Some of the best pixel art indie games that I have curated or ones that just hit you right in the nostalgia with their retro feel.
“Punch, whip, and zipline your way through a post-apocalyptic America in this retro-style action platformer! Play as Taro Takahashi, a resistance soldier on a revenge mission against the dictator who lords over the ashes.”
Platforms: Windows
Release: 2020
“A reverse horror game in which you assume the role of an amorphous creature of unknown origin. Stalk and consume those that imprisoned you to spread fear and panic throughout the facility. Grow and evolve as you tear down this prison and acquire more and more devastating abilities on the path to retribution.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox, Switch
Release: July 23, 2020
“Take on the role of Mako on her quest to seek out and subsequently deliver her, uh, deliverables in this top-down view 2D action game.
“In accordance with a deal made with self-proclaimed “delivery service” and all-around mysterious entity known as Bumon, Mako has taken a job working as a lackey at the Bumon Delivery Corporation in “Mayoi” – the world of the gods. She was told that if she finishes up her assigned tasks and collects the stamps of approval for her various deliveries, then she’ll be able to return to her own world, but…”
Platforms: Windows
Release: 2020
“A dark, minimalist sojourn through a vast system aeons beyond salvation. A blend of atmospheric exploration and heavy, decisive combat, with an ability and weapon progression system for both simple and complex playstyles.”
Platforms: Windows
Release: Winter 2020
“A high-speed precision platformer where you must conquer a series of demanding trials, a rite of passage for every Nim. Find the key and reach the exit to move on to the next trial, and maybe collect some gold along the way. Who knows, they could prove valuable to those who like a brutal challenge..
“For fans of platformers old and new, RITE features 160 carefully crafted levels, fluid and responsive controls, lush pixel art, and an original soundtrack by Grand Prize Big Fuzz.”
Platforms: Windows
Release: July 7, 2020
“A retro-inspired 2D Action RPG set in the distant future. CrossCode combines 16-bit SNES-style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story.
“You follow a player called Lea as she logs into CrossWorlds – a fictional MMO of the distant future. Lea is not your average player though. She hast lost her memory and is (literally) mute. Now the only way to regain her memory is to play CrossWorlds, disovering all the places the game has to offer and meeting other players on the way – hoping they won’t mistake her for a bot. As Lea’s memory returns, a deep mystery surrounding CrossWorlds will be unraveled – and you may come to understand why a mute player is stuck in this game in the first place.”
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Release: July 9, 2020 (on consoles)
“A mystery-thriller puzzle adventure about finding a missing boy: Evan. The game combines logic-based platform puzzles with narrative inspired by Japanese graphic adventure games.
“Evan, the genius boy, has been missing for years. One day, a letter signed by him is received, claiming he’s on an uninhabited island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Nobody knows why, but he asked specifically for a girl named “Dysis” to go and look for him. The player will take control of this girl, who we don’t know much about. As we follow Dysis’s adventure, questions will start to be answered little by little. All of the little puzzle pieces which seemed unrelated in the beginning will now begin to slowly fit together as the truth is slowly revealed.”
Platforms: Windows (Mac soon)
Release: June 11, 2020
“A 2D top-down action RPG which weaves together high-quality visuals, a stirring soundtrack and intense combat moments into a deep and affecting tale of moral dilemmas and personal reflection of choices. YOUR choices. Making mistakes will be punishing and you’ll experience a lingering sense of fragility while facing the dangers of Bravery’s world.
“Thorn, a retired warrior plagued by nightmares, stumbles on an opportunity for redemption after finding clues to his daughter’s disappearance from long ago. With the company of his disabled foster son, Phid, it will be up to the player to decide how far Thorn will go, not only to rescue his daughter but also to fulfill his ambitions.
“The story of Bravery carries a strong message on the role of parental figures and the consequences of their choices in a troubled world. This message is informed by the developers’ personal life experiences, and the game aims to impart these real, resonant feelings with competence and depth.”
Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch
Release: 2021
“A sprawling side-scrolling platformer with roguelite features. Metal Unit tells a tragic story of human survivors and their battle against monsters and machines to regain control of their planet.
“The Earth is under siege from all directions, with ancient beings emerging from underground and alien machines descending from space. The fate of the planet hangs in the balance, but you can help tilt the odds by playing as Joanna, a new soldier capable of wearing the powerful M-Unit suit. Follow Joanna on her epic journey to save humanity and get revenge on her traitorous sister that has taken up arms with the alien race.”
Platforms: Windows
Release: February 3, 2020
“A gorgeous action/RPG driven by intense real-time combat and an immensely rich science fiction story. Travel between dimensions and change the world around you in an attempt to reconstruct the shattered Multiverse.”
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Release: 2020