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It’s a good time to be a connoisseur of indie games. As smaller studios have found easier and bigger avenues into the public domain, that means I’ve got more games than I care to admit on my wish list, just waiting for the right push to buy (and added to my backlog too become).
So, consider this my suggestion for you if you’ve been unsure whether to get one of these titles for a long time, or are just looking for a new game to add to your library.
Table of Contents
Dave the diver
This title just came out on Steam for PC in the last few weeks and is a great addition to my gaming library. Dave the diver offers a truly unique place in the management sim genre with its truly goofy cast of characters and ability to make its small world feel absolutely massive.
Explore the deep sea during the day (and that includes battling aggro sea creatures and other humans) to collect the ingredients you need to run your sushi restaurant at night. Uncover the mystery of the Deep Blue Hole and its mythical (and giant) denizens in my latest gaming obsession.
genre: adventure role-playing game, management simulation | Price: $19.99 | platforms:PC
Roots of Pacha
Roots of Pacha brings life and farming sim back to a prehistoric place, back in time when concepts of togetherness and community were still thriving. The title released earlier this year and it was a joy and a breath of fresh air to play through in its own take on the life simulation genre.
genre: life simulation, farm simulation | Price: $24.99 | platforms:PC
Kynseed
Kynseed is a life simulation RPG that is a lot of fun. The game is developed by PixelCount Studios, which was founded by some former Fable developers. It was released in Early Access in 2018 and officially released in December 2022.
“You have received the Kynseed, a mystical acorn that will grow into a family tree whose branches will manifest your decisions,” the developers described the game in a press release. “Raise a family, till the land, run businesses and explore the world as the residents around you grow older. When you die, assume the role of your children and carry on your legacy. In this beautifully crafted world, an epic tale of adventure and ambition unfolds around you as you discover the secrets of the land of Quill and its unforgettable characters.”
genre: Life Simulation, Farming Simulation, Sandbox RPG | Price: 24.99 | platforms:PC
Potions Permission
Potions Permission is an absolute gem in the life simulation and management genre. You will find yourself a pariah in a village with a deep distrust of science, but through a kind and helpful healing touch you will uncover the mystery behind the animosity. You run your own chemical store and clinic, diagnosing and curing diseases with your own magic potions.
genre: Sim RPG | Price: $19.99 / Demo Available | platforms: PC, PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch
Travelers are resting
rest of the traveller has undergone a complete metamorphosis since I first picked it up in July 2020. The title started as a solo project for a developer named Louqou and commissioned isolated games to develop in 2021. In the two years since the news, Insulated Games has embraced Louqou’s vision and further refined the tavern sim into a game that’s hard to put down.
genre: life simulation, farming simulation | Price: $14.99 | platforms:PC
bear and breakfast
Words cannot describe the charm that the developers of Gummy Cat have brought to this chilled and damn adorable management adventure game bear and breakfast. You play as Hank to uncover the secrets and mysteries of Timber Crossing, the thicket and the world that surrounds it.
genre: management simulation | Price: $19.99 | platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
sunport
sunport brings an entire world to life in a format we love: building a farm and building relationships with the city at large. sunport features an entertaining cast of characters and a vibrant world that is well worth exploring, whether alone or with up to 7 other players (8 in total!).
The game was fully released earlier this year after a period in Early Access, and the developers are hard at work implementing tons of new content, including an epilogue, new romantic characters, a museum, seasonal events, and more.
genre: Farming Sim, Multiplayer | Price: $24.99 | platforms:PC
Other indie titles that always show up in my recently played tab on Steam: Binding of Isaac, caving, Don’t starve together, Oxygen not included, Stardew Valley, raft.