7 Great Indie Games With Amazing Production Value

One of those indie games that just sort of popped up out of nowhere for most people (which isn’t a bad thing!), Cuphead stands out with its entirely hand-drawn animation, inspired by 1930s “rubber hose” cartoons. The animation was all created on paper, inked and painted, resulting in silky-smooth, retro visuals at a cinematic 24 fps compared to 60 fps gameplay.

Its jazz-and-big-band soundtrack, composed and recorded by Kristofer Maddigan using a full band, is an ideal complement to the visuals, resulting in an immersive audio-visual adventure!

The devs even remortgaged their homes to finance the project, demonstrating how passion and dedication can be equated to production value in spite of indie status.

Hollow Knight

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight boasts hand-drawn art and animation throughout its expansive Metroidvania world. Each character and environmental element is drawn frame by frame, resulting in lush, living backgrounds and fluid combat animations.

The ethereal, haunting soundtrack by Christopher Larkin also contributes to the sense of exploration and discovery, with each OST being perfect for each part of the game.

Despite its low budget, approximately $57,000 via Kickstarter, the game manages to achieve big studio polish by smart use of resources and diligent design.

Ori and the Blind Forest

Moon Studios’ Ori and the Blind Forest combines brush-stroke landscapes, fluid platforming, and a heartfelt orchestral score by Gareth Coker.

The graphics in the game, displayed in a blend of hand-painted backgrounds and 3D character models, create a sense of awe and dimensionality rarely seen in indie platformers.

Coker’s score, featuring soloists like oboist Tom Boyd and flautist Rachel Mellis, lends dramatic weight to the gameplay, and each moment, whether quiet exploration or panicked boss fights, feels so cinematic!

Gris

Nomada Studio’s Gris is a masterclass in minimalist, watercolor-inspired art direction. Designed without fail states, the game invites players to explore its narrative of loss and rebirth through shifting color palettes and emotional puzzles.

The entire visual look was created by artist Conrad Roset, whose backgrounds and character animations make the game look like a painting coming to life that can also be played.

Gris went on to sell over three million copies, proving that a focus on art and emotion can resonate with a large audience. Pretty good in indie games terms!

Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium revolutionizes narrative RPGs with painterly isometric graphics, fully voiced dialogue in its Final Cut edition, and a British Sea Power soundtrack. The game world, written by Robert Kurvitz and Helen Hindpere, is a meditation on morality and identity conveyed through branching dialogue and an innovative “microreactivity” system.

The collaboration with Sea Power not only provided a memorable soundtrack but also elevated the mood of the game, driving home the moments of pathos and absurd humor.

A fairly recent Guardian profile shows how this collaboration boosted both the band’s and the game’s cult followings!

Celeste

Developed by Extremely OK Games, Celeste pairs tight platforming gameplay with Lena Raine’s emotional soundtrack. Raine’s score, played on live instruments and ambient pads, mirrors the emotional journey of the game’s protagonist, Madeline, using piano to represent determination and synthesizer to represent self-doubt.

The game’s pixel art, vibrant level design, and snappy UI are all suggestive of a high level of polish, and its accessibility options and Farewell DLC demonstrate an ongoing dedication to quality and player experience.

Final Thoughts

The indie scene has matured to become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to creativity and technical competence. These six games showcase the ways that small teams can achieve stunning production values through creative art direction, compelling soundtracks, and sheer attention to detail.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your next project or searching for games that blend artistry with gameplay, all of these indie games represent the pinnacle of what indie developers can accomplish today.