big companies. While independent games soon followed, they often weren’t as polished or popular. However, platforms like Steam have changed that, allowing independent designers to easily sell their games. As a result, some of the most critically acclaimed and successful games have come from small, independent teams – sometimes even made by just one person! Here are ten of the best independent games of all time, ranked by how well they sold, how much fans loved them, and their impact on gaming culture.

10) Braid

Developed by Number None, Braid is a puzzle-platformer game originally released for Xbox Live Arcade in 2008. Created over three years by Jonathan Blow, with art by David Hellman, the game follows Tim as he tries to rescue a princess. A deeper story is revealed as you play, and Braid stands out for its unique ability to manipulate time – a feature that helped it become a popular indie game in the early 2000s. By 2023, over 1.5 million copies had been sold, and it’s now celebrated as one of the greatest platformers of all time.

9) Shovel Knight

Released in 2014, Shovel Knight is a platformer game created by Yacht Club Games for several gaming consoles. It’s designed in the style of classic 8-bit games from the Nintendo Entertainment System. Players control a knight who uses a shovel to fight enemies, dig for treasure, and even bounce around levels. The main goal of the game is to rescue the knight’s companion, Shield Knight. Shovel Knight proved to be very popular, leading to extra game campaigns, a remastered version, and lots of new content. By 2019, over 2.6 million copies had been sold.

8) Hades

Released in 2020, Hades by Supergiant Games quickly became a hit. This action RPG casts you as Zagreus, the son of Hades, attempting to escape the Underworld and reach Mount Olympus. Along the way, he receives help from various gods and heroes. The game is played through randomly generated levels filled with enemies. Each time you die, you improve Zagreus’s skills and weapons, making him stronger for the next attempt. This replayability, a key feature of the ‘roguelike’ genre, also allows the story to unfold in new and interesting ways. Hades has sold over 10 million copies and led to the release of a sequel, Hades II, in 2025.

7) Hollow Knight

Developed by Team Cherry, Hollow Knight (2017) is a popular adventure game where you play as an insect-like warrior called “The Knight.” You explore the ruined kingdom of Hallownest, now overrun with dangerous creatures due to a mysterious plague. As you play, you’ll gain new skills and uncover the secrets of this fallen land. Hollow Knight was a huge hit, selling over 15 million copies across consoles and PC. Its success led to a sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025), which quickly gained over 5 million players in its first few days.

6) Dead Cells

Okay, so if you like games that combine roguelike elements with that Metroidvania style of exploration, you need to play Dead Cells. Seriously, you’re missing out if you haven’t! You play as this Prisoner character, and the goal is to fight your way through a really messed-up island to take down the King. What’s cool is every time you play, you unlock new weapons and upgrades, so your character gets stronger, but the enemies get tougher too. Plus, the levels are different every time you start a new game, which keeps things fresh. Yeah, it has permadeath – meaning you start over when you die – but honestly, that just makes it more exciting to keep trying. It’s been a huge hit, selling over 10 million copies, and they’ve added tons of content, even a collaboration with Castlevania! It’s a fantastic game.

5) Fez

Fez is a puzzle-platformer game released in 2012 for consoles and mobile devices. The game follows Gomez, who discovers he lives in a 2D world that’s actually one side of a larger 3D world after receiving a special fez. Players rotate the world to solve puzzles, connect platforms, and collect items to restore balance. Fez was praised for its innovative gameplay and won numerous awards, selling over a million copies. Although a sequel was in the works, it was sadly canceled during development.

4) Terraria

Terraria is an open-ended adventure game where you’re free to build, explore, and play however you like. While there aren’t specific objectives, you’ll encounter increasingly difficult bosses. Defeating them unlocks new, more challenging content. A huge part of the fun comes from crafting – you can create tons of weapons, tools, and other useful items. You can also build a base and attract helpful characters to assist you. Terraria has been a massive success, selling over 64 million copies across many platforms, and it remains highly popular thanks to frequent updates that keep both new and veteran players engaged. It’s considered one of the best games in its genre.

3) Stardew Valley

Released in 2016, Stardew Valley isn’t the first game to simulate farm life, but it’s become the most popular by far. Created and published by Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, the game puts you in the role of a farmer inheriting their grandfather’s old, run-down farm. You’ll spend your time getting to know the town’s residents, building friendships, growing crops to earn money, and even fighting to improve your character and find useful items. Since launch, the game has received numerous updates, including the ability to play with friends online. Stardew Valley has won many awards and has sold over 41 million copies.

2) Undertale

Undertale is a remarkably successful role-playing game created mostly by one person, Toby Fox. The game takes inspiration from classics like Mother, Mario & Luigi, and Moon: Remix RPG Adventure. Players control a child trapped beneath the surface and must navigate the Underground, befriending or fighting monsters to find a way back home. What makes Undertale special is that your choices truly matter, shaping the story and its ending. It’s been a huge hit, winning many awards and selling over 5 million copies.

1) Minecraft

Minecraft is a hugely popular open-world game created by Mojang Studios. While officially launched in 2011, it was developed over several years with input from millions of players who provided feedback and modifications. It eventually became the best-selling video game of all time, with over 350 million copies sold on nearly every type of device. Today, Minecraft boasts over 140 million monthly players, its own dedicated convention (Minecon), and a wide range of merchandise. With the release of A Minecraft Movie in 2025, Minecraft cemented its place as the most impactful independently developed game ever.

We might have missed your favorite indie game! Tell us about it in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum.

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2025-12-23 18:17