As 2024’s third quarter draws to a close and autumn takes over the season, let’s go over the best and greatest the indie scene has got for us this September. Continue reading to discover great titles that you might have been sleeping on.
Showcasing September 2024s Indie Titles
As the orange hues of autumn take over and the faint aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air, it’s hard not to relax and soak in the season. But while the world slows down, the indie gaming scene is as lively as ever, with this month’s lineup of standout titles. We've curated an artisanal selection for you—one that could rival any rich brew from your local coffee shop. This time, we have the king of factory games, six years in the making, the coziest castle-builder this side of the glade, a couple of pixel-art RPG masterpieces, and... a car with legs?
It’s certainly a mixed bag when it comes to themes, but in terms of quality, every one of these deserves your attention as we move further into the year.
Check out last month’s edition of our indie showcase if you missed it!
Satisfactory
Kicking off this month’s list is a game that has undergone a remarkable six-year journey since its initial announcement, now standing at the top of its genre. I’m talking, of course, about Satisfactory. Developed by Coffee Stain Studios, this factory builder is designed to be the most intuitive, scalable, and comprehensive of its kind. Satisfactory isn’t just another factory game—it’s THE factory game.
Now fitted for its long-awaited 1.0 release, the game has finally been polished and optimized after years of development. This includes the addition of a new tier of automation, a defined narrative, and an endgame fans have been eagerly anticipating—almost like waiting for a sequel in its own right.
Balancing exploration, innovation, and imagination, Satisfactory is unmatched for those who love automation, crave an open-world sandbox, or both. With its xeno-industrial flair, space-age factory automation is no longer just a dream—it’s a satisfying reality.
Tiny Glade
From towering spires of coal to... well, just plain old spires, we move on to another standout indie hit from September: Tiny Glade! Touted as the ultimate cozy castle-building simulator, Tiny Glade doesn't concern itself with storylines, progression systems, or action-packed sequences. Instead, it excels by offering the perfect blank canvas for anyone who dreams of crafting medieval architectural wonders.
With a suite of intuitive building tools that dynamically respond to both their surroundings and your other constructions, Tiny Glade is the ideal game (or tool) for creative builders and Dungeon Masters alike. If your passion lies in designing intricate castles rather than conquering them, this is the indie title for you.
Starcom: Unknown Space
Next, we’re blasting back into space with a curious gem that may not be the flashiest, but is certainly worth your attention: Starcom: Unknown Space. This top-down twin-stick shooter and space RPG simulator lets you explore the far reaches of the cosmos, discovering new worlds, completing critical missions for humanity, or simply trading with intergalactic neighbors.
At the heart of the game is your modular ship, which can be disassembled and rebuilt like a set of Legos thanks to the innovative ship-building system. Whether you're engaging in zero-gravity dogfights, traveling through wormholes, or uncovering quiet yet awe-inspiring cosmic secrets, Starcom: Unknown Space promises a deeply engaging and enjoyable spacefaring adventure for the sci-fi enthusiasts among you.
The Plucky Squire
From adventures in the final frontier to storybook quests, our next title is The Plucky Squire. Coming from Devolver Digital’s catalog—so you know it’s going to be good—this game delivers a delightful mix of classic top-down RPG mechanics reminiscent of the original Zelda games, along with excellent platforming across two dimensions.
With its clever sense of humor, charming storybook aesthetic, and engaging gameplay, The Plucky Squire has everything an RPG and platformer enthusiast could ask for. It’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, sure to capture the hearts of genre fans.
Roots of Yggdrasil
If traditional adventuring isn’t quite your speed, let’s shake things up with one of the most unique titles this month: Roots of Yggdrasil. This Norse-themed blend of deck-building, city-building, and strategy is tough to categorize, but that’s part of its charm. Despite its unconventional mix of mechanics, the game excels at presenting its gameplay in a way that feels fresh and engaging, all while offering a beautifully colorful retelling of the apocalyptic Ragnarok.
In Roots of Yggdrasil, you’ll place buildings, upgrade your ship, and navigate through the fragmented Realms at the end of time, blending myth and strategy into a world-building experience.
Chef RPG
Let’s embrace the cozy, warm spirit of autumn with Chef RPG, a charming pixel art simulation game that channels the essence of Stardew Valley—but instead of farming, you're mastering the culinary arts. In Chef RPG, you play as an aspiring chef determined to revive a rundown restaurant and bring it back to its former glory.
With over 20 characters to befriend (or romance), a wide variety of recipes to create, and stunning pixel art environments to explore, this indie gem serves up a delightful feast of gameplay. It’s a 5-star experience sure to give you a 7-course meal of heartwarming fun and creativity.
WHAT THE CAR?
Let’s wrap up this list with the month’s most absurd and cartoonish addition: WHAT THE CAR?, the latest wacky, physics-based exploration and racing game from WHAT THE GAMES?. If Roots of Yggdrasil was hard to define, don’t even bother trying with this one—you’ll find yourself doing everything from standard racing to CAR-aoke and even cooking mini-games.
This game is a must-try, especially if you're bored or craving something completely out of the ordinary. And yes, the main character is a car with anatomically correct legs, but that’s just one of the many reasons this hilarious title deserves your attention.
