Indie Game of the Month Awards November 2020

These indies take the Crown

Written by A.J. Maciejewski for Indie GOTM Awards on December 1, 2020

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It's been a wonderful year for indie games and we played tons of great ones in November so let's celebrate a dozen top-notch indies.

The Pathless 3D Platformer of the Month

Running and jumping around 3D worlds is a classic formula yet few games in the genre are as lightning-fast as the super-stylish The Pathless. The adventure completely captivated me with its awe-inspiring sights and gameplay and it definitely deserves much acclaim.

Mad Rat Dead 2D Platformer of the Month

My favourite gaming experiences are when I play a game and don't think much of it then it slowly grows on me to the point where I end up having a blast. This was the case with Mad Rat Dead as its blend of 2D platforming and rhythm mechanics seemed like a goofy premise at first but once I realised how challenging it is, I became hooked while trying to master its clever levels. Its soundtrack is full of fun-filled energy and its somewhat dark premise mixes perfectly with its lively cartoonish visuals to make quite a feast for the senses.

Foregone Metroidvania of the Month

There are a lot of Metroidvania games out there yet few are as stunning as Foregone. Not only are its visuals gorgeous, its tough yet intuitive gameplay will have you exploring enemy-filled areas only to try just one more time to take down the next boss.

QV Casual Game of the Month

I love games that offer relaxing yet rewarding gameplay and QV is perhaps the most satisfying indie of that description that I've played in a long time. The whimsical game world and easy breezy gameplay easily make it the best casual game that I've played recently.

Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm Adventure Game of the Month

Although I enjoyed the original Oceanhorn, I was not expecting this sequel to be as phenomenal as it is. It may look a lot like a 3D Zelda game yet it forges its own identity through a huge and varied campaign that never ceases to be immersive and enjoyable.

Crown Trick Dungeon Crawler of the Month

If you know me then you'll know that I absolutely love Mystery Dungeon games and although there have been many indie interpretations of the classic formula, none have crafted more exciting and rewarding gameplay than Crown Trick. I highly recommend it!

Crystal Ortha RPG of the Month

Another genre that always makes me happy are retro-inspired RPGs and Crystal Ortha is a terrific one that stars a fun cast of characters. Travelling the world map in various cute vehicles while taking down daunting bosses makes it one wonderful old-school RPG.

Tens! Puzzle Game of the Month

When it comes to puzzle games, it seems like it's all been done yet Tens! combines Picross, dice, and action-packed competitive gameplay into one ingenious experience that'll keep you playing whether you're a lone wolf or want to compete with friends.

Galacide Genre-blender of the Month

Whenever indie devs attempt to blend unexpected genres, I'm always intrigued and Galacide brilliantly combines shoot 'em up gameplay with puzzle elements to make a thrilling score-chasing adventure that you can actually enjoy with up to 4 chums. How cool is that?

Crimzon Clover - World EXplosion Shoot 'em Up of the Month

Speaking of shoot 'em ups, Crimzon Clover - World EXplosion is a console adaptation of a fantastic PC shmup that features an intricate mix of mechanics which make it a joy to blast away its hordes of enemy ships. If you're a genre fan, you need to play this.

Shoot 1UP DX Retro-Inspired Game of the Month

Another shoot 'em up?! Why not? Shoot 1UP DX is certainly inspired by retro vertical shmups yet it features a cool twist where you collect ships then expand and contract their formation. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat as you soar through its campaign.

Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Definitive Edition Indie Game of the Month

Okay, I admit that 4 shoot 'em ups in a row is a little ridiculous but Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype is such an excellent game that it deserves our overall indie game of the month award. Considering I was obsessed with it on PlayStation 3, I couldn't wait to dive into this Definitive Edition and it did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact, it has held up perfectly and even rivals the best modern day indies.