Upcoming indie games for 2024 and beyond

With a wide variety of new experiences set to release, there's no shortage of notable indie games to look forward to in 2024. From a new soulslike starring a crab, to a detective game featuring a duck, you'll also find charming, creative puzzlers, story-driven adventures, and much more. With a variety of genres across all platforms, you're sure to find something here to pique your interest.

There are so many exciting upcoming indie games on the way, so if you're looking to build up your wishlist, we're here to help. With a wide variety of new experiences set to release, there's no shortage of notable new games for 2024 to look forward to. From a new soulslike starring a crab, to a detective game featuring a duck, you'll also find charming, creative puzzlers, story-driven adventures, and much more. With a variety of genres across all platforms, you're sure to find something here to pique your interest.

2023 saw the release of lots of memorable indie games, with gems like Thirsty Suitors, the time-looping RPG In Stars and Time, to name a few. In fact, you just have to look at our Indie Spotlight series to see just how many indie games we've been loving in months past - it's also worth checking out for our latest recommendations. And if you want a full recap of our highlights, be sure to head over to this list of indies that might have gone under your radar last year.

Read on below as we take you through the most exciting upcoming indie games to add to your wishlist.

This list of upcoming indie games was updated on April 9, 2024 to add the release dates for Hauntii and Paper Trail.

Release date: April 25, 2024 Platform(s): PC, Switch

You know what they say, one crab's trash is another crab's treasure. Okay, maybe they don't say that about crabs per se, but it's definitely true in the case of Another Crab's Treasure. Developer Aggro Crab is bringing us a new souls-like experience under the sea as a crustacean called Krill who's on the hunt for treasure to buy back his repurposed shell. In the polluted underwater world, trash is considered to be a valuable resource that's used for just about everything, but it also brings with it an infection known as the Gunk which threatens the ocean. If you're on the lookout for a new souls-like experience – featuring a whole lot of crabs, no less – this is one adventure to watch out for.

Release date: May 21, 2024 Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

Paper Trail looks like a charming new puzzle adventure that takes place in a paper world. Since everything is made of paper, the world itself can fold, rotate, and spin around to allow you to create paths and puzzle your way through locations. Developed by Newfangled Games, Paper Trail is set to explore the story of Paige who's just about to leave home for the first time to pursue her studies as an up and coming academic. It certainly has a unique design and concept that has caught our attention, with the added bonus of secrets to uncover.

Release date: May 23, 2024 Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch

Hauntii is an eye-catching upcoming adventure from developer Moonloop Games that sees you take on the role of a ghost in search of answers. What makes Hauntii so unique, though, is that it's actually a twin-stick shooter that's designed to be taken at a slower pace. Using twin-stick controls to blast past foes and navigate through obstacles, you can also possess all manner of objects in the world to use or play around with as you puzzle your way through the mysterious setting known as Eternity. Stylistically, it looks hauntingly beautiful, and the concept makes this one adventure to watch out for.

Release date: Spring 2024 Platform(s): PC, Switch

If you're looking for a relaxing puzzle-based experience, The Gecko Gods might just be one to add to your wishlist. Playing as a little gecko, you can explore a mysterious island and make the most of the lizard's agile movements to climb cliffs and yes, even eat bugs. Setting out on a quest to save their friend, The Gecko Gods sees you solve puzzles across crumbling ruins and discover the lore of the land as you explore. There's no way we can pass up the chance to play as a little gecko protagonist.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5*

*The Mermaid's Tongue is a follow-up to the excellent 2019 murder-mystery detective game, Tangle Tower from developer SFB Games. Bringing back main sleuths Detective Grimoire and Sally, you'll set out with the pair set to investigate the murder of Magnus Mortuga, who was the captain of the "world's strangest submarine". Strange things are evidently going on, with the mention of a possible curse. How intriguing. As you hunt for clues, you'll be able to once again interact with a variety of objects, which are all now in 3D, and try to complete puzzles as you try to get to the bottom of the case. With a free demo currently on Steam, the new detective adventure looks set to scratch our gumshoe itch.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Little Kitty, Big City sounds like the purrfect adventure to get lost in. As an adorable cat, you can make the city your playground and explore to your heart's content. While you have the goal of trying to find your way home again, you can take everything at your own pace. From making friends with other animals, to completing quests, and even taking a nap, developer Double Dagger Studio's delightful sandbox looks set to have plenty to offer us as we take on the role of a pawsome protagonist. Oh, and you put hats on the cat. That's very important to know.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

Ghost Bike is a new adventure from Nidhogg developer, Messhof. Playing as a streetwise kid from Freehub City, you set out to bring back Ghost Bikes, who are said to be magical couriers that rode between the world of the living and the world of the dead. With races along with a variety of different challenges to take on, you can explore what is described as a "semi open-world" and discover bike parts to customize your pair of wheels. It looks like one very stylized, intriguing action-adventure with a unique concept at its heart.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC

Tracks of Thought from developer Tidbits Play sees you take on the role of a lost ladybug aboard a train. Things take a strange turn when the train goes through a mysterious tunnel that causes everyone to forget their final destination. Now, it's up to you to find out just what is going on and where the train is headed. By talking to the passengers, make use of Tracks of Thought's "card-based battle-of-wits system" to resolve conflicts on board. The art style looks absolutely delightful, and it sounds as though we'll have a good mystery to delve into.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC

Calling all building fans! If you enjoy creating your own homes or cities, then how about bringing together your very own little castles? Tiny Glade from developer Pounce Light is an upcoming sandbox builder is all about taking everything at your own pace and experimenting to bring to life your own cozy dioramas. Oh, and you can pet sheep - an added bonus.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Switch

Afterlove EP is described as a mixture of narrative adventure, dating sim, and rhythm game that will explore an emotional story. Taking place in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, After Love EP follows Rama, a young musician dealing with the loss of their girlfriend Cinta who recently passed away. With beautiful art that's brought to life by artist Soyatu and original music from Indonesian band L'alpahalpha, the upcoming adventure is said to feature multiple possible endings and story paths based on the choices you make.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami from developer Happy Broccoli Games is an upcoming gumshoe adventure starring a detective duck with a bread problem, plenty of puns, and some humorous homages to noir detective stories. From investigating to interviewing suspects, you'll have to try to fill in the blanks by finding clue words. It's described as a mix between Aggretsuko and Obra Dinn, and with a cast of colorful characters to meet and a case to solve, this has wishlist material written all over it.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch

The Plucky Squire from developer All Possible Futures looks absolutely magical. With its enchanting concept, The Plucky Squire will see us jump from 2D to 3D as the small but mighty hero Jot, who discovers the world that lies outside of the pages of his storybook home. The debut trailer certainly left a lasting impression, with Toy Story vibes and elements that bring to mind the nostalgic 2D platforming sections of Super Mario Odyssey. After leaving the storybook and emerging into the 3D world of the bedroom, we got to see how Jot can shift between dimensions by jumping onto the surfaces of different objects. It really does look like it has the makings for one creatively charming platforming adventure.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Closer the Distance is a new game from Osmotic Studios that's described as a slice of life sim that looks set to us a unique power. As protagonist Angela in the town of Yesterby, you'll navigate a story that follows the events after a tragic car accident. With an "ethereal ability", Angela can influence the residents of the town, with choices that will be presented that can change the very fate of Yesterby. If you're looking for narrative experience with choices that matter, Closer the Distance looks set to be one to keep on eye on.

Release date: TBC 2024 Platform(s): PC, Switch

Loco Motive is a pixelated murder mystery from developer Robust Games that takes place onboard an express train in the 1930s. Described as a slapstick comedy adventure with plenty of surprises in store, it sounds as though Loco Motive will take us on quite a ride with point-and-click puzzles, lots of characters to meet, and a crime to investigate as three different protagonists in an interlinking story.