Indie developers continue to release some of the best new indie games of the season, and this week’s lineup shows just how creative smaller studios can be. Even with a shortened holiday schedule in the US, the indie scene delivered fresh horror experiments, retro platformers, ambitious RPGs and surprising early-access debuts that are already generating buzz.
Why the best new indie games feel more important than ever
There’s something refreshing about seeing studios push forward with projects that reflect their personal vision — even when the industry makes that difficult. This week alone highlights both resilience and fragility in indie development. Santa Ragione announced it would release its latest project, Horses, exactly as originally envisioned, despite the game being blocked on Steam. With the studio unable to publish on the world’s largest PC storefront, its future now hangs in the balance.
On the other hand, Team Cherry reminded everyone what creative freedom can produce. Thanks to the massive success of the first Hollow Knight, the developers were able to quietly polish Silksong for years. They resurfaced only when they were ready — revealing the release date with just two weeks’ notice. These drastically different stories have something in common: both teams delivered the games they wanted to make.
A.I.L.A — AI-generated nightmares in a shifting horror anthology
One of the best new indie games this week is A.I.L.A, a first-person horror experience from Pulsatrix Studios. You play as a VR game tester whose assignments are generated — and constantly rewritten — by an unpredictable AI. At first, it seems like a clever setup. Then the AI begins probing your character’s deepest fears, blurring the line between simulation and reality.
Because of its structure, A.I.L.A can explore multiple horror subgenres in one game. Expect everything from cult encounters and alien threats to eerie mannequins and zombie-infested chapters. The shifting format makes the experience feel like a playable horror anthology. It’s available now on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Of Ash and Steel — a massive open-world RPG without hand-holding
If you prefer sprawling adventures, Of Ash and Steel offers more than 45 hours of story content. What sets it apart, though, is the absence of quest markers. Instead, you listen to what characters say, map out clues yourself, and rely on exploration rather than icons and arrows. The design invites players to slow down, observe and get lost — in the best way.
The game’s final trailer also teases a clash between colossal titans, hinting at dramatic late-game encounters. Of Ash and Steel is discounted on Steam and GOG through December 8.
Young Suns — a cozy co-op life sim set on Jupiter
Another standout in the lineup of best new indie games is Young Suns, the newest project from Ko_Op, the studio behind Goodbye Volcano High. Announced this week, it immediately launched as a Game Preview title on all Game Pass tiers for Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Cloud.
Designed for up to four players, Young Suns blends life simulation, base building and space exploration. You’ll visit stations, planetoids and ruins while upgrading your ship-home and interacting with a cast of 30 characters — each with weeks of unique dialogue. The game is still in development, but its early version is already surprisingly charming.
Dinopunk: The Cacops Adventure — a retro tribute with style
Retro fans get something special with Dinopunk: The Cacops Adventure, a colorful platformer inspired by classics like Wonder Boy, Alex Kidd and Contra. You play as an amphibian dinosaur who collects special items to upgrade attacks and tackle arcade-style minigames.
The tone is playful, the art is nostalgic, and one boss — the unforgettable “Gatling Saurus” — steals the show. The game is out now on Steam with a small launch discount.
Ferocious — command dinosaurs in a first-person action shooter
If you want something louder and more chaotic, Ferocious might be the most surprising entry this week. This first-person shooter hands you a device that lets you communicate with and command dinosaurs. Calling a triceratops charge or riding a T. rex into battle looks as wild as it sounds.
The story pits you against a powerful corporation attempting to reshape the world using weaponized dinosaurs. Ferocious launches on Steam on December 4.
There Are No Ghosts at the Grand — a cozy, musical mystery with a twist
Perhaps the most unusual release of the week is There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, a “spooky, cozy musical mystery” now available as a playable demo on Steam. After inheriting a rundown hotel, you have 30 days to restore it using chatty power tools — like a furniture cannon — while fending off ghosts each night.
It’s odd, charming and unlike anything else releasing right now. The full game will arrive on PC and Xbox Series X/S next year, with a day-one Game Pass launch.
Why these are the best new indie games of the week
What ties these titles together is ambition. Whether it’s horror told through an AI lens, a titan-filled RPG without markers, a life sim on Jupiter or a retro dino adventure, each game brings something distinct to the table. Indie studios continue to take risks that bigger publishers often avoid — and players benefit every time.
If this week is any indication, the coming months will be packed with more inventive and unexpected indie gems worth keeping an eye on.
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