Top 5 Best Indie Games of July 2016

Another month has passed and so it’s time to reflect on the games that have graced us with their presence on all platforms. While July may not have been the busiest month for games, it did see the release of a fair few stellar indie titles that are well worth picking up. For those looking to whittle away some of those spare gaming hours you have up until the next AAA title you’re after, these may be the perfect companion.

Please note that We Happy Few is absent from this list, not because we didn’t think it was a great indie game, but because it is currently only in an Early Access state. This list features games that have received a full release only.

Furi

Releasing on PlayStaiton 4 and PC at the start of the month, Furi is all about mastering combat and defeating incredibly challenging bosses. You’ll take on increasingly powerful enemies, all the while mastering the fast-paced combat system that combines sword fighting and barrages of bullets.

As you progress through the game, the reason as to why you’re here and your motives for fighting slowly piece together and make your fight all the more important.

The game was well received by critics, getting it a 77 on Metacritic and a 7.6 user score to boot. Those looking for a challenging fight should look no further.

Song of the Deep

Taking things underwater just a few days after the release of Furi was Song of the Deep. Players are tasked with exploring a huge undersea world, both on their own and with the protection of a submarine. With a Metroidvania style of progression that sees you getting new abilities, upgrading them, and using them to navigate tricky obstacles, Song of the Deep gives a nice twist to the tried and tested genre.

We thought Song of the Deep was a good experience overall, though that’s not to say it didn’t have its flaws. While its gorgeous visual aesthetic made exploration an enjoyable experience, we found there to be some frustrating spikes in the game’s difficulty that can really hinder your sense of progression. You can check out our full review here.

Starbound

Starbound starts you off in the middle of space with a broken ship and tells you that the nearby planet has the resources you need to fix it. From there on out, Starbound’s world if your oyster and you’re free to set off and explore its vast universe.

Starbound is all about freedom, allowing you to do as you please. Want to save the universe from the evil forces that destroyed your home? Feel free. Or maybe you just want to explore what the universe has to offer and colonize as you go along with a bunch of pets? Be our guest.

Now that the game finally saw its official full release in July, this is the best time to jump in and get exploring. The perfect kind of game to whittle away those long nights.

Tumblestone

Tumblestone may look like any old match-3 indie puzzle game, but it’s one of the most enjoyable and freshest takes on the genre in quite some time. Rather than your mistakes in any other gem-flipping puzzle game meaning nothing, Tumblestone punishes you greatly for any wrong move you make. A mistake on your part will fill your screen right back up to the top, meaning that you’ll have to think on your feet if you’re to emerge victorious.

Tumblestone really shines when playing against others, with a whole host of multiplayer modes, bots available to fill any empty spaces. And for those moments when your friends and family aren’t around, it has a huge 40-hour Story mode to keep you busy, too.

Currently sitting at a Metascore of 91 from four critic reviews, and with a positive average user review score on Steam, Tumblestone seems to be a smash hit with those that play it.

Headlander

Headlander is a game where you, a disembodied head, must save enslaved humanity from the reign of the evil AI, Methuselah. You’ll navigate a complex maze of corridors in search of power-ups and collectibles, pulling the heads off of robots and assuming control of their bodies in order to progress through color-coded security doors. Though some of its best moments are when it throws you into something completely random. Such as rescuing a robot dog by pulling off its head and walking its body back to its owner, or partaking in a deadly game of robot chess.

The game drips with the same charm and ooze that Double Fine Productions are commonly associate with. We gave Headlander a 4/5, applauding its great level design, humor, and challenging combat. You can read our full review here.

That rounds off our list of the best indie titles that released in July. Which ones are you looking forward to for August? Let us know down in the comments below.