Games from independent developers (indies) and small teams have slowly gained popularity over the years, captivating more and more gamers with their boundless innovation, fresh mechanics, and unique storytelling, which AAA titles often lack these days. These underdogs infuse projects with raw creativity and risk-taking that reignites the magic of gaming, sometimes with publisher support. Once confined to niche corners with small followings, indies are now stealing the spotlight, outperforming and outshining big-budget behemoths. In 2025, the scales finally tipped: small creators are fueling record-breaking sales, critical acclaim, and community fanfare.
While AAA heavyweights like Monster Hunter Wilds, Donkey Kong Bananza, Death Stranding 2, Kingdom Come Deliverance II, Borderlands 4, and Doom: The Dark Ages delivered spectacle, indies matched them in acclaim, commercial success, and cultural impact—proving size isn’t everything. Here are the standout titles from small, impactful teams that conquered 2025.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Developer: Sandfall Interactive
- OpenCritic Score: 92
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, published by Kepler Interactive, may have you believe it was developed by a studio that could rival Square Enix’s Final Fantasy team due to its amazing production value; however, Sandfall Interactive only has ~30 developers. The game shattered expectations by selling 3.3 million copies in just 33 days, as if destined by its numerical theme. That’s not even including the players who played the game through Xbox Game Pass. This Japanese-influenced RPG blends unique active turn-based combat, emotional narrative, and breathtaking visuals that culminate into a GOTY contender that checks every box on a smaller budget.
Hollow Knight Silksong
Developer: Team Cherry
- OpenCritic Score: 91
Hollow Knight Silksong, the most highly anticipated and hyped game of 2025, sold 6 million units in its launch month according to Alinea Analytics, surpassing its predecessor’s lifetime figures in less than 30 days. You could say this is the face of true indies. Fan fervor built through years of minimal updates and memes turned it into a cultural phenomenon. As a sequel to the renowned metroidvania, it gives you more of what you loved from the original: tough-as-nails platforming, insane boss fights, haunting lore, and a beautiful soundtrack that deepens immersion, fostering endless discoveries and emotional connections in a beautifully melancholic world.
Hades II
Developer: Supergiant Games
- OpenCritic Score: 94
Hades II, now the highest-rated new game of 2025, sold over 2 million copies during its Steam early access, though updated full-release figures remain undisclosed. As another highly anticipated sequel, PC and Nintendo fans showed out for the 1.0 release. This roguelike action RPG dives into a new character, Melinoë, with the same fluid hack-and-slash combat and addictive gameplay loop. Blending witty character interactions, an empowering progression system, and a heartfelt narrative, it seamlessly brings meaning to each failed run and creates another roguelike masterpiece that keeps you coming back.
Megabonk
Developer: Vedinad
Megabonk achieved breakout commercial success with 1 million copies sold in two weeks, propelled by Vedinad‘s grassroots marketing and viral demo on Steam. Anticipation surged through influencer playthroughs highlighting its chaotic fun, positioning it as an unexpected indie darling. This 3D survivors-like pits players against hordes of enemies in absurd, power-up-fueled arenas. With its satisfying build synergies and randomized chaos, it turns each run into a hilarious, adrenaline-pumping spectacle.
Schedule I (Early Access)
Developer: TVGS (Tyler’s Video Games Studios)
Schedule I is an open-world, co-op crime and drug dealing simulator that has reportedly notched over 8 million sales on Steam in early access. The game lets players manufacture and distribute a variety of illicit products, manage employees and properties, and engage in combat within a small city. Fans appreciate the drop-in/drop-out co-op, deep management mechanics, and how authentic the experience feels, even with its goofy art style.
Peak
Developer: Aggro Crab
- OpenCritic Score: 83
Peak skyrocketed to over 10 million copies sold, completely eclipsing Aggro Crab’s prior hit Another Crab’s Treasure and dominating Steam charts. This cooperative climbing simulator challenges teams to scale treacherous peaks using physics-based tools and teamwork. The emergent, free-form gameplay exudes hilarity and an overall fun time with friends of all skill levels.
Deltarune 3+4
Developer: Toby Fox
- OpenCritic Score: 88
Toby Fox‘s Deltarune Chapters 3 & 4 had a strong launch, capitalizing on the first 2 chapter releases and Undertale‘s enduring legacy. These RPG installments fuse turn-based battles with bullet-hell dodging in a quirky adventure through the Dark World. Fans love the eccentric characters, choices, and consequences during battle, innovative combat that mixes strategy with bullet hell, banger soundtrack, and clever writing.
Abiotic Factor
Developer: Deep Field Games
- OpenCritic Score: 84
Abiotic Factor sold over 1.5 million copies on Steam, and that’s not including the numbers from Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus players. This co-op survival crafting game casts players as scientists in a chaotic research facility overrun by anomalies; gamers adore its blend of humor and tension, fun survival elements, combat against interdimensional threats, emergent co-op chaos with friends, and rewarding exploration of absurd experiments, making survival feel fresh.
Blue Prince
Developer: Dogubomb Inc.
- OpenCritic Score: 89
Blue Prince debuted as the highest-rated game of 2025, before other heavy hitters released after and overtook its spot. It launched on Game Pass and PS Plus, reportedly amassing over 2 million players by September. This innovative puzzle adventure revolves around building and rearranging mansion rooms to uncover secrets. With its mind-bending spatial logic, narrative-driven twists, and satisfying “aha” moments, it’s a must-play for those looking for a mental challenge.
Split Fiction
Developer: Hazelight Studios
- OpenCritic Score: 91
Split Fiction, developed by the small and passionate Hazelight Studios and published by EA Originals, secured over 4 million sales as of May, following up on It Takes Two‘s success. The game was a highly anticipated title with Hazelight making more and more of a name with each new game release. This co-op-only narrative adventure tells a story of two authors trapped inside the virtual worlds of their own novels. With new mechanics being introduced regularly throughout the campaign, it captivated players and became an early runner for GOTY.
In Conclusion
In 2025, indies and small creative teams didn’t merely compete with the big names—they dominated the industry, demonstrating that ingenuity and passion can outpace colossal budgets and marketing machines. With unprecedented sales milestones, top-tier critic scores, and fervent communities driving ongoing engagement, these titles reshaped player expectations, emphasizing originality over formulaic.
Yet, this list only scratches the surface; countless other amazing indies have released this year (like my personal favorite, BLADECHIMERA), with even more still to come. As gamers increasingly seek authentic experiences, 2025 marks the peak of a growing indie golden age, where small teams inspire the next wave of gaming and prove that true innovation can thrive.
