Small studios, big ideas: games made away from the big publishers, often bolder, more personal and more playful than the next sequel.
♥
How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 50 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A 2D sandbox adventure where you dig, build and craft while ever-tougher bosses unlock new gear tiers and biomes. Its huge item pool and hidden secrets make it a near-endless experience, especially with friends.
A 2D sandbox adventure where you dig, build and craft while ever-tougher bosses unlock new gear tiers and biomes. Its huge item pool and hidden secrets make it a near-endless experience, especially with friends.
2011PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.75 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 1,249,720 reviews on Steam
Lots to discover
Pixel art
Loot and gear
A 2D sandbox adventure where you dig, build and craft while ever-tougher bosses unlock new gear tiers and biomes. Its huge item pool and hidden secrets make it a near-endless experience, especially with friends.
A minimalist auto-attacking roguelite where you only steer while your weapons fire on their own, snowballing through clever upgrade synergies into a screen-clearing force against thousands of monsters. Short runs and constant unlocks make it wildly addictive.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified4.99 €98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 252,833 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Strong character progression
Runs that play out differently every time
A minimalist auto-attacking roguelite where you only steer while your weapons fire on their own, snowballing through clever upgrade synergies into a screen-clearing force against thousands of monsters. Short runs and constant unlocks make it wildly addictive.
A chaotic physics battle sandbox where you place wobbly units from eras ranging from the Stone Age to fantasy and watch them hilariously clash. Figuring out the perfect army on a tight budget meets glorious slapstick absurdity.
2021PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified18.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 145,323 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Sandbox with your own goals
Distinctive, stylised art style
A chaotic physics battle sandbox where you place wobbly units from eras ranging from the Stone Age to fantasy and watch them hilariously clash. Figuring out the perfect army on a tight budget meets glorious slapstick absurdity.
A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 313,154 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Pixel art
Choices with consequences
A charming indie RPG where every fight can be resolved without violence, blending turn-based menus with bullet-hell dodging. Its quirky humor, memorable monsters and a story that remembers your choices made it a cult classic.
Stranded on an ocean planet, you dive ever deeper into a gorgeous yet terrifying alien sea. You build bases and submarines while piecing together the planet's mystery, and the dark depths themselves become the real source of dread.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified29.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 343,949 reviews on Steam
Lots to discover
Open world
Sci-fi setting
Stranded on an ocean planet, you dive ever deeper into a gorgeous yet terrifying alien sea. You build bases and submarines while piecing together the planet's mystery, and the dark depths themselves become the real source of dread.
A wordless, oppressive puzzle-platformer in which a boy slips through a bleak dystopia, controlling bodies with his mind along the way. Masterful atmosphere and a disturbing finale make it unforgettable.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified22.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 70,405 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Lavish presentation
Puzzles and brain teasers
A wordless, oppressive puzzle-platformer in which a boy slips through a bleak dystopia, controlling bodies with his mind along the way. Masterful atmosphere and a disturbing finale make it unforgettable.
You play a stray cat lost in a decaying, robot-inhabited neon city, climbing, sneaking and poking around to uncover what happened to it. Its charming feline interactions and dense cyberpunk atmosphere make this short adventure stand out.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.49 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 159,011 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Lavish presentation
Post-apocalyptic setting
You play a stray cat lost in a decaying, robot-inhabited neon city, climbing, sneaking and poking around to uncover what happened to it. Its charming feline interactions and dense cyberpunk atmosphere make this short adventure stand out.
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified24.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 157,452 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Action-packed real-time combat
Pixel art
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
2025PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified23.99 €98 % positive
Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale mixes menu-based party battles with bullet-hell dodging, and enemies can be spared instead of fought. A charming, funny cast, a standout soundtrack and an unsettling meta-mystery sit beneath its colorful surface.
2025PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified23.99 €98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 129,413 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Strong, story-driven narrative
Companions and relationships
Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale mixes menu-based party battles with bullet-hell dodging, and enemies can be spared instead of fought. A charming, funny cast, a standout soundtrack and an unsettling meta-mystery sit beneath its colorful surface.
An addictive poker roguelike where Jokers, card upgrades and wild synergies push your scores to absurd heights. Every run plays differently, and the hunt for the perfect build never gets old.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified13.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 162,769 reviews on Steam
Cards and deck-building
Tactical depth
Runs that play out differently every time
An addictive poker roguelike where Jokers, card upgrades and wild synergies push your scores to absurd heights. Every run plays differently, and the hunt for the perfect build never gets old.
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 200,988 reviews on Steam
Boss fights as highlights
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A brutally tough boss-rush shooter animated like a 1930s cartoon, where precise dodging, parrying and shooting decide every fight. A swinging big-band jazz score and local co-op round it out.
Play as Claire, a young bird climbing and gliding through a charming park toward its summit, chatting with quirky hikers and stumbling on little secrets everywhere. A short, heartfelt, pressure-free adventure with a lovely pixelated low-poly look.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified6.59 €99 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 19,507 reviews on Steam
Cosy, great for unwinding
Lots to discover
Pixel art
Play as Claire, a young bird climbing and gliding through a charming park toward its summit, chatting with quirky hikers and stumbling on little secrets everywhere. A short, heartfelt, pressure-free adventure with a lovely pixelated low-poly look.
An episodic superhero workplace comedy from former Telltale developers: as a dispatcher you assign a chaotic crew of reformed villains to city emergencies while making choices that shape relationships and the story. Sharp writing, a strong voice cast and a cartoon-like animated look carry the experience.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 176,989 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Lots of humour
Choices with consequences
An episodic superhero workplace comedy from former Telltale developers: as a dispatcher you assign a chaotic crew of reformed villains to city emergencies while making choices that shape relationships and the story. Sharp writing, a strong voice cast and a cartoon-like animated look carry the experience.
2020PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified32.00 €97 % positive
Stranded on an alien world, you grow a crude mining operation into a sprawling automated factory, endlessly optimizing belts, production chains and logistics. All the while you must defend it from native creatures angered by your spreading pollution.
2020PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified32.00 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 193,524 reviews on Steam
Building and crafting
Economy and management
Deep systems to master
Stranded on an alien world, you grow a crude mining operation into a sprawling automated factory, endlessly optimizing belts, production chains and logistics. All the while you must defend it from native creatures angered by your spreading pollution.
A brutally fast top-down shooter where one hit kills and every floor is mastered through rapid trial, error and instant restarts. Its neon visuals, pulsing synthwave soundtrack and unsettling, surreal story about violence make it unforgettable.
2012PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.75 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 110,997 reviews on Steam
Fast pace
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A brutally fast top-down shooter where one hit kills and every floor is mastered through rapid trial, error and instant restarts. Its neon visuals, pulsing synthwave soundtrack and unsettling, surreal story about violence make it unforgettable.
As a defenseless journalist armed only with a night-vision camcorder, you creep through a nightmarish asylum where hiding and running are your only options. Relentless, unfiltered terror with no way to fight back.
2013PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.79 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 106,585 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Dark, serious atmosphere
Sneaking and hiding
As a defenseless journalist armed only with a night-vision camcorder, you creep through a nightmarish asylum where hiding and running are your only options. Relentless, unfiltered terror with no way to fight back.
2019PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €97 % positive
A blistering neo-noir action platformer where one hit kills and each room plays like a puzzle solved with your katana, slow-motion and deflected bullets. It's wrapped in a twisted, fragmented story with dialogue choices and a superb synthwave soundtrack.
2019PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 66,672 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Pixel art
A blistering neo-noir action platformer where one hit kills and each room plays like a puzzle solved with your katana, slow-motion and deflected bullets. It's wrapped in a twisted, fragmented story with dialogue choices and a superb synthwave soundtrack.
A creepy card game played against a shadowy figure in a dark cabin, mixing deckbuilding with escape-room puzzles while constantly breaking its own rules. Beneath the surface lies a surprising, fourth-wall-bending mystery.
2021PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable19.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 136,199 reviews on Steam
Cards and deck-building
Turn-based combat
Dark, serious atmosphere
A creepy card game played against a shadowy figure in a dark cabin, mixing deckbuilding with escape-room puzzles while constantly breaking its own rules. Beneath the surface lies a surprising, fourth-wall-bending mystery.
2025PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.49 €96 % positive
A chaotic online co-op game for up to six players where you haul fragile valuables through procedurally generated levels while monsters hunt you. Physics-driven slapstick mishaps and proximity voice chat blend big laughs with real tension.
2025PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.49 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 349,166 reviews on Steam
Playing together in co-op
Co-op or multiplayer
Lots of humour
A chaotic online co-op game for up to six players where you haul fragile valuables through procedurally generated levels while monsters hunt you. Physics-driven slapstick mishaps and proximity voice chat blend big laughs with real tension.
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable16.79 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 80,438 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Emotional impact
Strong, story-driven narrative
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
A merciless survival game with a gothic, Tim Burton-esque hand-drawn style, where you scavenge, craft and fend off hunger, insanity and monsters in a procedurally generated wilderness. Death is permanent, but every run teaches you something new.
2013PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable8.19 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 97,308 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Open world
Lots to discover
A merciless survival game with a gothic, Tim Burton-esque hand-drawn style, where you scavenge, craft and fend off hunger, insanity and monsters in a procedurally generated wilderness. Death is permanent, but every run teaches you something new.
2023PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.50 €98 % positive
A frantic, chaotic 2D platformer starring the manic pizza chef Peppino, built around momentum-based movement, score chasing and wildly hand-drawn animation. Its zany humor and driving soundtrack turn every level into a spectacle.
2023PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.50 €98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 66,816 reviews on Steam
Jumping and platforming
Fast pace
Lots of humour
A frantic, chaotic 2D platformer starring the manic pizza chef Peppino, built around momentum-based movement, score chasing and wildly hand-drawn animation. Its zany humor and driving soundtrack turn every level into a spectacle.
A charming 3D collectathon platformer in the vein of N64 classics, where a tiny girl uses magical hats to bounce through varied, wonderfully weird worlds. Its chapters, from a mafia-run town to dueling bird film studios, overflow with humor and creativity.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 43,034 reviews on Steam
Jumping and platforming
Lots of humour
Dense, handcrafted world
A charming 3D collectathon platformer in the vein of N64 classics, where a tiny girl uses magical hats to bounce through varied, wonderfully weird worlds. Its chapters, from a mafia-run town to dueling bird film studios, overflow with humor and creativity.
You climb a Babel-inspired tower and decipher the distinct languages of its peoples by observing symbols and deducing meanings yourself. The striking comic-like art and the satisfying feeling of truly learning to communicate make it special.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.99 €98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 31,587 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Lots to discover
Distinctive, stylised art style
You climb a Babel-inspired tower and decipher the distinct languages of its peoples by observing symbols and deducing meanings yourself. The striking comic-like art and the satisfying feeling of truly learning to communicate make it special.
2012PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified4.99 €97 % positive
A tactile puzzle game where you twist, slide and inspect an ornate safe full of hidden compartments and clever mechanisms. Its moody, occult-tinged atmosphere makes every discovery feel eerie and satisfying.
2012PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified4.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 30,557 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Lavish presentation
A tactile puzzle game where you twist, slide and inspect an ornate safe full of hidden compartments and clever mechanisms. Its moody, occult-tinged atmosphere makes every discovery feel eerie and satisfying.
A fast speedrunning first-person shooter where card-based guns double as movement abilities. You optimize routes through short levels, wrapped in anime style, dating-sim-style dialogue and a driving soundtrack.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified23.79 €98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 17,441 reviews on Steam
Fast pace
Action-packed real-time combat
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A fast speedrunning first-person shooter where card-based guns double as movement abilities. You optimize routes through short levels, wrapped in anime style, dating-sim-style dialogue and a driving soundtrack.
Toem is a laid-back photography adventure set in a hand-drawn black-and-white world, where you help quirky locals by snapping pictures and solving small tasks. Charming, friendly and completely stress-free.
2021PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified18.99 €99 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 10,268 reviews on Steam
Cosy, great for unwinding
Distinctive, stylised art style
Lots to discover
Toem is a laid-back photography adventure set in a hand-drawn black-and-white world, where you help quirky locals by snapping pictures and solving small tasks. Charming, friendly and completely stress-free.
A moving narrative game where you wander the sprawling Finch family home and relive each relative's final moments through short vignettes, each with its own inventive gameplay twist. Melancholic, creative, and unforgettable in just a couple of hours.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified18.49 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 47,637 reviews on Steam
Emotional impact
Strong, story-driven narrative
Lavish presentation
A moving narrative game where you wander the sprawling Finch family home and relive each relative's final moments through short vignettes, each with its own inventive gameplay twist. Melancholic, creative, and unforgettable in just a couple of hours.
A chaotic run-and-gun platformer starring parodies of action movie heroes, where nearly everything is destructible and explosions tear levels apart. With up to four friends in co-op, the mayhem becomes gloriously over-the-top fun.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.79 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 49,636 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Pixel art
Shooting and gunplay
A chaotic run-and-gun platformer starring parodies of action movie heroes, where nearly everything is destructible and explosions tear levels apart. With up to four friends in co-op, the mayhem becomes gloriously over-the-top fun.
As an insurance investigator, you use a magical pocket watch to relive the final moments of a ghost ship's crew and deduce the identity and fate of every sailor. Its striking 1-bit visuals and brilliant deduction design make it a one-of-a-kind detective game.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.50 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 32,905 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Strong, story-driven narrative
Distinctive, stylised art style
As an insurance investigator, you use a magical pocket watch to relive the final moments of a ghost ship's crew and deduce the identity and fate of every sailor. Its striking 1-bit visuals and brilliant deduction design make it a one-of-a-kind detective game.
You and your friends play ghost hunters, using EMF readers, spirit boxes and cameras to work out which kind of ghost haunts a location. Voice recognition and sudden hunts make for genuine panic and plenty of hilarious co-op moments.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable18.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 686,738 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Playing together in co-op
Dread and tension
You and your friends play ghost hunters, using EMF readers, spirit boxes and cameras to work out which kind of ghost haunts a location. Voice recognition and sudden hunts make for genuine panic and plenty of hilarious co-op moments.
2016PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.99 €97 % positive
You tend bar in a cyberpunk dystopia, mixing drinks and learning your customers' stories through conversation. Your drink choices shape how things unfold, backed by a moody synth soundtrack and retro pixel art.
2016PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 33,971 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Strong, story-driven narrative
Pixel art
You tend bar in a cyberpunk dystopia, mixing drinks and learning your customers' stories through conversation. Your drink choices shape how things unfold, backed by a moody synth soundtrack and retro pixel art.
2019PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified12.49 €97 % positive
Baba Is You turns the game's rules into pushable word blocks, so rearranging them changes what wins, what kills and even what you control. The result is a clever, inventive puzzler full of aha moments.
2019PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified12.49 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 21,156 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Pixel art
Challenging difficulty
Baba Is You turns the game's rules into pushable word blocks, so rearranging them changes what wins, what kills and even what you control. The result is a clever, inventive puzzler full of aha moments.
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 47,431 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
Strong, story-driven narrative
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
Two doctors travel backward through a dying man's memories to fulfill his final wish. It's a short, deeply moving story with warm humor and an unforgettable piano soundtrack.
2011PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.75 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 70,338 reviews on Steam
Emotional impact
Strong, story-driven narrative
Pixel art
Two doctors travel backward through a dying man's memories to fulfill his final wish. It's a short, deeply moving story with warm humor and an unforgettable piano soundtrack.
Gorogoa is a short, hand-drawn puzzle game where you stack, zoom and shift illustrated panels to uncover hidden connections. Its wordless tale of longing and a life's journey unfolds entirely through this inventive mechanic.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified13.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 19,420 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Distinctive, stylised art style
Lavish presentation
Gorogoa is a short, hand-drawn puzzle game where you stack, zoom and shift illustrated panels to uncover hidden connections. Its wordless tale of longing and a life's journey unfolds entirely through this inventive mechanic.
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 79,682 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Runs that play out differently every time
Action-packed real-time combat
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
As a possessed lamb you found your own cult, managing a village of adorable woodland followers between fast roguelike dungeon runs. Its charm comes from the clash of cute visuals and gleefully macabre humor.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified22.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 113,448 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Distinctive, stylised art style
Runs that play out differently every time
As a possessed lamb you found your own cult, managing a village of adorable woodland followers between fast roguelike dungeon runs. Its charm comes from the clash of cute visuals and gleefully macabre humor.
An isometric action RPG where a gravelly narrator reacts to everything you do as you mix weapons and rebuild a refuge in a gorgeous hand-painted, shattered world. Its soundtrack and poignant ending choices make it unforgettable.
2011PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.79 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 28,260 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Distinctive, stylised art style
An isometric action RPG where a gravelly narrator reacts to everything you do as you mix weapons and rebuild a refuge in a gorgeous hand-painted, shattered world. Its soundtrack and poignant ending choices make it unforgettable.
2013PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable4.99 €97 % positive
An atmospheric puzzle game where you examine and manipulate intricately crafted mechanical puzzle boxes with tactile controls. Every drawer and mechanism hides another secret in an eerie, mysterious world.
2013PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable4.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 21,165 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Lavish presentation
An atmospheric puzzle game where you examine and manipulate intricately crafted mechanical puzzle boxes with tactile controls. Every drawer and mechanism hides another secret in an eerie, mysterious world.
The classic idle game where you click a giant cookie and spend the proceeds on ever more absurd bakeries, portals and upgrades. There is no true ending, just ballooning numbers and quirky humor.
2013PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable4.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 89,089 reviews on Steam
Lots of grind
Cosy, great for unwinding
Strong character progression
The classic idle game where you click a giant cookie and spend the proceeds on ever more absurd bakeries, portals and upgrades. There is no true ending, just ballooning numbers and quirky humor.
You assemble rockets and spacecraft from parts and send the endearing Kerbals to moons and planets under realistic orbital physics. Failure is part of the fun and often as entertaining as success.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable36.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 121,982 reviews on Steam
Sandbox with your own goals
Building and crafting
Open world
You assemble rockets and spacecraft from parts and send the endearing Kerbals to moons and planets under realistic orbital physics. Failure is part of the fun and often as entertaining as success.
2014PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable12.99 €97 % positive
A chaotic 2D arena shooter where ducks duel in short, frantic rounds with absurd weapons. It shines brightest as a couch multiplayer game with friends.
2014PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable12.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 25,300 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Action-packed real-time combat
Competing against other players
A chaotic 2D arena shooter where ducks duel in short, frantic rounds with absurd weapons. It shines brightest as a couch multiplayer game with friends.
A dark point-and-click adventure in which you play a young girl with a mental illness who shifts between a brutal reality and a disturbing alternate world. Nightmarish hand-drawn art and inventory puzzles carry a bleak, emotional story.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 20,926 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Dread and tension
Puzzles and brain teasers
A dark point-and-click adventure in which you play a young girl with a mental illness who shifts between a brutal reality and a disturbing alternate world. Nightmarish hand-drawn art and inventory puzzles carry a bleak, emotional story.
Dusk is a fast, 90s-style boomer shooter with eerie atmosphere and maze-like levels full of secrets. It focuses on fluid movement and punchy weapons against hordes of cultists and worse horrors.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.49 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 22,193 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Shooting and gunplay
Fast pace
Dusk is a fast, 90s-style boomer shooter with eerie atmosphere and maze-like levels full of secrets. It focuses on fluid movement and punchy weapons against hordes of cultists and worse horrors.
As Melinoë you fight through the Underworld and the surface world of Greek myth in fast, fluid runs, growing stronger with witchcraft, divine boons and weapons. The story unfolds with every attempt, backed by striking art and a great soundtrack.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 115,690 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Fantasy setting
Action-packed real-time combat
As Melinoë you fight through the Underworld and the surface world of Greek myth in fast, fluid runs, growing stronger with witchcraft, divine boons and weapons. The story unfolds with every attempt, backed by striking art and a great soundtrack.
2024PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playablefree98 % positive
A short, handcrafted pixel art platformer where you play an abandoned plushy brought to life. The journey blends a dark, mysterious mood with precise jumping and exploration.
2024PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playablefree98 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 25,247 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Jumping and platforming
Distinctive, stylised art style
A short, handcrafted pixel art platformer where you play an abandoned plushy brought to life. The journey blends a dark, mysterious mood with precise jumping and exploration.
A real-time tactics stealth game set in Edo-period Japan where you command a team of five specialists and chain silent takedowns with Shadow Mode. Each mission is an intricate puzzle of sight cones, guard patrols and character abilities.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified39.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 30,930 reviews on Steam
Sneaking and hiding
Tactical depth
Historical setting
A real-time tactics stealth game set in Edo-period Japan where you command a team of five specialists and chain silent takedowns with Shadow Mode. Each mission is an intricate puzzle of sight cones, guard patrols and character abilities.
You blast grime off vehicles, houses and quirky locations with a pressure washer until every surface sparkles. It is a deeply relaxing, satisfying experience that works solo or in co-op.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified24.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 51,127 reviews on Steam
Cosy, great for unwinding
You blast grime off vehicles, houses and quirky locations with a pressure washer until every surface sparkles. It is a deeply relaxing, satisfying experience that works solo or in co-op.
2011PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.99 €97 % positive
A charming fantasy tower defense game where you protect your kingdom with towers, spells and heroes against orcs, trolls and monsters. Tower placement and upgrade choices create crisp tactical decisions.
2011PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable9.99 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 17,242 reviews on Steam
Tactical depth
Fantasy setting
Distinctive, stylised art style
A charming fantasy tower defense game where you protect your kingdom with towers, spells and heroes against orcs, trolls and monsters. Tower placement and upgrade choices create crisp tactical decisions.
A meditative first-person puzzler where you play an android solving laser and block puzzles across ancient-looking ruins while grappling with questions of consciousness, humanity and free will. Brilliantly designed puzzles meet philosophical terminal conversations and a haunting atmosphere.
2014PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable28.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 29,392 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Sci-fi setting
Strong, story-driven narrative
A meditative first-person puzzler where you play an android solving laser and block puzzles across ancient-looking ruins while grappling with questions of consciousness, humanity and free will. Brilliantly designed puzzles meet philosophical terminal conversations and a haunting atmosphere.
As tiny Six you sneak through the Maw, a nightmarish vessel full of grotesque giants, solving environmental puzzles while evading capture. Its dollhouse-like, unsettling art style and wordless storytelling make this short adventure unforgettable.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 52,424 reviews on Steam
Dark, serious atmosphere
Dread and tension
Lavish presentation
As tiny Six you sneak through the Maw, a nightmarish vessel full of grotesque giants, solving environmental puzzles while evading capture. Its dollhouse-like, unsettling art style and wordless storytelling make this short adventure unforgettable.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch2.99 €95 % positive
A minimalist horror game where you play a round of shotgun Russian roulette against a sinister Dealer in a grimy nightclub. Odds, risk management and special items create tense, tactical decisions in short, nerve-wracking runs.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch2.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 112,389 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Tactical depth
Dread and tension
A minimalist horror game where you play a round of shotgun Russian roulette against a sinister Dealer in a grimy nightclub. Odds, risk management and special items create tense, tactical decisions in short, nerve-wracking runs.
Indie games suit the Nintendo Switch well because many of them are built around short, repeatable loops and clear ideas, which fit both a handheld session and a longer sit-down on the TV. The list covers a wide range, so the first thing to decide is what kind of experience you want: relaxed, tense, or somewhere in between.
If you want something calm, Stardew Valley is a cozy farming sim with co-op, and Subnautica is an atmospheric survival game about exploring the ocean, though its horror tag means it can get tense. For quick runs and a lot of replay value, Hades is a stylish action roguelike with a strong story, Slay the Spire and Balatro are deckbuilders that reward planning, and Vampire Survivors has co-op and a comedic tone.
Difficulty is the other big factor. Hollow Knight and Celeste are both tagged as difficult: Hollow Knight asks you to explore and learn its world, while Celeste is a precision platformer with a story. Hotline Miami is also tagged difficult and is a fast shooter with a great soundtrack. If you prefer story and humor over challenge, Undertale is a turn-based RPG where your choices matter, and Totally Accurate Battle Simulator is a colorful, comedic strategy game that does not take itself seriously.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best indie game on Nintendo Switch to start with?
Stardew Valley is an easy pick if you want something relaxing with a cozy farming loop and co-op. Hades is a good alternative if you prefer action and a story-rich roguelike.
Which indie games on Switch are the most difficult?
Hollow Knight, Celeste, Hotline Miami and Slay the Spire are all tagged as difficult. Celeste demands precision platforming, while Slay the Spire tests your strategy.
Are there indie games on Switch that I can play with a friend?
Yes, Stardew Valley and Vampire Survivors both carry a co-op tag in the data. Stardew Valley is the slower, cozier option, and Vampire Survivors is the more chaotic one.
Not quite your taste?
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.
