Indie games have continued to evolve and improve throughout the years, not just with their visuals and gameplay, but their narratives as well. These titles have become the perfect way to tell hard-hitting emotional stories that can make players laugh and cry as they go through the poignant plots and reach their heartbreaking conclusions.
From the protagonist’s moving struggles in Celeste to the harrowing narrative in This War of Mine, some titles have stood out as being incredibly emotional for gamers on Reddit. These tear-jerking indie games are often short but have an impressive focus on telling a story that fans won’t soon forget.
Firewatch
Firewatch is one of the best adventure games on the Nintendo Switch developed by Campo Santo. The IJMcG22 simply says “Firewatch” when asked to suggest an emotional indie game. RagingMetalhead enthusiastically agrees and says it’s their “favorite game.”
The title follows the story of Henry, who is thrust into the wilderness in Wyoming forest. As a fire lookout, his only means of communication with the outside world is a walkie-talkie. He begins to notice strange things happening out in the forest and is forced to confront his own past as he wanders around all alone. The brilliant dialogue and striking visuals make it hard to put the controller down, as players will likely want to see Henry’s story through to the very end.
Celeste
When the Redditor jame826 comments “Celeste” on a thread about emotional indie games, RagingMetalhead points out that it’s more than just a “wacky, fun, hard platformer.” It’s “way more meaningful” than the expected, which is likely what other players will find if they try their hand at the challenging game.
Written, designed, and directed by Maddy Thorson, Celeste tells the story of a young woman named Madeline who climbs the titular mountain as she attempts to overcome her inner demons. The goal to reach the summit is almost as difficult as the protagonist’s struggles with her mental health. It’s a well-designed and difficult platformer with a touching story that’s more relatable than players might expect.
Undertale
Toby Fox’s Undertale is considered a classic at this point and the BWP456 agrees, pointing out how it’s “one of the best indies of the last 10 years.” It revolves around the story of a child who falls into the world of the Underground, a magical setting full of strange creatures and terrifying monsters.
The player’s choices can drastically affect the tone, dialogue, and ending of the game. There can be several different gaming experiences, depending on how fans play through the title. One thing they all have in common though is that the indie game always tells a powerful story about choices and consequences, which will stay with players long after they’ve left the enchanting world.
This War Of Mine
This War of Mine from developer 11 Bit Studios has one of the bleakest video game worlds of all time to go with its harrowing story. Daegog thinks “This War of Mine” is one of the most emotional indie games and the contingentcognition agrees, saying it will “tear” the player’s “heart out.”
Set in the fictional war-torn city of Pogoren in Graznavia, the game challenges players to effectively manage resources to keep survivors alive in a dilapidated shelter. Bits and pieces of the story can be uncovered as they meet NPCs and rummage through the city’s ruins. It’s a jarring look at the devastating effects of war on an urban landscape and its innocent civilians.
Ori And The Blind Forest
The Ori and the Blind Forest when asked for suggestions for emotional indie games. The Metroidvania-style platformer by Moon Studios follows the small white guardian spirit, Ori, and the light and eyes of the spirit, Sein.
The two must solve puzzles and collect light to restore balance in the forest, which hasn’t been the same since a mysterious cataclysmic event ruined it after Ori’s birth. Players will meet magical creatures along the way, each with their own moving stories and hidden motivations. It’s a captivating adventure from start to finish.
A Short Hike
The Redditor DimlightHero suggests "A Short Hike" for players looking for emotional indie games. The adventure game by Adam Robinson-Yu seems simple on the surface, as it tells the story of Claire, an anthropomorphic bird who’s struggling to reach the top of a mountain in order to get cellphone reception.
Players will find that the charming game is much more fun surprisingly profound than it first appears. Claire meets a host of interesting characters along the way and learns that the journey matters more than the goal itself. It’s an inspiring short and sweet title with a clear message, unique art style, and well-written characters.
Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture
"Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture" is the adventure game balance_arc suggests for those who want a moving and unique gaming experience. The story-focused title thrusts players into a small English town with a peculiar predicament, as everybody has disappeared into thin air.
It’s up to the player to figure out exactly what has happened to their friends and neighbors. The clues scattered across the town give the protagonist a better idea about everyone’s whereabouts. The game’s soundtrack is both relaxing and haunting, as it perfectly matches the title’s eerily empty setting and mysterious story. Players will find that it can be an incredibly evocative game with an unforgettable conclusion.
Papers, Please
Along with suggestions like Undertale and Tower of Heaven, the Redditor TheGodofFives includes "Papers, Please" in their list of emotional indie games. The puzzle simulation indie game by Lucas Pope takes place in the fictional country of Arstotzka, where players have to take on the role of an immigration officer.
Each day, the immigration officer receives a set of rules to follow in order to determine who will be allowed to enter the country. The requirements become more complex over time and players have to strike the perfect balance between letting in the right people, accepting bribes, and even gaining enough money to pay for rent. It’s an unapologetic depiction of what life is like for a low-level immigration officer who experiences the effects of the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
Inside
The Redditor st-ove suggests the popular indie title “Inside” and the bravbro says they “totally agree” that it’s a “beautiful and heart-wrenching” game. Developer Playdead does a brilliant job at creating an eerie and dark world with an overarching narrative that deals with themes of death and control.
Players experience tense and nerve-wracking scenarios as they go from farms with parasitic worms to cities full of zombies. There’s even a thought-provoking secret ending, one of the best in video games, in Inside that makes players question the entire story. It’s both disturbing and emotionally hard-hitting when fans finally uncover the point of the journey.
Oxenfree
The mystery indie title Oxenfree is not for the faint of heart. When Amazo687 suggests “Oxenfree” for players looking for an emotional indie game, the ashadowwolf warns against “playing it in the dark at 2 am,” as “it can be creepy.”
Players control the protagonist Alex as she goes on a weekend trip to a haunted local island with her friends. Things quickly take a dark turn when they realize something supernatural is going on and it’s up to them to figure out exactly what it is. The entire game plays out like a touching coming-of-age story that deals with themes like adulthood and friendship. Fans looking for a unique horror game will likely enjoy the gorgeous art style and poignant story that come along with the supernatural aspects in Oxenfree.