Guide: 13 Indie Games to Keep an Eye on in 2026

The indie scene continues to be one of the most creative spaces in the gaming industry, offering bold, emotional, and deeply personal projects. From poetic stop-motion adventures to challenging roguelikes, 2026 is shaping up to deliver a lineup of titles that go far beyond traditional entertainment.

This list features some of the most anticipated indie games, highlighting their concepts, visual styles, and storytelling.

Out of Words

- Release Date: 2026

- Platforms: PC (Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

- Developers: Kong Orange, Wired Fly, Morten Søndergaard

- Publisher: Epic Games Publishing

In Out of Words, you and a friend play as Kurt and Karla, two characters exploring the handcrafted world of Vokabulantis in a cooperative adventure. The game stands out with its distinctive stop-motion animation style, creating a rich and emotional atmosphere. The story explores themes of friendship and communication, challenging players to solve puzzles that rely on coordination and teamwork.

Developed by Kong Orange and Wired Fly, with a story written by Danish poet Morten Søndergaard, Out of Words promises an innovative mix of art, storytelling, and cooperative gameplay. Published by Epic Games Publishing, the game is expected to launch in 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Slay the Spire 2

- Release Date: March 2026 (Early Access)

- Platform: PC (Steam)

- Developer: Mega Crit Games

- Publisher: Mega Crit Games

Slay the Spire 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2019 roguelike deckbuilder. Players return to the Spire with new heroes, enemies, events, and bosses, while preserving the strategic depth that made the original a hit. The game will launch in Early Access in March 2026, allowing fans to take part in its development and provide feedback.

Developed and published by Mega Crit Games, Slay the Spire 2 expands on the universe of the original with new mechanics and challenges. The developers have emphasized that the sequel will maintain the strategic complexity and replayability that made the first game a favorite among card game and roguelike enthusiasts.

Denshattack!

- Release Date: Spring 2026

- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

- Developer: Undercoders

- Publisher: Fireshine Games

Denshattack! is a 3D platformer that blends skateboarding mechanics with intense boss battles, set in a world where trains are used for acrobatic stunts. Players control characters who ride trains through challenging levels, battling enemies and performing tricks to progress.

Developed by Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games, Denshattack! is scheduled for release in Spring 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game promises a fast-paced and creative experience that combines action, speed, and flair in a colorful, dynamic world.

TOEM 2

- Release Date: 2026

- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

- Developer: Something We Made

- Publisher: Something We Made, Popagenda

TOEM 2 is the follow-up to the beloved 2021 photography adventure game. Players step into the shoes of a curious photographer on a new journey to capture special moments and help locals along the way. The sequel keeps the charming art style and relaxing gameplay that made the first game a fan favorite.

Developed by Something We Made and co-published with Popagenda, TOEM 2 is set to release in 2026 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Fans can expect a sequel that expands the world and mechanics while preserving the warmth and simplicity that made TOEM such a joy to play.

Grave Seasons

- Release Date: 2026

- Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

- Developer: Perfect Garbage

- Publisher: Blumhouse Games

Grave Seasons is a farming simulation game with a horror twist, set in the mysterious town of Ashenridge. Players must farm, build relationships, and investigate supernatural events. The game combines life-sim mechanics with a compelling mystery, as players work to uncover who among the townspeople is a supernatural serial killer.

Developed by Perfect Garbage and published by Blumhouse Games, Grave Seasons is set to launch in 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Blumhouse Games, known for its focus on atmospheric and narrative-driven titles, promises a uniquely chilling take on the farming sim genre.

Map Map - A Game About Maps

- Release Date: Q2 2026

- Platforms: PC

- Developer: Pipapo Games

- Publisher: Pipapo Games

Map Map - A Game About Maps is an adventure game where players take on the role of a cartographer exploring uncharted islands to create detailed maps. The game blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and resource collection, encouraging players to use their observation and navigation skills to complete their maps.

Developed and published by Pipapo Games, Map Map - A Game About Maps is expected to release in Q2 2026 for PC. The game aims to deliver a calm yet captivating experience centered on exploration and creativity, featuring an art style inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Infinitesimals

- Release Date: 2026

- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Epic Games Store)

- Developer: Cubit Studios

- Publisher: Epic Games Publishing

In Infinitesimals, you take on the role of Captain Awkney Relinrake, leader of an alien squad stranded on Earth at a microscopic scale after a crash. The gameplay offers players the freedom to combine equipment and abilities to create a personalized playstyle, whether stealth-oriented or focused on direct combat. The setting is rich and detailed, featuring hostile landscapes and local fauna, including predatory machines known as Hunter Gatherers.

The game emphasizes large interactive hubs that encourage exploration without relying on a fully open world. With deep storytelling and immersive mechanics, Infinitesimals promises a distinctive experience that blends narrative depth with player freedom.

End of Abyss

- Release Date: 2026

- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Epic Games Store)

- Developer: Section 9 Interactive

- Publisher: Epic Games Publishing

End of Abyss is a top-down action-adventure developed by Section 9 Interactive, a studio founded by former members of Tarsier Studios. The story begins with a distress signal that sends the protagonist to investigate desolate, retrofuturistic locations. Its heavy, oppressive atmosphere draws inspiration from Alien, Akira, Metroid, and The Legend of Zelda.

The game combines elements of survival horror, metroidvania, and twin-stick shooter genres to create a unique hybrid experience defined by tension and style. Praised during the Summer Game Fest, End of Abyss is already regarded as one of the most promising indie titles of the coming year.

Neverway

- Release Date: 2026

- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC

- Developer: Coldblood

- Publisher: Coldblood, Outersloth

Neverway is a psychological horror RPG that mixes life-sim elements with fast-paced combat and exploration across two parallel dimensions. The story follows Fiona, a young woman who quits a dead-end job to start fresh on Montgomery Island, only to become the heir to a dead god. The game alternates between reality and the dark realm of Neverway, delivering an emotionally charged narrative with striking visual contrasts.

With a soundtrack by Disasterpeace and pixel art by Pedro Medeiros, Neverway stands out for its distinctive aesthetic and emotional storytelling. Scheduled for release in 2026, it is already seen as one of the most intriguing psychological horror titles on the horizon.

Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2

- Release Date: Expected 2026

- Platforms: PC (Steam)

- Developer: Hinterland Studio Inc.

- Publisher: Hinterland Studio Inc.

After a decade refining The Long Dark, Hinterland Studio has unveiled Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, a sequel expanding the survival experience with new systems and challenges. Set in the frozen city of Harmont, the game introduces cooperative play and an innovative psychological mechanic where players must manage their will to live while confronting the horrors of a silent apocalypse. Taking place one year after the events of the original game, it features new NPCs and settlements that deepen the social dynamics of trust and survival.

Led by Raphael Van Lierop, Blackfrost continues Hinterland’s tradition of immersive and emotionally grounded storytelling. The studio aims to push players to their limits, questioning how far one would go to protect others in a world stripped of mercy.

Felt That: Boxing

- Release Date: TBA

- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

- Developer: Sans Strings Studio

- Publisher: TBA

Felt That: Boxing blends arcade boxing with puppet comedy, starring Fuzz-E, a charming puppet competing in the Million Punch Tournament to save an orphanage. Inspired by Sesame Street and Punch-Out!!, the game mixes intense boxing matches with minigames and unlockable secret moves. Its dynamic soundtrack by Flying Lotus evolves throughout each bout, amplifying the intensity of the action.

Developed by Sans Strings Studio under Ryan Corniel and Sébastien Deguy, the game uses innovative digital puppeteering techniques to bring a fresh, playful energy to the fighting genre. Though it has no confirmed release date, Felt That: Boxing is already generating excitement as one of the most inventive indie projects in development.

Stage Fright

- Release Date: TBA

- Platforms: PC (Steam)

- Developer: Ghost Town Games Ltd.

- Publisher: Hello Games

Following the success of Overcooked, Ghost Town Games returns with Stage Fright, a cooperative adventure exploring new creative directions. Instead of chaotic kitchen teamwork, players follow Drew, Blake, and Charlie through a coming-of-age mystery where collaboration is essential to progress.

The main challenge for the studio is to craft a story as engaging as its cooperative gameplay. With simple controls and strong emphasis on teamwork, Stage Fright represents a bold new chapter for Ghost Town Games as it evolves beyond its Overcooked legacy.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring

- Release Date: TBA

- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)

- Developer: Herobeat Studios

- Publisher: Herobeat Studios

From the creators of Endling: Extinction is Forever, Rewilders: The Lost Spring is a roguelite action game combining open-world exploration with soulslike combat and metroidvania-style progression. Players are tasked with restoring destroyed ecosystems, bringing life back to a barren, hostile world. As progress is made, the environment evolves, with native wildlife returning and biomes gradually regenerating.

Known for its heartfelt and eco-conscious design philosophy, Herobeat Studios aims to deliver an experience that is both challenging and emotionally resonant. Expected in 2026, Rewilders promises to be a moving and memorable journey.

The power of indie games lies in creative freedom, and these upcoming releases are a testament to that spirit.

Which indie title are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!