
Baldur’s Gate 3 has proven that indie games don’t need to be aggressively capitalistic to be good. Consequently, it served as a flagbearer for the indie genres and paved the way for a more popular spotlight for some of the best indie games coming to Steam this year.
There’s a lot of them, and this list would be too long thanks to what Baldur’s Gate 3 catalyzed. However, we picked out the best indie games coming to Steam with our criteria being a mix of their innovation, potential, and effort as far as what the trailers could reveal.
Nightingale (February 21)

If there’s anything Palworld and Enshrouded proved this early this year, people just can’t have enough of survival RPGs. So here’s Nightingale to expand your options even more.
Nightingale throws you into a mesmerizing PvE open-world survival adventure. You’re stranded in the Fae realms after an arcane portal collapse and your mission is to become a skilled Realmwalker, navigating transdimensional portals to reach the titular Victorian-era city of Nightingale.
There’s a unique twist at play here as you can use Realm Cards to shape your journey’s challenges. It remains to be seen just how special it is compared to others in its genre, but it looks pretty and promising already.
Nightingale is coming to Steam in its Victorian glory on February 21, 2024. It’s an Early Access release but, for those who enjoy following development, it might be worth picking up.
Pacific Drive (February 22)

Here’s another survival adventure game again, but this time, you have a car. Your car is also your main lifeline.
Much of the game also entails upgrading your ride and scavenging resources to survive the ever-shifting landscape, battling anomalies, and Zone Storms. And what would a survival-driving game be without its trusty soundtrack?
If you ever wanted to be Ryan Gosling in Drive, this is the game to play.
Pacific Drive will be “picking you up” on February 22, 2024.

By the way!
Did you know we’re launching a Kickstarter campaign? In the next few months, our campaign for ‘Gentle Jack: The Party Game for Bad Friends‘ goes live! Visit the official website or follow the Kickstarter page to stay in the loop.
Builders of Greece (February 28)

You don’t see many indie city-building games with this much originality. But Builders of Greece is targeting its own market share of history buffs and ancient architecture aficionados.
You get to build your own freshly Mediterranean Greek city or Polis from the ground up. Of course, after that, it’s time to deal with your neighboring city-states through trade, wars, and diplomacy. It’s going to be a free game too, no need to spend some drachma.
Builders of Greece is going to conquer your hard drive on February 28, 2024, as an early access release, initially.
Manor Lords (April 26)

Speaking of old-school city building, Manor Lords has something to say to you, medieval mavens.
This indie strategy gem throws you straight into the hustle and bustle of building and managing your own medieval village, then guides you as you expand your realm through cunning diplomacy and, when push comes to shove, a bit of good old-fashioned conquest.
But don’t expect your typical medieval clichés here – Manor Lords ditches the tired tropes for a fresh, historically accurate experience inspired by late 14th-century Franconia. It has gridless city-building, realistic resource management, and a dash of tactical combat, it’s a game that’s as authentic as it is addictive.
Did we mention that it’s also just one person’s passion project? In any case, you can see what the fuss is about once Manor Lords drops on April 26, 2024.
Black Myth: Wukong (August 20)

It’s about time Sun Wukong gets a proper game, and it’s a souls-like title nonetheless. Black Myth: Wukong beckons you to an epic journey steeped in Chinese mythology, inspired by the classic Journey to the West.
As expected, you get to play as Sun Wukong in a rather tight but acrobatic souls-like combat system where you can utilize his martial arts skills as much as his mystical powers. There’s also a degree of character customization involved here, but more than anything, it’s the graphics that will make your jaw drop.
Black Myth: Wukong will complete its journey to your PC on August 20, 2024.
Demonschool

Persona meets Scott Pilgrim in this hip, new turn-based RPG, Demonschool. Demonschool is a fresh tactics RPG set in a contemporary fantasy world where every move matters.
Here, you join Faye and her oddball crew as they battle bizarre beings straddling the human and demon realms. But it’s not just about combat; you also have to balance your university life on a mysterious island too.
That’s easy enough with rewind actions, unleashing combos, and strategizing to conquer foes. This is also a light horror narrative with plenty of side quests and deep friendships to forge among 15 characters.
Do prepare for your classes in Demonschool once it hits Steam in the second quarter of 2024.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

If being a god isn’t your thing in Wukong, then we recommend killing a god instead. There’s plenty of that in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. In Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, you’re tasked with diving into a world where gods and guns clash in an epic RPG adventure.
You take on the role of Nor Vanek, a tough Coalition soldier, accompanied by the enigmatic Enki, a fox-like companion. Both of you will traverse perilous landscapes, from dense forests to treacherous mountains, battling the armies of the dead at every step until you’re strong enough to hunt down gods.
It’s the perfect game for atheists, and it comes in an open-world flavor and Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is coming to Steam on the third quarter of 2024, if all goes well.
Replaced

It’s worth checking Replaced for its visuals and aesthetics alone. In Replaced, you’re thrust into a gritty alternate 1980s America where corruption runs rampant and humanity’s value has plummeted.
Take on the role of R.E.A.C.H., an AI thrust into a human body against its will, navigating the treacherous streets of Phoenix City. Amidst the chaos of a post-nuclear society, combat outlaws and unravel the sinister truths lurking beneath the surface.
The only caveat is that it’s a 2.5D side-scroller and Metroidvanias aren’t for everyone. But this cyberpunk indie game might just sway you. We don’t know the exact release date yet, but Replaced is coming soon to Steam.
Hollow Knight: Silksong

We’re really just hoping that Hollow Knight: Silksong comes out in 2024. That’s the optimistic estimate. Because it has been a while since its predecessor, Hollow Knight, has graced us with its charming yet deadly souls-like action. Five years, to be exact, which is the average development time for masterpieces.
Hollow Knight: Silksong sees you stepping into the shoes of Hornet, the fierce princess-protector, thrust into a mysterious kingdom ruled by silk and song. Armed with lethal acrobatic skills and a vast arsenal of weapons, your primary task is to face off against over 150 new foes in deadly, beautiful combat.
Also, you have to uncover ancient secrets, solve shockingly emotional quests, and craft powerful tools to fulfill your destiny and restore hope to the kingdom. Seeing how the first Hollow Knight is one of the most poignant masterpieces in gaming, this one is in good hands.
Hades 2

We’re also hoping that Hades 2 comes out in 2024. There’s a fair chance it will, after all, it has been nearly four years since the first Hades game. Get ready to journey beyond the Underworld in Hades 2, the sequel is set to crank up the Greek myth dynamics and epic battles.
As the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll wield legendary weapons infused with ancient magick to take on the Titan of Time with the backing of Olympus again. With dozens of fully-voiced characters, including new faces and old pals, every interaction has unprecedented depth.
Like its predecessor, it will also be a story-driven roguelike, and Hades 2 promises an endlessly replayable adventure filled with immersive Greek tragedy storytelling and action worthy of Orpheus’ songs.