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
Fight'N Rage
Fight’N Rage is a brand new old-school side-scroller beat’em up. Inspired by the classics from the “golden age”, and with an art style that mimics the aesthetic from the 90's arcade gems, this game pays homage to all classic gameplay features that makes this genre one of the best from its time!
Eternity Warriors VR
Packed with classical action game essences, high-definition visual, and real-time multiplayer features.
Wo Yao Da 我要大
To play as a tribe warrior and a mysterious weirdo, adventuring in the world of gremlins.
Warbands: Bushido
Warbands:Bushido is a miniatures board game arena with cards, miniatures, dice and beautiful terrains to fight on, with both multiplayer battles boardgamers are used to, and challenging single-player scenarios.
Evening Surprise
Max and his girlfriend Ann are very happy together. They have no arguments, they enjoy spending time with each other, they are in love. What else can they wish? Well, Max, you will get a big surprise this evening...
Oriental Empires
Turn based 4X strategy game, recreating the civilizations of ancient China. Develop your land, build great cities, raise huge armies and fight epic battles, with hundreds of soldiers fighting right on the game map. Advance your technologies, culture and religion to create one of mankind’s biggest empires.
Duck Season
The game of your dreams just dropped, DUCK SEASON, a hunter with ridiculous graphics. Luckily, it's summer vacation and Mom just surprised you with a one day rental of it! Unfortunately, as you binge play it becomes apparent that all is not right with Duck Season...
HIVESWAP: ACT 1
A hand-drawn tribute to hilarious '90s adventure games (with none of the accompanying frustration). Play as Joey Claire, a puzzle-solving teen snatched out of her time (1994) and place (Earth) and stranded on a hostile alien planet on the brink of rebellion.
AngerForce: Reloaded
AngerForce: Reloaded is an action-packed vertically scrolling shoot'em up game that pays homage to the classics of 90’s arcades. This high octane experience is set against the backdrop of a 19th century human world that has seen the outbreak of a robot rebellion.
The First Tree
A beautiful, 3rd-person exploration game centered around two parallel stories: a fox trying to find her missing family, and a son reconnecting with his estranged father in Alaska. Uncover artifacts from the son's life as he becomes intertwined in the fox’s journey towards The First Tree.
Voxel Turf
Voxel Turf is a block based urban sandbox. Build cities, blow up buildings, complete missions or fight for territory. Build a real estate empire, or perhaps just drive around and blow stuff up. Its your choice!
3030 Deathwar Redux - A Space Odyssey
3030 Deathwar is a unique mix of Adventure and Space Sim. Explore star systems, mine and hunt pirates in top-down mode. Leave your ship and switch into classic Adventuring mode, where you explore derelicts, talk to shady characters or head over to the space bar for a drink.
Short Stories Collection of Class Tangerine
Short Stories Collection of Class Tangerine is a collection of five Visual Novels by indie-game team "Class Tangerine".
Tooth and Tail
Lead the revolution with an army of flamethrowing Boars, mustard gas-lobbing Skunks, and paratrooper-puking Owls. Tooth and Tail is a Real-Time-Strategy game featuring Single Player, Online Competitive Play, Split Screen, Replays, and more. Build a base, lead your army, eat your enemies!
The Ultimatest Battle
The Ultimatest Battle is a real-time, 2D platform game in which two teams compete in different game modes with an almost completely destructible environment. UB is a true Free-to-Play, absolutely no Pay-to-Win.
Kitten Adventures in City Park
It's hard to be a kitten when you have such a clumsy owner! Yesterday she lost a lot of things in the park and now it's up to you to find them! Memories of that day can be helpful - you should remember where you've seen these things last and search there.
Pixel Gladiator
Distant future… Brutal gladiatorial battles is a top-rated show, extremely popular all over the Universe. You’ve been sent to the abandoned planet as one of the participants of the show. Your goal is to survive as long as possible, fighting back deadly creatures in the focus of billions of viewers.
Tokyo Dark
Legend tells of a door deep below Tokyo's sewers. All who enter are lost forever. Detective Ito's partner is missing. Explore Tokyo & uncover the darkness that lays beneath the streets in this Point & Click - meets Visual Novel - narrative adventure that questions the very core of Ito's sanity.
A Robot Named Fight!
A Robot Named Fight is a Metroidvania roguelike focused on exploration and item collection. Explore a different, procedurally-generated labyrinth each time you play and discover randomized power-ups to traverse obstacles, find secrets and explode meat beasts.
Stash
Stash is an MMO with turn based grid combat, custom housing, a tabletop art style, and more loot than you can fit in a portable hole. Stash has the charm of a pen-and-paper gaming group with the gameplay of a deep, interesting, unique RPG. Join our friendly community!
Fidget Spinner
Fidget Spinner, the game you were all waiting for, yes, also you who are reading, I know that in the depths of your heart, you were waiting for a game like this!
Don't Knock Twice
Don't Knock Twice is a first-person horror game based on a psychologically terrifying urban legend. One knock to wake her from her bed, twice to raise her from the dead. Supports VR on HTC Vive and Oculus Rift for the ultimate horror experience!
红石遗迹 - Red Obsidian Remnant
A Roguelike gameplay and action system combined dungeon game.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 May 20th 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 30,830 reviews of which 28,789 were positive and 2,041 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 41,432 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.1
28,789
2,041
41,432
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 341,379 reviews of which 332,206 were positive and 9,173 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 16,021 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among indie games based on player count.
9.6
332,206
9,173
16,021
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 79,123 reviews of which 76,487 were positive and 2,636 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 9,744 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among indie games based on player count.
9.5
76,487
2,636
9,744
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 5,631 reviews of which 5,220 were positive and 411 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 6,387 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played indie games.
9.0
5,220
411
6,387
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 5,270 reviews of which 3,589 were positive and 1,681 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 5,483 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played indie games.
6.7
3,589
1,681
5,483
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 14,436 reviews of which 13,062 were positive and 1,374 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 4,266 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played indie games.
8.8
13,062
1,374
4,266
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 12,019 reviews of which 11,517 were positive and 502 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 3,421 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played indie games.
9.3
11,517
502
3,421
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 4,520 reviews of which 4,179 were positive and 341 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 3,114 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played indie games.
8.9
4,179
341
3,114
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 279,169 reviews of which 274,283 were positive and 4,886 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 2,408 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played indie games.
9.7
274,283
4,886
2,408
players
10. 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 25,188 reviews of which 23,768 were positive and 1,420 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,823 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played indie games.
9.2
23,768
1,420
1,823
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 May 20th 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 1,317 reviews of which 891 were positive and 426 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
426
-97%
33.33€
1.00€
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 695 reviews of which 573 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
573
122
-96%
31.00€
1.24€
3. 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 3,170 reviews of which 2,834 were positive and 336 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in indie games.
8.6
2,834
336
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. Figment
Figment is an action-adventure game that invites you to explore a unique surreal universe filled with music, humor and multi layered narrative. Join Dusty and his ever-optimistic friend, Piper, on an adventure through the different sides of the mind seeking to restore the courage that's been lost. Figment is a adventure, indie and puzzle game developed and published by Bedtime Digital Games. Released on September 22nd 2017 has received 5,256 reviews of which 4,587 were positive and 669 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.4
4,587
669
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
5. 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 345 reviews of which 312 were positive and 33 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.4
312
33
-95%
19.50€
0.97€
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 7,733 reviews of which 6,638 were positive and 1,095 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
6,638
1,095
-95%
32.20€
1.61€
7. 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 1,352 reviews of which 1,164 were positive and 188 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for indie games.
8.2
1,164
188
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
8. Oriental Empires
Turn based 4X strategy game, recreating the civilizations of ancient China. Develop your land, build great cities, raise huge armies and fight epic battles, with hundreds of soldiers fighting right on the game map. Advance your technologies, culture and religion to create one of mankind’s biggest empires. Oriental Empires is a strategy, simulation and indie game developed by Shining Pixel Studios and published by Iceberg Interactive. Released on September 14th 2017 has received 2,933 reviews of which 2,357 were positive and 576 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for indie games.
7.8
2,357
576
-95%
30.00€
1.50€
9. Observation
Observation is a sci-fi thriller uncovering what happened to Dr. Emma Fisher, and the crew of her mission, through the lens of the station’s artificial intelligence S.A.M. Observation is a indie, adventure and space game developed by No Code and published by Devolver Digital. Released on May 21st 2020 has received 4,757 reviews of which 3,730 were positive and 1,027 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for indie games.
7.6
3,730
1,027
-95%
26.80€
1.34€
10. Aegis Defenders
Take on wild beasts, ruthless soldiers, and ancient gods in this 2D Action-Platformer inspired by Tower-Defense combat. Aegis Defenders is a pixel graphics, tower defense and action game developed by GUTS Department and published by Humble Games. Released on February 08th 2018 has received 1,750 reviews of which 1,376 were positive and 374 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for indie games.
7.6
1,376
374
-95%
21.00€
1.05€
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 May 20th 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 5,631 reviews of which 5,220 were positive and 411 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 6,387 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free indie games on Steam.
9.0
5,220
411
6,387
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 12,019 reviews of which 11,517 were positive and 502 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 3,421, this indie game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free indie games on Steam.
9.3
11,517
502
3,421
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 25,188 reviews of which 23,768 were positive and 1,420 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 1,823, this indie game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free indie games on Steam.
9.2
23,768
1,420
1,823
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 1,905 reviews of which 1,630 were positive and 275 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,210 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.2
1,630
275
1,210
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 1,687 reviews of which 1,572 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 931 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.9
1,572
115
931
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 1,586 reviews of which 1,373 were positive and 213 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 639 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
8.3
1,373
213
639
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 806 reviews of which 784 were positive and 22 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 505 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
9.1
784
22
505
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 2,506 reviews of which 2,019 were positive and 487 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 218 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
7.8
2,019
487
218
players
9. 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 1,552 reviews of which 1,128 were positive and 424 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 208 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
7.0
1,128
424
208
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 1,632 reviews of which 1,304 were positive and 328 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 195 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free indie games on Steam.
7.7
1,304
328
195
players