Here are the five must-play games from 2024 for gamers on a budget

WE all know the big-name games that were released in 2024, but it’s time to celebrate some of the smaller titles.

After playing dozens of independent games over the last 12 months we have picked out our favourite must-play games.

There were so many games we loved this year so it was difficult to pick out just five that we loved.

Here are our five favourite indie games from 2024.

5. Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut

Black Tabby Games

Slay the Princess was first released last year, but The Pristine Cut adds more routes, expanded dialogue, and extra endings.

Every decision reflects back at you in this romantic horror game where you try to slay and save each other over and over.

With more choices than any other game I’ve played, it raises the bar for the genre.

If you want to know more about the game, check out our Slay the Princess review.

4. UFO 50

Mossmouth

UFO 50 has so many games you have to love at least one of them[/caption]

UFO 50 is a collection of more than 50 retro-inspired games that span the gamut of genres.

It has everything from puzzle games to deck builders, RPGs, 2D platformers, and metroidvanias.

There’s also an overarching meta-narrative that connects all of the games together, and secrets within each game to discover.

It was even nominated for Best Indie Game at The Game Awards if you need more proof.

3. Tactical Breach Wizards

Suspicious Developments

Tactical Breach Wizards blends strategy and puzzle solving[/caption]

If you like XCOM but wish it had more puzzle-solving, then Tactical Breach Wizards is for you.

It has the squad-based tactics gameplay of XCOM but changes it so you are solving puzzles in the heat of the moment and on the fly.

Each teammate’s abilities are unique and yet they can synergise in some way with every other character in the game.

It’s all topped off by hilarious writing, to make a funny and satisfying experience.

2. Balatro

Apple / Balatro

Balatro mixes Poker hands with a high score multiplyer deck building[/caption]

It’s rare that an indie game gets nominated for Game of the Year, let alone one developed by just one person.

Balatro is a Poker-inspired deck builder, where you use different Jokers to multiply the score of each hand you play.

With various difficulties, decks, Jokers, and other cards to collect, you’ll keep picking Balatro up for just one more run.

If you want to read more about it, check out our Balatro review.

1. Indika

Odd Meter

Indika is the most unique game we played this year[/caption]

There are very few games that ask you to play as a Russian nun during the 19th century, in fact, Indika is the only one we’ve played.

It makes for a beautifully surreal story of self-discovery and genre-blending where third-person action gives way to pixel-art 2D platforming.

Indika has a unique perspective in direction, cinematography, and storytelling, making it nothing else we’ve played quite like it.

It was everything unique and special about Indika that has left it as our favourite indie game of 2024.