Indie Games: What You've Been Missing Out On

Ever since watching the popular YouTuber Markiplier, I grew an appreciation for Indie Games and what they have to offer. Hundreds of Indie Games are released every year and many go unplayed by a majority of gamers. It makes sense of course, because these smaller games do not have the budget or the resources to advertise their creations. Therefore the large, glamorous, and well-advertised games that makes millions each year (usually referred to as Triple A Titles) are the ones getting all the attention. But what about these Indie Games that sneak out unnoticed by millions of gamers? What do they have to offer?
I was never really into Indie Games because I always believed they were a waste of money. I never thought I could actually benefit from buying them and I certainly didn't expect Indie Games to enrich my gaming experience and knowledge. But once I developed a real passion for Indie Games, I was intrigued by the amount of creative, unique experiences these smaller games offer.
There are so many Indie Games available today that it's safe to say there's one for everyone. I had the pleasure of playing more indie games in 2015 than I have ever gotten the chance to, and the experiences I've had with those games has given me a new outlook on game development and gaming as a whole. Indie Games can offer more than just a low price point. They have wild and creative elements, unique art styles, intense and emotional stories, fantastic writing, fun and enjoyable mechanics, and even offer challenging puzzles to exercise your mind. What fascinates me most about the market of Indie Games is how many different kinds of them there are. There are a myriad of games with vastly different concepts which shows you that it's not impossible to create new ideas and make a game stand out. One example is the game Rocket League. Put simply, it's football with cars, which already sounds awesome. On top of that simple concept, the cars can be fully customized and even have the ability to sport flags of popular YouTube gaming groups. The cars have the ability to do insane maneuvers in the air and on the ground. They can even wall ride to reach a ball passing overhead. Along the field there are boost pickups that allow you to use a speed boost to get an advantage over other players. This game is beyond addicting to play and to watch, which has contributed to it's recent popularity. This game is just one of hundreds though, and while it is incredibly popular, it is still an Indie Game. It's just one of a seemingly endless supply of creative and fun ideas brought to life.
Indie Games come in all shapes and sizes too. Some are side-scrollers, some are pixel platformers, others are arcade arena games and some are even visual novels. It would take me forever just to list the endless independent games that have released this year. There have been games that have made me extremely invested in the story and the characters, games that kept me addicted for days because of how enjoyable the mechanics were, games that really tested my brain and my puzzle solving skills, and some games that I couldn't stop saying "wow this is cool" at.
It's also fascinating to me that some Indie Games have kept me addicted longer than titles made by well known studios. Specifically #IDARB which came to Xbox One last year, is an insanely addicted arena platformer that is fast-paced and very well designed. You can create your own 8-bit characters, teams, emblems, and even a team anthem. I have played this game alone more than quite a few Triple A titles because it's simple, easy to jump into, you can play with others and you end up having such a good time when you look up at the clock you've realized the hours have flew by. This is a perfect example of an out-of-the-box idea that turned into great game, like many other Indie Games become.
Granted, not every single Indie Game will be a homerun of course, but there are so many people who view these smaller games as garbage. Even these smaller games take hours and hours to make, some more than others, but are still made by people who love gaming and want to share their creation with the world. A lot of Indie Games have definitely made my list of favorite games for the past year alongside the bigger titles that have released. There's so much to be discovered and so many different experiences to be had. I encourage everyone who isn't already a fan of independent games to watch gameplay or do some research. It will almost certainly cause you to grow an even larger appreciation for the work that developers do on their games.

Below I have listed just a few of the many Indie Games you should check out.

You Must Build a Boat

This War of Mine

Never Alone