The best indie games with hand-crafted environments

Summary

  • Detailed environments in games convey tone and style, enhancing gameplay and exploration.

  • Indie games use hand-crafted environments to help the gameplay emerge.

  • Exciting, interconnected and colorful environments in games enhance the player's experience.

Environment is not only a necessity in most games, but also an important part of their identity. The environment says a lot about what the game is trying to achieve; does it take place in a war zone or a cave? Is it bright and colorful, or is it a dark and gritty headline? Should the player expect whimsy or true brutality? This is perhaps even more important in narrative-driven games, and naturally, exploration-heavy games.

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The most detailed environment in an open world game

Everyone loves a big open world to explore, but all that space won't mean much without a lot of careful and painstaking detail.

Some indie titles, e.g Fallen Aces and Dark forestuse immersive hand-crafted environments to facilitate unexpected gameplay. On the other hand, names like Hollow knight use interconnected environments to create Metroidvania mazes, evoking a sense of mystery and discovery in its players that isn't quite possible with procedural generation.

1

Fallen Aces

Immersive, interconnected and interactive

This immersive simulator/action FPS sends players on a 90s-inspired adventure through a variety of urban environments filled with noir visuals and atmosphere. World Fallen Aces executed in a heavily stylized hand-stylized way, giving a comic-book look that's extremely memorable.

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The Immersive Sim genre shines with its complexity and player freedom, but it can be intimidating for beginners.

Each level in Fallen Aces created to be explored, interacted with and even exploited. Players will dive down every alley, crawl through secret passages, and run across rooftops to reach hidden vantage points. These hand-crafted environments and stylish visuals help create an immersive experience backed by solid game mechanics.

2

Animal well

A truly alien, tactile world

Released

May 9, 2024

Developer(s)

Shared memory

Animal wellThe pixel art style, despite being somewhat minimalistic, manages to stand out thanks to a confident hand. This immediately obvious sense of style is backed by a creative mind, offering players a dense and deeply mysterious world created with meticulous attention to detail.

Animal well is a puzzle-oriented meta-advania that focuses almost entirely on meaningful exploration with a variety of imaginative items to aid players on their journey. Vibrant neon colors, a labyrinthine world design, and many landmarks help make the environment exciting and mysterious. This is supported by a fitting soundtrack, excellent character/creature designs and smooth animations.

3

Hi-Fi Rush

Stylish, colorful and musical environment

systems

PlayStation-1 Xbox-1

Released

January 25, 2023

It is evident from the beginning Hi-Fi Rush will be a stylish, memorable experience. Vibrant environments are filled with vibrant colors and bold visuals, with each level taking on its own unique look and feel.

These locations are supported by a great soundtrack and elevated by hand-crafted environments that move to the beat. Not only does this help players in rhythmic combat, but it also helps ground the player in the larger reality of the game.

4

Outer Wilds

Memorable minimalism and unique style

systems

PlayStation-1 Xbox-1

Released

May 28, 2019

Developer(s)

Digital Moebius

Although his distinctive art style is somewhat minimalist with broad strokes and cartoonish textures, Outer Wilds it is clearly a sincere and even grounded experience. Moreover, the game's melancholic atmosphere and warm, cozy charm emanate from each of its unique environments.

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9 Best Open World Games Where You Explore Multiple Planets

Players who love to discover new planets in games will love what these exciting open world games have to offer.

The attention to detail of the handcrafted planets lends itself to a true display of creative restraint, allowing each environment to shine in its own way. The game's lack of combat and focus on methodical exploration also ensures that players can stop and appreciate the breadth of these locales.

5

Dark forest

A complex and interconnected series of places

Dark forest

Released

September 6, 2022

Taking inspiration from old school classics such as Thief: The Dark Project and Resident Evil, Dark forest is an addictive simulator with an emphasis on stealth and emergent gameplay. However, while its basic mechanisms are solid, Dark forestPerhaps its biggest strength is its dynamic layout, which allows the immersive-sim systems to really shine.

The dark, gothic and heavily Victorian setting is imbued with style and atmosphere, enhanced by spectacular lighting. More importantly, these hand-crafted locations are interconnected, helping the gameplay feel fluid rather than truly segmented.

6

Kentucky Route Zero

Quiet, disturbing and completely surreal

Released

January 7, 2013

Developer(s)

Cardboard computer

Kentucky Route Zero is a quiet, slow, and story-driven experience that's certainly not for everyone. It is a title that is driven by evolutionary, poetic lyrics, pure emotions and a melancholic soundtrack. However, it's also an extremely stylish game, littered with memorable locations and stunning sights.

From impossibly tall forests and ramshackle, spooky houses to underground cave systems and downright weird museums, there's a surprise around every corner. The magical realism and surreal imagery present in each act offer a unique adventure full of mystery, whimsy, and even comfort. Pictorial vignettes, surrealism, fantasy – environments Kentucky Route Zero push and pull in equal measure, tugging at the heartstrings and working with the writing to evoke genuine emotion.

7

Hollow knight

Deeply melancholic and memorable places

Released

February 24, 2017

Developer(s)

Team Cherry

This deeply atmospheric side-scrolling Metroidvania is a beloved indie for many reasons, but its detailed and completely unique underground world is perhaps its greatest strength. The characters, music, and evocative writing all help paint a vivid picture, but Hellavenest's interconnected regions and environmental storytelling contribute Hollow knighta winning sense of atmosphere.

From the lush greenery of the aptly named Green Pet to the quiet melancholy of the City of Tears, Hollow Knight's interconnected environments are diverse. Combined with a great art style and many memorable landmarks, Hollow knight the world is unforgettable.

more

Hollow Knight: all locations, ranking

Each of Hollow Knight's locations has a wonderful art style and game soundtrack, but some locations are simply more memorable.

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