Even if you didn’t get a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S in 2021, there are lots of fantastic experiences to be enjoyed, not least on the independent scene–especially when no next-gen consoles are required. This year, like 2020, was a fantastic year for indie games. So, without further ado, here’s another person’s take on which ones are the finest of the lot, in the time-honored, end-of-year spirit.
1. Solar Ash
Heart Machine’s 2016 debut Hyper Light Drifter was always going to be difficult to top, but Solar Ash shows to be a worthy successor. This second Annapurna title has you in the shoes of Rei, a Voidrunner who glides across unimaginable environments to fight bad monsters and save her planet.
It isn’t as fluid as its flow-based predecessors, most notably Bound, but its beautiful and fascinating universe, tight gameplay, and massive boss battles help it carve out a unique niche for those who enjoy being pushed while also feeling relaxed.
2. Omno
Omno is the second game on this list that begins and ends with the letter O and was developed by a single developer, Jonas Manke–a real talent and the head of Studio Inkyfox in Bielefeld, Germany–who managed to deliver his fantasy after a successful and surprisingly modest Kickstarter campaign; the development story is as impressive as the game itself. Few games in 2021 are quite as dreamy and wonderful, channeling third-person exploration features of RiME and Journey, but with fewer stages, intriguing riddles, and a completionist vibe. Omno immerses you in a lovely and calm environment full of nature and mystery, as well as a surprisingly deep and emotional story and puzzles that complement but never disrupt the story.
3. Maquette
Graceful Decay’s mind-bending Maquette debuted on PS Plus on day one, taking a backseat to fellow freebie Final Fantasy VII Remake, but it deserves more attention than its famous predecessor.
Maquette, a first-person puzzle game in which the world nestles within itself like Russian matryoshka dolls, follows in the footsteps of 2020’s Superliminal in manipulating size and scale to present a story-heavy experience. Even though the writing occasionally runs a little thin, real-life husband-and-wife combination Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel bring a whole new level of gripping drama to the proceedings.