The end of summer is officially here, but we’ve had a good run. So many great games came out this season, but we can’t talk about them all.
Let’s talk about our top 20 indies from August!
Narrative
Whether you’re looking for something uplifting or a story that tackles serious themes, the narrative game releases in August 220 have you covered.
Spiritfarer: Play as the ferry master of the afterlife, cozily transporting souls of the dearly departed to that place beyond the horizon. Manage your ferry, befriend souls, and learn how to say goodbye. Available on consoles and PC.
Midnight Caravan: Choose your fate in this choice-based narrative set in Italy. Take revenge, uncover political schemes, and more in this illustrated visual novel. Available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC.
Aery: Broken Memories: Flit through the memories of a comatose patient is this moving, story-rich title as you explore multiple thoughts and fears. Find all the memory shards, and you just might be able to wake the patient. Available on consoles and PC.
Lovingly Evil: The Big Bad Dating Sim: Villains want to find love, too! Attend an annual villain convention where you’ll meet dastardly chaps and lasses from all over the world. With the help of your skeletal butler, choose the best doomsday companion for your life! Available on PC.
Big Dipper: Christmas romance is in the air with this visual novel. Journey to the polar circle, where two unsuspecting lovers meet. Find it in your heart to share what’s precious to you, and be rewarded in this charming chibi story. Available on consoles and PC.
Wait! Life is Beautiful!: If you could stop a stranger from jumping off a bridge, would you do it? Delve into the lives of multiple such strangers in search of purpose, escaping loss, and filling the void of the soul. Discover that life is beautiful, in all its forms. Available on PC.
Cupcake: An Apartment Adventure: You’ve made a batch of cupcakes; now what? Explore your apartment complex and meet your neighbors to decide who needs a sweet treat the most. Maybe you’re going through a hard time and need them the most, or it could be they didn’t come out so good, and nobody should eat them. You decide in this small setting with big feels. Available on PC.
Puzzle
We all love a good mystery, and solving puzzles can be incredibly satisfying in a variety of games. We’ve got quite the line-up of puzzles blended with humor, murder, and surrealism this month.
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind: Based on the smash-hit television series, players can explore the filthy underbelly of England in this murder mystery.
Manifold Garden: Leap into the world of mind-bending art - literally - in this gorgeous environmental puzzle game filled with illusions from classical works of art.
Helheim Hassle: Whoever heard of a pacifist Viking, anyway? With a body that comes apart while maintaining full functionality, it’s up to you to navigate scenes so no battling takes place.
The Machine’s Garden:
Adventure
Adventures can take on many forms, and boy did they this month! Dive into the famed works of Franz Kafka or explore a range of beautifully animated pixel art worlds.
Spirits Abyss:
Metamorphosis: Play through an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s famous novella, Metamorphosis, in this thrilling adventure. When you suddenly transform into a bug, it’s up to you to find the solution. Journey through a bug’s life, and you just might discover the meaning of your own. Available on consoles and PC.
INMOST: Enjoy the beautiful cinematics of this puzzle platformer as you attempt to escape a labyrinth with one of three playable characters, each with their own piece of an interlocking story. Available on Nintendo Switch, PC, and Apple Arcade.
Mystery Mine: In exchange for the protection of your village, follow a spirit into the underworld and do glorious battle with dangerous monsters. Learn about the history of the world and ultimately save it from dark forces lurking right under your feet. Available on consoles and PC.
Eternal Hope: Embark on a dangerous journey through dimensions and use your unique powers to solve puzzles and fight enemies. Play through stunning environments and make your way through the Shadow World. If you’re successful, the soul of a loved one might be returned to you. Available on PC.
Horror
Experience horror in both new and old ways this month with PS1 style graphics and … eating?
Kwaidan ～Azuma manor story～: Experience classical Japanese horror in perfect PlayStation 1 graphics and a blend of point-and-click and 3D action mechanics. Explore an abandoned manor and battle an encyclopedia of Yoki. Available on consoles and PC.
Bite the Bullet: Eat your way through hoards of enemies in this unique rogue-lite RPG. With the perfect spice blend of horror and comedy, you’ll gorge yourself with the flesh of your enemies, literally. Available on consoles and PC.
What were your favorite releases from August? Let us know in the comments!