If you go down to the woods today…

As the triple-A release schedule jumps into full gear this month indie games are taking us to some dark places. From the beginnings of human history to shadowy haunted woods, it’s going to be a real rollercoaster of emotions. So if you’re looking for something a little more offbeat than the latest shooter, our picks for this month might pique your interest. Let’s take a look at what you should be keeping your eye on this month.

5. Dry Drowning

Following the story of the unusually named Mordred Foley, Dry Drowning is a visual novel with noir flair. Set in a dystopian city, this psychological investigative thriller follows the haunted private detective as he investigates a series of macabre murders, all the while followed by a dark past.

The killings, seemingly inspired by Greek mythology, tap into the shady socio-political surroundings of Nova Polemos, a city in desperate need of redemption. It promises a mature and compelling story that delves into the dark side of its characters and explores the ambiguity of truth. It looks to be packing some heavy moral choices with the life and death of characters literally in your hands.

4. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

In what is like playing a documentary on the History Channel, albeit with a touch more action, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a third-person survival game where you evolve a clan of our early primate ancestors into the next generation of humans.

Starting out in Africa 10 million years ago, you’ll have to adapt to the hostile environment of the Neogene era by expanding your territory and facing the numerous predators out to get you and your clan.

Coming from the creator of Assassin’s Creed, you can at least expect some sweet parkour from our early ancestors as they navigate the brutal environment of the past. It presents an incredible journey through human history rarely glimpsed in popular culture. You’ll need to grow and expand your clan if you ever hope to reach the early epochs of human history and write the past which made us what we are today.

3.DARQ

In DARQ we find ourselves trapped in the dreamworld of Lloyd, a young boy who’s fantasy quickly turned into a nightmare he can’t escape. Aware he is dreaming, our protagonist begins to bend the rules of the dreamworld to his will in a bid to break free.

This dynamic puzzle platformer thrusts us into a dark Burtonesque world that can be explored by twisting the environment and manipulating the laws of physics. In a similar fashion to Fez, DARQ creates mind-bending puzzles with its gravity-defying challenges. You’ll have to avoid the monstrous entities that occupy the nightmare through evasion and stealth.

This stylish psychological horror looks to have bags of atmosphere with a creepy, unsettling approach to horror that skips the jump scares for a world filled with fear.

2. RAD

Bringing that big ’80s aesthetic to the post-apocalyptic future, RAD is an action-adventure with rogue-like elements set in a world where humanity faced armageddon not once but twice. Unlucky. Playing as a teenager on a quest to save the human race, again, you have to venture into the Fallow, a toxic ever-changing wasteland filled with mutants and radioactive materials.

As it turns out, venturing into the Fallow is an ill-fated one-way ticket. As you journey deeper and deeper into the post-apocalyptic remnants of humanity you expose yourself to its toxic atmosphere, morphing you into something else. With this metamorphosis come strange new abilities and powers, though – so it’s not all bad. This means you not only get to save the world but might also get some cool wings or webbed feet. Turns out RAD is pretty rad after all.

1. Blair Witch

Based on the cult classic ’90s found-footage horror film, Blair Witch looks to take us back to the wood where it all started. Coming from Layers of Fear developers, Bloober Team, this latest take on everyone’s favourite witch takes us back to 1996 when a young boy disappears.

Former police officer Ellis and his furry companion, Bullet, pick up the case and venture into the cursed wood to try and find the missing child. Shadowed by a dark past, Ellis will have to face his own personal demons as well as the rumoured inhabitants of the Black Hills Forest as he delves deeper into this troubling case.

This game looks terrifying, containing all the hallmarks of a great horror. And, who knows, maybe we’ll finally get to the see the one behind it all this time around: the camera-shy Blair Witch.

So there you have it, the world of indie games isn’t exactly a pretty place this month – some fears will have to be faced. Should you make it through, though, we’ll back next month with more indie games for you to feast your eyes on. In the meantime, if you’re looking for something a little more why not check out our newly updated list of the best 100 indie games available on PC right now.