Beste games
Best Indie games of 2021
The 71 best Indie games released in 2021, ranked from 5,405 critic and player ratings.
The best Indie game of 2021 is Toem, with a critic score of 95/100 — updated augustus 2026.
01
Toem
An aesthetic adventure with the premise of enjoying the little things! Toem is an adventure game, it aims to capture the curiosity of a child! Should I go left, right, who cares I'm on an adventure! Your smile, that's what's important to us.
95
/100
02
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
03
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is an enhanced edition of the original role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. It retains the core gameplay and narrative while adding full voice acting, new quests, additional endings, and other narrative revisions.
91
/100
Toem
An aesthetic adventure with the premise of enjoying the little things! Toem is an adventure game, it aims to capture the curiosity of a child! Should I go left, right, who cares I'm on an adventure! Your smile, that's what's important to us.
95
/100
02
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
03
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is an enhanced edition of the original role-playing game developed and published by ZA/UM. It retains the core gameplay and narrative while adding full voice acting, new quests, additional endings, and other narrative revisions.
91
/100
04
Valheim
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
90
/100
05
The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is a mystery adventure game of exploration and deduction, and a re-imagining of the critically acclaimed mod of the same name. Combat is an option, but violence will only get you so far. Only by questioning an intertwined community of colorful characters, cleverly exploiting the time loop, and making difficult moral choices can you hope to solve this epic mystery. Here, your decisions matter. The fate of the city is in your hands.
90
/100
06
Tails of Iron
Tails of Iron is an Adventure RPG-lite game set in a charming and brutal world. Playing as Redgi the Rat, you are heir to the throne when your kingdom is raided by the Iron Frog. Players face challenging, tactical and stunning combat encounters in order to rebuild the Rat Kingdom.
90
/100
07
Wildermyth
Wildermyth is a character-driven, procedurally-generated tactical RPG. Lead a band of unique heroes as they grow from a reluctant farmers into legendary fighters. Battle threats lurking in the Yondering Lands and discover secrets that the land has to offer.
89
/100
08
Death's Door
Death's Door is an action-adventure game developed by Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. Released in 2021, it follows a crow reaper tasked with collecting souls in a mysterious, atmospheric world. The game features exploration, fast-paced combat, and puzzle-solving.
87
/100
09
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
It is a metroidvania game that the player will play as a rabbit who can manipulate the big mech-arm on his back, exploring in a vivid diesel punk world and fighting against the evil robot army. There will be a vast world map for the player to explore to meet with friend NPCs and encounter enemies, discover items and weapons and seek for the answers for the secrets hidden behind.
87
/100
10
Before Your Eyes
A first person narrative adventure which tells the story of a soul’s journey into the afterlife using your real-life blinks.
86
/100
11
Chivalry 2
86
/100
12
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
13
Unsighted
85
/100
14
Loop Hero
85
/100
15
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
85
/100
16
Curse of the Dead Gods
84
/100
17
Road 96
83
/100
18
Dysmantle
83
/100
19
Inscryption
82
/100
20
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
82
/100
21
Knockout City
82
/100
22
Everhood
82
/100
23
Tormented Souls
82
/100
24
Skul: The Hero Slayer
81
/100
25
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
26
Subnautica: Below Zero
80
/100
27
The Artful Escape
80
/100
28
Eastward
80
/100
29
Cyber Shadow
80
/100
30
Exo One
80
/100
31
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery
80
/100
32
Black Book
78
/100
33
Rain on Your Parade
78
/100
34
Eldest Souls
78
/100
35
Olija
78
/100
36
Tails Noir
78
/100
37
Lost in Random
77
/100
38
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One
77
/100
39
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
77
/100
40
Chorus
76
/100
41
Chernobylite
76
/100
42
The Wild at Heart
76
/100
43
Axiom Verge 2
76
/100
44
Narita Boy
75
/100
45
Sable
74
/100
46
In Sound Mind
74
/100
47
Medieval Dynasty
74
/100
48
The Ascent
73
/100
49
A Juggler's Tale
73
/100
50
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
73
/100
Valheim
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
90
/100
05
The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City is a mystery adventure game of exploration and deduction, and a re-imagining of the critically acclaimed mod of the same name. Combat is an option, but violence will only get you so far. Only by questioning an intertwined community of colorful characters, cleverly exploiting the time loop, and making difficult moral choices can you hope to solve this epic mystery. Here, your decisions matter. The fate of the city is in your hands.
90
/100
06
Tails of Iron
Tails of Iron is an Adventure RPG-lite game set in a charming and brutal world. Playing as Redgi the Rat, you are heir to the throne when your kingdom is raided by the Iron Frog. Players face challenging, tactical and stunning combat encounters in order to rebuild the Rat Kingdom.
90
/100
07
Wildermyth
Wildermyth is a character-driven, procedurally-generated tactical RPG. Lead a band of unique heroes as they grow from a reluctant farmers into legendary fighters. Battle threats lurking in the Yondering Lands and discover secrets that the land has to offer.
89
/100
08
Death's Door
Death's Door is an action-adventure game developed by Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. Released in 2021, it follows a crow reaper tasked with collecting souls in a mysterious, atmospheric world. The game features exploration, fast-paced combat, and puzzle-solving.
87
/100
09
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
It is a metroidvania game that the player will play as a rabbit who can manipulate the big mech-arm on his back, exploring in a vivid diesel punk world and fighting against the evil robot army. There will be a vast world map for the player to explore to meet with friend NPCs and encounter enemies, discover items and weapons and seek for the answers for the secrets hidden behind.
87
/100
10
Before Your Eyes
A first person narrative adventure which tells the story of a soul’s journey into the afterlife using your real-life blinks.
86
/100
11
Chivalry 2
86
/100
12
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
13
Unsighted
85
/100
14
Loop Hero
85
/100
15
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
85
/100
16
Curse of the Dead Gods
84
/100
17
Road 96
83
/100
18
Dysmantle
83
/100
19
Inscryption
82
/100
20
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
82
/100
21
Knockout City
82
/100
22
Everhood
82
/100
23
Tormented Souls
82
/100
24
Skul: The Hero Slayer
81
/100
25
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
26
Subnautica: Below Zero
80
/100
27
The Artful Escape
80
/100
28
Eastward
80
/100
29
Cyber Shadow
80
/100
30
Exo One
80
/100
31
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery
80
/100
32
Black Book
78
/100
33
Rain on Your Parade
78
/100
34
Eldest Souls
78
/100
35
Olija
78
/100
36
Tails Noir
78
/100
37
Lost in Random
77
/100
38
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One
77
/100
39
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
77
/100
40
Chorus
76
/100
41
Chernobylite
76
/100
42
The Wild at Heart
76
/100
43
Axiom Verge 2
76
/100
44
Narita Boy
75
/100
45
Sable
74
/100
46
In Sound Mind
74
/100
47
Medieval Dynasty
74
/100
48
The Ascent
73
/100
49
A Juggler's Tale
73
/100
50
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
73
/100
FAQ
What is the best Indie game of 2021?
Toem currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 68 ratings. Ranking updated augustus 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.