Seeing the indie scene blossom the way that it has over the past few years is mindblowing enough. But I need to know what solo developers are putting in their Wheaties in the morning, because these passion projects are getting more insane by the minute. The quality of these games rivals that of their AAA contemporaries, all while taking risks that most modern developers never would consider. Unique graphical styles, excellent hooks, and fantastic gameplay across the board. Plus, indie developers are seemingly the only group that knows what the proper usage of "Early Access" actually means.

There are a lot of games being developed by a lot of passionate folks. Even if a game is inherently "bad", I'm never going to clown on them on the internet. There are still real people behind the screens and behind the scenes who work tirelessly to bring their visions to life. But seeing how much love and care these indie devs are putting into their games? It's easy to see why gaming just keeps getting better and better.

How'd We Get Here, and What Happens Next?

So, seeing as my Glizzy Overlords don't let me rest (they occasionally do pass down some hot dogs through the vents in the floor, though), Lockie thought it would be a great idea to toss something out into the world of Social Media. He wanted to find out one simple thing — a question about solo devs and the games that they're working on. What he didn't expect, however, was that it would absolutely blow up overnight, bringing in loads of talented developers together in one place.

While I wish that I had time to cover every single game that was discussed in this particular thread (maybe it'll happen one day!), we went through and discovered 6 titles that we wanted to bring to the forefront. Drivers of the Apocalypse. Sliding Hero. Resistance is Brutal. Trench Tales. The Reveanchrist. Riftwalker. Some of these games are already playable, released, and ready to take up all of your time. Others are games we're eager to dive into. But regardless, it's time to showcase some incredible indie talent.

‘The Revanchist’ Is the Most Tense and Terrifying ‘Re-Like’ That I’ve Ever Experienced

Technically speaking, The Revanchist is likely the least "finished" game out of all of the ones that I got the privilege to test out. But let me say this much — if you miss what made Resident Evil special during the dawn of 3D gaming, then this is one that you need to keep your eyes on. While the graphical styling is something that may take some time to get used to, stick it out. The exploration is top-notch. Finding my way around the world was confusing, but never frustrating. The worldbuilding is already captivating and interesting, and I already know I'm going to be obsessed with this once it releases.

I've played a lot of horror games. I'm not easily spooked by any means, but there was just something about The Revanchist that had me feeling uneasy. Maybe it was because the graphical styling makes visibility an afterthought, rather than focusing on pixel-perfect 4K graphics and textures. Not knowing what was around any corner, hearing the moans and groans of creatures missing their skin and recognizable features. It's incredibly rad in every sense of the word.

Would You Kindly Give Me Some Melee Weapons, Though?

At the start of The Revanchist, I was warned that the game is a work in progress. But if there's one thing that I could ask for? It would be some melee weapons, so I can try to survive if I find myself backed into the corner with an empty clip in my gun. Even though these monsters aren't incredibly powerful, there's something that makes me incredibly uneasy about them already. Backing up and unloading bullets into them, only to find the slide of my pistol slapping against steel with no bullets inside, is mortifying. If anything, a knife, my fists, anything in between that I could use to my advantage to escape.

But seriously, The Revanchist is something that all survival-horror fans should be keeping their eyes on. I say this as someone who has experienced nearly every modern "horror" game — it's frightening in all the right ways. This is what I imagine playing Resident Evil felt like for the first time for those in the 90s, but in a more modern way. It's a genuine gem.

‘Resistance Is Brutal’ Mixes ‘Vampire Survivors’ With ‘The Running Man’ While Being an Incredibly Well-Optimized Game

When I first saw screenshots of Resistance is Brutal, I knew it was insanely Shaun-coded in every regard. From the art style to the general gameplay loop, I was sold from just the description itself. After diving in for myself, I can say that I was correct in my assumption that it was right up my alley. I've spent plenty of time wondering why Steam still can't figure out what they want to call games like this, but Resistance is Brutal is the perfect example of a Bullet-Heaven game. Because as soon as you get the right gear, you'll be sending fools to heaven as quickly as you could imagine.

Resistance is Brutal gets overwhelming quickly, but here's the thing. Even though the game is running on Unreal Engine, it runs like a CHAMPION. I initially worried that the flashy graphics and crazy number of enemies on the screen at any given time were going to make my computer chug like an Australian at a Cricket game. But after getting multiple ten-minute-plus runs under my belt, I can happily say that RiB may be the first properly-optimized UE5 game that I've seen come out of the indie scene.

IT'S SO GODDAMN FAST, AND I LOVE IT

Outside of the fact that it's just a damn good Bullet-Heaven game, there's one particular thing about Resistance is Brutal that I immediately appreciate. It's so. Damn. Fast. Right out of the gate, the game is quick to start throwing waves of enemies at you, rather than you needing to wait for what feels like forever for things to get interesting. Plus, building up permanent skills for each of the characters that are available will keep replayability high.

I'm incredibly hyped for Resistance is Brutal, if you couldn't tell. It looks and plays fantastically, and I can't wait for the full release. I'm hoping this gets the attention that it deserves, because you can tell that the developer behind it loves the genre and what it has to offer. Plus, it's a great commentary on how livestreaming is ruining the world, but I won't get too much into that.

‘Trench Tales’ Understands the Meaning of Early Access, and Shapes the Game Around Feedback

If you've spent any time on Social Media over the past few years, there's a good chance that you've at least seen Trench Tales in passing. It's been getting a ton of buzz since its reveal, primarily for its eerie visual style and incredible premise. But here's the thing — Trench Tales is in Early Access, and I have a lot of thoughts on what Early Access should mean. To me, too many publishers push the meaning of Early Access in the wrong way, putting out a game and just updating it so they can captilize off of the hype. Trench Tales, on the other hand, is actively shaping the game around the feedback they receive. Consider it a "paid Beta period", as one review said, but I think this is the true meaning of the term.

It's a game that, currently, has bugs and issues. But a talented, passionate dev is in the driver's seat, making Trench Tales into the ultimate experience. I've been playing on and off for months at this point, and the amount of work the developer has put into the game is nothing less than staggering. Is there still work to be done? Absolutely, but that's what the Early Access period is all about. I do not doubt that when Trench Tales is ready for the spotlight, it will earn its rightful spot on the podium it's been building.

Even Now, ‘Trench Tales’ Has Some of the Best-Looking Environments I’ve Ever Seen

If there is one thing that Trench Tale has completely locked down? It's the look of the world. It's disgustingly grimy, packed with small details that make the game leap off the screen. Playing on an OLED display with the graphics cranked, it's one of the most visually stunning games that I've ever seen. Somehow, this world is being fully imagined by just one singular developer, and I suddenly feel my creative gene regressing further into my body.

As long as Talking Drums continues to pour the good work into Trench Tales, I can imagine that this could be an all-timer. As it currently stands, it's a great proof-of-concept with a lot of work going on behind the scenes, and I can appreciate that beyond words. Putting your work out in front of the world like this can be terrifying, but I love the way that the game is currently going.

‘Sliding Hero’ Is a Sokoban Adventure That I Won’t Forget Any Time Soon

Do you like The Legend of Zelda? What about unconventional movement schemes, or even Sokoban box puzzles? Oh, you love both of them and want a game that combines both of them with some incredible puzzles, interesting combat, and beautiful hand-drawn portraits for all of its increasingly weird characters? Well, Sliding Hero is something you need to check out right now. Seriously, stop reading this and go download the demo, then come back. Okay, welcome back! Now that Sliding Hero is your new favorite game ever, help me sell this concept to others who may not be as into it as I am.

Ice-levels are likely not your favorite, I know. But you know those parts in classic Zelda games, or even Pokemon where you need to use your environment to navigate your way through the world as you unstoppably slide toward the wall? That's what Sliding Hero is all about, but it mixes in combat to keep things feeling exciting as you scratch your head and bash it against a table with increasingly difficult puzzles.

Seriously, 'Sliding Hero' is a Completely Unique and Inventive Little Game, and I Love it for what it is

Strangely enough, Sliding Hero is likely going to be one of the most decisive games on this list. Puzzle games aren't for everyone, but those who love the genre need to check this one out for themselves. The world is massive and filled with tons of exploration. The characters in Sliding Hero are weird beyond belief, giving characters created by Hirohiko Araki a run for their money. It's just a special little experience that I hope everyone takes.

Seriously, if you want to see one of the most inventive games in recent memory, at least try the demo. You may find out that this is something that is completely up your alley. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first, to be honest. But after losing three hours in a single sitting to Sliding Hero, I realized that the game was exactly what I had been looking for.

'Riftwalker' and 'Drivers of the Apocalypse' Are Getting Made Right Before Our Eyes, and I Need Them Both Now

Finally, wrapping up this list of games you need to be watching out for in the future, Riftwalker and Drivers of the Apocalypse are some of the most hyped-up games in the Glizzy circle. Jack and Lockie, the brain-children behind the Glizzy brand, haven't stopped talking about Riftwalker since they saw it. And for good reason — the game looks absolutely bonkers. A massive sci-fi epic that is being built on platforms like X, Twitch, and more before customers' eyes. It's a great way to ensure that folks know exactly what they're going to get, isn't it?

Drivers of the Apocalypse, on the other hand, looks like that perfect melding point between Mad Max and Twisted Metal that I've been craving for years. It's been way too long since we've seen a good vehicular combat game, and this has the sauce. How do I know that for sure, though? Jussi Kemppainen has been working in the industry for over 20 years at this point, and knows how to make a game with flair. Ever heard of Max Payne? Or even... Angry Birds? He's been there for it all.

Both of These Games are a Ways Out, but That's Okay!

Even though I want to sink my teeth into both of these games right now like a juicy steak, I know that they're both a ways out from being fully done. And that's okay! My backlog is laughing at me anyway, and I should likely work through some of those games before I worry about these two getting added to the seemingly never-ending list of games I have to play.

But if you want to keep up with the development of either game, Riftwalker has live-streams that detail exactly what the developer is working on. Drivers of the Apocalypse also uploads in-progress videos on Jussi's official X account. Give them both a peek and see what they're doing in the meantime!

But What About The Games We Didn't Get To Cover Today?

Lockie can be the first to say that we NEVER expected to see such a massive response to this tweet. But, at the end of the day, building up a community of exciting indie games is what Glizzy is all about. So, I wouldn't feel right not including as many of them as possible. Sure, I may have taken the time to highlight 6 of them in depth, but every game we saw deserves the coverage.

Below, you'll find every. single. game. that responded to us, alongside a link to their social media profile. It may take you a while to parse through them all, and I genuinely hope I didn't miss a single one. As long as your game has a name or a trailer, I tried to make sure that you were included. Without any further ado, be sure to peek at the list below to find something that is bound to tickle your fancy.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THESE AMAZING INDIE GAMES!!!!

• A Magical Tale: Revoke
• A Simple Expurriment
• Abysm
• Acadium - Space Odyssey
• ALATURKA
• Alontaire
• Anchor’s Lament
• ASSIAH
• Berserker’s Domain
• Bolt Bot
• Bowled Out Of This World!
• Bubbits
• ByJustAsix - Battle Network inspired game
• Chain Letter
• Chickens Don’t Fly
• Complexia
• Contagion Protocol
• Contract & Control
• Cozy Littlequarium
• Crux Diaries
• Crystal Harvest: Apex Operator
• Dart Racer
• Dash Dot Die
• Death Counter
• Droplet: States of Matter
• Dungeons & Warbands
• Edge of Evil
• Everything I Know, and Everything I’m Ever Gonna Know
• Evil Hazard
• ExoArmor
• Fish Eyes
• Fosoria
• FoxHaunt
• FUR Squadron Phoenix
• Gift Of The Moon
• Glitch Glide City
• Golel
• Heir of the Dog
• HeroTail: Survivors
• Hope Timbre
• Hydrofoil Surfing
• iGNITION 2000: Origins
• Immortum
• Infinicrypt
• Johan
• Jumbob Interactive Rhythm-based Bullet-Heaven
• Kibus Moon Rock
• LAMINA BRUISE
• Legend of Asha
• Legends of Castile
• Light of Atlantis
• Little Devil
• Luminoria Tactics
• Mesoké
• Minor Deity
• Monster Mercs
• Montana De La Cruz vs The Army of Darkness
• MultiEnding Heroes
• MysteryHouse3D
• Mythic Kart Maker
• Nimillion - The Last Expedition
• No Time for Pants
• Oloo
• OUTSIDER’s 2D Action Platformer/Shooter
• Owlbox
• Paid in Blood
• Radrunner
• Rise of Piracy
• Rug Cleaning Simulator
• Runtalis
• Scraps of the Machine
• Seasons of Solitude
• Slime Dungeon Enterprises
• Soul Card Duel
• Synephoria
• Tailgate - The Doggo Adventure
• The 18th Attic
• The Dark Hunt
• The Guiding Spirit
• The InBetween
• To The Skies
• Toxoplasma
• Toybox Aces
• Universal Rivals
• We Need An Army
• Well Dweller
• Wicked Boy
• Zombie Quest
• Zoria and the Cursed Land