Shuhei Yoshida’s Top Indie Game Picks for PlayStation in 2024 – PlayStation.Blog

Hey there, gaming enthusiasts! This past year, 2024, has been an amazing journey for indie games. I’m thrilled to introduce you to 11 standout titles that launched on the PlayStation this year. Let’s dive in!

First up, we have “Pacific Drive,” a captivating survival game that puts you in a mysterious and stormy forest where your car becomes your only ally. As you embark on each adventure, strange anomalies gradually wear down your vehicle, urging you to make it back to your garage safely. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself starting anew. Gather resources on your journeys to restore and enhance your car. Each excursion is a unique, randomized experience, adding depth and excitement to the gameplay.

Next on the list is “Animal Well.” This is a game that brings back memories with its stunning pixel-art environment, yet it feels refreshingly original with surreal lighting effects that illuminate the world. It’s a Metroidvania packed with surprises, where completing complex platforming sections and solving cryptic puzzles offers a uniquely exhilarating sense of achievement.

The much-loved vampire survival game is now available on PlayStation. Players start off as weakened vampires, hunting down enemies and animals to reclaim their strength and abilities. Sunlight is your enemy, requiring you to stay in the shadows during the day to survive.

For those who remember pretending to only move by hopping between shadows, “SCHiM” is a nostalgic throwback. In this visually appealing game, you become a frog-like creature navigating through shadows. Its unique color palette and artistic flair make for a visually compelling experience.

“Plucky Squire” offers a delightful action adventure that sees you bouncing between dimensions. One moment you’re immersed in a 2D storybook world, and the next, you’re in a 3D universe, solving puzzles and tackling challenges. It’s full of creative twists and promises an entertaining experience for all ages.

Straight from Japan, “Palworld” is taking the gaming scene by storm. This open-world crafting and survival game introduces you to adorable creatures called Pals. Its addictive nature pulls you into collecting Pals, broadening your base, and exploring the expansive world.

From the talented creators of GRIS, “Neva” is a touching adventure featuring you and a wolf cub in a vivid, seasonally shifting world. This dialogue-free narrative packs an emotional punch that’s bound to leave you moved to tears.

“Fear the Spotlight” whisks you away to an eerie horror adventure with retro-inspired low-poly graphics reminiscent of early PlayStation days. Two teens sneak into their school after hours but are split up by supernatural forces, driving you to solve puzzles and evade a lurking monster.

From Keiichiro Toyama’s creative mind, “Kowlong” takes you to 1990s Hong Kong, amidst a series of ghastly murders. As a disembodied presence, you possess NPCs to combat the grotesque Slitterheads. Eliminating these brain-chomping monsters using everyday characters is incredibly satisfying.

Introducing “Nine Sols,” a challenging action game inspired by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, brought to you by Red Candle Games. Centered around deflection-based combat, mastering perfect parries and counterattacks feels intensely rewarding. The setting uniquely blends cyberpunk themes with ancient Chinese mythology and Taoism.

Last but not least is an innovative fusion of poker and roguelike elements—sounds intriguing, right? Created by a solo developer, this game is a global sensation you won’t want to put down once you start playing. Simply incredible!

So there you have it! A collection of thrilling indie gems from 2024 that I genuinely loved exploring on PlayStation. Would love to know which one you’re most excited to try!