The Best Indie RPGs Of The Last 5 Years

There is no genre where indie games are more embraced and beloved than role-playing games. Small developers have infused the genre with classics for years and are frequently considered to be among the all-time best in the genre, even better than some triple-A titles. This is likely due to the variety of what the genre can offer as well.

While many earlier indie RPGs have reached a high level of success, the last five years have showcased a terrific run of games in the category that will be remembered for a long time. Those looking for a newer RPG from an indie developer have plenty of games to choose from.

Updated on March 20, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The role-playing genre is one of the most widespread genres in gaming that most fans are quite familiar with. The sheer number of ways these kinds of games are tackled is mind-boggling, making it clear why both AAA and indie RPGs have their fair share of things to bring to the table. In fact, most people would argue that indie role-playing games are superior to their cut-and-dry AAA counterparts, with some of these games featuring a lot of creativity that would put most major releases to shame.

16 Deltarune: Chapter 2

Metacritic Score: N/A

Deltarune is the much-awaited sequel to Undertale that most fans are waiting for with bated breath. Work on this title has been slow but promising, with Chapter 2 being so jam-packed with content that most people feel that it could stand on its own as a standalone experience.

Kris, Suzie, and Ralsei are all lovable characters who have their own motivations and secrets, with their character development being a treat to witness firsthand. The game is full of the same charm and wit that made Undertale such a memorable experience, making it clear that Deltarune is poised to take over the indie scene once again with its full release.

15 Haven

Metacritic Score: 73

A well-written RPG set in a desolate land where two lovers escape to live out their days in relative peace, it's surprising that the developers of a high-octane action game like Furi decided to try out something completely different for their next project. Haven's simple RPG mechanics and barebones co-op rubbed some people the wrong way, but the writing more than made up for it.

It's a great game to check out with a partner, with some of the scenes being pretty relatable for couples. The conquest of love overall is something that most people would love to support, making it easy to see why players should check out Haven whenever they get the time.

14 Darkest Dungeon 2

Metacritic Score: 82

It's a testament to the quality of the first Darkest Dungeon that so many people found the sequel to be disappointing. However, Red Hook Studios should be praised for taking such bold risks with this franchise, pushing it in a new direction that has brought out several positives of its own.

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The game is certainly more reactive, taking players on a grander adventure than the first game. This comes at the cost of the immaculate preparation present in the first game, but some people are willing to make this sacrifice.

13 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night

Metacritic Score: 84

Castlevania is considered to be one of the greatest action-adventure games of all time, and people have been itching for a new entry in the series. One of the producers who worked on the series was Koji Igarashi, who served as a producer at Konami.

After leaving the company, Igarashi decided to start a new studio to create a Castlevania spiritual successor. In the indie RPG Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, an orphan named Miriam is looking to save herself and society from being destroyed by Gebel and must go through a demon-filled castle to do it.

12 Genshin Impact

Metacritic Score: 84

Developed by Chinese indie developer miHoYo, Genshin Impact is an action RPG that takes place in the fantastical world of Teyvat. This world is home to seven different nations, each with a God that rules over it.

Players take on the role of the Traveler, a twin who is looking for their sibling somewhere in the world. Joined by Paimon, they must get involved with the gods and nations in order to find where the other twin went. Players can travel the open world in a party of up to four characters, controlling only one of them at a time.

11 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Metacritic Score: 85

Despite being released by major publishers, RPG 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is the work of indie team Vanillaware. The plot of the game revolves around thirteen high school students who live in Japan during the 1980s.

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Early on in the game, the group is forced into a war set in the future which is a fight between Kaijus and mechs. The game is a side-scrolling adventure game with a combat system that takes place in real-time. Players will also need to explore and talk to people in order to advance the narrative while also examining scenes in Analysis mode.

10 Wildermyth

Metacritic Score: 86

The idea of a narrative-driven RPG with randomized events and procedurally generated maps and encounters sounds like an experiment that can go up in flames if developers are careful while integrating these systems. Thankfully, Wildermyth didn't fall for this trap and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that this game is easily one of the most underrated strategy RPGs on Steam.

Characters may be randomized and generated by algorithms, but they still have a ton of heart to them that most other scripted role-playing games can only dream of! Party members can form friendships, rivalries, and romantic relationships as they engage in amazing adventures before eventually passing the baton down to their children or other fledgling adventurers.

9 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Metacritic Score: 86

When thinking about classic role-playing games by major developers, Nintendo's Paper Mario games from the early-2000s come to mind. To the ire of some fans, the developers have moved away from what they feel made the series' first two installments a solid turn-based RPG.

Moonsprout Games felt similarly, and thus Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling was born. Players take on the role of three insects as they explore Bugaria in search of treasure and eternal life. Like its inspiration, the game uses paper-like aesthetics and turn-based combat.

8 Sea Of Stars

Metacritic Score: 87

An homage to traditional JRPGs with some unique twists of its own, Sea of Stars is a beautiful game that players can get lost in if they give this title a chance. The fun combat, charming visuals, and engaging story all combine to form a delectable JRPG cocktail that fans can't get enough of.

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The modernization of most JRPG elements is one of the game's biggest achievements, eliminating most of the frustrations players experienced with some of these dated concepts. The journey is smooth and doesn't overstay its welcome, which is not something players say for most JRPGs.

7 Omori

Metacritic Score: 87

Fans of games like Earthbound and Undertale will become hopelessly enamored with Omori and how brilliantly it subverts expectations. At the start of the game, most people would feel that the game is nothing more than a cute RPG that explores the story of a boy and his friends as they explore a surreal world and have a great time with their friends.

However, it doesn't take long for players to figure out that something is really wrong in this game. The psychological horror side of the game comes out in unexpected and brilliant ways that keep players on the edge of their seats as they uncover the mystery surrounding both Omori and Sunny.