The 10 Best Indie Games of All Time: A Definitive Ranking in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Direct answer
Hades is the best indie game of all time on our list, with a Metascore of 93 from 61 critic reviews on Metacritic. Undertale and Celeste follow with 92 each, and the list runs down to Terraria at 81.
An open-ended sandbox of digging, building and bosses
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Hades
Best story
Undertale
Most relaxing
Stardew Valley
Cheapest
Among Us
Biggest world to explore
Hollow Knight
The ranking
1
Hades
Answrs VerdictThe highest Metascore here.
Metascore: 93 from 61 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $24.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Sep 17, 2020 (Steam)Developer: Supergiant Games
Hades has a Metascore of 93 from 61 critic reviews, the highest on the list. It is $24.99 on Steam and was released Sep 17, 2020 by Supergiant Games.
Go ifFast action runs with a story that moves forward every death
Skip ifYou dislike repeating runs
Why #1 over #2: Its 93 is above Undertale's 92.
2
Undertale
Answrs VerdictTies Celeste at 92 with more critic reviews.
Metascore: 92 from 44 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $9.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Sep 15, 2015 (Steam)Developer: tobyfox
Undertale has a Metascore of 92 from 44 critic reviews. It is $9.99 on Steam and was released Sep 15, 2015 by tobyfox.
Go ifA role-playing game where you can talk your way through fights
Skip ifYou want modern graphics
Why #2 over #3: At the same 92 it has more reviews (44) than Celeste (37).
3
Celeste
Answrs VerdictSame 92 as Undertale from fewer reviews.
Metascore: 92 from 37 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $19.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Jan 25, 2018 (Steam)Developer: Maddy Makes Games Inc.
Celeste has a Metascore of 92 from 37 critic reviews. It is $19.99 on Steam and was released Jan 25, 2018.
Go ifTight platforming with a story about climbing a mountain
Skip ifYou get frustrated by hard jumps
Why #3 over #4: Its 92 is above Hollow Knight's 90.
4
Hollow Knight
Answrs VerdictThe best value of the top four at $14.99.
Metascore: 90 from 30 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $14.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Feb 24, 2017 (Steam)Developer: Team Cherry
Hollow Knight has a Metascore of 90 from 30 critic reviews. It is $14.99 on Steam and was released Feb 24, 2017 by Team Cherry.
Go ifA large hand-drawn world to explore and fight through
Skip ifYou want hand-holding and a quest log
Why #4 over #5: Its 90 is above Dead Cells' 89.
5
Dead Cells
Answrs VerdictThe most critic reviews of the three tied at 89.
Metascore: 89 from 40 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $24.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Aug 6, 2018 (Steam)Developer: Motion Twin
Dead Cells has a Metascore of 89 from 40 critic reviews. It is $24.99 on Steam and was released Aug 6, 2018 by Motion Twin.
Go ifQuick, fluid combat in ever-changing castle levels
Skip ifYou want a slow, relaxed game
Why #5 over #6: At the same 89 it has more reviews (40) than Stardew Valley (32).
6
Stardew Valley
Answrs VerdictSame 89 as Dead Cells, from fewer reviews.
Metascore: 89 from 32 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $14.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Feb 26, 2016 (Steam)Developer: ConcernedApe
Stardew Valley has a Metascore of 89 from 32 critic reviews. It is $14.99 on Steam and was released Feb 26, 2016 by ConcernedApe.
Go ifA relaxing farm life game you can play at your own pace
Skip ifYou want fast action
Why #6 over #7: At the same 89 it has more reviews (32) than Slay the Spire (28).
7
Slay the Spire
Answrs VerdictThe fewest reviews of the three tied at 89.
Metascore: 89 from 28 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $24.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Jan 23, 2019 (Steam)Developer: Mega Crit
Slay the Spire has a Metascore of 89 from 28 critic reviews. It is $24.99 on Steam and was released Jan 23, 2019 by Mega Crit.
Go ifDeck-building runs that reward planning
Skip ifYou do not like card games
Why #7 over #8: Its 89 is above Cuphead's 86.
8
Cuphead
Answrs VerdictThe most critic reviews on the list.
Metascore: 86 from 76 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $19.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Sep 29, 2017 (Steam)Developer: Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.
Cuphead has a Metascore of 86 from 76 critic reviews. It is $19.99 on Steam and was released Sep 29, 2017.
Go ifBoss battles in a 1930s cartoon style
Skip ifYou dislike difficult boss fights
Why #8 over #9: Its 86 is above Among Us's 85.
9
Among Us
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest game here, at $4.99.
Metascore: 85 from 9 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $4.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: Nov 16, 2018 (Steam)Developer: Innersloth
Among Us has a Metascore of 85 from 9 critic reviews. It is $4.99 on Steam and was released Nov 16, 2018 by Innersloth.
Go ifParty nights with friends who like social deduction
Skip ifYou mainly play alone
Why #9 over #10: Its 85 is above Terraria's 81.
10
Terraria
Answrs VerdictThe oldest game on the list, from May 16, 2011.
Metascore: 81 from 39 critic reviews on MetacriticPrice: $9.99 (US Steam list price, checked October 2026)Release date: May 16, 2011 (Steam)Developer: Re-Logic
Terraria has a Metascore of 81 from 39 critic reviews. It is $9.99 on Steam and was released May 16, 2011 by Re-Logic.
Go ifAn open-ended sandbox of digging, building and bosses
Skip ifYou want a guided story
How we ranked these
We ranked ten well-known indie games by the Metascore shown on each game's Metacritic page; a tie (Undertale and Celeste at 92; Dead Cells, Stardew Valley and Slay the Spire at 89) goes to the game with more critic reviews. Scores can differ by platform on Metacritic, so we used the score on each game's main page. Prices are US Steam list prices checked in October 2026 and change during sales. Release dates come from each game's Steam page. A game's place here reflects critic scores only, not sales or player counts. For more PC picks, see answrsnow.com/games/best-free-to-play-pc-games-on-steam-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best indie game of all time?
By Metacritic Metascore, Hades is the best indie game on our list, with 93 from 61 critic reviews. Undertale and Celeste follow at 92.
What is the cheapest game on this list?
Among Us, at $4.99 on the US Steam store when checked in October 2026. Steam prices change during sales.
Which indie game has the most critic reviews here?
Cuphead, with 76 critic reviews on Metacritic and a Metascore of 86.
What is the oldest game on the list?
Terraria, released May 16, 2011 according to its Steam page, with a Metascore of 81.
Metacritic Metascore at a glance
Terraria81 points
Among Us85 points
Cuphead86 points
Dead Cells89 points
Stardew Valley89 points
Slay the Spire89 points
Hollow Knight90 points
Undertale92 points
Celeste92 points
Hades93 points
Metacritic Metascore, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
