While everyone enjoys a high-quality AAA game, some also enjoy a high-quality indie title. Indie games are just as fantastic, and fun, and have risen in prominence in the last decade. There’s a whole slew of indie games in 2023 that we can’t wait to play.
Below are several upcoming indie games that will be released (hopefully) in 2023. However, instead of just throwing a bunch of titles into a list, we’ve asked our team of indie gaming lovers to suggest several titles that we’re looking forward to this year, and we’ve got a few of them. Check out our list; maybe you’ll find a game or two that you didn’t know about.
REPLACED
Replaced is an action-packed 2.5D platformer, set in a retro-futuristic sci-fi America during the 1980s. You’ll play as R.E.A.C.H, an AI that has been placed in a human body against its own will. The story follows R.E.A.C.H. as he journeys throughout Pheonix City, uncovering the mysteries of its dystopian world, and learning what it means to be human along the way. Coatsink has tossed a free-flowing combat system into a blender along with a cinematic camera and pixelated art style to whip up something extraordinary. As far as indie games go, Replaced is the one I am looking forward to the most. – Kyle Simcox
Replaced is targeting a release window sometime within 2023 for Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
SOVEREIGN SYNDICATE
If you’re a fan of Disco Elysium, then you may want to check out Sovereign Syndicate. Set in a Steampunk version of Victorian-era London, the story follows three separate characters with stories that intertwine with one another. Unlike Disco Elysium, Crimson Herring Studios has taken a different approach to Sovereign Syndicate’s gameplay. Instead of rolling dice, players draw on tarot cards to help drive impactful decisions with various outcomes. Using your skills will also level them up, so you won’t have to rely on placing stat points in specific areas to maybe win future dice draws. If you’re interested in checking out Sovereign Syndicate, then feel free to check out the demo that’s out on Steam. – Kyle Simcox
Sovereign Syndicate is currently in development for PC and releasing sometime in 2023 on Steam.
VENGEFUL GUARDIAN: MOONRIDER
From the same duo over at Joysmasher that gave us Blazing Chrome, comes their next 16-bit outing that can only be described as Ninja Gaiden meets Blazing Chrome. You play as a Cyborg who released its creators are jerks and are now out to overthrow its totalitarian creators. This is a modernized tribute to the 16-bit era that resembles a cyber version of Shinobi and Ninja Gaiden, with some glorious chiptunes from the golden era of the Sega Genesis.
However, this is more than an action game, and is actually a speed run game in disguise. Sure, you’ll have lots of action, but once that’s all over, you’ll try to make it through the levels as quickly as possible (without dying). After playing the short demo on Steam, I can’t wait for the full game to be released. – Keith Mitchell
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider releases on January 12, 2023, for PC (Steam)
SIGNAL & ECHO: IRIS IS MISSING
Signal & Echo: Iris is Missing, is a point-and-click adventure with a style of the older EGA/Sierra Style games with Text Parser mechanics like in Leisure Shoot Larry & King’s Quest Series. As a young reporter on his first day at the Signal & Echo newspaper, you’ve been given the assignment to solve the mystery behind the recent disappearance of a schoolgirl, Iris Wood. That means you’ll be out pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, interviewing witnesses, and following leads. You’ll need to take notes along the way! With excellent music and strong elements of detective work gameplay, this is a game to look out for new and old point & click adventure fans. A demo is currently available on Steam and Itch.io. – Getselious
Signal & Echo: Iris is Missing is targeting a Q4 2023 release date for PC.
BOMB RUSH CYBERFUNK
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is pretty much a spiritual successor to Sega’s ill-fated Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future, which is a cult classic, but ultimately didn’t sell well. Dance, tag, trick, and face off with the cops, and show everyone who’s the best. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk also includes a fantastic soundtrack that includes tracks from none other than the Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future composer Hideki Naganuma. I was already sold on the game due to the Jet Set Radio influence, but that soundtrack is a sweet soul bonus. – Keith Mitchell
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk will be released for the Nintendo Switch and PC this Summer 2023.
ABSINTHIA
As a fan of Team Bewitched’s work, I love how they create characters and their short but impactful stories. Absinthia is their most ambitious title yet, with a port already confirmed for consoles. You play as Sera, Thomas, and Jake, as they work on protecting their village from the demon Lilith. Team Bewitched also advocates and does LGBT representation extremely well with their grounded and realized relationships. – Scott Adams
Absinthia releases on the Switch and PC in early 2023
DRAGONSPIRE
In the past year and a half, I have played many more roguelike games, with the one I am most looking forward to being Dragonspire. It ticks all the boxes I like about them, too; anime-inspired visuals, cooperative elements, Action gameplay, and lots of replayability. The game’s artwork looks stunning, and I love the landscape we see. – Scott Adams
Dragonspire releases on to Apple iOS, Android, and PC in Early 2023
Bat Boy
Fresh Out the Garden, Bat Boy is taking it all the way. An action platformer where you play Ryosuke, a Bat Boy (Baseball) where your weapon of choice is a bat that can deflect projectiles, and homerun your enemies into the dirt, while you platform your way through many levels. If you’ve enjoyed classic titles such as Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, or Shovel Knight, this game is up your alley. There’s currently a demo available on Steam, so give it that try if this all sounds interesting. – Getselious
Bat Boy is targeting the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC, but does not have a release date as of yet.
Dreadhunter
If, by some chance, Diablo IV breaks our souls for underdelivering a quality ARPG, there’s still hope. Enter Dreadhunter, a Twin-stick shooter with plenty of ARPG and roguelike elements. In Dreadhunter you’ll take on the role of a hunter, piloting a mecha, while plowing through waves of enemies for loot. If you like the Ascent and classic ARPG gameplay, this is up your alley. – Getselious
Dreadhunter will be released for the PC (Steam) this Q4 2023.
LEGENDS OF ASTRAVIA
Legends of Astravia is a modern take on JRPG battle systems, with fantastic character designs, and maps that look fun and engaging. A story that seems to weigh much on character and narrative. This JRPG-inspired indie has a lot going for it when you take a look. – Scott Adams
Legends of Astravia releases for PC and MacOS in 2023
Hades II
There’s no denying that Supergiant Games had something truly magical when it released Hades. Not to take away from any of the developer’s games, but this one was one that I kept going back to. I loved it. It kept me coming back, no matter how many times the game kicked my ass. With Hades II being announced during the 2022 The Game Awards, it’s easily one of my anticipated Indie games of 2023. This direct follow-up to Hades introduces a new heroine, Melinoë, a much larger world, and a new protagonist — Chronos, the Titan of Time and the wicked father of Hades. I swear that the art style is improved as well, but maybe that’s the excitement. Truth be told, Supergiant Games hasn’t stated if Hades II will launch this year… but they didn’t say it wouldn’t either. – Keith Mitchell
Hades II will hopefully be released in 2023 for consoles and PC
There are more upcoming indie games in 2023, but these are the ones we’re looking forward to – at least for now. Every day, something new is announced, and with PAX East 2023, and E3 2023 just a few months away, we’re sure we’ll see more indie games revealed. One thing is for sure, we can’t wait to see what the gaming industry has in store.
Did we miss a game? Perhaps you know of something that we might like. If so, drop a comment below.
