The PlayStation 5 had a somewhat rocky release due to supply constraints. However, many retailers are getting restocked now, and consumers are getting their hands on Sony’s latest console.
Along with actual inventory, indie games were surprisingly sparse when the PS5 first launched. However, now that more time has passed, some notable titles have been released. The platform still has a lot of room to grow, so come back to check this list frequently for the latest on the best PS5 indie games.
Further reading
- PS5 tips and tricks: How to get the most out of the new Sony console
- The best multiplayer games on the PS5
- The best indie games for 2021
Haven
74%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
The Game Bakers
Publisher
The Game Bakers
Release
December 03, 2020
Haven is something of a unique game. It’s a cross between an RPG and a dating sim that follows two lovers as they try to survive on a hostile world. The game is split between developing the relationship between protagonists Yu and Kay, turn-based combat, and exploring the world they are stranded on. It’s interesting because the game’s core relationship is already established, and leveling up is partially based on how well you foster it. Indie games are well-known for being inventive and structured around excellent writing, and Haven is a prime example of what the genre is capable of and what we can expect on the next generation of consoles.
Bugsnax
77%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Young Horses
Publisher
Young Horses
Release
November 12, 2020
For younger players, a game like Bugsnax is a great casual game with a lot of charm and visual quirkiness. The game is a cross between Viva Piñata and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It’s also a first-person adventure with a Pokémon Snap element. There isn’t a game quite like Bugsnax on the market, and that’s what makes it so unique. It’s a challenging game by no means, but it’s a colorful and interesting game that’s great for kids and adults wanting a more laid-back adventure. The writing is also surprisingly sharp, so there is something in it for everyone. If you’re looking for something off the wall and different, Bugsnax comes highly recommended.
The Pathless
78%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Giant Squid
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
November 12, 2020
Indie games usually have inventive gameplay mechanics, and that is the case with The Pathless. In this game, you play the Hunter as you explore a mysterious open-world and uncover the game island’s history and learn more about the corrupted spirits that inhabit it. With a unique gameplay mechanic that encourages quick movement, The Pathless is quick-paced without being difficult to play. It feels like a mix between Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus. Yet, the game always maintains its own sense of identity. The game is also gorgeous and backed by a great orchestral soundtrack. If you’re all about solving puzzles and giant boss battles, The Pathless is the game for you.
No Man's Sky
69%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, SteamVR, PlayStation VR, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Meta Rift
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Hello Games
Publisher
Hello Games, 505 Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
August 09, 2016
No Man’s Sky was arguably one of the most disappointing games of the last generation upon release. However, a few years later, and after several updates, No Man’s Sky is now the game it was hyped up to be. With revamped visuals, real multiplayer, and better customization and building features, No Man’s Sky is an endless game you will want to keep playing. The game is colorful, fun, and its worlds are meaningfully varied and fun to explore. If you haven’t given it a chance yet or felt burned by the release, now is the perfect time to give No Man’s Sky a try. It’s finally the game it was meant to be.
Untitled Goose Game
79%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Developer
House House
Publisher
Panic
Release
September 20, 2019
Untitled Goose Game was one of the sleeper hits of 2020, and it is just as fun on the PS5. In this game, you play as a goose terrorizing a small English village as you steal items, destroy property, and generally raise a muck around town. It even has a dedicated honk button. The game is surprisingly peaceful, thanks to the minimalist art design and calm soundtrack. With the latest update, you can even play with a friend. Two geese are better than one. If you haven’t played it yet, the game is worth picking up, especially if you have someone to play it with.
Worms Rumble
56%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Strategy, Indie
Developer
Team17
Publisher
Team17
Release
December 01, 2020
Worms Rumble is a surprising reinvention of a classic franchise. Worms games of old were turn-based 2D games where the player(s) would take turns moving and attacking their opponents. Worms Rumble, on the other hand, is a real-time action game. It still keeps the 2D perspective, but the environments are all rendered in 3D. Worms Rumble uses a lot of tropes from other multiplayer games and puts its own spin on it. The game is colorful, quirky, and offers players tons of customization for their worms. If you’re a fan of the Worms franchise, you won’t be disappointed by Worms Rumble. It may be a different play style, but it still has the same spirit of titles past.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
95%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
ZA/UM
Publisher
ZA/UM
Release
March 30, 2021
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is the most ambitious game maybe ever. It is a detective story, which alone is hard to pull off in a satisfying way in a game, but also one that is so strong in terms of narrative and writing that it has absolutely no combat at all. Everything, from speech checks to physical actions, is determined by your stats and a roll of the dice. But failing a roll doesn’t mean failure. The game adapts and changes to every choice, success, and failure, pushing on in ways you probably thought a game never could account for. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a masterpiece every gamer should experience at least once.
Hades
93%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Supergiant Games
Publisher
Supergiant Games
Release
September 17, 2020
Roguelikes, or roguelites, have been huge in the indie scene for over a decade now. The random generation makes them far more replayable and long-lasting than linear experiences, but few manage to also have enough variety between runs to actually get people to stick with them for long periods of time. Hades somehow has all the variety one could want between the various weapons, powers, rooms, and upgrades, but also some of the best-feeling progression for the genre. Each run moves you forward in at least one way, whether mechanically or narrativly, and it’s all wrapped up in a beautiful artstyle.
Outer Wilds
91%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Mobius Digital
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive
Release
May 28, 2019
Not to be confused with The Outer Worlds, which came out at almost the same time, Outer Wilds is one of those games where the less said about them, the better. To be as brief as possible, this is an exploration and puzzle-solving game, but not one where you are following some path, occasionally blocked by a door where you need to turn the tiles in the right order to open it. You’re actually an explorer, going wherever you want to go, or think you should go, to try and figure out how to solve a big problem (which we won’t spoil). The puzzles are actually puzzles, too, in that you will need to think and figure out solutions yourself, making the whole experience uniquely satisfying.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
80%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
Genre
Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Greg Lobanov
Publisher
Finji
Release
June 10, 2021
If you just want to chill out with a creative, lightly-Zelda-inspired game about a cute dog bringing color back to the world, that’s oddly specific, but also exactly what Chicory: A Colorful Tale provides. You explore this blank coloring book world, solving puzzles and interacting with the fun and charismatic NPCs around while coloring in as much, or as little, of the world around you as you want. This game is a complete zen experience if you want it to be, with no pressure to go fast, do everything, or even fight very challenging enemies. It’s just a great, relaxing time from beginning to end that players of all ages can enjoy.
