Top Indie Game Picks from Summer Game Fest & Steam Next Fest 2025
▼ Summary
– Summer Game Fest 2025 and Steam Next Fest showcased numerous games, with blockbuster titles like *007: First Light* and *Resident Evil: Requiem* standing out alongside a deep pool of indie games.
– *Mixtape*, an indie game by Beethoven & Dinosaur, impressed with its nostalgic narrative, licensed soundtrack, and unique stop-motion-style animation.
– *Thick as Thieves* offers a fresh multiplayer twist on immersive sims, featuring competitive heist gameplay and player choice mechanics from industry veterans.
– *Mina the Hollower* and *Ball x Pit* were standout Steam Next Fest demos, with the former appealing to *Zelda* fans and the latter blending *Vampire Survivors* and *Breakout* mechanics.
– Indie games like *Gecko Gods*, *Fireside Feelings*, and *End of Abyss* catered to diverse tastes, from nostalgic platformers to dark, atmospheric experiences.
The 2025 Summer Game Fest and Steam Next Fest delivered an impressive lineup of indie games that deserve a spot on every gamer’s radar. While major AAA titles dominated headlines, the real treasures emerged from smaller studios pushing creative boundaries across genres. From nostalgic adventures to innovative gameplay twists, these hidden gems offer experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Samuel Roberts, Editorial Director, found Mixtape to be the standout indie at SGF. Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur, this narrative-driven adventure follows three friends on their final night together, blending emotional storytelling with music-powered minigames. The licensed soundtrack featuring The Cure and Smashing Pumpkins elevates each chapter, while its unique stop-motion visuals make it a feast for the eyes.
Another highlight was Bounty Star, Annapurna Interactive’s mech combat game mixing hack-and-slash action with wild west aesthetics. Think Armored Core meets Devil May Cry, complete with gig economy satire. Meanwhile, Thick as Thieves reimagines immersive sims as a PvPvE heist game, letting players outsmart rivals, or ambush them after they do the hard work.
Over at Steam Next Fest, Cleared Hot stood out with its helicopter combat and physics-driven chaos, while Mina the Hollower brought back Game Boy Color-era Zelda magic with Yacht Club Games’ signature polish. But the real surprise was Ball x Pit, a Vampire Survivors-meets-Breakout hybrid that’s dangerously addictive.
Sophie McEvoy, Staff Writer, gravitated toward nostalgic charm with Gecko Gods, a serene exploration game starring an adorable lizard. Puzzle fans should watch for Is This Seat Taken?, a quirky social sorting game, and Fireside Feelings, a meditative experience about sharing thoughts by a virtual campfire.
Lewis Packwood, Features Editor, praised At Fate’s End for its stunning hand-painted combat and Relooted, a heist game with cultural commentary. Meanwhile, Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth promises more cozy storytelling from the team behind Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley.
Vikki Blake, Reporter, leaned into darker themes with End of Abyss and Fractured Blooms, the latter disguising horror beneath a cheerful life sim. For something completely different, ILL delivers unsettling body horror, while Out of Words offers wholesome co-op platforming.
Whether you crave nostalgia, innovation, or just a great story, this year’s indie showcases proved smaller studios are where gaming’s most exciting ideas thrive. Keep these titles on your wishlist, they’re worth the wait.
(Source: Game Industry)
