25 Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2025

2025 is already shaping up to be another incredible year for indie game fans.

We just closed out a year that seemed to absolutely overflow with phenomenal indie game releases at every turn, although it was frequently a heartbreaking year for the games and games journalism industries. We’re just a few short weeks into 2025, but it’s already looking to offer another huge windfall of fantastic titles. Here are our 25 most anticipated indie games of the upcoming year.

Note: we have only included games in this list that have been announced to be releasing in 2025 (plus SOPA, which we just really strongly believe will come out this year). There are many more games that we’re incredibly excited for that we suspect will come out this year, but that we didn’t include because we haven’t received official word yet.

1. Discounty

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Crinkle Cut Games

Discounty offers a perspective on capitalism and community that we deeply need right now. I’m a sucker for game mechanics that synchronize perfectly with the narrative, and I think Discounty has a great shot at providing exactly that. -Emily

2. Bye Sweet Carole

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Little Sewing Machine, Meangrip Studios

This trailer reminded me of how unsettled I was by movies like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty as a kid, and I am SO excited for Bye Sweet Carole. The art style is giving that classic Disney animation vibe, but the platforming mechanics and terrifying villains have me anticipating this dark fantasy game more than any other! -Kate

3. Grimoire Groves

Release Date: Mar 6, 2025
Developed by: Stardust

I’ve been following this bubblegum pop action roguelite for a couple of years now (and full disclosure, I backed their Kickstarter). It’s got “Adventure Time vibes” written all over it, and I really can’t wait to get lost in this world. -Emily

4. Ritual of Raven

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Spellgarden Games

For lovers of Sticky Business, Spellgarden is back with their iconically cute and whimsy visuals. This time, in the form of a story-based farming sim! I hope this one launches in time for cozy fall 🙂 –Kate

5. Usual June

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Finji

This was one of the best demos I played in 2024. Not only was the combat smooth, intuitive and super engaging, but the Nancy Drew meets Scooby Doo meets Ghostbusters vibes are absolutely immaculate. –Emily

6. Wanderstop

Release Date: Mar 11, 2025
Developed by: Ivy Road

Wanderstop looks so magical and unique, and it looks like the narrative is going to take high priority. I love when cozier games focus on interesting storylines and characters, so I can’t wait to see what surprises this world has in store for me. –Kate

7. Slime Heroes

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Developed by: Pancake Games

To be honest, I felt skeptical of Slime Heroes at first, mostly because something about the title gives me the impression of a freemium mobile game. However, the Steam Next Fest demo immediately converted me. I can’t wait to dive into this vibrant, action-packed world, wielding my slime sword to save my buddies! –Emily

8. Music Power Up

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: microStudio

This game will allow you to create your own original sounds, or use pre-composed tracks while you play as a musician and audio producer for video games! (AKA Kate’s ideal career simulator.) Music power up seems to offer a lot in terms of narrative and player creativity! –Kate

9. Despelote

Release Date: Early 2025
Developed by: Julián Cordero, Sebastian Valbuena

If you’ve ever cried about the outcome of a soccer match (or, hell, any sporting event), then you know how powerfully emotional sports can be to a community. This game promises to time travel us back to 2001 Quito, Ecuador to feel a whole community electrify in support of their team. –Emily

10. Cairn

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: The Game Bakers

This demo ~rocked~ my world! As we see climbing games continue to rise in popularity, Cairn offers a very raw and honest interpretation of the genre. There are moments of physical pain, struggle, and exhaustion, which are communicated effortlessly via the game mechanics and sound design. –Kate

11. Heartworm

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Vincent Adinolfi

2024 was a huge year for retro-inspired survival horror games, and Heartworm promises to take both this aesthetic and genre to the next level. If you’ve ever wished you could go back and play Silent Hill again for the very first time, this might be the closest thing to that experience, and I can’t wait to see it come to life. –Emily

12. Dead Static Drive

Release Date: Q1 2025
Developed by: Reuben Games

This game was also on my list last year… but hear me out! It now says Q1 2025 on the steam page! This self-described Grand Theft Cthulhu horror survival game is everything I’ve always wanted. I really hope that 2025 is our chance to play it! –Kate

13. Angel

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Michael Hunter Games

This Steam description contains the phrase “digital climate change” and holy shit, if that’s not a 2025-coded concept, I don’t know what is. –Emily

14. Under Canopies

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Novemtails

I’m not usually big on open world games, but Under Canopies has some absolutely breathtaking environments. There’s also an element of survival and crafting, but it looks like you can tailor the experience to fit your gameplay desires. I’m sold!  –Kate

15. Afterlove EP

Release Date: February 14, 2025
Developed by: Pikselnesia

I’m getting my tissues ready for this one. Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect release date for such a sweet and heartbreaking story of love, loss and grief. And the music! I’m already crying thinking about the music. –Emily

16. Date Everything

Release Date: February 14, 2025
Developed by: Sassy Chap Games

Date Everything has me ready for my dating sim renaissance. As a soon to be homeowner, I can’t say I haven’t thought about what it would be like to date my washing machine.. I also love that we’re getting SO much iconic voice acting. –Kate

17. Tiny Bookshop

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: neoludic games

The anticipation of this game coming out has had me in a chokehold since the announcement trailer first released, as someone who has often fantasized about opening a small independent bookstore in a coastal town. I was eve more excited to find the gameplay in the demo sits right in the sweet spot between high level and micromanagement of the business. –Emily

18. CyberCook

Release Date: January 2025
Developed by: Vesvese Studios

PS1 style horror/cooking game? Sounds freaky, I’m in. –Kate

19. SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: StudioBando

To say I’m highly anticipating the release of SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato is an understatement. Both Kate and I have been looking forward to this game for over a year now, and were enthralled with the demo. This game promises to bring Pixar-level animation and heartwarming moments, plus a soundtrack that just might top both our all-time favorites lists. –Emily

20. Upstream

Release Date: March 2025
Developed by: Gllama Games

I’ve always wanted to be a fish, so I’m really happy to finally get my opportunity with this two button, physics based platformer. What could possibly go wrong?? –Kate

21. Winter Burrow

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Pine Creek Games

Growing up, I was a huge fan of the Redwall book series, which might be one of the reasons I’m so hyped for this game. It looks somehow cute, cozy and also harrowing all at once. The survival genre is one that I feel has played off the same tropes and aesthetics for a hair too long now, and I’m glad to see a fresh take on this gameplay experience. –Emily

22. Spirit Swap: LoFi Beats to Match-3 To

Release Date: February 3rd 2025
Developed by: Soft Not Weak, LLC

Queer and plus size friendly with excellent representation of multiple body types and skin tones. These characters are hot and the gameplay looks fun/addicting! –Kate

23. Pip My Dice

Release Date: Q2 2025
Developed by: FokazLabs

This is without a doubt going to be the year that the Balatro-like takes hold as a new genre of indie game. Will the market eventually become saturated, making us all sick of wacky-house-rules roguelikes? Absolutely. Do I still want every single one of these games to come out? Also yes. Pip My Dice is a Yahtzee-inspired roguelike game and I was super taken with the demo. Can’t wait to roll me some snake eyes. –Emily

24. Slay the Spire 2

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Mega Crit

I really am a Slay The Spire girly at heart, and it’s definitely one of my comfort games! I have it on switch and mobile, and I ALWAYS play as The Silent. Super stoked for this sequel, as it looks like the map, enemies, and bosses have gotten some major upgrades! –Kate

25. Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

Release Date: 2025
Developed by: Happy Broccoli Games

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami absolutely ran away with my heart last year. The hysterical writing, brought to life through vibrant voice acting, plus the Paper Mario-inspired graphics brought a level of personality that I want in all investigation games! I only hoped that we were in store for a series, but had no idea that wish would come true so soon. –Emily

About No Small Games

No Small Games is an indie game recap and review podcast brought to you by hosts Kate and Emily! They became friends while streaming on Twitch and bonded over their love of indie video games. In each episode of No Small Games, the two will discuss an indie game they both played independently. They’ll compare their experiences: the good, the bad, their most memorable moments of their playthroughs.

Learn more about the podcast and its hosts on the About page. You can find all our episodes here on the Episodes page, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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