The indie game industry has come a long way since the days of Commander Keen and has since grown into essentially its own subgenre in the medium. For every Mario and Sonic, a Shovel Knight and Meatboy is waiting on the other side of the spectrum.
Slowly but surely, the faces of indie games are becoming more and more recognizable. Though they can't possibly eclipse the famous faces of Nintendo and other old dog developers, they can certainly stand out just as much as their mainstream counterparts. In an industry populated by platforming plumbers, gun-toting Doomslayers, and champions of Hyrule, it's nice to know that there is love for unconventional heroes.
Tim (Braid)
If Super Mario and Prince of Persia were put together in a blender, the result would be Braid. Known as one of the most iconic indie games of all time Braid's Tim, the suit-wearing protagonist, reinvented what it meant to be a platform game's "hero."
Without going into spoiler territory, let's just say that just because his face is on the cover art doesn't mean he's necessarily the good guy. But his game is still one all indie fans should try at least once
Quote (Cave Story)
This low-poly Metroidvania might look like a simple run-and-gun Adventure game, but beneath the bits, beeps, and blocks lies a truly deep and even heartbreaking story. He might not be Metroid's Samus Aran, but with his acrobatic jump and penchant for proton guns, Quote could give Mega Man a run for his money.
An amnesiac robot lost in an underground world full of rabbit people, poisonous mushrooms, and a mad scientist sounds like a tall order for such a simple game to fill. Yet Cave Story delivers with flying colors.
Issac (Binding of Issac)
The Binding of Isaac is not for the faint of heart. It's a seriously disturbing and difficult Zelda-like that delves into some unsettling territory, especially with its combination of cute and creepy artwork.
A Child running naked through an alternate hellscape dimension doesn't exactly sound like a good time, but it's become one of the most downloaded indie titles out there. Honestly, that probably makes it even more disturbing.
Creepers (Minecraft)
Minecraft is one of modern gaming's biggest players. What went from a simplistic sandbox/survival title soon became one of the biggest Global phenomenons since Pokemon. While Steve might be the poster boy for the series, it's the green exploding Creepers that get the slot.
Call them annoying, call them infuriating, call them... well... creepy, one thing that cannot be denied is how iconic they are. From their hissing voices to their appetite for destruction, the creepers are certainly unforgettable.
The Cast of Undertale (Undertale)
Honestly, there are too many characters to choose from when it comes to one iconic cast member from Undertale's labyrinth. The loving Toriel could certainly when a place in most gamers' hearts, but then again so could the comedic antics of Sans and Papyrus.
The likes of Toriel, the skeletons, and Temmie are barely scratching the surface of the number of characters, monsters, and other creatures Frisk encounters on their journey. Is it any wonder that it's hard to pick just one?
Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight)
Hollow Knight is one of the greatest action-platformers in recent years. Likewise, its mask-wearing protagonist has slid and slashed his way into the hearts of gamers everywhere. Short, swift, and silent as the grave, the night has all the makings of a classic gaming hero.
Cute insectoid-inspired enemies might not be the type of creatures Simon Belmont would take on, but Hollow Knight seems to take a few cues from heroes of many Metroidvanias, much to the delight of the player.
The Traveler (Journey)
Journey is one of the quintessential indie game experiences that everybody should play, pure and simple. And few better characters embody the curious and explorative appetites of the player than the traveler.
His mysterious nature, piercing white eyes, and inspiring endurance rival many on this list. He needs no sword, no proton pack, or magic mushroom to complete his quest. He ties up his robes and simply journeys fourth, something all adventure fans wish they could do.
Cuphead (Cuphead)
One of the most recent entries into the indie game hall of fame has to be the colorful carnage that is Cuphead. Inspired by the classic animation styles of Walt Disney and Max Fleischer, Cuphead and the rest of his cartoon cavalcade have worked their way into the gaming mainstream.
A passion project for the Moldenhauer brothers, the main mug in this hand-drawn masterpiece is now as common as the Contra gunners used to be. But honestly, it's hard to forget that lovable face.
Meat Boy (Super Meat Boy)
Meat Boy is easily one of the titans of the indie gaming circle. Not many platform characters use getting ripped, shredded, and mutilated into billions of bloody bits as a gameplay gimmick. Certainly not someone like Mario.
Super Meat Boy is a treacherously difficult title, and it doesn't let players forget it. If they want to save their girlfriend from the clutches of Doctor Fetus, they won't do it without losing some limbs.
Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight)
If there was ever a character to be considered completely original yet completely classic, it's Shovel Knight. Taking cues and other bits from retro titles like Mega Man and DuckTales, Shovel Knight traverses across a fantasy realm with steely nerve and shovel in hand.
Shovel Knight not only stands out as a game but in character development as well. The traditional save-the-princess narrative is altered to make Shield Knight Shovel Knight's faithful partner and companion in need of assistance rather than rescue. Talk about breaking barriers.