7 ingenious indie games to tide you through the AAA gaming drought

Nidhogg (PC, US$14.99)

Craving for something beyond ultra combos and health bars in a beat ’em up? You’re looking for Nidhogg.

Developer Messhof distills the essence of a 2D fighting game with simple controls, a retro art style, and battlegrounds that vary in shape and size.

Two players are pitted against each other in a 2D arena and have to reach their respective end zone while fending off the opposition with the help of a sword.

Your opponent has to be disarmed before you can dive in with the killer blow, and to avoid the same fate you’ll have to master evasive manoeuvers, throwing your sword, and even use your fists if it comes to it.

Outmanoeuvre. Outfence. Everything about Nidhogg is exhilarating and no bout takes longer than 10 minutes – a great time waster during coffee and lunch breaks.

The Banner Saga (PC, US$24.99)

Set in a Viking world where humans and horned giants called Varl co-exist, you step into the boots of various heroes, uprooting your caravans to combat a looming new threat.

Gameplay comes in two parts. First, you’ll be managing your food supply while keeping morale up through tough decisions in random situations. Results from your decisions could gain you supplies via morally-questionable situations, or a permanent loss of a party member. No pressure then.

The second part is a turn-based combat scenario similar to X-Com: Enemy Unknown and Final Fantasy Tactics. The gameplay utilises a strength and armour mechanic that rewards the cautiously aggressive strategist.

Did we forget to mention that it’s gorgeous to look at? Because it is.

The Banner Saga blends George R.R. Martin’s style with the medieval-influence of Disney’s Eyvind Earle, resulting in one hell of an interactive ride.

READ MORE: Banner Saga review

Broken Age (PC, US$24.99)

Broken Age – a production of famed developer Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Adventure – might rule the roost again with its diverse narratives, engaging dialogues and creative puzzles.

It tells a tale of two individuals; Shay, who has been mollycoddled by a motherly spaceship AI and wants to escape from the melancholy, and feisty Vella who refuses to be sacrificed to a monster against her will. Can’t blame her really.

Featuring the vocal talents of Elijah Wood and a surprisingly toned-down Jack Black, Broken Age features gorgeous visuals that’s part George Kamitani and part Maurice Sendak. It’s truly a throwback to the days of LucasArts’ adventure gaming age of yore, blended with modern sensibilities.

READ MORE: Broken Age: Act 1 review

Steamworld Dig (PC and 3DS, US$8.99 and US$9.99 respectively)

Take a huge pile of Metroid and Castlevania, mix it with the 2D tunnelling action of Mr. Driller, add a sprinkling of randomised elements from Spelunky, and boom – you’ve just created Steamworld Dig.

Set in a Wild West-tailored world filled with robots, you set out to dig and claim your uncle’s gold mines with your trusty pickaxe. You’ll come across random minerals that are worth some cash for upgrades, including teleporters to make backtracking easier, and puzzle-laden obstacles that lead to better rewards.

Go deeper, and the path gets harder and darker to tread. That means you can’t dig recklessly, unless you want to ruin your escape route and die deep, deep underground all on your own (we wouldn’t reccomend it).

Valdis Story: Abyssal City (PC, US$14.99)

If you prefer your games with a lot more action and RPG stats progression, give Valdis Story: Abyssal City a shot.

It features an ancient fantasy city, filled with secret routes and rewards, and you get to pick between two characters with varying play styles and progression levels – a burly sword-wielder and a self-cloning, fast-moving monk.

Combat is the big draw, giving players access to light and heavy attacks, along with spellcasting and defensive manoeuvres like blocking and dodging.

You can also perform skill moves to get out of sticky situations and make the flow of combat go faster; the sort of thing you’ll no-doubt have perfected in the likes of Devil May Cry, Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising.

The story might not be the most original around, but the rewards are generous, the combat is solid and, well, it’s just plain fun.

Risk of Rain (PC, US$9.99)

This Sci-fi action offering serves up four-player co-op RPG action. That means plenty of fun times dying with your pals as you brave through high-piling obstacles and enemies.

The longer you stay alive, the harder things are going to get, which means more dangerous enemies swarming towards you. Bigger enemies equal bigger rewards. Simple eh?

Oh, and if you die, you start from scratch. So don’t die.

As you progress, you can unlock up to ten classes with their own strengths and weaknesses. You’re randomly given a build at the start, so you need to tailor its strengths and flaws as you’re thrust into the heat of battle.

Special mention goes to its old-school pixelated art style and brilliantly-composed soundtrack from the magical hands of Chris Christodoulou.

Starbound (PC, US$14.99, Paid Beta/Early Access)

Imagine Minecraft in 2D with a Star Trek theme. Congratulations, you’ve just summed up Starbound in a nutshell.

You control a lone explorer visiting an infinite number of planets with extraterrestrial dungeons. These range from heavenly-looking landscapes littered with pretty alien trees, to the insides of caves filled with hordes of giant brains. Some playthroughs also contain a medieval castle in the middle of nowhere with knights as bad guys. You know, for variety.

The game specialises in rewarding adventurous players with random collectibles that lets players build whatever they want to their heart’s content, and while still in early beta form, the game has earned a huge following, earning tasty mods from the growing community.

A patch is on the way to add in perma-death mode too, in case you want to spice things up a bit.

READ MORE: Game reviews

Got anymore indie games you want to recommend? Let us know below.