We made it. It’s the end of the year, but not before a few bangin’ and exciting indie games release this month. Without further ado, here are 10 delicious indies to sink your teeth into in December 2024.
ANTONBLAST
Developer: Summitsphere
Release Date: December 3
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
“ANTONBLAST is a fast-paced explosive action platformer that’s all about destruction. Play as the enraged Dynamite Anton (or his cranked-out coworker Annie) and use your Mighty F’n Hammer to demolish bizarre worlds, tussle with screen-filling bosses, and steal your Spirits back from Satan!”
Spare no mind to the old release date provided in the trailer above. Things happen. ANTONBLAST is another exciting fast-paced 2D platformer game in the vein of Wario Land, following similar games of its ilk such as 2023’s beloved Pizza Tower. It looks ridiculous, silly, action-packed and a blast. Can’t wait to get into some hijinks in this indie!
The Edge of Allegoria
Developer: Button Factory Games
Release Date: December 4
Platforms: PC
“Turn-based RPG, inspired by classic titles from the golden age of handheld gaming. But make no mistake: This ain’t no f@#%ing kid’s game.”
A classic Gameboy-style RPG adventure but for sickos and freaks. There’s just something to seeing some really weird and f*cked up imagery all in the art style of the original Pokémon. Wait, there are secrets too?! Count me in, lads.
Symphonia
Developer: Sunny Peak
Release Date: December 5
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
“Awaken an expansive musical realm in this non-violent and poetic platformer. In Symphonia, you’ll use the power of your violin coupled with your platforming skills to gather an orchestra to bring the musical machinery of the world back to life.”
I’m a sucker for non-violent precision platformers that are all about accuracy and nailing a series of difficult jumps one after the other. You know what else I love? The art of music, baby. Combine the two and you’ve got me down, at the very least.
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
Developer: Polygon Treehouse
Release Date: December 5
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
“You’re shipwrecked on a lost mythical island. As backpacker Alex, you must befriend the forgotten gods of Greek mythology and restore their memories. Explore the dynamic island and its story sandbox to build new friendships, solve the mystery and save the gods.”
Myst-like island exploration plus you’re befriending forgotten misfit Greek gods lost to time is a hell of a pitch, and it’s a promising one. This comes from the developers of Röki, an underrated and stunning indie from a few years back. It’s an indie to keep an eye out for sure!
Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop
Developer: Beard Envy
Release Date: December 5
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
“Come on down to Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop, for all your roguelite spaceship repair simulation needs! WARNING: Untested genre not suitable for people with tentacles for arms or an aversion to dying horrifically. Side effects include improved reading comprehension under pressure and a furry fetish.”
Tongue-in-cheek game description aside, Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop looks like a game with the juice. So often roguelites are all about destroying and killing everything in sight. What better way to reinvent the wheel than have it be about fixing everything up in sight? Some of these characters really do like they’ll awaken something in me…
Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 – The Dead King’s Secret
Developer: Prof. Dr. Christoph Minnameier
Release Date: December 5
Platforms: PC
“Dungeons of Dreadrock – The Dead King’s Secret is Part 2 of the (yet unfinished) Dreadrock Trilogy. In this episode you’ll puzzle and fight your way through the ancient cavern parts of Dreadrock Mountain. The game features 100 levels, 5 bosses, two different endings and tons of adorable pixel art.”
I’ve checked out the original Dungeons of Dreadrock game and it was a really clever and charming 2D Zelda-like! As a tile-based adventure, every step matters as the enemies and traps move in place with each step. Working out the best route and timing to knock out all enemies and clear a room is challenging before long and deeply engaging. More of something that good? Consider me excited!
Monument Valley 3
Developer: ustwo games
Release Date: December 11
Platforms: Mobile (via Netflix)
“Begin a thrilling new voyage into an enchanting puzzle world. Navigate optical illusions to bring together a village and guide them to a new home. Set sail for adventure in this new installment of the award-winning Monument Valley game series, exploring an expansive and beautiful world of puzzles. When an apprentice lightkeeper named Noor discovers that the world’s light is fading — and waters rising — she must go on a quest to find a new source of power before her community is lost to the waves forever.”
Ten(!) years following the premiere we have our third entry in the vivid and long-running puzzle series. Prettier and more mind-bending than ever, I can’t wait to be lost for hours on the simplest puzzle… is what I’d say if it weren’t restricted to being only on Netflix! Praying and begging this one lands on other platforms in the future.
Garden Trills
Developer: Yukim
Release Date: December 12
Platforms: PC
“Explore floating gardens as Tomi, a tiny sparrow. Grow magical plants, meet other birds and get your wings dirty together to cultivate beautiful places for you to peacefully fly around and discover all their secrets.”
Are you ever mad at yourself for not being aware of an indie before just now? Because I am. Garden Trills looks unbelievably lush and beautiful with rich colours you want to soak in. Its picturesque nature reminds me of Botany Manor. Combine that with the fact it’s a collectathon where you’re flying about and helping the environment flourish and you’ve got yourself a fan in me.
The Spirit of the Samurai
Developer: Digital Mind Games
Release Date: December 12
Platforms: PC
“A village in peril. A samurai reanimated. An Oni advancing. Fight an army of undead warriors and Japanese monsters as a human, a Kodama, and a cat in this 2D stop-motion action adventure.”
2D Metroidvania adventure with tough combat! Samurais! Need I say more? Sign us up!
The Cabin Factory
Developer: International Cat Studios
Release Date: December 13
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
“Your job at the Cabin Factory is simple: inspect the cabins and decide on whether they’re haunted or not. If you do find any anomalies, get out…immediately.”
The ‘anomaly’ subgenre of game that has you investigating liminal spaces and searching for ways out by identifying and resolving supernatural anomalies was arguably popularised with The Exit 8 and subsequently Platform 8. Since then, a lot of imitators have jumped onto the scene and it’s been hard ot parse which ones are really worthwhile but The Cabin Factory certainly looks the part. Working on a factory floor and diegetically waltzing into these eerie cabins is an enticing premise. Is anyone else up for a game that channels the bloody and camp joy of Cabin in the Woods? Look no further!
…and that’s it! With the rate indie games released this year, I can’t exactly expect them to slow in 2025, but we’ll see. See you next year.