There are so many AAA games that come out in one year that it can be hard to keep track of all the other games that also come out. Indie games are important to this industry. It is the work and dreams of developers that further their careers, and so many of them have amazing new ideas that they could bring to the mainstream. So, we here at G FUEL picked our favorite 12 indie games that are supposed to hit the scene in 2020. 

12. The Falconeer 

Release Date: Coming Soon
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

The Falconeer is trying to do something unique. At heart, this game seems like a dogfighting 3rd-person flight Sim set above a large ocean world. However, instead of being set up in planes, helicopters, or spaceships armed with rockets and guns, each player will be strapped to the nape of a gigantic bird. 

You’ll fight against other giant monsters, such as dragons, which seems kind of awesome. The thing that makes this work for players like me is that Birds are way more agile than a jet. In the trailer, you’ll see the birds making all kinds of awesome aerial maneuvers. The game also seems to have light RPG mechanics so a level up system for your Ornithological wonder.

11. Dark Envoy

Release Date: Coming Soon
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

I’m not one for tactics in games, mostly because I’m terrible at it. I’d rather think on the fly as I fight. Well, from the trailer, Dark Envoy looks sort of like that. While it has that XCOM feel to it, it is also a non-linear RPG. So, while there are tactics and strategy to plan ahead of time, there is also real-time action you need to pay attention to.

Gameplay-wise, the game will respond to your decisions. While obviously in turmoil, you’ll be able to either save it or destroy it. You will be able to  unlock several different endings reflecting your characters’ personalities. The game holds a lot of promise with several fun game mechanics.

10. Skellboy

Release Date: January 30, 2020
Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch

I know this was supposed to be about upcoming games but January is still in 2020 and this one just hit the marketThis drew my attention clearly for the sole reason that the art kind of reminds me of Paper Mario. You will play as Skippy, a rather cute, flexible skeleton. This Action-RPG takes Skippy on an adventure to keep a heartbroken magician from destroying the world. This premise already cracks me up.

Naturally, as a skeleton, you’ll be able to change out your body parts with those of enemies or friends to become the ultimate hero.

9. Death Trash

Release Date: First Half of 2020
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

If you are a fan of post-apocalyptic worlds, then I have a game you should keep your eye out for. While this game looks like a David Cronenberg dream come true, it seems like it will be much more than that. Players can choose their own way to play, be it stealth, hack & slash, or shooter style.

If you’re into crafting your own stuff, then Death Trash has something new for you. You can craft your own “Flesh items,” and I’m sure it is just as gross as it sounds. The amazing thing is Death Trash has been in the making for four years by a single developer. That alone makes me want to support.

8. The Procession to Calvary

Release Date: Coming Soon
Platform: PC

This is by far the most hilarious game on this list. This trailer both intrigued me and freaked me out. The whole game is made from Renaissance artwork, including the painting that the game is named after. Mix that in with an almost Monty Python-esk humor, and you may have made a perfect adventure game.

The Procession to Calvary was a Kickstarter-funded game and is actually a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Four Last Things. This is one of those games that has my undivided attention.

7. Darksburg

Release Date: Coming Soon
Platform: PC

I was able to play this game in its early stages at PAX East one year. While the game has added new elements, it looks structurally the same. You pick one of four adventurers in a top down isometric zombie outbreak. Well, there are other types of monsters too. It has elements of the dungeon crawler, but it’s more about survival.

They also have a mode where you can pick one of four “Revenants” in a mode that takes survival to the next level. It becomes more of a Left 4 Dead PvP game. Each Revenant has unique abilities to help with stopping the survivors from completing the mission. In addition to PvP and co-op, the third mode, Last Stand, is a PvE horde mode which I’ll always be a fan of.

6. Lenna’s Inception

Release Date: January 17, 2020
Platform: PC

Like Skellboy, this was another title that recently came out that was on my radar. I’m a sucker for a game that plays like the old Legend of Zelda games. Lenna’s Inception seems to have a cool gimmick going for it though. The whole world, in which the game takes place, is glitching. So the game glitches back and forth between 16- and 8-bit worlds. Until we know more, I can only assume this is a used mechanic that doesn’t happen randomly.

You take Lenna to explore dangerous dungeons, and defeat the eight archangels to restore order to an unraveling world in this action-adventure RPG. Classic Zelda game with its own distinctive mechanic.

5. Eastward

Release Date: Coming soon
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One

Who doesn’t love a game with a 90s Japanese animation-inspired visual style? The game was actually built around pixel artist Hong Moran’s original intricate post-apocalyptic pixel designs. Which are incredible to behold.

It is obvious that the development team has a joint love of the Mother (Earthbound) and The Legend of Zelda series, which has inspired them to create a narrative-driven RPG with a soft sci-fi storyline. If you are into mild JRPG elements, this will definitely be something to keep your eye on.

4. Spiritfarer

Release Date: Coming soon
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

Spiritfarer has an amazing art style with dark, yet wonderful, undertones. You are a ferry master tasked with building a bigger and better boat for your passengers. As you travel with them, you learn about their lives and who they were. Oh, they are also giant animal people … and also they are dead.

Yes, you are their ferryman to the afterlife. While you are tasked with travel, comforting, and exploring with your passengers, you will also need to find elements (wood, stone, etc.) and craft to make your boat more appealing to your travelers. This is such an amazing twist on a crafting game that I can’t wait to play it. 

3. Cris Tales

Release Date: 2020
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

RPGs are rampant among indie titles, but there are a few that stick out. This list even has a few of them. Cris Tales was actually shown off at last year’s E3, and it has gathered quite a following since then. It’s a call back to so many great JRPGs and has a time travel feature where players will travel in the past, present, and future.

It has a beautiful, sharp cartoonish look with rich colors, and from as much as I can gather, it looks to have turn-based combat as well. You play as Crisbell, and you’re out to stop an evil Empress and prevent a cataclysm as you gather new characters to your cause. A JRPG story at it’s finest. Honestly, the artwork alone was what brought my attention to this game.

2. Streets of Rage 4

Release Date: Coming soon
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

 

This is a game that is riding on nostalgia alone right now. However, I was able to play a short demo at PAX East last year, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. For the younger crowd, Streets of Rage is a classic beat’em up side scrolling style game. A few different characters that have different fighting styles go up against a giant crime syndicate.

Besides bosses at the end of each area, most enemies you run into are exactly the same with different size life bars. Streets of Rage 4 doesn’t divert from this style in any way. However, they upgraded the artwork a bit. The animation is hand drawn and looks incredible. It’s a fast-paced action game that is sure to scratch the nostalgia itch. 

1. Boyfriend Dungeon

Release Date: Coming soon
Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch

 

If there was an indie title that I was most excited for coming out this year, it is Boyfriend Dungeon. I’ve been waiting for this game ever since its announcement. The game is a Dungeon Crawler where you pick up all kinds of loot. This obviously includes new types of swords … and then you date them.

Yes, Boyfriend Dungeon is also a dating sim. How you treat your new swords and how you treat your relationship with them levels them up to help you while you are exploring the next dungeon. It is a brilliant mix of two genres that most people would have never thought to mix.

Even if Dating Sims aren’t your thing, this game has an amazing art style that turns into a pixelated adventure game and is pretty seamless.

Also, let me clarify: your weapons are people who can turn into swords. Not the other way around. That would be silly. Sometimes you’ll go out on dates at the park, or maybe to a cute little bubble tea stand, and then your beloved will turn into a weapon to help you through the nasty ol’ dungeon. Like any good relationship, you level up together and make each other stronger. ❤️

Indie games are a huge, fun part of our industry. We here at G FUEL believe that there is gold to behold in small teams making their dreams come true. We very much did the same thing with our business. Only we make delicious, thirst-quenching energy in powder form and RTD cans, not games. So, we get it.

While there are many AAA games coming out in 2020, don’t forget to check out the Indie crowd. You may be pleasantly surprised.

For a full list of games that are due out in 2020, check out our list of 2020 video games.

Are there any games on this list that you want to try now?

Tell us in the comments section below!

 

Top image via Streets of Rage 4

This article was written by John D. AKA SomeBeardy2Love. John has been gaming for over 30 years, has a podcast, and watches nothing but anime and Bob’s Burgers. He has a sponsored beard and a modest book collection.