What a year we had for Indie games in 2019. Once again Indie developers delivered games that showed the gaming community that not all great games come from AAA studios. As we look ahead 2020 is promising to be another year of jaw dropping releases. Here are ten games to keep an eye on for 2020.

Death Trash

Developer: Crafting Legends

Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Death Trash the cyberpunk inspired pixel game looks brutal and comical at the same time. With gruesome combat and in your face dialogue this title is highly anticipated in the indie community. With single player and co-op being featured you the raider will have plenty to do on the planet of Nexus alone or with a friend. Craft items, fight epic monsters and slash your way through this post-apocalyptic game hopefully in early 2020.

Features:

A post-apocalyptic world with punks, science fiction, cosmic flesh titans, grotesque elements, sexual references and trash-talking

Gameplay featuring combat, stealth, dialogue, inventory management, item crafting

Thick atmosphere, fresh dialogue and harsh combat

Grungy pixelart style unique to this game

Visual character customization and roleplaying attributes, skills and perks

Use psi powers in and out of combat

Any character in this world can be killed

Empowering the player by building on imagination, freedom and choices

Supports both mouse/keyboard and controller

Optional local co-op where a second player can drop in and out anytime

Star Renegades

Developer: Massive Damage, Inc.

Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Star Renegades is a strategy RPG set in an endless interplanetary rebellion against The Imperium. As your enemy grows so shall you as you can gain special skills, weapons, gear and loot. The game provides an open world for its player with tactical turn-based combat. This title has been a highlight of ours and with its gorgeous pixel art it’s easy to see why. Lead your team of rebels and fight back the enemy.

Features:

Outwit your foes with interrupts, counters, and combos in our fast-paced tactical turn-based timeline battel system.

Explore hauntingly beautiful landscapes, ruins, and procedurally generated dungeons in your mission to overthrow The Imperium.

Survive the relentless onslaught of a procedural Adversary system that generates unique enemies and bosses that evolve as you play.

Unlock, trade and upgrade your rebels with tons of weapons, loot and gear.

Dead Static Drive

Developer: Fanclub

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Is it me or does this game feel as if it is coming out every year? That is probably how much this game has been talked about. Described as “Grand Theft Cthulhu” there isn’t much left to say about the title. It looks kick ass and the enemies are definitely what nightmares are made of. If you are ready to ride or die then this indie game is just for you.

Features:

Survive – Loot, gather or kill in order to stay alive.

Road trip – Drive across a dangerous America making pit stops along the way.

Do what you like – Climb, drive, run, shoot, loot or attack people however you see fit.

Bloodroots

Developer: Paper Cult

Platforms: PC, PS4 Switch, Xbox One

You are Mr. Wolf in Bloodroots and your mission is revenge. You are outnumbered but that isn’t going to stop you. Get ready because from early impressions this one is very brutal. The action is non-stop and the violence is used on everyone and everything in your path. Seriously have you seen what you can do in this game? Anything from hatchets, ladders, food items and more can be used as a weapon. The beautiful colors of this game will only highlight the destruction and chaos you perform. You have been warned.

Features:

A world overflowing with makeshift weapons that not only change the way you fight, but how you get around.

Improvise the most deadly combos and compete for fame on worldwide leaderboards.

Fight your way through a variety of handcrafted levels, from forests to mountaintops.

Experience a twisted Western revenge tale with a deranged cast of characters.

Foregone

Developer: Big Blue Bubble

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Foregone by the cool people over at Big Blue Bubble caught our eye at E3 2019. So much so that I had the pleasure of asking the developers some questions about their fantastic looking game. Foregone Q&A with Big Blue Bubble Inspired by games like Diablo and Dark Souls I think it’s safe to say we might have a challenge on our hands. Play as the gorgeous Arbiter charged with keeping the peace. Battle against formidable bosses and try not to drool from the pixelated glory on your screen. All that intense combat along with detailed artwork. If Foregone isn’t in your rotation this year then I don’t know what to say. Shame maybe?

Features:

Intense combat focused action platformer.

Deep exploration-driven story.

Challenging Souls inspired gameplay.

Huge lineup of weapons and upgradeable skills.

Detailed next-gen pixel artwork.

Raji: An Ancient Epic

Developer: Nodding Heads Games

Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Raji: An Ancient Epic topped our list of Indie games at Gamescom 2019 for a few reasons. One, it looks unique onscreen and I couldn’t help but fall in love. Two, I really enjoyed the story of this taking place in India right at the start of the next great war. You play as Raji chosen by the Gods to deal with demons as humanity is on the brink of extinction. The game is an adventure about self-discovery, life, and those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. This title has heart and I hope to see it released in 2020 sometime soon.

Features:

The player feels a demigod residing in Raji while the vulnerable human side is never too far. The focus of the gameplay is as follows.

Choose your Gods to favor you, each one of them provides you with striking abilities for various weapons, allowing you to fight against all odds.

Fight against a variety of enemies, including mini-bosses and epic boss battles. Every fight is more challenging than the previous.

Explore the levels to discover intriguing locations and exciting puzzles.

Quick switch between two weapons, allowing you to maneuver your tactics and approach to best your opponent.

Unto the End

Developer: 2 Ton Studios

Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Unto the end finds a way to move up on my list every single time I see gameplay footage. In the game you are a father who must fight his way across treacherous lands in order to save his family. As your journey takes you through mountain passes and stark winter forests you will encounter one-on-one fights along with group battles. This is certainly my style of game and if the combat is as good as it looks in the trailer, we will be in for a treat.

Features:

Nuanced 2D Combat system.

Handcrafted encounters.

Unforgiving landscapes.

Flynn: Son of Crimson

Developer: Studio Thunderhorse

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Ah yes the prodigal son returns. I always wanted to say that even if it doesn’t mean anything here. Successfully funded on Kickstarter Flynn: Son of Crimson is a 2D action platformer with Metroidvania elements. Play as the hero Flynn an orphan who is in search of his past. On his journey he awakens the ancient power of Crimson inside of him. This is just in time as a darkness is coming and our hero must meet it head on. I love the look of this game and Flynn’s companion Dex. Together you will have to uncover the truth behind The Scourge and Zealock. Wield weapons such as bows, axes and swords as you face epic battles in this adventure game. I can’t wait to get my hands on this sure to be gem.

Features:

Explore a wondrous world filled with discovery, taking place in unique regions designed with non-linear exploration. Swap between multiple weapons with quick and satisfying combat. Dive in to a land with ancient mysteries and rich story. Travel across the lands, discovering new ways to roam and opening new paths using the power of crimson. Dip in and out of an alternate dimension to make unique alterations to the real world. View a realm full of life, carefully formed with hand-crafted pixel art. Trade trinkets for new combat techniques and runes with an old war veteran. Call on your companion Dex in times of need, a mystical and loyal creature.



Test your strength in the feared Rustwood coliseum among other challenging feats.

Sable

Developer: Shedworks

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

A coming of age story Sable was difficult to place second on the list. Explore across a strikingly rendered open world desert in one of the coolest looking games coming in 2020. You will explore an alien planet and discover ancient monuments, ruined architecture and ships fallen from the cosmos. Not only does this game look incredible but the story behind it is very intriguing. One that will guide you on a path of lessons about life, family and being a part of something greater. I truly can’t speak this game up enough at the moment. The artwork is reminiscent of the movie Heavy Metal and a promising tale of discovery makes this game extra fascinating. This is a must play in 2020.

Features:

A WORLD OF ADVENTURE: Travel across a far-way desert planet on the back of your hover bike to uncover relics of an ancient past.

Travel across a far-way desert planet on the back of your hover bike to uncover relics of an ancient past. A VOYAGE OF EXPLORATION: Meet nomadic peoples and assist with their quests to learn their stories, as they lead you to the far reaches and hidden secrets of the sand-weathered planet.

Meet nomadic peoples and assist with their quests to learn their stories, as they lead you to the far reaches and hidden secrets of the sand-weathered planet. A QUEST OF SELF-DISCOVERY: Accompany Sable through this rite of passage as she learns valuable lessons of the clan, and the people and culture of her world.

The Last Night

Developer: Odd Tales

Platforms: PC, Xbox One

From a small flash game that was made in six days emerged something people couldn’t stop talking about. It was a hit. It also rocked. The game was said to be releasing this year in 2020 but as of now it’s up in the air. Still, if there is a chance then it needs to be on this list. The Last Night didn’t just blow us away with its cool gameplay but the music and setting was perfect. I loved watching every second of it. Now we are going to get (hopefully) a full length game with all the glorious music and gameplay. Granted this is going to be way better in terms of the way it appears on your screen but high hopes folks, high hopes. I want to talk this game up with how incredible it looks, the Blade Runner style of scenery and tone. Alas, I don’t think words can do it justice. Check out the screenshots and watch the trailer. If you have already then you know, you know.

The order of this list doesn’t matter as much as the games. We as gamers are fortunate that such titles are coming for us to play. 2020 is going to be a big year for Indie gaming and I honestly don’t know where I’m going to find the time to play them all, but I’ll surely try my best. Thank you Indie gaming community for taking the time to check out these wonderful looking games.

Honorable mention:

Minute of Island

The Red Lantern

Yes, your Grace

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