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[Amir0x]

Putting aside the odd gaming politics of the moment involving the automatic dismissal of indies, there are some things to be said about one's disposition of mind toward the subject. If we can agree that it's foolhardy to reflexively turn off an entire field of games that encompass every genre and visual type, then maybe there's room for those who still retain an open mind to find something they enjoy. After all, that's why we're here, right? Because we love games? And indies are, if nothing else, games.

In this thread, I hope to dispel several ideas about this category of games which include:

● They're all just 'artsy' games!
● They're for hipsters, and the people who enjoy them are pretentious!
● Most of them are just retro inspired platformers or RPGs
● I am so done with the pixelated 2D look! The majority of indie games are like that!
● They're very shallow and don't have much meat to them.

And so on and so forth.

Note: This isn't a thread to air all our grievances regarding those who don't like indies. Similarly, it's not a thread for people who don't like indies to come in and once again shut the door on the entire field of games without attempting an approach with an open mind for a recommendation. This thread is for people who so far have been turned off by indies, but still have an open mind and are willing to try some they haven't thought of before. The rest of us will be trying to guide you toward a suggestion of a game that might fit your tastes, so be specific when trying to garner such recommendations!

______________________________

BONUS: CONTEST
______________________________

Additionally, for those of you who come into this thread with a genuinely open mind, I'm holding a contest. This contest is only for individuals on NeoGAF who so far have not enjoyed indies, but come in here seeking a genuine recommendation.

The rules are simple. Come in this topic and share with us what you're looking for. Be as specific as possible. Then, try out a single game someone recommends to you. Really give it a good go. Then, whether you like the game or not, return to this topic and share a detailed report about how you liked (or disliked) the product. The best report will receive a $40 or less value game on Steam, to be awarded at the end of September 4, 2014. This is to give people time to really try the games out they get.

It is not a requirement that you enjoy the game, and that will in no way factor into who I choose. I will be using a randomizer which will select amongst those who have fairly contributed an opinion.

____________________________________

BONUS CONTEST 2
____________________________________

AWESOME ANNOUNCEMENT

Thanks to the generosity of Lab Zero Games and Ravidrath, I have five codes for Skullgirls to give away - and these codes include all the DLC characters as well!

These codes will be open to anybody in this topic who actively engages in a back and forth on the subject of indies. That includes those of you who love indies, so everyone is invited! From here on out, all people who participate in this thread will be entered into the contest randomizer for selection by 14 August 2014 @ 4:30PM(EST).

Thanks again for all the recommendations and participation so far!

Happy Hunting!

 

[ghibli99]

Great idea for a thread, although it saddens me that it's even necessary.

 

[Sendou]

Cool thread idea and I like the concept behind the contest. How do we define an indie here though? Is Double Fine indie? Is Star Citizen an indie game? Is Housemarque indie despise working with a publisher seeing that their games share some similiar traits with indie games?

 

[gngf123]

Good thread, I'm on my phone right now but I'll try to throw out some suggestions to people tomorrow.

There are so many indie games in such a variety of genres that "I don't like indie games" stopped making any sense years ago.

 

[Amir0x]

Cool thread idea and I like the concept behind the contest. How do we define an indie here though? Is Double Fine indie? Is Star Citizen an indie game? Is Housemarque indie despise working with a publisher seeing that their games share some similiar traits with indie games?

For the simplicity of the matter, I'm going to say any game which is independent a major publisher. There are exceptions of course, but that's the closest rule I can get that is universal.

 

[lt519]

● They're all just 'artsy' games!
● They're for hipsters, and the people who enjoy them are pretentious!
● Most of them are just retro inspired platformers or RPGs
● I am so done with the pixelated 2D look! The majority of indie games are like that!
● They're very shallow and don't have much meat to them.

Start here if you feel all of those bullet points to be true.

FTL: Faster Than Light

 

[Shaanyboi]

Good thread, I'm on my phone right now but I'll try to throw out some suggestions to people tomorrow.

There are so many indie games in such a variety of genres that "I don't like indie games" stopped making any sense years ago.

It makes about as much sense as saying "I don't like games that come on discs." Like... what does that even mean?

 

[coldone]

Great idea for a thread, although it saddens me that it's even necessary.

It is a great idea. Discovery is the biggest problem for Indie games. If GAF can help, it is awesome. Mktg budgets are as much as production budgets for AAA games. Lot of times, many people dont even know what games are comming out and what they are about. I just hear about the big ones like Shovel Knight..

 

[BGMNTS]

Good indie games are cool as poo.

Although No Man's Sky is even a thing I have no clue.

 

[Ran rp]

Awesome thread, Amir0x.

 

[Sendou]

I don't think this is the thread to make one-liners about how wrong people are that state they don't like indie games.

I really hope we get a big participation in this thread! Don't be shy indie haters.

 

[Amir0x]

I don't think this is the thread to make one-liners about how wrong people are that state they don't like indie games.

I really hope we get a big participation in this thread! Don't be shy indie haters.

Yes. Please, for the sake of fostering a good discussion, let's avoid recriminations. I'd like this topic to be welcoming and for us to genuinely try to solve the issue of indie rejection by virtue of enjoyable playtests with good games

 

[Portugeezer]

Mutant Mudds (old school platformer, slower pace, a lot of timing based jumps)

Trine 2 (puzzle platformer, visual feast)

 

[VLiberty]

Great thread Amir0x.

Hotline Miami is the entry point for those who have hate on indie games only because of biased opinions. Ok - it's 8 bit - but it's not a platformer.
Its gameplay is not only outstandingly deep and addicting, but is also blended with great narrative and story that will blow your mind.

 

[Buzzbrad]

I am not the biggest fan of 2D games which is why most indie games turn me off. What are the best 3D Indie games?

 

[Amir0x]

I am not the biggest fan of 2D games which is why most indie games turn me off. What are the best 3D Indie games?

Well, as a qualifier, what type of 3D games do you tend to enjoy the most? What genres do you favor? I have a couple of great ones in mind already, but would like to try to tailor it to suit your needs specifically.

 

[Sendou]

Well, as a qualifier, what type of 3D games do you tend to enjoy the most? What genres do you favor? I have a couple of great ones in mind already, but would like to try to tailor it to suit your needs specifically.

Also this is very important for all future contributions: what platforms do you have at your disposal? If PC then how powerful?

 

[lt519]

I am not the biggest fan of 2D games which is why most indie games turn me off. What are the best 3D Indie games?

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was a beautiful 3D indie game by Starbreeze. Some didn't like the story, but world was fantastic and the controls are actually very unique. Check it out:

 

[Enco]

I don't automatically dismiss indie games.

However, most of them just don't appeal to me. This is partially due to their budget mixed with style.

Platformers and 2D sidescrollers just don't do it for me and they're the most abundant games.

Many indie games are straight up rubbish and many get boring very quickly.

That being said, there are some great ones. FTL, Papers Please, Spelunky are examples of ones I like (although haven't played much).

 

[Amir0x]

Also this is very important for all future contributions: what platforms do you have at your disposal? If PC then how powerful?

Oh, good point! Yeah, this info would also be splendid!

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was a beautiful 3D indie game by Starbreeze. Some didn't like the story, but world was fantastic and the controls are actually very unique. Check it out:

I personally thought the story was effective. But I played it in a unique way I don't remember seeing many others play this way. When I played, my sister used one analog stick on the controller and her right button, and I used the other analog and the left button. It was a tad awkward at first, but we quickly gained control of it and started working in synchronicity. When the story is completed, when it all plays out, the story had extra oomph. It really was effective when you play it like this with someone you love.

Platformers and 2D sidescrollers just don't do it for me and they're the most abundant games.

Many indie games are straight up rubbish and many get boring very quickly.

That being said, there are some great ones. FTL, Papers Please, Spelunky are examples of ones I like (although haven't played much).

See though, even your own position doesn't follow completely because you enjoyed Spelunky, which shares much in common with platformers and 2D sidescrollers. That's why it makes sense rather to judge on a game by game basis. ALL games in ALL fields, whether AAA or indie, are 'straight up rubbish and get boring very quickly.' That's the average curve across the board. So, it's good that you still try to look and find something you can enjoy like FTL and Papers Please (fantastic game!)

 

[Buzzbrad]

Well, as a qualifier, what type of 3D games do you tend to enjoy the most? What genres do you favor? I have a couple of great ones in mind already, but would like to try to tailor it to suit your needs specifically.

I prefer first person games. I like action and adventure games. Not the biggest fans of platformers.

 

[Amir0x]

I prefer first person games. I like action and adventure games. Not the biggest fans of platformers.

Hmmmm. Up front I'd probably recommend something like Amnesia, but let me delve a bit further.

Do you enjoy thinking games with puzzles in them? I have a first person game in mind where you do sometimes hold a gun of sorts, but there's not much action in it. It is however the type of game that can bend your mind and make it melt.

 

[lt519]

I prefer first person games. I like action and adventure games. Not the biggest fans of platformers.

This might interest you as a first person game. It has some platforming in it but mostly in the form of puzzles. This will be my last recommendation of the thread for today, I'll let others give their suggestions, Antichamber:

Edit: I think I beat you Amir0x, I'll let you run your own thread

 

[Garcia Hotspur]

Names of games in OP?

 

[jay]

I choose to dismiss people who do not like indie games rather than engage them in constructive conversation.

I don't think this is the thread to make one-liners about how wrong people are that state they don't like indie games.

Please, for the sake of fostering a good discussion, let's avoid recriminations.

Uh oh.

 

[Amir0x]

This might interest you as a first person game. It has some platforming in it but mostly in the form of puzzles. This will be my last recommendation of the thread for today, I'll let others give their suggestions, Antichamber:

haha that was the game I was gonna recommend if he liked puzzles. That was my GOTY 2013.

And keep recommending lt519, this is a thread for all neoGAFers to make suggestions to those who are not sure what to get in the indie field

I choose to dismiss people who do not like indie games rather than engage them in constructive conversation.

Well that's... whatever. But can you do that in a topic where constructive conversation isn't the goal?

 

[KingJolly]

Transistor

 

[Feep]

I choose to dismiss people who do not like indie games rather than engage them in constructive conversation.

Okay! I would kindly suggest that this thread is not for you.

 

[Ferrio]

Hmmmm. Up front I'd probably recommend something like Amnesia, but let me delve a bit further.

Do you enjoy thinking games with puzzles in them? I have a first person game in mind where you do sometimes hold a gun of sorts, but there's not much action in it. It is however the type of game that can bend your mind and make it melt.

I prefer first person games. I like action and adventure games. Not the biggest fans of platformers.

Zeno clash.

 

[jay]

I'm just joking. It's a cool idea for a thread and I'll be reading and thinking of recommendations.

Does Spelunky count as indie? I think anyone with a strong appreciation of deep interlocking mechanics may have a great time with that and it's not artsy at all.

 

[Amir0x]

Names of games in OP?

1. Hyper Light Drifter
2. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
3. No Man's Sky
4. The Forest
5. Routine
6. Shovel Knight
7. Guacamelee
8. Rogue Legacy
9. Night in the Woods
10. Gorogoa

 

[BGMNTS]

I concur Brothers was absolutely immense.
Also, anything The Behemoth or Devolver make.

 

[gngf123]

I prefer first person games. I like action and adventure games. Not the biggest fans of platformers.

Really not my area. Keep that in mind as my suggestions might not be great:

If you are more into multiplayer FPS and are also interested in strategy games - Natural Selection 2

If you want more puzzles, something like Antichamber.

If you really want to go crazy, maybe something like Fract OSC.

There are also many, many first person indie horror games.

 

[Gaz_RB]

Transistor

 

[Htown]

I prefer first person games. I like action and adventure games. Not the biggest fans of platformers.

You should try Hard Reset.

Indie FPS where you go around and shoot the shit out of robots with these two guns that transform into like ten things.

Giant Bomb Quick Look

 

[gngf123]

I really need to try out Hard Reset some time.

 

[Diprosalic]

what are some indies with good gameplay? quite a lot of the ones people recommend are style over substance, they look great but are mediocre at everything else. (prime example: Limbo)

 

[Amir0x]

what are some indies with good gameplay? quite a lot of the ones people recommend are style over substance, they look great but are mediocre at everything else. (prime example: Limbo)

This is too broad a question to narrow it down, as you'll just have people throwing a billion things at you that they consider to have great gameplay. What type of genres do you typically enjoy? Do you like more fast paced games? Are you looking for serious depth? Are you looking for a long game or a short game? One with more modern visuals, or don't mind the more retro looks?

 

[Diprosalic]

This is too broad a question. What type of genres do you typically enjoy? Do you like more fast paced games? Are you looking for serious depth? Are you looking for a long game or a short game? One with more modern visuals, or don't mind the more retro looks?

I mostly like Nintendo games.
Short games are better, no serious depth, I don't care about looks as long it's not extremely ugly.
Not arcade, high score based. Few or no cut scenes.

I think i would love Shovel Knight but it isn't out yet.

 

[Noogy]

I think some people have a very narrow idea of what an indie game always has been. Still one of the best:

 

[Amir0x]

I mostly like Nintendo games.
Short games are better, no serious depth, I don't care about looks as long it's not extremely ugly.

Man I have a billion recommendations so far in mind. Let me try to narrow it down further. OK, when you say 'not extremely ugly', do you mean you don't like NES or SNES style retro art styles, or do you just prefer competently done send ups to the old school?

Edit: Oops, saw you added some more detail

Not arcade, high score based. Few or no cut scenes.

Hm, this does start narrowing things down. Let me pour through my list, but feel free to answer the question re: visuals to help me along

 

[vladdamad]

I mostly like Nintendo games.
Short games are better, no serious depth, I don't care about looks as long it's not extremely ugly.

Guacamelee is a fantastic metroidvania with great platforming that you might like. And the combat gets really deep towards the end (the

Spoiler

jaguar

boss in particular). It can also be 100%-ed in about six hours

 

[Diprosalic]

Man I have a billion recommendations so far in mind. Let me try to narrow it down further. OK, when you say 'not extremely ugly', do you mean you don't like NES or SNES style retro art styles, or do you just prefer competently done send ups to the old school?

nono retro is beautiful if done right, by ugly i mean something like Micromon.

Guacamelee is a fantastic metroidvania with great platforming that you might like. And the combat gets really deep towards the end (the

Spoiler

jaguar

boss in particular). It can also be 100%-ed in about six hours

i played that for 2 hours but then it was impossible to go further because i'm colorblind. shame.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Transistor

 

[gngf123]

I mostly like Nintendo games.
Short games are better, no serious depth, I don't care about looks as long it's not extremely ugly.
Not arcade, high score based. Few or no cut scenes.

I think i would love Shovel Knight but it isn't out yet.

Shovel Knight is out if you have a PC. VVVVVV and Super Meat Boy are other platformers that get gameplay right as far as I'm concerned. Although in the case of VVVVVV it is more puzzle than platformer because you can't technically jump.

Guacamelee doesn't feel as precise as a platformer, but has a pretty decent combat system.

 

[Diprosalic]

Shovel Knight is out if you have a PC. VVVVVV and Super Meat Boy are other platformers that get gameplay right as far as I'm concerned. .

Yeah but i want to buy it on Wii U, support them supporting that platform, i guess.

I played and finished SMB. VVVVVV i never really liked.

 

[vladdamad]

nono retro is beautiful if done right, by ugly i mean something like Micromon.



i played that for 2 hours but then it was impossible to go further because i'm colorblind. shame.

Ah, that is unfortunate. I would perhaps suggest Cave Story (metroidvania with lite-RPG elements, some shooting as well) and Toki Tori 2, which I haven't played yet but from what I've heard is very clever at teaching you new mechanics without explicitly telling you what to do, in the same way as some early Nintendo games. So no tutorials, etc. The art style in it is godawful, mind you, although that's just my opinion

 

[The Mango Sentinel]

Oooohhh I think I'll be checking this thread out just to see what are some good games I missed out on. Looking forward to reading everyone's suggestions.

 

[birthbysleep]

It's not that I don't like indies, I just prefer realistic graphics and cinematic cutscenes. To my knowledge, there is no indie game that features that but I'd be open to playing it if there was.

 

[sn00zer]

Im finding I dont enjoy playing smaller indie titles on a console or PC, but love playing them on Vita