Shadow Warrior 2
We mentioned in our Shadow Warrior 2 review that Shadow Warrior 2 is one of the best games of 2016, and we weren’t kidding. While Shadow Warrior 2 may not be perfect, there’s no denying just how fun it truly is. Game sequels, just like sequels to anything in life, can be hit or miss. Shadow Warrior 2 wasn’t just a hit... it actually managed to exceed our initial expectations!
Lo Wang delivers with his hilarious one-liners and fierce sword-fighting action. If swords aren't your thing, Shadow Warrior 2 boasts an extensive array of weapons that will keep you entertained no matter how many times you play the game. Dive in, whip out your Wang, and slice-and-dice your way through one of the wildest action indie games of 2016!
Thumper
It’s not often that you come across a game that defies all explanation. On the surface, Thumper is a beat mechanic game vaguely reminiscent of Audiosurf.
However, once you dive in and actually play the game, you’ll realize that Thumper is unlike anything you’ve ever played before. In Thumper, you control a chrome beetle as it races through the hostile voids of space. In Thumper, you control a chrome beetle as it races through the hostile voids of space.
The game is described as a "rhythm hell game" by its creators, and plays out in a similar manner to an endless runner. Make two mistakes and you're whisked back to the beginning to try again. While Thumper is difficult, the speed with which it ramps up the difficulty level is one of the best aspects of this game. You're never too frustrated, and you're never bored. Overall, we feel Thumper is one of the most unique indie game entries of 2016.
Firewatch
Campo Santo's Firewatch is one of the best “walking simulator” games to come out in quite some time. Where Abzu whisks you deep under the sea, Firewatch transports you to a place that feels altogether too familiar. Firewatch contains immense
Firewatch excels in its maturity, and method of approaching topics without ever blatantly throwing them in your face. Because of this, the emotions you experience in Firewatch seem to hit you harder than you initially expected. It’s easy to get lost in Firewatch, and easier still to connect with the game’s protagonist, Henry, on a personal level. Firewatch is one of the most intriguing, metaphorical indie games of 2016.
