The Indie Informer

It may be the beginning of the year, but it seems no one told the indies. In just this first few months, there’s an avalanche of can’t-miss titles, which you can find on the site’s newly-minted 2025 Release Schedule. So, early days or not, there are plenty of titles with announced release windows to fill our most anticipated list for the year.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – January 31

Citizen Sleeper’s sequel starts off this new year with a bang. Coming at the tail end of January, the sci-fi, table top-inspired follow-up would have been one of the year’s most anticipated indies under any circumstances. But recent news that Starward Vector will be the IP’s last chapter — at least in video game form — has put an even keener edge on our excitement.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – February 18

Don’t Nod is at it again with a new story and cast of characters. Purportedly an average gang of misfits recording a summer of memories, the tale promises to take a dark turn. A dreadful happening propels the group to tear apart, with each vowing to take to the secret grave. Until now.

Morsels – 2025

Update: The day has not yet set on the creation of this fragile article pinned together with dreams and hope and already my indie bubble has been burst. Morsels’ February designation has been wiped away. We don’t have a precise release date for Morsels but there’s no reason to panic yet. The game is still set to hit this year. So, they can’t make me take it off my list.

Wanderstop – March 11

I hope to have a lot more on this game soon, however, for now, I’ll simply say it seems to be living up to the hype. Like many titles on this list, Wanderstop boasts a promising legacy. Its creative director, Davey Wreden, developed indie darling The Stanley Parable, and brings some unexpectedly heavy (and relatable) energy to the cozy game space.

Bionic Bay – March 13

March is looking like a powerhouse for indie releases this year, with Bionic Bay joining the heavy-hitting ranks. Though the game has made several appearances throughout last year’s showcases, I can’t get enough of its striking visuals and time-manipulating premise.

Afterlove EP – Q1

Afterlove EP is one of those games I don’t need to see any more of — I already know I’m in. That I did play the opening of the heartfelt and heart wrenching title at Summer Game Fest last year was just a cherry on top. This project has been on the horizon for some time, which makes me apprehensive of its 2025 release. Even if it pushes out to next year, I’ll be here for it.

Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall – Q1

Let’s go. A community favorite of The Indie Informer, Snowfall takes up the thread of the first Yes, Your Grace, with all the stressful choices and high-stakes drama that goes along with running a kingdom. This time around, we are getting a graphical update and streamlined gameplay.

Demonschool – Q1

Demonschool is, perhaps, one of the most looked-forward-to titles on this list. Its fans expected to get their hands on the supernatural schooltime adventure last year and its delay has only intensified players’ resolve to dive into it on day one. If you’d like to get a glimpse of the story early, check out my brief preview from GDC.

Earthblade – 2025?

Sometimes, you have to believe. Earthblade makes its second appearance in a row on The Indie Informer’s most anticipated of the year list. The 2024 release goal may have been wishful thinking but the follow-up from the creators of Celeste will be worth the wait. We’re crossing our fingers for more launch news within the year.

Blue Prince – 2025

Ever since this board game-like indie’s reveal, Blue Prince has been on my personal must-play list. And this year I just might finally get free range with the mysterious mansion-builder. Secrets build on top of secrets with puzzling foundations in this upcoming title. Will you be able to unravel them all and win a fortune?

Cairn – 2025

The scenic climbing trend started with 2023’s Jusant but it’s not losing steam two years later. This tactile expedition caught eyes during summer’s Day of the Devs and challenges players to either ascend the summit or plummet to deadly failure.

Tiny Bookshop – 2025

I didn’t think Tiny Bookshop would end up as one of my most anticipated games of the year until I experienced it on stream. The comforting visuals and cheery vibes hide deeply engrossing gameplay. My job stocking and recommending books to serendipitous passerbys soon turned to planning a book empire.

UNBEATABLE – 2025

This one is a bit of a mystery but from the little I have seen of Unbeatable, I’m willing to go on faith. If its eye-catching look isn’t enough for you, just listen to the game’s pitch: “Unbeatable is a rhythm adventure where music is illegal and you do crimes.” I’m sold.

Knights in Tight Spaces – 2025

Fights in Tight Spaces, this title’s predecessor, didn’t do it for me. But it seems like all a game needs to do to get me on board is pour a little medieval glaze over top and mix in some D&D flavor. With the card-dealing strategy as tight as ever I literally can’t resist.

Mixtape – 2025

Beethoven and Dinosaur’s debut title, The Artful Escape, ensured the developer a spot among indie’s most intriguing creators. So, the surprise reveal of its next title, unsurprisingly, made waves. The 3D art changes up the studio’s portfolio look however, its music-centric creativity seems to be unchanged.

Promise Mascot Agency – 2025

What’s life without a little unhinged energy? Every bizzare detail of this game speaks to me on a worrying level. The game’s central mascot is a finger? Perfect. Every sentence of the Steam description ends in an exclamation mark? Bravo. I have no idea what the gameplay actually contains? Count me in.

Slay the Spire 2 – 2025

This time, that spire is going down.

LOVE ETERNAL – 2025

Publisher Ysbryd Games has three games on this list. Three. Yet I’m willing to bet many indie fans out there don’t consider it a household name. Hopefully, after this potential-laden year, that’s about to change. Love Eternal’s precision platforming and ominous story will undoubtedly ensnare admirers.

Winter Burrow – 2025

Microsoft’s stage was the unexpected host for the introduction of this mouse game and, from everything I’ve seen of it so far, it’s more than earned the spotlight. Don’t let the softly drawn world fool you. The survival saga is brimming with darkness and the constant threat of death.

Everdeep Aurora – 2025

I need to get my hands on this in 2025. Of course, devs should take as long as they need to get their creative vision just right. However, I’ve loved every second I’ve been able to have going hands-on with this dirt-delving title. How could anyone deny the cute kitten with a drill?

Coffee Talk Tokyo – 2025

Get ready to sip tea and meet yokai because Coffee Talk fans are heading to Tokyo. According to the team, the title, “brings the warmth, heart, and delicious drinks from the previous games to an all-new café.”

Wheel World – 2025

Despite the fact that I can’t say the new title five times fast — or once, really — I’m still jazzed to enter a world of deep bike lore and afterlife-adjacent cycling. This is another title I hope to share more thoughts on soon, and my recent time with it only increased my eagerness.

Big Walk – 2025

Honestly, this upcoming game from the creators of Untitled Goose Game almost slipped my mind. The team has been pretty quiet during its development, so its looming launch almost took me by surprise. I’m still fuzzy on what a “cooperative online walker-talker” is, though I’m ready to find out.

Tears of Metal – 2025

“The spectacular visuals and equally fierce-looking combat shot it straight to the top of my PAX must-play list,” I concluded before my first demo with this historical fiction title. The bombastic gameplay piqued my interest but I relish getting more details on the ominous meteor that seems to have set the story in motion.

Time Flies – 2025

As the title suggests, the years spent anticipating this game’s release have gone by swiftly. Nearly two years ago, I soared through the demo at PAX West and walked away wanting more. Now, in 2025, I can finally accomplish all the big dreams of a little fly.