Discovering Hidden Gems: Our Top Indie Game Picks from Summer Game Fest and Steam Next Fest 2025

Following the conclusion of Summer Game Fest 2025 and Steam Next Fest, the GamesIndustry.biz team has compiled a list of their top indie game picks from the events. While blockbuster titles like 007: First Light and Resident Evil: Requiem impressed, the indie game pool offered a deeper and more diverse range of experiences, with many games featuring demos for the public to try out. One standout title was Mixtape, the latest game from The Artful Escape studio Beethoven & Dinosaur. This game combines narrative sections with minigames, set to a licensed soundtrack featuring songs by The Cure and Joy Division. The game's stop motion-style animation is also noteworthy, making it a visual highlight of the event. Other notable titles included Bounty Star, a hack-and-slash game with a unique blend of gig economy commentary, mechs, and western elements, and Thick as Thieves, a PvPvE game that offers a fresh take on the immersive sim genre. The game features a competitive multiplayer mode, where players can work together to achieve a common goal or betray each other for personal gain. The team also highlighted several games from Steam Next Fest, including Cleared Hot, a helicopter game with a physics-based twist, and Mina the Hollower, a game that remixes classic Zelda mechanics with a unique art style. Ball x Pit, a game that combines elements of Vampire Survivors and Breakout, was also praised for its addictive gameplay and huge potential for offensive possibilities. In addition to these titles, the team mentioned several other games that caught their attention, including Gecko Gods, a puzzle game with a chill atmosphere and detailed movement mechanics, and Fireside Feelings, a game that offers a unique take on mindfulness and mental wellness. Relooted, a game that challenges players to reclaim African artifacts from Western museums, was also highlighted for its fluid and fun gameplay. Overall, the GamesIndustry.biz team was impressed by the diversity and quality of the indie games on display at Summer Game Fest and Steam Next Fest, and is excited to see how these titles will develop in the coming months.