Best Indie Games?

I'm putting together a mini games expo in a couple of weeks and I'm really keen to know what your favorite indie games are from the last 2-3 years. I know this is a massive question, but I'd really like to know if there's a general consensus on any "must play" games.

I'm not going to tell you what my favorites are at the moment, but I'm mostly looking for puzzle games (ok, Braid is definitely one of my favorites) and beautiful, concise masterpieces (low-fi is fine). The expo is part of an art exhibition and its a really earnest attempt to introduce a contemporary art audience to indie games. This is an audience with a perception of games dominated by blockbuster FPS titles and I really want to show them how varied the indie scene is at the moment.

Aside from sheer originality, some of the other selection criteria will be:
- They encouraged me to re-evaluate my assumptions (in one way or another) in order to progress
- Their ingenuity is game-specific (the focus is on interactive/procedural innovation, rather than a beautiful story or amazing graphics, although these are bonuses!).
- They should run ok on a 3-5 year old laptop pc

I'd love to know what your top 5 are, along with any other opinions on this kind of project.

Its going to be happening in London. If you want to get involved, or if you want to know more, feel free to contact me!

"suteF" by Ted Lauterbach (rotten_tater) comes to mind immediately. The mechanics are simple, however the game gives and takes away play abilities throughout, making you reevaluate the game mechanics. The narrative at first seems loose, but as you progress you find a twisted cohesion. It's also pretty beautiful, just in a dark and weird way.

Just my 2 cents. \o

cave story and seiklus are some of my favs

Spelunky is quite fun, Streemerz is humorous, and I Wanna Be The Guy is plain evil.

I can't really think of anything else at the moment.

Not sure about the last 2-3 years, but Seiklus is probably my favourite in the last 6. If we're just talking freeware, that is.

just played facade for the first time and gotta say, it's amusing, no the best but still worth a try

yusefkerr, it would be really awesome to get a bit more information from you about this expo.

I know a few people in London (UK) who arrange other indie game events who might be able to help out, as well as others who are interested in going. 

i don't know what people see in seiklus. maybe it's just not for me.. I was just bored.

I liked it because it was very pretty for a GM6 game, and so calming. My one beef with Cly5m is that he always steals music.

The Underside and Iconoclasts are both really good. Mr. Podunkian was making The Underside, but I don't think he's going to work on it anymore. Iconoclasts is also very good, and might just be the best looking 2D game I've seen, only next to Frogatto.

Hello, by the way.

Last edited on April 30, 2012 - 05:34 PM by SolarLune

edit. so aparently i cant advertise my game here judging by previously locked topics. So uhh.. good old Mr Karoshi is one of my all time favs.

Last edited on May 5, 2012 - 10:44 PM by Samuel Venable

Above the Sky

Best indie game ever is Ruthless Quest Online... oh wait, it doesn't exist anymore.

Theres been no mind-blowing games in the indie scene since forever, and only a very small on the mainstream market. You may argue, guys, but for me nothings spurred my mind in shear wonder in a very long time. I see no Fate/Stay Nights or Zeldas right now for indie games, but do see a lot of potential in projects like Legend of Iya (http://darkfalzx.blogspot.co.uk/).

In the way of puzzle games, Braid comes into mind (as you've mentioned) and SuteF (again, mentioned)... though I think little games like 100% Logical, Lab14 and Wuka have actually achieved some great feats.

Last edited on May 8, 2012 - 02:52 PM by Honno

Gmod :P

I forgot to mention VVVVVV!

Brilliant game! http://gamejolt.com/freeware/games/rpg/dubloon/254/