Small and remote: which indie projects are worth looking at this year

Usually, a whole stream of discussions, analytics, guesses and hype arise around future projects. Large AA and AAA games like GTA 6 or Saros are most often in the spotlight, while indie games that are more modest in terms of gameplay duration and development budgets remain in the shadows. Although not all indies of 2026 have been announced, among those that have already been released or will be available before the end of the year, every player will surely find something for themselves. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

Neverway

Photo: Coldblood Inc.

Release date: 2026
Developer: Coldblood Inc.
Genre: Life simulator, horror
What to play on: PC, Nintendo Switch

The laurels of one of the most popular life simulators in recent years, Stardew Valley, haunt many, but so far no one has approached the reinvention of the genre from the dark side. The plot of Neverway is similar — the girl Fiona quits her dreary job and starts life with a clean slate on the farm. Then she becomes the immortal messenger of a dead god on the threshold of a terrible otherworldly Mess. This mix of horror, life simulator and action RPG will focus not only on farming, but also on dynamic combat. As in any life Sim, you can dance more than 10 characters here, albeit in a "scary" setting. One of the co-directors of Neverway is an artist who worked on the indie hit Celeste, so the pixel visual is exciting in advance.

Cairn

Photo: The Game Bakers

Release date: January 29, 2026
Developer: The Game Bakers
Genre: climbing simulator, adventure
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5

Since its release at the end of January, this addictive simulator has won the love of many. The player controls Aava, who sets out to conquer the dangerous Kami Mountain. The plot reveals the theme of self-discovery and acceptance. The uniqueness of the game lies in the realism of the simulation — it was not for nothing that the developers created it in consultation with professional famous climbers. The gameplay combines climbing simulator and survival genre: you need to think over the route, look for footholds, manage endurance, hunger and equipment. Preparation at rest stops is also important — crafting food, repairing equipment, and planning the ascent. The state of the heroine Aava will have to be read by context (sighs and tremors), and the PS5 controller's capabilities are fully used here: the grip on the rock and the tension of the climber are transmitted through tactile feedback.

Demon Tides

Photo: Fabraz

Release date: February 19, 2026
Developer: Fabraz
Genre: platformer, adventure
What to play on: PC

An unusual 3D action platformer about the pirate Bibs and her motley crew, which has already received a huge number of extremely positive reviews. Fabraz turned out to be very dynamic: the player has many abilities, including turning into a bat for hovering and flying, running on walls and double jumping. The spacious outdoor locations are filled with collectibles and a variety of tasks. In addition, as in Death Stranding or Dark Souls, it is possible to challenge the "ghosts" of other players or leave messages on the walls.

ABYSS X ZERO

Photo: Studio Pixel Punk

Release date: 2026
Developer: PixelPunk Studios
Genre: metroidvania
What to play on: PC

The studio that created Unsighted is now working on a stylish ABYSS X ZERO project. The developers are developing their proprietary dynamic combat system. In this case, they will transfer it to a three-dimensional space with polygonal graphics and add elements of metroidvania. So far, little is known about the game, but after the last project, I want to trust this team. The aesthetics of the late 90s and early 2000s evoke a pleasant feeling of nostalgia, and the plot is intriguing. The player will control two characters — Codename A and Codename Z, legendary heroes who are destined to fight each other. Each of them has unique abilities that affect both their fighting style and their interaction with the outside world.

National significance point: the first game about the railways of the Russian Empire is being created in the Russian Federation

The development combined museum archives and a historical AI consultant

Holstin

Photo: Team17

Release date: 2026
Developer: Sonka
Genre: action, adventure
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Holstin is set in November 1992. In the small Polish town of Jezerne Colony, a mysterious catastrophe occurs, gradually absorbing everything around. The main character, an ordinary guy Tomek, comes here in search of Bartek's missing friend and finds himself embroiled in a dark mystical story. This is a classic survival horror game with an emphasis on investigation. The player will explore the city, communicate with the surviving inhabitants and uncover the mystery of a strange substance — "slime", which infects people and distorts the world around them. The main feature that the developers claim is the camera change from isometry to first person and platforming. Thanks to the original 2XD Rendering technology, the project promises to be really beautiful — pixel art with dynamic lighting looks fascinating already on promo screenshots.

Mixtape

Photo: Mixtape

Release date: May 7, 2026
Developer: Beethoven and Dinosaur
Genre: Adventure
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2

A real gift for music lovers. The Mixtape adventure tells the story of three friends who decide to reminisce about their old years together at the last party before parting. With their favorite tracks, they will relive the moments that made them who they are. The player and the characters will return to the years of their youth — to skateboarding, talking into the night, abandoned parks and first feelings. Beethoven and Dinosaur were inspired by films about growing up, so the game is steeped in nostalgia for the teenage years. The soundtrack features music by The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, The Cure and other legendary artists.

Mina the Hollower

Photo: Yacht Club Games

Release date: Spring 2026
Developer: Yacht Club Games.
Genre: Action
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch

A cute fairy-tale action game about a mouse is created by the authors of the cult Shovel Knight series. Its development turned out to be difficult: the game was called almost the last chance for the studio to stay afloat. In the face of fierce competition in the indie scene, this is not surprising, but, apparently, the team will still have a strong and promising project. Mina the Hollower is clearly inspired by the classic The Legend of Zelda games, but it also brings its own ideas, including the ability to burrow underground and jump, which was not the case in the early Link games.