I’m taking a slightly different tack here than some of my colleagues. In reality, all of the Game Informer editors play a healthy mix of big games like Mass Effect and Grand Theft Auto, and smaller games like Limbo and Flower. However, it’s easy for some of those smaller games to get lost in the shuffle, so I’m keeping my list focused completely on indie titles from last generation. These games were all important to me for the way they helped redefine my expectations for the games I play. Moreover, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of these five titles to any gamer eager to experience the indie scene, no matter when they released.
5. Castle Crashers
With its simple arcade sensibilities and addictive upgrade mechanics, Castle Crashers singlehandedly carved out a place for the old-school brawler on new-school platforms. A goofy sense of humor pervades the adventures of these multi-colored knights as they gleefully hack their way across the screen. Smart level designs, crazy bosses, and evocative art help it stand out and excel.
While other indie games in the years before the release of Castle Crashers explored the potential for cooperative play, Castle Crashes nailed the mix of frantic action and silly antics to make for some fantastic shared game sessions. It also sealed The Behemoth as an indie developer I’ll be excited to follow no matter where they go next. I have fond memories of many insane game sessions played with friends at my side as we alternately chopped into our enemies and then frantically turned on each other in the name of a kiss from the princess.
4. Super Meat Boy
Out of left field, the ridiculous adventures of a slab of meat trying to save his band-aid girlfriend from an evil fetus turned out to be one of the most precise and challenging platformers of all time. Team Meat became gaming superstars overnight as players flocked to the highly skill-based jumping and running of the game.
I’m often turned off by games that create challenge simply by making something more tedious or obtuse than it needs to be. Super Meat Boy shines because its wildly steep difficulty is truly skill-based, and the punishment for failure is very small. In fact, with its fun replay function after completing a level, Super Meat Boy managed a feat few games achieve – making something entertaining emerge out of failure. For my part, I spent hours perfecting runs at various levels, and while there was plenty of cursing involved, I never felt like I was being cheated of a great platforming experience.
[Next Page: My top three games of last generation]