Bringing an anime aesthetic to life through exciting side-scrolling action, the new game Lost Epic is an indie gem that packs a big punch. Though it is blazing its own trail, Lost Epic is another in a long line of great indie games that blend genres in clever and creative ways.
From huge hits like Hollow Knight to unsung gems like HunterX, there are plenty of great games to play after finishing Lost Epic. Though many releases share a similar style, only the best left an impression on players and matched the quality of the new game.
Darxanadon (2022)
Taking a page from the amazing 8-Bit games of the 1980s, Darxanadon blends horror and fantasy together with addictive RPG elements. The player takes control of an unnamed hero who must explore a labyrinth of levels in order to defeat demons who have risen up to conquer the land.
Similar to Lost Epic, the game has intuitive RPG elements that are simplistic and yet still fun to play. The variety of different boss battles keep the game fresh, and Darxanadon is a surprisingly challenging platformer that harkens back to the unforgiving days of the NES.
HunterX (2022)
Lost Epic isn't the only over-the-top anime-inspired game of 2022, and HunterX checks many of the same boxes. The user takes control of a young demon hunter who crosses over into another realm and must use her skills to battle a host of new monsters.
The side-scrolling action of the game is intense and quick, and the seemingly endless amount of moves and items allows for a bunch of different play styles. Though it hasn't garnered as much attention as its peers, HunterX is one of the best indie games of the year.
Dragon Marked For Death (2020)
Aesthetically, Dragon Marked For Death and Lost Epic could be twins, and the similarities don't stop there. The user takes control of a member of a tribe of outcasts who band together to get revenge on the evil empire that scattered them in the past.
The action of the game is fast and intuitive, and the RPG elements allow for the user to continue to enjoy the game as it progressively gets more difficult. Each of the game's four main playable characters have different strengths and weaknesses, and it affects the way that the game is played. Though some fans may not enjoy the grinding aspects of the gameplay, the overall presentation makes up for its deficiencies.
Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight (2016)
Noted as one of the most difficult metroidvania-style games of all time, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight continued the popular indie series. Set 400 years before the first game, the user takes control of a priestess who is tasked with defeating a corrupted queen who is responsible for the curse on the land.
Drawing heavy inspiration from the side-scrolling 8-Bit era, the game takes a bit of practice to fully master. Lacking the RPG elements of Lost Epic, the game is more straightforward in its gameplay, even if it is non-linear like the rest of its metroidvania counterparts.
Salt And Sanctuary (2016)
Perfect for casual fans of the Dark Souls games, Salt and Sanctuary took the typically upbeat sidescrolling genre into darker territory. The game casts the player as a knight who must explore the deepest reaches of an island in order to uncover an unspeakable evil and defeat it.
While Lost Epic has a brighter art style, Salt and Sanctuary isn't afraid to present a more dour game, and the combat matches that tone. The game is incredibly difficult, and the variety of enemies keeps things fresh as the player hacks their way through the story. Despite its 2D presentation, the game's RPG elements are incredibly detailed, and the skill tree presents hundreds of potential combinations.
Blasphemous (2019)
Playing like a lost gem from the SNES era, Blasphemous features bright pixel art and an incredibly brutal story. Taking control of a warrior from the land of Cvstodia, the user hacks and slashes their way through hordes of enemies and over-the-top boss battles.
Though tonally the game is diametrically opposed to Lost Epic, the gameplay is very similar and equally fun to pick up and play. Dripping with pixelated blood, the game is gorier than the usual indie games, and it is far and away more challenging than most. Even so, the fascinating and terrifying world of the game has been enough to captivate users and keep them coming back for more.
ICEY (2016)
The gameplay of ICEY is not what makes it unique, instead it is its meta-style commentary and storytelling that helps it stand out. The user takes control of a cyborg named Icey who is determined to defeat the evil robot Judas who destroyed the world for unknown reasons.
The game follows along with a narration, but the user can choose to ignore the narration which will result in the fourth wall being broken. The hack and slash gameplay is familiar to fans of Lost Epic, but ICEY opts for more sci-fi than fantasy. Either way, the game is a fun and intuitive piece of curiosity that has a lot to say about video game development in general.
Ender Lilies: Quietus Of The Knight (2021)
Generally considered one of the best horror-based Metroidvania games, Ender Lilies brings a gothic vibe to the world of platforming. Playing as Lily the last surviving priestess, the user explores a world tormented by oppressive rains that turn its victims into the undead. Lily must find the source of the rain and put a stop to the world's torment.
Unlike the hacking and slashing of Lost Epic, Ender Lilies has a novel combat system that involves reanimated souls doing the fighting for the player. Exploring the world unlocks new skills, but the user must be conservative with their abilities, or else they must rest to recharge. Standing out in a cramped indie game market is difficult, but Ender Lilies did so by presenting an utterly unique gameplay experience.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night (2019)
Developed by some of the minds behind the Castlevania series, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a spiritual successor to the classic series. Years after almost being sacrificed to a demon, Miriam journeys to stop Gebel from destroying the world in a quest to get revenge on the Alchemy Guild.
Its complicated plot aside, the game features all of the fun hack and slash action that fans had come to expect from the Castlevania games. A true metroidvania platformer, Bloodstained also features anime-inspired art design that brings it in line with Lost Epic in that regard. The action is fast and exciting, and the combination of magical abilities with traditional melee attacks allows for variety in the gameplay.
Hollow Knight (2017)
Truly one of indie gaming's biggest smash hits, Hollow Knight offered the best of all of the genres that it blended together. The user takes control of the titular knight as he explores the kingdom of Hallownest which has been overrun by a supernatural disease.
Hollow Knight initially wowed with its unique visual style and story, but the amazingly addictive gameplay is what has kept players coming back for more. Even though the game has no RPG elements like Lost Epic, the combat mechanics and side-scrolling style are very similar, and the games both have a metroidvania structure.