What are the best indie games on PS5? Well, in this evolving list, it’s down to the Push Square community to define the very best indie titles on the platform so far.
The term “indie” has a nebulous, ever-shifting meaning, but generally speaking, we’re talking about smaller scale games from smaller scale studios. Coming to prominence during the PS3 era, indie games have gone from strength to strength over the years. In this day and age, self-publishing is more than possible on platforms such as the PS Store, and that’s led to hundreds of indies populating digital shelves.
The result is boundless variety and creativity; indies generally take more risks, offering more unique, imaginative experiences than AAA titles. On PS5, there’s already lots to choose from if you’re looking for something different. Some are fairly well-known, like Kena: Bridge of Spirits or Bugsnax, but hopefully the list will include some indies that don’t always get put in the spotlight.
We say “hopefully” because this list isn’t decided by us — it’s entirely down to you. By rating your favourite PS5 indie games, you’ll have a direct impact on this page, with the order of titles shifting as the user scores move up and down. If you browse this list and decide something’s amiss, you can do something about it by using the search bar below and rating indie games accordingly.
Note: A game will need at least 15 ratings before it can be included on this page. If you feel something’s missing or in the wrong position, rate them via their respective pages by clicking the star icon and choosing a score.
With all that out the way, let’s take a look at what you’ve come up with. Below, you’ll find a list of the best indie games on PS5 — as voted for by you.
25. Maquette (PS5)
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive / Developer: Graceful Decay
Maquette does something rather unique within a familiar framework. On the face of it, the game looks like a typical first-person puzzler, but its “recursive world” structure means you’ll toy with perspective and scale in mind-bending ways to advance. It’s a brilliant concept that has you using smaller or larger objects in mismatched environments, introducing new ideas in each chapter. At the same time, a story about a couple’s struggling relationship unravels as you progress, with Hollywood talents Bryce Dallas Howard and Seth Gabel providing the voices. The core concept never quite meets its potential, but this is a nonetheless a neat puzzle game that delivers brain teasers with a dash of drama.
24. Call of the Sea (PS5)
Publisher: Raw Fury / Developer: Out Of The Blue
Gaming’s love affair with Lovecraft continues with Call of the Sea, a stylish, first-person adventure game. Playing as Norah, it’s down to you to unravel the mystery behind her husband’s disappearance as well as her illness. What entails is a trip to a strange island full of puzzles to solve through the game’s six chapters. You’re told an intriguing story through documents as the game presents you with some well designed conundrums and a beautiful setting to explore.
23. Operation: Tango (PS5)
Publisher: Clever Plays Studio / Developer: Clever Plays Studio
Co-op games are back in style, and Operation: Tango is a neat example on PS5. It puts you and a second player in the shoes of two spies — one a field agent and the other a tech and hacking expert. The game is only playable online and requires the use of microphones; this is because each player has a unique perspective on each mission, and you need to communicate effectively to solve various puzzles. It’s a clever concept that, while not perfect, will keep both of you entertained throughout. You’ll need to play it twice to see everything, too.
22. Among Us (PS5)
Publisher: Innersloth / Developer: Innersloth
Among Us probably doesn’t need much of an introduction. Exploding in popularity on PC when popular streamers played it together on Twitch, the game eventually made its way to PS5, and there’s clearly a reason it resonated. You either play as a crew mate, peacefully completing maintenance tasks aboard large spaceships, or an impostor, who must get away with killing off as many other players as possible. Regular meetings are called to try and determine who might be guilty of the murders, making this a simple but compelling game of deception and deduction. Best played with a group of friends, this is an ingenious, endlessly replayable party game.
21. Hell Let Loose (PS5)
Publisher: Team 17 / Developer: Black Matter
This FPS turns back the clock to World War Two, but this isn’t your typical wartime shooter. Striving for authenticity and realism, the game is brutally tough and encourages strategic thinking, rather than just spraying and praying. After choosing a class, you’re put into a platoon with other players in 50v50 matches, and you’ll need to figure out how best to overcome the opposition by talking with teammates. With battles taking place on maps recreated from real world data and realistically deadly weapons, Hell Let Loose is hardcore.
20. Knockout City (PS5)
Publisher: Velan Studios / Developer: Velan Studios
Knockout City is a bit of a knockout. The self-proclaimed dodgebrawler, originally released on the PS4, mixes a retro-future aesthetic with multiplayer deathmatches. Your objective is to lob balls in the direction of your opponents, striking them out with two hits, but you can also catch said projectiles and add spin to your tosses. This all leads to a frantic, classic competitive experience that’s easy to grasp but seriously challenging to master. Lob in different ball types, each with unique properties you need to take the time to learn, and you have the recipe for a dangerously addictive arcade sports experience.
19. Art of Rally (PS5)
Publisher: Funselektor / Developer: Funselektor
Surprisingly, we’re rather spoiled for choice when it comes to rally games, but Art of Rally separates itself with style. This is a top-down take on the muddy motorsport, but no less thrilling or demanding than its more realistic peers. Getting from A to B as fast as possible is great fun thanks to a brilliantly slide-heavy handling model, and the low-poly visual gives the game a unique flair. It even expands beyond its tracks for some sandbox exploration, but it’s the on-track action and climbing those leaderboards that’ll keep you hooked.
18. Bugsnax (PS5)
Publisher: Young Horses / Developer: Young Horses
Bugsnax might have won people over with a catchy theme song, but it’s far more than just that. It lures you in with its whimsical style and silly concept, and then quickly subverts expectations with surprisingly emotional story beats. Your main tasks in the game are to catch the titular creatures and find out what happened to the leader of an expedition to the island. Figuring out how to capture each Bugsnak is fun, collecting them is addictive, and learning more about the colourful cast will keep you engaged. It’s a unique flavour combo, but it works.
17. Deep Rock Galactic (PS5)
Publisher: Coffee Stain Publishing / Developer: Ghost Ship Games
Deep Rock Galactic is a real mish-mash of ideas, but everything works together in harmony to create a super fun co-op experience. A team of up to four dwarves are recruited to delve into a strange planet and mine its precious resources, but will come up against some resistance from the insect-like locals. Each player class has totally unique weapons and abilities that complement the others perfectly, making simple objectives a joy as you all puzzle it out — and blast aliens — together. Throw in procedurally generated stages, and you have the recipe for an endlessly replayable game you can really dig into.
16. Lost in Random (PS5)
Publisher: EA Originals / Developer: Zoink! Games
Like a game straight out of Tim Burton’s noggin, Lost in Random brings a somewhat creepy fantasy world to life. You play as a girl named Even, out to save her sister in the mysterious, chance-based land of Random. Accompanied by a sentient dice companion, you’ll meet all kinds of quirky characters, engage in unique card-based combat, and unravel a wonderfully written story. If you’re looking for something a little out there, this comes highly recommended.
15. OlliOlli World (PS5)
Publisher: Private Division / Developer: Roll7
OlliOlli World is the third entry in Roll7’s side-scrolling skateboarding series, and it takes things in a brilliant new direction. The gameplay is about the same, tasking you with pulling off tricks with the left stick as you speed through each level. However, the addictive, score-chasing core that keeps you hooked is wrapped in new layers that make it far more appealing. A cel-shaded look is complemented by a chilled out soundtrack and an eclectic range of characters, making for far more pleasant presentation. Full customisation gives you much more control of your skater’s look, and asynchronous multiplayer gives you a practically limitless supply of stages to master. A compulsive and fun-loving take on the extreme sport.
14. The Artful Escape (PS5)
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive / Developer: Beethoven And Dinosaur
The Artful Escape is certainly a unique offering. It’s a trippy, music-fuelled adventure game about an artist named Francis Vendetti discovering who he really is. This plays out through an audiovisual ride, taking you to some wild places full of vivid colours and excellent music. Featuring Hollywood talent and an entertaining script, this is one of those games that’ll impress with its presentation more than anything. Gameplay-wise it’s a little shallow, but don’t let that stop you from taking this magical mystery tour.
13. Haven (PS5)
Publisher: The Game Bakers / Developer: The Game Bakers
A touching sci-fi love story, Haven is about a young couple who flee to an alien planet together. Portrayed through a vibrant art style and elevated by a stunning electronic soundtrack, this is a memorable adventure, and a sharp reminder that we need more tales of surprisingly mature romance in video games. Between its generally relaxing, floaty exploration and rhythm-based battle system, Haven does have a few slightly rough edges — but don’t let that turn you away from the power of love.
