Summary
Itch.iois home to many indie games both free and paid, from short demos to fully fledged multi-hour experiences. With so much variety to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. While it would be impossible to list every game on the site worth playing, this list seeks to highlight a few worthwhile experiences.
Fortunately, whatever your taste, there’s bound to be something for everyone on itch.io. Whether you’re looking forchallenging puzzle games, fast-paced action titles, or recreations of your favorite console hits, there’s always something new to discover in the vast world of indie games.
8Mindustry
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Mindustry, the strategy game developed by Anuke, is a unique combination of tower-defense gameplay with aspects of the factory simulation genre. Creating elaborate supply chains is what lies at the heart of this game, allowing you to build up your factory as you defend against waves of enemies.
With 24 maps to choose from, Mindustry boasts an impressive amount of content for fans of the genre. If that wasn’t enough, the game also offers cooperative and competitive multiplayer options, along with a map editor.
7Nightmare Kart
Platforms: Windows
What do you get when you crossBloodborneandMario Kart? Nightmare Kart, the kart racing game developed by LWMedia. Nightmare Kart takes up the unlikely task of blending the aesthetics ofFromSoftware’s 2015 action game Bloodborne with the pick-up-and-play elements of classic kart racers.
These might seem like an unlikely combination, but the result is as enjoyable as it is surprising. With twelve vehicles to choose from, Nightmare Kart promises an equal amount of exhilarating speed and blood-soaked action.
6Moonring
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Moonring, developed by Fluttermind and bbbscarter, is a modern take on the earlyUltima gamesthat blends this classic CRPG genre with a roguelike twist. Upon leaving a dungeon for any reason, the subterranean layout will shift and change, offering new challenges every time you play the game.
On the surface above, you’re able to explore the cities and wilderness of the overworld, converse with NPCs, and dedicate yourself to one of five distinct gods, each with their own unique boons and criteria for unlocking them.
5Samorost
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Samorost is a charmingpoint and click adventuregame developed by Amanita Design. In Samorost, you will guide a space gnome on an interplanetary journey through the void of space in order to save his world from certain destruction.
Despite these high stakes, the game is a relaxing one, with lush surrealist visuals that blend photography with the simple yet effective designs of the characters that inhabit the world. With no dialogue, the strength of this game lies in its visual design and puzzles.
4Doom: The Golden Souls
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Doom: The Golden Souls, developed by Batandy, is a WAD for the iD’sDoomthat stands as a fully fledged game in its own right. Inspired by classic Nintendo games and other titles of that era, Doom: The Golden Souls presents dozens of levels all connected by a hub world that is ripe for exploration, be it fighting through the newly added enemies or hunting down collectibles.
Fans of either genre of games will find something to enjoy here. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a sequel as well as a third game on the way.
3Holocure
Platform: Windows
Even if you aren’t a fan of vtubers, Holocure is a surprisingly robust clone of poncle’sVampire Survivorsthat fans of the genre won’t want to miss. Developed by Kay Yu, Holocure features the vtubers of the Hololive group, featuring up to a whopping 38 characters to choose from.
You don’t have to be familiar with Hololive to enjoy Holocure, but fans of the group will find a great deal to appreciate here, from the designs of enemies to the song remixes that make up the game’s soundtrack.
2Helltaker
Helltaker, developed by vanripper, is a puzzle game with a deceptively simple premise. Within a limited number of turns, it’s up to you to make it to the end of the level by kicking whatever lies in your path. Levels may look small at first, but can contain a surprising level of complexity as the game goes on.
Fortunately, failing a stage at any point only takes you back to the start of the puzzle, meaning that you won’t ever waste too much time by experimenting.
1Bloodborne PSX
BloodbornePSX is an unofficial demake of FromSoftware’s 2015 action title Bloodborne, bringing the game more in line with classic PlayStation titles of the 1990s. Developed by LWMedia, BloodbornePSX is a faithful recreation of its eighth generation predecessor, reconstructing the streets of Yharnam with the sensibilities of an earlier time.
Fans of Bloodborne will find much to enjoy here, and the differences in this recreation of the game will be enough to keep them on their toes. For everyone else, this is the closest there is to experiencing the game on PC for the time being.
