Unravel – just one of many games available off the beaten path

A reader suggests some lesser known alternatives to big name blockbusters and endless sequel, from 10 Second Ninja X to Hue.

In response to a few Inbox letters (all the way back in 2013!) in which people had written in to say they were starting to lose interest in gaming, and unable to find titles that offered anything new, I wrote a Reader’s Feature offering suggestions for excellent indie titles people should check out if they were in the same boat. With the exception of last year I’ve written a feature each year highlighting more of my favourites and so, without further ado, here are the best indie titles I’ve played over the past 12 months.



Inside (XO/PS4/PC)

I’ll avoid giving away too many details here, as it’s really best to experience Inside for yourself, but if you’ve ever played Limbo, the first title from the same studio, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of gameplay and general tone.

I did have a slight issue with the fact that some deaths are pretty much unavoidable on your first attempt but, thanks to the atmospheric art style, non-verbal (and cut scene free) storytelling and an ending that lends itself to debate I found Inside to be an intriguing and enjoyable two-hour experience.


Unravel (XO/PS4/PC)

An absolutely charming little 2D puzzle platformer in which the player must guide a character made of wool (he’s called Yarny) through a series of different environments. As you make your way through each level your wool gradually unravels behind you, hence the game’s title, and this wool can be used to climb, swing, and create bridges – amongst other things – in order to traverse obstacles and solve puzzles.

The platforming is really good fun and the puzzles offer a decent challenge in places, whilst always remaining logical within the context of the game. Add to this a subtly told but affecting story and you have a memorable experience that all gamers should play.

Golf Story (NS)

Following the death of his father, a former golfer, your player, having not played for 20 years, tries to recapture his love of the game and make it onto the pro tour.

Golf Story is, as far as I know, a unique title in that it is effectively a golf role-playing game [it’s inspired by Mario Golf on the Game Boy Color, which was also a golfing role-player – GC]. The gameplay itself, which largely involves playing nine-hole courses and other challenges using the old ‘three-click swing’ method found in many a golf game over the years, is a little simplistic to be honest and by itself likely wouldn’t have been enough to carry the title. Fortunately however the game’s script and sense of humour did more than enough to keep me playing and, as a golfer myself, I found it genuinely funny throughout.



10 Second Ninja X (XO/PS4/PC/PSV)

A game that does exactly what it says on the tin. Playing as an unnamed, and seemingly mute, ninja you have just 10 seconds to clear the screen of enemy robots. As you progress different enemy types and obstacles are added to complicate matters, adding an almost puzzle-like element to proceedings.

The game requires some quick fingers but thanks to the tight controls and well-balanced learning curve I never felt frustrated and often ended up in that ‘one more go’ loop many gamers will be familiar with. It won’t take long to complete (two to three hours for most people) but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with 10 Second Ninja X and I’d recommend it to anyone that is a fan of games like Super Meat Boy.

Hue (XO/PS4/PC/PSV)

A puzzle platformer in which the player explores an initially colourless land in search of their missing mother. As the player progresses they’ll gradually unlock a selection of colours which they are able to switch to at will. The key is that any objects matching the chosen colour will ‘disappear’ into the background and the player is required to make use of this to solve a variety of puzzles and traverse the landscape.

Hue is an enjoyable little game that combines its puzzle and platforming elements in a very satisfying way. The puzzles, unlike other examples in the genre, are always logical and can be solved without the need for trial and error or looking up YouTube videos. The controls are precise, making the platforming sections – which often involve quickly switching between colours – enjoyable and any deaths will be the result of player error rather than awkward controls. Hue is a relatively short game (around the four to five hour mark) but that means it doesn’t outstay its welcome and remains fun until the end.


VVVVVV (PS4/NS/PC/3DS/PSV/iOS)

When his ship becomes affected by ‘dimensional interference’ Captain Viridian must rescue his crew members and help them evacuate.

VVVVVV is effectively a 2D puzzle platformer with the central gimmick being that, rather than jumping, the player can switch the direction of gravity to allow them to fall upwards or downwards. Fair warning, don’t be fooled by the simple graphical style, this is a tough game (almost infuriatingly so at times!) but the gravity gimmick does offer up some interesting puzzles and platforming challenges to see the player through the two to three hours it’ll take to complete it.

The Talos Principle (PS4/PC/iOS)

A story driven first person puzzle game that tasks the player with completing a series of challenges in order to collect the puzzle pieces required to progress through the game.

The puzzles themselves, obviously the most important element in this genre, are (with a couple of exceptions) more logical than many other similar titles I’ve played but by about the halfway point virtually all the new elements had been introduced and they started to become a little repetitive. Fortunately the central story, which I won’t spoil here, is interesting and told in a non-intrusive way that allows the player to delve as into it as much or as little as they want and this helped keep me playing to the end when I might have otherwise given up.

Badland (PS3/Wii U/XO/PS4/PC/PSV/iOS)

Badland combines the endless runner and puzzle genres to create an interesting little title. There is arguably a little too much reliance on trial and error, and even just plain luck on occasions, which can be a little frustrating, but the game constantly introduces new ideas and the core gameplay is entertaining enough that this can be overlooked.


For anyone that is interested, suggestions from previous years can be found here:

How Not to Get Bored of Video Games: 2013 Edition

How Not to Get Bored of Video Games: 2014 Edition

How Not to Get Bored of Video Games: 2015 Edition

How Not to Get Bored of Video Games: 2016 Edition

Thanks for reading.

By reader DR Lowdon

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. As always, email gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk and follow us on Twitter.