The Game Awards: See 10 indies that could be featured at the event this year

If 2023 was self-proclaimed as one of the best years for video games, 2024 has also accomplished this feat, but in a more discreet way. We have been following, especially in this final stretch of the year, several indie game launches that deserve to be highlighted.

In addition to being successful with the public and critics, some of these games certainly have a chance of competing for prizes at events such as The Game Awards 2024. One of the biggest shows of the year in the gaming world, the TGA takes place in December and is just one of the major gaming awards.

Are you interested in learning more about the indies that can stand out in awards like TGA 2024? Check out the list we prepared below here at Voxel, based on reviews from Metacritic and platforms like Steam!

1 – Animal Well

Animal Well is a combat-free pixel art metroidvania that puts the player in control of a small animal exploring a mysterious and captivating ecosystem, full of secrets and dangerous creatures. The enigmatic atmosphere and meticulous exploration are the main highlights of the game, which is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC and Xbox Series S and X.

2 – Balatro

If dopamine could be encapsulated and sold in game format, we would definitely be talking about Balatro. The indie, made by solo developer “LocalThunk”, has a simple proposal: to be an extremely addictive poker hands roguelike, capable of entertaining for hours on end. The game is available for all platforms, including Playstation 4, Xbox One, Android and iOS.

3 – Thank Goodness You’re Here

Thank Goodness You’re Here! It is an unusual proposal among recent releases, as it is based on acidic and eccentric humor, based on British culture. Its visual art is inspired by a cartoon style, which gives the game a light tone. The objective is for the player to interact with different characters in absurd and extremely comical situations.

The game is available for Playstation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

4 – Mullet Madjack

Mullet MadJack is an action platformer boomer shooter with a retro aesthetic, in which the player takes on the role of an 80s hero dressed in an extravagant mullet. His life is maintained through small doses of dopamine released by the interaction of an audience that watches him kill hordes of robots, in search of saving an influencer who was kidnapped.

In addition to being a great action game, Mullet MadJack also deserves to be highlighted for being a Brazilian game. The title is available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.

5 – Neva

Neva is an emotional and artistic adventure developed by the same studio as GRIS, which follows the journey of a young girl and her wolf in a dark and threatening world. With stunning visuals and a melancholic atmosphere, the game explores themes of friendship, loss and overcoming as the player faces various challenges along the journey.

Neva is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC and Xbox Series S and X.

6 – Frostpunk 2

Frostpunk 2 is a strategy and survival game that puts the player in the role of leadership in a completely frozen city, after the collapse of society. Now, with a new source of energy, oil, it is up to the player to make difficult decisions to ensure the survival of the population and expand the territory, trying to balance progress and morality.

Frostpunk 2 is available for PC and can be played via Xbox Game Pass.

7 – UFO 50

UFO 50 is a nostalgic collection of 50 retro-style games, created by a group of independent developers. Each game features an aesthetic inspired by 80s classics, varying between different genres, such as platform, shooting and sports, all with creative gameplay.

UFO 50 is available for PC.

8 – Core Keeper

Core Keeper is an exploration and survival game that closely resembles a mix of Stardew Valley and Terraria, in which the player ventures into a mysterious underground, full of resources to mine, dangerous creatures and secrets to discover. With a progression system that allows you to build bases and improve skills, the game mixes exploration, combat and crafting in a pixelated environment.

Core Keeper is available for PC.

9 – The Valiant Squire

Squire Valente has attracted a lot of attention due to its art direction that transitions between 2D and 3D, being an action and adventure game that follows the story of Pontinho, a character who lives in the pages of an illustrated book while facing challenges, solving puzzles and explore magical environments.

Squire Valento available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC.

10 – Harold Halibut

Mixing narrative with a unique art style, Harold Halibut is another independent title that could shine at The Game Awards and other awards shows in 2024. Produced by German studio Slow Bros, the handcrafted game follows protagonist Harold in a retro world -futuristic with a narrative full of mysteries and human relationships on a ship submerged in an alien ocean.

Are you interested in the game? Harold Halibut is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S and X. The title is also part of the Xbox Game Pass catalog.

Now that you’ve met the likely candidates for Indie Game of the Year, don’t forget to follow Voxel’s social networks to stay up to date with all the news about The Game Awards 2024!