The Most Popular Indie Game of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the game you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:40
In the eclectic world of indie games, where creativity meets unconventionality, finding the top-ranked gems can be quite the quest. With countless releases across various genres, each game offers unique stories and gameplay, attracting a diverse audience. This fervor for indie games makes the task of distinguishing the finest a compelling challenge, motivating gamers to weigh in on their favorites.
By participating in a community-driven ranking, each vote helps to celebrate the achievements of indie developers while guiding new and veteran gamers alike through the rich tapestry of innovative gaming. This process not only highlights top contenders but also reveals underappreciated masterpieces that might otherwise go unnoticed. Through collective engagement, this ranking evolves, reflecting real-time player preferences and insights.
What Is the Most Popular Indie Game of All Time?
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168votesThis game has sold over 200 million copies and has a massive community of players and content creators. It has influenced the development of countless other indie games.Minecraft is a sandbox video game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds made up of blocks. It offers various game modes such as survival, creative, adventure, and spectator, giving players the freedom to play and create in their own style. With its pixelated graphics and endless possibilities, Minecraft has become a popular game across different age groups and has sparked a large community of dedicated players and creators.
- Platform: Multiple platforms including PC, consoles, and mobile devices
- Genre: Sandbox, survival, adventure
- Multiplayer: Available for online multiplayer with friends
- Game Modes: Survival, creative, adventure, spectator
- World Size: Virtually infinite, procedurally generated worlds
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248votes
Stardew Valley
Eric Barone (ConcernedApe)This farming simulator has sold over 10 million copies and has been praised for its relaxing gameplay and charming art style.Stardew Valley is a fun and relaxing farming simulation game available on the Nintendo Switch. It is a single-player game where players inherit a farm in a small town and must work to restore it to its former glory. The game offers a wide range of activities like planting crops, raising animals, fishing, mining, and interacting with the town's inhabitants. It also includes exploration elements, seasonal events, and various customization options for your farm and character.- Release Date: 2017
- Genre: Farming simulation, role-playing
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Modes: Single-player
- Graphics: Pixel art
Stardew Valley in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular farming game
- Position 8 of 10 in Most romantic game
- Position 8 of 10 in Most fun Nintendo Switch game
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326votesThis RPG has gained a cult following for its unique storytelling, memorable characters, and multiple endings. It has sold over 3.5 million copies.Undertale is a critically acclaimed Indie game that was released in 2015. It was developed by Toby Fox, who is also credited for writing the game's story, composing the music, and creating the pixel art. Undertale is known for its unique gameplay mechanics, witty writing, and emotional storytelling. The game revolves around a human child who falls into an underground world populated by monsters. The player can choose to either fight or befriend the monsters they encounter, leading to multiple branching paths and multiple endings. Undertale also subverts traditional RPG expectations, allowing players to progress through the game without killing any enemies.
- Release Year: 2015
- Gameplay Style: Role-playing
- Graphics: Pixel art
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Game Length: 6-8 hours
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417votesThis 2D sandbox game has sold over 35 million copies and has a vast world to explore and build in. It has also been praised for its diverse gameplay mechanics.Terraria is a sandbox adventure game that combines elements of exploration, building, combat, and mining. Players are immersed in a dynamically generated 2D world where they can craft items, build structures, dig underground for resources, and battle various enemies and bosses.
- Platform(s): Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
- Genre: Action-adventure, Sandbox, Survival
- Release Date: May 16, 2011
- Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Graphics: 2D Sprite-based
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522votesThis puzzle-platformer was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple awards and selling over 1 million copies. It is known for its innovative time-manipulation gameplay.Braid is a challenging puzzle-platformer game that was released in 2008. It combines elements of time manipulation and intricate puzzles to create a unique gaming experience. In each level, the player controls the protagonist named Tim as he embarks on a journey to rescue a princess from a menacing monster. As the game progresses, the story unfolds in mysterious ways, leaving players to interpret its meaning.
- Platform: Available on multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, macOS, and Linux.
- Graphics: Features hand-drawn visual style with vibrant colors and detailed environments.
- Time manipulation: Player can control time by rewinding and manipulating it to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.
- Puzzle complexity: Offers complex and mind-bending puzzles that require creative thinking and experimentation.
- Narrative: Contains a thought-provoking and metaphorical storyline that unfolds gradually throughout the game.
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63votesThis atmospheric puzzle-platformer has won numerous awards and has been praised for its haunting visuals and sound design. It has sold over 6 million copies.Limbo is a unique Warframe that specializes in manipulating dimensions and rifts. With his abilities, Limbo can control and trap enemies in a realm between realities, rendering them helpless. He can also create protective barriers and banish himself or allies to the rift, making them invulnerable to damage. Limbo's playstyle revolves around strategic use of his abilities to control the battlefield and protect himself and his team.
- Health: 100 (300 at rank 30)
- Shield: 75 (225 at rank 30)
- Armor: 65
- Energy: 150 (225 at rank 30)
- Sprint Speed: 1.15
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76votesThis puzzle-platformer has gained a cult following for its mind-bending gameplay mechanics and retro-inspired art style. It has sold over 1 million copies.Fez is a puzzle-platform video game that was released in 2012. It combines 2D platforming with a unique 3D perspective-shifting mechanic.
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Linux, macOS
- Genre: Puzzle-platformer
- Modes: Single-player
- Release Date: April 13, 2012
- Publisher: Polytron Corporation
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85votesThis challenging platformer has won multiple awards and has been praised for its tight controls and punishing difficulty. It has sold over 2 million copies.Super Meat Boy is a challenging platform game where players control a small, animated meat cube named Meat Boy. The game is known for its intense difficulty, requiring precise timing and precise control of the protagonist. It features various levels filled with hazards and obstacles that players must navigate through. The game is renowned for its unforgiving difficulty and addictive gameplay.
- Genre: Platformer
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: October 20, 2010
- Difficulty: Extremely Difficult
- Number of Levels: Over 300
Super Meat Boy in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult game to play
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult game ever made
- Position 6 of 10 in Most difficult mobile game
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96votes
Don't Starve
Klei EntertainmentThis survival game has sold over 10 million copies and has been praised for its challenging gameplay and unique art style. It has spawned multiple expansions and spin-offs.Don't Starve is a challenging and highly engaging survival game that tests players' ability to survive in a dark and eerie world. The game, developed by Klei Entertainment, offers a unique blend of crafting, exploration, and resource management.- Genre: Survival
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: April 23, 2013
- Single Player: Yes
- Multiplayer: Yes
Don't Starve in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult survival game
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108votes
Castle Crashers
The BehemothThis co-operative hack-and-slash game has sold over 2 million copies and has been praised for its humor, colorful art style, and addictive gameplay.Castle Crashers is a beloved indie game that falls under the action-adventure and beat 'em up genres. Players embark on a whimsical journey filled with humor, hack-and-slash combat, and entertaining boss battles. The game features hand-drawn 2D graphics combined with fast-paced gameplay, making it visually appealing and engaging for players of all ages.- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Release Date: August 27, 2008
- Number of Players: Up to 4 players (local and online co-op)
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Playable Characters: Over 30 characters to unlock and choose from
Castle Crashers in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Newgrounds game
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Ranking factors for popular game
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Sales and revenueOne of the primary factors in determining the popularity of an indie game is the number of units sold and the overall revenue generated. These figures indicate the game's success in attracting a large player base and generating consistent income.
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User reviews and ratingsPlayers' opinions matter when it comes to ranking indie games. The average review score, number of ratings, and player testimonials provide insights into a game's overall quality and how satisfied the players are with their experience.
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Awards and recognitionIndie games that have received critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and recognition from industry experts indicate a higher level of popularity and success.
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Community engagementActive engagement from the player base and a thriving community (in the form of fan sites, social media interactions, and online discussion forums) is a sign that the game has resonated with its audience.
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Impact on the industryThe influence the game has had on the video game industry as a whole or on other indie games that came after it can be a crucial factor in determining its popularity. If a game has inspired other developers or brought attention to a specific genre or gameplay mechanic, it becomes more significant in the context of all-time popular indie titles.
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Accessibility and platform availabilityWider availability on multiple platforms and devices helps indie games reach larger audiences, increasing their overall popularity.
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Media coverage and word-of-mouthPositive press coverage, video reviews, and word-of-mouth recommendations from other players contribute to the popularity and success of indie games.
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Innovativeness and originalityThe uniqueness of an indie game, be it in terms of gameplay, storytelling, or art style, can make it stand out and become more popular among the gaming community.
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Genre and target audienceThe popularity of an indie game can be impacted by the specific genre and target audience it caters to. A game that matches the preferences and trends of the gaming community is more likely to be successful in gaining popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Indie game of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 5128 views
- 197 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular indie game of all time
Indie games have been gaining popularity in recent years, thanks to their unique gameplay mechanics, captivating storylines, and impressive visuals. These games are often created by small independent studios, without the backing of major publishers, and rely on word-of-mouth marketing and online communities to gain recognition.
The indie gaming industry has produced some of the most iconic and beloved games of all time, such as Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Undertale. These games have captured the hearts of millions of players around the world, and have inspired a new generation of game developers to create their own innovative titles.
So, what is the most popular indie game of all time? With so many amazing titles to choose from, it's a tough question to answer. However, with the help of StrawPoll, we can gather opinions from gamers around the globe and find out which indie game reigns supreme.
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