As AAA games continue to rehash, reprint, and republish the same games over and over again, indie developers continue to push the boundaries of what makes gaming great. Looking at three different games this week, I don't think these titles could be any more different from one another. One of them involves playing as a little yellow man who is tasked with doing everything for everybody. Another has you controlling a glass demon as you attempt to eat the moon. Finally, a beautiful 2.5D action adventure game with a unique traversal mechanic and excellent combat.

Indie games keep delivering banger after banger, and today, we're looking at Skate Story, Thank Goodness You're Here!, and Retrace the Light — three excellent games that demand your time, attention, and most importantly, your money.

Skate or Die Has Never Been More Prevalent Than It Is in ‘Skate Story'

Imagine, if you will, that you were hungry. So hungry, in fact, that you could eat the moon. That's the basic premise of Skate Story, a game where you control a demon who is quick to sign a deal with the devil in exchange for some tasty vittles. But, in exchange for the ability to eat the moon, our demon friend obtains a body made of glass and an unending and seemingly unobtainable quest that had me on the verge of an existential crisis while I was playing. It's everything I could have wanted and more from a skateboarding game.

The most noticeable thing about Skate Story is the beautiful, surreal visual style that solo developer by Sam Eng was aiming for. I've never played a game that looks or feels the same way that Skate Story does, and I don't think that anybody could nail the aesthetic as brilliantly ever again. Things are bleak, yet beautiful. Terrifying and scary, yet serene. Much like Journey, the world of Skate Story uses this unique visual style to help propel the story, the vibes, and the feelings forward, unlike any of its contemporaries. But even outside of the style and gameplay, the music. My GOD, the music here is something else.

‘Skate Story’ Is a Masterpiece in Every Regard, in My Humble Opinion

Even if you don't plan on playing through Skate Story (something I would highly recommend doing), at least take the time to put the OST on in the background. If the sights aren't enough to draw you into this mesmerizing world, the soundtrack should be the final nail in the coffin. Pair the sublime audio and visuals together with a customizable skating setup, great board customization that shows the wear and tear of your ride as you progress through the story, and some of the most unforgettable characters you'll see in any form of gaming, and you've got yourself a clear winner.

2025 has been one of the greatest years in modern gaming, and it's going out with a bang with something like Skate Story. Somehow, defying all odds, by Sam Eng has delivered what I may consider to be the greatest skateboarding game of all time. If the debut title from this developer is any indication of anything, I can't wait to see what other projects they've been working on behind the scenes. As I've said before, Devolver Digital knows how to pick some winners, and I don't think anyone should miss out on the glory that is Skate Story.

Glizzy Rating: 10/10

Before jumping into Skate Story, I decided that it was time to jump into my backlog and clear out some of the games that have been hiding out for far too long. Thank Goodness You're Here, originally released in 2024, finally made the trek onto Xbox this year, and I decided that it was time to finally hop in. What I expected was a cheerful little romp through a quaint English town, with some goofs and gaffes along the way. What I didn't expect was a 3-hour, non-stop laugh fest that kept me smiling from start to finish.

Thank Goodness You're Here! is a perverse, immature game, and one that I now hold very near to my heart. Playing as a small yellow man, every person in the town of Barnsworth seems to need your help with something. From the most menial of tasks, like getting butter to help a man get a coin out of a drain, to some much more disturbing tasks, Thank Goodness You're Here! is a riot from start to finish. Anyone who loves British Humour needs to do themselves a solid and stop reading this review and just pick up Thank Goodness You're Here! already. Trust me — it's worth every penny.

"Smacky Bum Bum" Has Become a Part of My Daily Vernacular, Thanks To ‘Thank Goodness You’re Here!'

Outside of Monty Python, I think that Thank Goodness You're Here! is the perfect way to introduce someone to the world of British humor. Dry, slapstick, and genuinely hilarious throughout its admittedly short playtime, this is a gem of an experience. While I do wish there was more to the game, as it's kind of a one-and-done experience unless you're chasing every achievement or trophy, I'm patiently awaiting the return of this little yellow man and his dire need to help everybody and their mother with their odd jobs.

It's a strange little game, but one that is built on an incredible foundation and just is incredible to look at. Animations are incredibly full of life, and Thank Goodness You're Here! is just a jolly good time, and should be hailed as the pinnacle of modern British humor. Plus, there's a scene with a fish that you're never going to forget, one that will burn into your mind forevermore. I just wish it were a little bit longer... and I'm not talking about the fish. If you know, you know.

Glizzy Rating: 9/10

‘Retrace the Light’ Has Both Beauty and Brawn, With Fun Combat and an Intriguing Story

Speaking of interesting games by first-time developers, Retrace the Light takes the formula nearly perfected by 2010s-era Supergiant Games, such as Bastion and Transistor, and adds some interesting and unique traversal elements to it. Rather than going down the path of the Roguelike, Retrace the Light is a story-driven game, one that offers slick combat and plenty of ways to make your enemies pay for what they've done. Stylish graphics, good puzzles, and some great combat make this a great package for those craving some isometric action.

However, one thing you'll want to do if you plan on jumping into Retrace the Light is have a pen and paper nearby. Much like Elden Ring or Hell is Us, Retrace the Light forgoes handholding to drop the player into a world of mystique and intrigue. However, unlike the previous games, Retrace the Light can sometimes feel a little obtuse when it comes to this decision.

Make Sure You’re Keeping Notes When You’re Playing ‘Retrace the Light'

Normally, if I'm playing a game like this at my desk, it's no big deal. But Retrace the Light plays flawlessly on portable handhelds like the Steam Deck or the Rog Ally X. It begs to be played on the couch, so even having the option for an in-game notebook to jot down some quick notes could make this all the better. I'm not one to crave yellow paint, but sometimes, you lose track of where you're going and spend far too much time searching for the solution to what should be a nearly non-existent issue.

Outside of this issue, Retrace the Light is an excellent action-adventure debut for Xiaming Game. It captures an oft-forgotten genre in a new light and offers an unforgettable experience. Well, some parts can be forgotten if you don't take your notes while you play, but I digress. If you've been itching for something to match the sheer beauty of something like Bastion once again, you've found a new option.

Glizzy Rating: 9/10

So, remember what I said about there being far too many good games in 2025? These three examples are just some of the many absolute bangers that have come out this year. 2025 has been a new level of excellence for the world of gaming, regardless of what titles you've found yourself jumping into. Now? You've got three more excellent additions to throw onto the pile, so start ignoring your backlog like I've been doing and jump into any of these amazing games.