2015 is already shaping up to be a great year with all the AAA releases scheduled to launch within the next 12 months, however a lot of titles holding our attention are mostly small, digitally-distributed games that are being made by small development studios. Known as indies, these titles are starting to get a significant amount of attraction and interest from the gaming community, over the last couple of years, as they bring in new, interesting ideas to video games, or build on old/forgotten mechanics in a clever way. 2015 is filled with these types of games, so here’s a list of some of the independent titles we are looking forward to playing in this new year.
[Note: As much as we look forward to replaying these indie titles, this list excludes all ports or remakes of previous games. This means that the PlayStation releases of Shovel Knight, Super Time Force Ultra, Bastion, and the remakes of Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle are not included in this list. Additionally, this is NOT a Top list, and the following titles are not listed in order of preference.]
[promo title=”Axiom Verge”][/promo]
Developer: Tom Happ – (Team of 1 Person)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Planned Release Date: Spring 2015
Created by a single person, Tom Happ’s Axiom Verge goes back to the classic Metroidvania roots by combining non-linear exploration of areas that are all interconnected, scavenging for new abilities and weapons in order to proceed, and combat that involves some unique enemies and tough bosses. Heck, it even looks like a Metroid game. However, it also features a cool mechanic that allows you to glitch through otherwise unattainable areas and break the normal boundaries of gameplay, while also having a dedicated Speedrun Mode giving additional abilities to suit this play style.
[promo title=”Below“][/promo]
Developer: Capybara Games – (Team of 26 People)
Platform: Xbox One (First to Console)
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
Being fresh off its previous indie hits with Superbrothers: Swords & Sorcery EP and Super Time Force, Canadian developer Capybara is heading into a different direction with its upcoming Rogue-Like Adventure title Below. Through a top-down perspective, you play as tiny warrior exploring the mysteries of a remote island where exploration, discovery and survival are your main concerns. It mixes in procedural generation with tough combat that can lead to permanent death, while sharing inspirations from franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Dark Souls. Below looks like the kind of game that will mesmerize you every step of the way with its satisfying discovery factor, amazing tone and thrilling soundtrack.
[promo title=”Broken Age – Act 2″][/promo]
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation Vita (The Complete Adventure)
Planned Release Date: Early 2015
It has been a year since Double Fine released the first act for its Kickstarter-funded Broken Age Adventure game, but we are finally getting a conclusion to Shay and Vella’s stories in 2015. Although little is currently known about the finale to Tim Schafer’s newest Point-and-Click adventure, we do know that it will last about 8-12 hours, which is more than enough to bring a satisfying ending to the experience. Additionally, PlayStation users will be in luck because Broken Age: The Complete Adventure, which includes both acts of the game, will release at the same time as Act 2. For those who wondered what Double Fine was doing with the $3 Million they raised on Kickstarter, there’s your answer.
[promo title=”Cuphead”][/promo]
Developer: Studio MDHR – (Team of 3 People)
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
I don’t know why, but even without knowing anything significant about Cuphead, it is still one our most anticipated titles of 2015. Although we have only seen small glimpse and pieces of the 1930’s inspired Action-Platformer, its visual style and aesthetics make it stand out immediately. It has the same look and feel as Disney’s old black and white Mickey Mouse cartoons, except Cuphead nails that aesthetic with a vibrant and colorful world.
[promo title=”Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number“][/promo]
Developer: Dennaton Games – (Team of 2 People)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PC
Planned Release Date: Q1 2015
Anyone who has experienced Dennaton’s cryptic, yet highly addicting top-down Shooter, Hotline Miami, is extremely hyped up for the upcoming release of its sequel Wrong Number. Although it is sad to see that it will be the conclusion to the franchise, it hopes to go out with a bang, featuring multiple characters with different abilities, a brand new story arc that ties in directly with the events of the first game, a level editor, and a whole lot more of nonsensical, outrageous violence. The only question now is: How long do we have to wait until we finally get it in our hands?
[promo title=”Inside”][/promo]
Developer: Playdead – (Team of more than 25 People)
Platform: Xbox One (First to Console)
Planned Release Date: Q1-Q2 2015
We don’t know much about Playdead’s follow-up to Limbo, other than the fact that it is very similar to it in style. However, one thing’s for sure, with the legacy it established with its atmospheric Puzzle-Platformer, Inside will be a title to look out for if it follows the same path of creativity.
[promo title=”Mighty No. 9″][/promo]
Developer: Comcept with help from Inti Creates
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 3DS, PlayStation Vita, PC
Planned Release Date: April 2015
After leaving Capcom where he had been working for 23 years, the creator of Mega Man, Keiji Inafune, formed his own indie studio to work on the follow-up to its legendary platforming foundation with Mighty No. 9. After one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of all-time raising $4 Million, Mighty No. 9 hopes to evolve the 2D side-scrolling platforming genre by introducing a brand new protagonist and being more than what Mega Man has accomplished. The best part of its crown-funding success is that it will release on every single system that is currently being supported. The game’s nearly complete, so there isn’t that much to wait now.
[promo title=”No Man’s Sky”][/promo]
Developer: Hello Games – (Team of 12 People)
Platform: PlayStation 4
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
If you’ve been following the indie game scene in any capacity, chances are you have probably heard of Hello Games’ procedurally generated space Exploration title. No Man’s Sky is a highly different creative outlet from the UK-based team that has brought us the Joe Danger games, but it promises a truly engaging one of a kind experience set in an open universe filled with millions of planets and solar systems to explore. The only concern about No Man’s Sky is that, as ambitious and interesting as the idea sounds, the gameplay will not go beyond simply exploring each of the planet’s mysteries and secrets. That being said, we still don’t know that much about the title, so hopefully it has a few surprising tricks up its sleeve.
[promo title=”OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood”][/promo]
Developer: Roll7 – (Team of 7 People)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
Developer Roll7 could’ve easily just put out a simple level pack for its critically acclaimed Arcade Skating game OlliOlli, but instead they have decided to go beyond only adding in new levels with its sequel. As a matter of fact, OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood marks a significant step forward for the UK-based studio as it departs from its original pixel art style by upgrading the game’s performance, introducing some new game mechanics that will make less linear than its original counterpart, and adding in some Local Multiplayer in the mix with brand new game modes. As one of the few people who has mastered the original game (I got all the PSN Trophies for it), all I can say is that I cannot wait to kickflip, nollie, and grind my way through Olliwood.
[promo title=”Ori and the Blind Forest“][/promo]
Developer: Moon Studios
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Planned Release Date: Early 2015
By recapturing the magic of classic Metroidvania games, Ori and the Blind Forest, the first title coming from Moon Studios, is a Platformer that combines visuals aesthetics and gameplay to tell its atmospheric story. Additionally, it even has some RPG-like elements that are sure to spice up the gameplay quite a bit. Although it was disappointing to see it be pushed back into 2015 a couple of months ago, Ori and the Blind Forest is sure to be a quality title when it officially releases in the coming months.
[promo title=”Rime”][/promo]
Developer: Tequila Works – (Team of 18 People)
Platform: PlayStation 4
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
Rime is another indie title we don’t know much about. From the footage we’ve seen to far, Tequila Works’ Action-Adventure title looks like a mix between The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Ico and Journey, with an open-ended island that is filled with puzzles and mysteries to discover, which gets me really excited for it. All I can say is that – like most titles on this list – we cannot wait to get our hands on it.
[promo title=”Severed”][/promo]
Developer: Drinkbox Studios – (Team of 15 People)
Platform: PlayStation Vita
Planned Release Date: Spring 2015
As much as I would like Drinkbox to make a sequel to Guacamelee! (because it was just so good), its new PlayStation Vita exclusive title, Severed, looks like an interesting Dungeon-Crawler with its emphasis on touch-based controls. Although what immediately caught our eyes was its eye-popping, colorful visual style similar to its Metroidvania game, Severed looks like the kind of game that will actually get us back to playing the PlayStation Vita.
[promo title=”Titan Souls”][/promo]
Developer: Acid Nerve – (Team of 3 People)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PC
Planned Release Date: Q1 2015
Ever since first gameplay footage was shown for Titan Souls, I was immediately anticipating Acid Nerve’s first game. I mean what kind of game has you use the same solitary arrow throughout its entire duration to engage enemies and bosses that could crush you in a matter of seconds? Well, Titan Souls challenges the player to that by offering a rewardingly difficult experience that is filled with mystery and rich in death. It is undeniably my personal most anticipated indie game of 2015.
[promo title=”The Banner Saga 2″][/promo]
Developer: Stoic – (Team of 2 People)
Platform: PlayStation 4
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
Announced just a few weeks ago at The Game Awards 2014, The Banner Saga 2 is still early in development, but we can anticipate yet another great Tactical Strategy game set in a hand-drawn Viking-inspired fantasy setting. I haven’t played the original game for myself quite yet, but seeing that a sequel is coming shortly, I have no reason to not go out and try it, and I am not that high on Strategy games either.
[promo title=”The Witness”][/promo]
Developer: Tekla, INC – (Team of 17 People)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
Planned Release Date: TBA 2015
The next gaming coming from the man who brought us one of the first indie hits ever with Braid, The Witness is a First-Person Puzzle Exploration game set on an island divided by ten distinctive areas. With its incredibly detailed environments that are filled with discoveries to make, Jonathan Blow’s The Witness is regarded as one of the most anticipated indies as well as one of the anticipated games of 2015. Let’s just hope it releases this year.
[promo title=”There Came an Echo”][/promo]
Developer: Iridium Studios – (Team of 7 People)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Planned Release Date: February 2015
When I first saw footage of There Came an Echo, Iridium Studios crowd-funded Strategy game, I was immediately intrigued because of its sci-fi-looking style and atmosphere. Little did I know that this game is entirely voice-control compatible as you direct you squad through various set pieces, while also starring Wil Wheaton as the main protagonist. There Came an Echo is one of those ambitious indie games of the year that hopes to change the way we experience and interact with a video game. Let’s just hope the idea’s execution works as well as it sounds on paper.
What are some of your most anticipated indie games of 2015? Let us know in the comments below and, as always, stay tuned to Gamer Headlines for all things gaming.
[show_avatar email=maximechiasson@videotron.ca align=center user_link=authorpage show_name=true show_biography=true max_bio_length=500]
