There are plenty of indie RPGs waiting to be discovered by new players. While you occasionally get your breakout hits, others just fly under the radar. Some of these games are more than just great indie RPGs; a few are some of the best games, period.
The problem with indie RPGs is that sometimes they never have that breakout moment. Sure, a game may get lucky -- plenty of cyberpunk RPGs saw new life in the wake of Cyberpunk 2077's controversy -- but most will fall to the wayside. For a solid indie RPG experience with heart, these underrated gems offer some of the best on the scene today.
CrossCode - PC/Mac/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
CrossCode blends a beautifully crafted world with tight action and complex puzzles. As a result, the game is unlike many in the genre, not because it does something entirely new, but because it takes a few great elements and makes them fantastic. Colorful, 16-bit visuals and upbeat, catchy music grab players' attention quickly, but the well-written characters and action-oriented gameplay will convince them to stick around.
It's easy to mistake CrossCode for a translation of a popular anime to game form. The title centers on Lea's (player character) journey through the MMORPG CrossWorlds to recover her memories. The leading hook of the narrative has a serious tone, but it's carried by a cast of charming and fun characters. Though it's a single-player game, there are times where CrossCode feels like a living, breathing MMO. NPCs scamper about zones questing, platforming, foraging and otherwise doing the things MMO players do. For that, CrossCode succeeds in a level of immersion that other titles only dream of.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - PC
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is the sequel to the massive hit Mount & Blade: Warband, and it stands up to its predecessor's legend. Both games allow players to create a character and then grow a personal Warband. Whether a small entourage or a full army, players can equip and manage their troops to their needs. Players can hunt down criminals, take prisoners, defend caravans, become a trade baron, and pursue plenty of other quests too. This is all in addition to an overarching story that players can progress when they'd like.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is available now, but it's still in Early Access. With this said, players shouldn't expect a perfect experience but rather something that'll be added to and improved over time. The sequel bolsters improved dialogue and relationships, more strategic sieges and several general gameplay improvements. Critics have almost universally agreed that despite some jank, Bannerlord is worth playing.
Undertale - PC/Mac/PS4/PS Vita/Xbox One/Switch
Undertale revolves around a child who falls into the monster-filled Underworld and their efforts to make it back to the human world. Along the way, they'll have the choice between slaying the monsters they encounter or spring them. Depending on player actions, one of several endings can be reached. Despite a simple appearance, Undertale holds a powerful and rewarding story.
What can be said about Undertale that hasn't already been said? It's the simple, charming RPG that players immediately fell in love with. Undertale doesn't look like one of the gems of its genre on the surface, but the game has heart. It's a great example of doing something so well it makes up for a fairly minimal approach in most other categories. There are two types of players: those who have played Undertale and those who have not. For those that haven't, they should make it a priority.
Temtem - PC/PS5
For anyone who's ever wished Pokémon was more in line with an MMORPG, Temtem has a solution. Taking cues from Nintendo's widely-popular pocket monster RPG, Temtem sets players loose in the enticing Airborne Archipelago as a budding Temtem tamer. Much like in Pokémon, players will travel the region finding and taming wild Temtem creatures. Along the way, they'll use their Temtems to combat the villainous Clan Belsoto or other players in some friendly competition.
Temtem is like a dream for Pokémon socialites, offering a title built from the ground up for players to team up and play together. Temtem has a few things that set it apart from its inspiration, namely more challenging and strategic combat, but a lot of what makes it great is that it takes a successful formula and only tweaks what's needed to fulfill the prospect of a Pokémon MMO -- and it works.
Disco Elysium PC/Mac/PS4/PS5/Stadia/Switch/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S
Disco Elysium is an award-winning, pick for game of the year isometric RPG that surprised the industry. Players step into the shoes of an amnesiac detective as he attempts to solve a murder case while learning about both his past and the more significant implications this new case means for the city. The title is dialogue-heavy, featuring stellar writing from novelist Robert Kurvitz, and promises players an immersive, wild ride.
Disco Elysium is unlike many RPGs in that combat and battles are forgone for skill checks. In almost every situation Disco Elysium presents the player, they'll make a Dungeons & Dragons-esque check to determine success. The game even takes things a step further with the way stats work; nothing's cut and dry. Increase Drama and players will be better at lying, but they'll also be more prone to hysteria. Disco Elysium offers players a unique RPG experience that dives into the human psyche, and they won't soon forget it.