It’s Independence Day, so in honor of America declaring independence from British rule nearly 250 years ago, we’re highly those studios and games that have declared liberty from publishers. Our list of best PS4 indie games and studios looks at a great bunch of titles and developers that have created amazing and unique experiences you won’t find elsewhere.
We know that this list is by no means exhaustive. It’s near impossible to list out every single great indie game out there, and then there’s diving into the nuances of what is actually considered indie. I mean, technically The Witcher 3 is indie, but the heaps of praise and accolades, we hardly felt that the massive RPG needed to take up a spot on this list. Likewise, Devolver Digital is a publisher for more off-the-wall indie style games, but they aren’t technically indie anymore because of that publisher backing (at least one Devolver game still landed on this list).
With that, these are just some of the best PS4 indies that you can find. Each one is worth downloading and trying out if you want an experience that is creatively unconstrained. Many are thought-provoking and new takes on familiar ideas, and almost all of them will leave you thinking about them long after you’ve finished.
Enjoy the best PS4 indie games, and happy Fourth of July!
Best PS4 Indie Games and Studios
Do you agree with our list of the best PS4 indie games and studios? Which indie games would you add? There are tons of indies out there, and we’re sure you’ve got some suggestions of your own to add to this list, so feel free to add your favorite indie games into the comments below.
Essential Reading
- Indie Games Showcase: Supergiant Games
- Indie Games Showcase: Cellar Door Games
- Indie Games Showcase: DrinkBox Studios
Best PS4 Indie Games and Studios July 2018
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Best PS4 Indie Games and Studios
Indie is a fairly nebulous term (The Witcher 3 is technically indie, after all), but we've gathered a great list of independent titles that you need to play on your PS4.
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Supergiant Games
Supergiant Games has a very particular style of art, gameplay, and music, expertly blending every element of their games into amazing experiences.
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Bastion
Ported to PS4 after the fact, this was Supergiant's first foray into their unique style, and that narration is incredible.
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Transistor
Transistor's notable element is the music, though the art and gameplay all come together in true Supergiant fashion.
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Pyre
An interesting departure from previous games, Pyre still retains the classic art, music, and intrigue of previous Supergiant titles.
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Giant Sparrow
An indie studio that couldn't have made two more different games, yet somehow each feels so similar. They specialize in emotive narratives across interesting and uncanny worlds.
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What Remains of Edith Finch
Tackling the subject of death in a beautiful way, Edith Finch is a fascinating journey that shouldn't be missed.
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The Unfinished Swan
A world cast in white, and your only weapon is black paint splatters to view the world in front of you, this game evolves brilliantly as it proceeds.
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Thatgamecompany
Known for their quiet and simple experiences that draw emotion from deep within the player's own moments with their games, this studio is a PlayStation staple.
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FlOw
The tranquility of water turned into a game. Originally a PS3 release, there's a PS4 version you can play now.
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Flower
Continuing the pattern of soft and soulful games that offer peace and tranquility, Flower is another must-play experience that can often be found for cheap on the PS Store.
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Journey
Easily thagamecompany's most well-known game, originally released on PS3, a PS4 release of this incredible title was inevitable.
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Housemarque
The studio behind games like Super Stardust HD (the first game with PlayStation trophies), Resogun, and others, they are known for arcade bullet-hell games, though the company is now shifting directions.
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Nex Machina
Lots of great releases from Housemarque, but Nex Machina was one of their last bullet-hell arcade shooters before they reinvented their studio.
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Playdead
Want to mess up your perception of life through deep and thought-provoking games? Playdead has your covered.
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Limbo
Limbo is an entirely black and white game where you play as a silhouetted young boy in a world full of nightmarish terrors.
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Inside
Inside is a dark and thought-provoking game with a crazy ending that shows that the developers played you the entire time.
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A Hat in Time
Hearkening back to classic platformers, it evokes memories of Super Mario 64, but becomes a whole adventure all its own.
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Apotheon
Apotheon is basically a side-scrolling metroidvania God of War with a visual style that looks like you are playing it on the side of an ancient Greek vase.
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Axiom Verge
Did someone say metroidvania? The best kinds of games, Axiom Verge is an amazing modern amalgamation of classic ideas.
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Broken Age
Yup, Double Fine is an independent studio, and people should check out all of their games, but Broken Age is a particularly great point-and-click adventure featuring the voice of Elijah Wood.
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Firewatch
A dark sense of isolation, with only your radio companion to be your friend, this is a brilliant adventure unlike many other games.
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Guacamelee
Metroidvania. There. I said it again. Guacamelee is a great take on the genre with visuals that pop, and a particular flavor all its own.
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Hand of Fate 2
Heart of the cards! What do you get when you mix a tabletop RPG, text adventure, and a deck of cards? Hand of Fate 2 will test your destiny.
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Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Ninja Theory isn't indie anymore after Microsoft bought them up, but Hellblade is still technically an indie release by the studio. It's an independent game that gives triple-A experiences a run for their money.
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Hotline Miami 2
It's hard to call this one indie, as it's published by Devolver Digital, but I like it a lot, so it made the list. Brutal and arcadey, and also full of deep story that makes you think, it will have you swearing at every tough run.
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Never Alone
A beautiful Inuit adventure featuring a girl and a white fox, this is another unique and heartfelt indie game.
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OlliOlli Series
Reinventing the skateboard genre, this addicting arcade side-scroller demands to be played and replayed.
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Outlast Series
How terrifying can an indie horror game be? The most terrifying, as it turns out. This dark series from Red Barrels set a new benchmark for horror.
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Oxenfree
Another unique adventure that delivers a deep and thought provoking message, indie games can usually tackle these sensitive kinds of subjects more intimately than bigger titles.
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Rez Infinite
Rez Infinite can easily be described as an almost religious experience, and it's even better when experienced in VR.
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RiME
Exploring the stages of grief, RiME is an amazing game that can easily evoke tears from anybody that plays it. Are you man enough to embrace the emotion?
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Rocket League
Forgot this one was an indie, eh? Well, despite its success, it is definitely an independent title.
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Rogue Legacy
A melting pot of roguelikes and metroidvania, Rogue Legacy is an addicting die-and-retry game that begs for just one more run.
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Soma
Another round of indie horror, psychologically terrifying, it will leave you with nightmares long after you are done.
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Stardew Valley
The popularity of the simulation and farm management style games led to Stardew Valley's explosive success, despite not having a major publisher backing it.
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Superhot
It's a first-person shooter where time only moves when you do. Better still, there's a VR version too!
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Tacoma
Existentialism and the human condition are explored on a deep level with this deep and thought-provoking indie space adventure.
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The Little Acre
A tiny point and click adventure, with a style that screams classic Disney animation. The only downside is that it ends all too soon.
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The Magic Circle
Want a strange commentary on game development? The Magic Circle is an insane glimpse into the industry.
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The Sexy Brutale
Groundhog Day meets murder mystery, The Sexy Brutale will have you reliving the same day over and over again as you attempt to save lives and figure out the wider mystery.
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The Swapper
Want an existential crisis? Play The Swapper. What does it mean to be? Who am I? Is my identity linked to my body? The Swapper asks these very questions while you solve puzzles using those mechanics.
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The Talos Principle
Another existential game that questions the meaning of life while having the player solve puzzles, with a brilliant ending.
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The Witness
In my opinion, The Witness is the best puzzle game ever. The experience unfolds in such a way that it evokes additional thought through every discovery you make.
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Thimbleweed Park
Both a callback and a parody of classic adventure titles, this Ron Gilbert adventure is like something straight out of the '90s.
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Thumper
A driving rhythm game that can also be played in VR.
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Yoku's island Express
Pinball meets metroidvania in this amazing open-world pinball adventure.
