Welcome to a new roundup of indie gems—those a bit wild, often raw, certainly imperfect, but brimming with originality and potential. These are the RPGs, Strategy Games, and Roguelites we talk about daily on TBL, and every so often, they appear here in this article, a recap of some of the most intriguing titles.
In the sixth episode of our Indie Showcase, there’s plenty of exciting stuff you’re sure to appreciate, especially if you’re a regular on these pages. So get ready to jot down notes and add to your Steam Wishlist with these 10 highly promising indie games.
Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson
The power of music… it’s all you’ll need in Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson. This RPG takes us into an eccentric world where, through shredding solos and musical notes, you’ll battle Super Metal Records and their deceptive contracts, which are ruining music and top musicians alike.
The game boasts a uniquely creative premise and a turn-based combat system where you use a deck that grows as you discover and collect new riffs. During battles, you’ll need to keep time to maximize your effectiveness and take down improbable enemies. The pixelated graphic style is a visual treat, and a demo is available, with the full release planned for 2025.
Shift’n Slay
Another title you can already try, thanks to its Steam demo, is Shift’n Slay. A tactical RPG that’s perhaps more of a puzzle game—think Into The Breach style. Tactics include shoving enemies into obstacles on the map, positioning them to strike multiple foes with one attack, and adapting to their moves. All of this unfolds in a dystopian world where you embody the law—tough and unforgiving.
Various accessories and ammo types will shape your combat style and strategies for each scenario with a unique twist: every time you take down an enemy, you earn an additional turn, enabling chain kills. This is a must-try title.
The Necromancer’s Tale
Now, let’s dive into an isometric RPG that puts us in the shoes of a necromancer—what could be better than roaming around with a loyal entourage of skeletons and undead creatures? The Necromancer’s Tale lets you do just that, along with so much more. There are plenty of NPCs to interact with, multiple ways to influence the storyline, and a “Trust system” that’s affected by your actions. If trust drops too low, you risk exposing your necromancer activities.
The tactical combat system allows you to summon various creatures to the battlefield to take on both human and supernatural foes. According to its Steam page, the game is slated for release before the year’s end, and a demo is also available.
Rogue Titan
In Rogue Titan, you take control of Prometheus, the Titan who dared to defy the Greek gods and steal the sacred flame. This traditional roguelike sets you on that very mission, spanning five chapters, each represented by unique environments packed with all kinds of enemies.
Every defeat means game over, but you’ll carry small gains forward to help improve your future runs. The roguelike combat system means the game world only moves when you do, allowing you plenty of time to plan your skills, moves, or even summonings. Adding Rogue Titan to your wishlist is a must—but if you prefer, you can give the demo a try first.
Dustgrave: A Sandbox RPG
Dustgrave: A Sandbox RPG offers extensive freedom and, as the title suggests, a sandbox adventure that can be different each time. Factions clash with unpredictable outcomes, NPCs are affected by these results, and most importantly, by what we decide to be and do. Choices are recorded by the game engine, shaping future situations and encounters.
The tactical combat system lets you issue orders to your hero and various followers, using a wide range of spells, skills, and items. Potentially something truly unique, and you can give it a try through the available prologue.
Veil of Madness
I’ve often emphasized my love for first-person dungeon crawlers, so a title like Veil of Madness had to be part of this indie showcase. It’s a first-person RPG featuring charming pixel graphics and a combat system that incorporates card mechanics for battling Lovecraftian creatures.
The various quests you undertake will reward you with new cards, unlocking fresh powers along the way. Definitely one of the more intriguing titles, although, for now, there’s no release date or playable demo available.
Oathbound: Arena
I’d be lying if I said I’m a big MMO fan, but I’m always intrigued when this category opts for a turn-based combat system. Oathbound: Arena offers just that within a richly fantasy world, though I’m still not clear if it’s tactical or follows the classic setup with the party on the right side of the screen and enemies on the left.
It seems to include all the staples of the genre—cooperative modes, player-versus-player battles, a variety of professions and classes to choose from, and real-time world exploration. For us turn based lovers, this is definitely a title to keep an eye on, even though it doesn’t yet have a release date.
Broken Alliance
A new chapter in the Heroes of Might and Magic series was recently announced as a prequel, but in the meantime, plenty of strategic RPGs have aimed to offer a similar experience. The latest discovery is Broken Alliance. With four factions, cities, champions, items, and all the strategic depth you’d expect from a title like this, it stands out by incorporating card mechanics into its combat system.
So if you’re a fan of HOMM-likes and retro charm, Broken Alliance is definitely worth a look. It’s set to release in Early Access on January 15, 2025, and you can try the demo in the meantime.
Full Metal Sergeant 2
The Iron Sergeant is back, and honestly, he seems tougher than ever. Full Metal Sergeant is an indie strategy game whose first chapter was released in April 2023. The game puts you in the role of a Drill Sergeant tasked with whipping a bunch of rookies into hardened, battle-ready soldiers.
The second chapter returns with the same core mechanics but adds more depth and a revamped, detailed combat system. It’s slated for release in 2025.
Passageway of the Ancients
And we finish with a CRPG that captures the essence and charm of ‘90s RPGs. Passageway of the Ancients transports you to a medieval fantasy world where you can freely explore the “safe” roads of Aieryon—filled with fire-breathing dragons, goblins, and all sorts of creatures to pet, who don’t want to kill you but only to be your friend. However, if you do encounter a hostile one, combat takes place in real-time, with the option to pause and plan your next move. The good news is this RPG has been available on Steam since October 2024.
These are the 10 titles chosen for the sixth episode of the Indie Showcase. Let me know what you think—did I scratch any of your gaming itches? See you in the next episode. Ciao
