When it comes to the world of indie games, there truly is something for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to find a game about redecorating your home, or a game that allows you the opportunity to explore a massive sandbox as a bendy little robot. If you’ve thought of a particular idea, there’s a great chance that there is already an indie game that will fit the bill. While the world may revolve around the almighty dollar, indie games that nestle themselves into an unexplored niche are some of my favorite types of games. From my first experience with the hard-as-nails Super Meat Boy in my youth, or my time spent goofing around in the latest physics-driven sandbox JUST A GUY, it’s not hard to find something that you’d be more than willing to fall in love with on the indie scene. 

Image Credit: Klub Kofta Studio

Everything’s Better Down Where It’s Wetter. Even the Indie Games.

One particular genre of games that seems to have fallen out of favor in recent years is cutesy, yet incredibly well-polished Tower Defense games. Outside of Bloons TD6 and even Plants vs Zombies, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a game in this genre completely sweep the world by storm. But that’s where Operation Octo has a chance to succeed. I’ve been keeping an eye on this particular game for a while, and even wrote an article or two about it on previous sites that I’ve worked for. But at the end of the day, it does something unique, interesting, and special to keep players intrigued. 

Rather than being yet another tower defense game, it includes elements of more modernized genres. Operation Octo has bullet-hell elements, tower defense elements, and complete control of your main cephalopod companion. It blends all of these genres together so well, making it one of those games that I could see myself dumping hours into at a time without even realizing that the time had passed. But, in the world of constant SEO and trend chasing, it’s a game that hasn’t received the coverage that it deserves. Operation Octo, much like many other unique, interesting, and passionate indie games, is one that you need to keep your eyes on, especially if you’re a fan of tower defense or even bullet hell games. 

But more importantly, it covers a niche that not many other games are willing to dive into. Tower Defense Games, as popular as they may have once been, have fallen to the wayside in recent years. It’s a shame, because if Operation Octo had been released in the early 2010s, it might have been held on the same pedestal as its inspirations. But that doesn’t mean that you should overlook this one by any means. It’ll have its passionate fanbase, without a doubt. But more than anything, I’m just happy to see that rather than chasing trends and profits, the developer behind Operation Octo is sticking to their guns and making a game that will appeal not only to them, but the waves of passionate fans that adore these types of experiences. If you’re one of them, and this game isn’t on your Wishlist already: what are you waiting for! There’s a demo available to try and everything, so get your feet wet and give this one a go. 

Image Credit: Just A Guy

Multiplayer (Or Singleplayer) Mayhem Is Fun, No Matter Where You Look

The whole basis of this article, however, came to life because of one simple little game. JUST A GUY. As the name states, you’re… just a little guy. A weird little robot guy that has a massive, physics-based sandbox to explore at your own pace. There are more than enough tasks to keep players occupied, but the pure joy of the experience is just doing what you want, when you want, and how you want to. Taking cues from games like Totally Reliable Delivery Service, Wobbly Life, and maybe some Bennett Foddy for good measure, Just A Guy is a blast if you’re on your own or with your friends. Even though some of the tasks are simple, having to fight and battle with the physics engine to dunk a basketball makes the result all the more gratifying at the end of the day. 

It’s niche. It’s fun. But most importantly, it’s the perfect type of game for someone like me who is looking for something unique and interesting to dive into after a long day. There’s no massive, overarching story that I need to focus on. I’ve got plenty of other games, both big-budget and indie, to fill that void. Sometimes, I just want to shut off my brain and let the world around me tell a story in itself. A story of how my little Robotic legs are going to carry me to the next objective as I flail around like a Wacky Inflatable Flailing Tube Man outside of a shady car dealership. But, when you add in a dose of multiplayer madness? That’s the type of game that legends will be told about in the future. 

Memories swapped by friends in Discord conversations, all about that time that Brandon decided to try and jump and missed the landing. Just like Gang Beasts before it, I can only imagine the type of stories that we’ll be reminiscing about for years to come after playing JUST A GUY together. Much like our journey through the realms of Friendslop (which you can read about here), I can already tell that this is one of those types of games that will dominate our late-night gaming sessions. 

At the end of the day? There’s always going to be something that the world of indies can drop directly into your life when you need it. From humble and beautiful farming simulators like Doloc Town, to the aforementioned Operation Octo, and all of the exciting new things it’s doing for the Tower Defense genre. There is always going to be an indie waiting in the depths for you, hoping to suck you in and steal every moment of your free time. And I’m all about it.