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The 50 Best Indie Games of 2017: #50 — #41

2017 was a strong year for indie games, and we’re highlighting 50 of the best games to come out this year. Here’s the definitive Into Indie Games list for 2017.

2017 was the year indie games found a new home: the Nintendo Switch, the home console-portable hybrid that has broken all expectations. 2017 was also a year marked by many controversies in the video games industry, but indie games paddled forth past the exploding battleships. Some of the finest experiences this year came from the indie quarter, and we’re celebrating the diversity and ingenuity of indie games with this mega-list. Over this week, find out the 50 Best Indie Games that released this year.

We’ve ranked the games loosely according to their OpenCritic scores, which should give you a good idea of what critics thought of the game. We’ve also steered clear of re-releases and ports, focusing on original content.

Here’s the rest of the list:

• #10 — #1
• #20 — #11
• #30 — #21
• #40 — #31
• #50 — #41

#50 — Super Rude Bear Resurrection

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Super Rude Bear Resurrection can be easily compared to other timing-based, hard-as-nails platformers like Super Meat Boy. But here’s the twist: every time you die, your corpse stays where it is, and you can step on it to get a literal leg up. Critics praised the flexible accessibility of the game, as well as the challenge it has to offer.

Check out our previous coverage of the game.

Get it if: You enjoy a tough platforming challenge in the quest for finesse. Or, if you just enjoy piling up bear corpses.

#49 — Darkwood

Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux

Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game that literally divides its day between the two halves of that genre. By daylight, you struggle to scavenge for items in an open world set-up. By night, you must set up traps and defend yourself from horrors in your hideout. Critics praised the game for its atmosphere and sense of horror.

Check out our previous coverage of the game.

Get it if: You’re a survivalist who’s lost track of time and thinks it’s Halloween, not Christmas season.

#48 — Cosmic Star Heroine

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS Vita

Cosmic Star Heroine is a Japanese-style RPG inspired by the classics of the 90s. You control Alyssa L’Salle, the titular cosmic secret agent who uncovers a conspiracy and is forced to go rogue to stop it. It’s from the makers of Cthulhu Saves The World, and features a turn-based combat system just like the good ol’ times. Critics praised it for its story, writing, characters and combat system.

Check out our previous coverage of the game.

Get it if: If you are a JRPG fan from the 1990s who’s magically time-travelled to the 2017 and are horrified by every other game that’s on offer.

#47 — Nidhogg 2

Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4

Nidhogg 2 is the sequel to the fencing classic Nidhogg, and it’s a don’t-fix-what-isn’t-broken follow-up to the original. Your goal is to beat your opponent back to have the honour of being eaten by a giant wurm. Well, they did ‘fix’ the art style, but that was a controversial move at best. Critics praised the game for its high-wire multiplayer combat. Some even liked the art style.

Check out our previous coverage of the game.

Get it if: You have friends you’ve always wanted to stab in the face. Virtually, of course.

#46 — Shooty Fruity

Platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR

Shooty Fruity presents you an interesting work opportunity. Once you’re comfy in your VR headset, your job is to scan fruit at a store… while defending the store from attacking mutant fruit. Perhaps the ultimate multi-tasking challenge. Critics praised it for its original, frantic gameplay.

Get it if: You hate your job, you hate fruit, you hate doing one thing at a time. Basically, if you hate everything.

Head over to Page 2 to find out #45 – #41!