đź“… Release Date
After years of anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally has a confirmed release date:
September 4, 2025.
The game will be available on:
- PC
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation
- Xbox (including Game Pass on day one)
⏳ A Long Journey
- First revealed in 2019, Silksong was originally planned as a DLC for the original Hollow Knight before becoming a full sequel.
- Fans have waited seven years for this announcement, making it one of the most anticipated indie releases in gaming history.
🎮 What’s New in Silksong?
Alongside the release date, Team Cherry showcased fresh gameplay footage that highlights:
- Hornet’s expanded movement abilities – faster, more agile traversal compared to the Knight.
- New combat mechanics – unique tools, silk-based abilities, and a more aggressive playstyle.
- Fresh environments and enemies – new biomes filled with challenging foes and secrets.
(Source: Variety)
đź“ť Quick Summary
👉 Silksong launches September 4, 2025.
Available on all major platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support at launch.
Expect faster gameplay, new abilities, and a fresh adventure starring Hornet.
Best Indie Games on PS5 (2025)
Indie games provide a unique gaming experience that often stands out from the bigger titles. They showcase creativity, storytelling, and innovative gameplay that major studios sometimes miss. The PlayStation 5 has become home to some of the best indie games available today, offering players a wide range of experiences from relaxing farm simulators to challenging roguelikes.
These smaller games often come at lower price points but deliver just as much fun as their AAA counterparts. The PS5’s powerful hardware helps these indie titles shine with faster loading times and enhanced visuals. Many indie games also take advantage of the DualSense controller’s features, adding another layer to their already rich gameplay.
1. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a stunning 2D action-adventure game that has captivated PS5 players with its haunting art style and challenging gameplay. Released in 2018 but still beloved by gamers in 2025, this indie masterpiece offers an experience that rivals many AAA titles.
The game follows a small knight exploring the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, filled with unique areas and strange bug-like creatures. Its tight controls and responsive combat make every battle feel fair yet challenging.
What sets Hollow Knight apart is its atmosphere. The hand-drawn art style creates a moody world that pulls players in. The subtle soundtrack complements each area perfectly, from quiet, eerie caves to grand, dramatic boss fights.
The game gives players freedom to explore at their own pace. You’ll unlock new abilities that open paths to previously inaccessible areas, making backtracking feel rewarding rather than tedious.
Boss fights are a highlight, testing both your reflexes and patience. Each boss has unique patterns to learn, making victories feel truly earned. The game doesn’t hold your hand – you’ll need to observe and adapt to succeed.
Hollow Knight offers amazing value with tons of content. The main story takes about 25-30 hours, but completionists can spend twice that hunting for all secrets and completing optional challenges.
For PS5 players who enjoyed games like Dead Cells or Blasphemous 2, Hollow Knight delivers a similar mix of difficulty and satisfaction. Its metroidvania-style exploration keeps gameplay fresh throughout.
The game consistently ranks among the best indie titles on PS5, praised for its depth and polish. Players who enjoy uncovering a story through environmental clues will particularly appreciate Hollow Knight’s subtle storytelling.
According to recent recommendations, Hollow Knight remains one of the best PS5 indie games to play in March 2025, showing its lasting appeal. Fans of the game often cite its challenging but fair difficulty as a key strength.
For players seeking similar experiences, games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps or ENDER LILIES offer comparable art styles and gameplay mechanics, though many fans insist Hollow Knight stands alone in its perfect balance of challenge and beauty.
2. Cuphead
Cuphead stands out on PS5 with its unique 1930s cartoon art style. The game originally launched on other platforms but has found a welcome home on PlayStation 5.
The hand-drawn animations make every frame look like it came straight from a classic Fleischer or Disney cartoon. Each boss and character moves with a bouncy, rubber-hose animation style that’s truly impressive.
Don’t let the cute visuals fool you. Cuphead is known for its extreme challenge, focusing primarily on tough boss battles that will test your skills and patience.
Players control Cuphead (or his buddy Mugman in co-op) as they fight through increasingly difficult bosses to pay back their debt to the Devil. The story is simple but fits perfectly with the game’s aesthetic.
The run-and-gun gameplay combines platforming elements with shoot-em-up mechanics. You’ll dodge attacks while trying to land your own shots, making for intense battles that require quick reflexes.
Music deserves special mention too. The original jazz soundtrack captures the era perfectly, with bouncy tunes that match the visual style. You might find yourself humming these songs long after you’ve turned the game off.
Cuphead ranks among the best indie games available on PS5, earning high praise from critics and players alike. Its position on lists of top PS5 indies shows its lasting appeal.
The game offers local co-op play, letting you team up with a friend to take on its challenges together. Sometimes having a partner makes things easier, but coordination becomes its own challenge.
DLC called “The Delicious Last Course” adds even more content with new bosses, weapons, and a playable character named Ms. Chalice. This expansion makes an already great game even better.
What makes Cuphead special is how it balances frustration with fun. You’ll die often, but the “just one more try” feeling keeps pulling you back. When you finally beat a tough boss, the satisfaction is incredible.
If you enjoy challenging games with artistic merit, Cuphead is a must-play on PS5. Just prepare yourself for some tough fights along the way.
3. Celeste
Celeste is a standout indie title on PS5 that many players consider a masterpiece. This challenging 2D platformer offers some of the toughest gameplay since Super Meat Boy, with cleverly designed levels that test both your reflexes and problem-solving skills.
The game follows the story of Madeline, a young woman climbing Celeste Mountain while battling her inner demons. What makes Celeste special isn’t just its tight controls and pixel-perfect jumping challenges.
Critics have praised Celeste with near-perfect scores. On Metacritic, reviewers note that it’s a “challenging, charming and near-to-perfection game” that skillfully blends compelling gameplay with an emotional narrative.
Celeste ranks high on lists of the best PlayStation indie games. OpenCritic places it at number 4 on their all-time PS5 indie games list, showing its lasting impact in the indie gaming space.
The controls feel responsive and intuitive, giving players the tools they need to overcome increasingly difficult obstacles. Each screen presents a new puzzle to solve with your limited moveset of jumping, dashing, and climbing.
Beyond the main story, Celeste offers B-Side and C-Side levels for those seeking an even greater challenge. These optional stages push your platforming skills to their limits with fiendishly difficult arrangements.
The game’s soundtrack complements the experience perfectly. The music shifts and changes with the gameplay, adding emotional weight to Madeline’s journey up the mountain.
If you’re looking for a game that offers both challenge and heart, Celeste delivers both in spades. Its combination of tight gameplay mechanics and touching storytelling makes it a must-play for PS5 owners interested in indie games.
4. Undertale
Undertale is a unique RPG that has earned its place among the best indie games on PS5. This game breaks traditional RPG rules by giving players the choice to fight monsters or find peaceful solutions.
The game features simple 2D graphics that might seem basic at first glance. But don’t let that fool you. The charm of Undertale lies in its storytelling and characters, not fancy visuals.
What makes Undertale special is its “determination” system. Your choices matter and affect the story in meaningful ways. You can play as a pacifist, a fighter, or something in between.
The music in Undertale deserves special mention. Each track perfectly matches the mood of different areas and battles. Many fans consider the soundtrack one of the best in gaming.
Combat in Undertale works differently than most RPGs. When monsters attack, you control a small heart in a mini bullet-hell game. This keeps battles fresh and engaging throughout the adventure.
The game’s humor hits the mark with witty dialogue and funny characters. From skeleton brothers to warrior fish, each character has a distinct personality that adds to the experience.
Undertale’s story explores themes of friendship, determination, and consequences. The game remembers your actions, even if you restart. This creates a deeper connection between player and game.
While not made specifically for PS5, Undertale runs perfectly on the console. The PS5 version includes all content from the original PC release that many consider one of the most original games in recent years.
For new players, going in blind offers the best experience. Discovering the secrets and surprises is part of what makes Undertale special. The game takes about 6-10 hours to complete one path, but multiple playthroughs reveal new content.
Undertale proves that games don’t need cutting-edge graphics or huge budgets to create meaningful experiences. Its unique approach to player choice and combat makes it a standout title on PS5.
5. The Stanley Parable
The Stanley Parable is a unique game that blends storytelling and player choice in fascinating ways. Players follow (or rebel against) a narrator who describes the actions of Stanley, an office worker who discovers all his coworkers have vanished. The game’s brilliance lies in how it responds to player decisions.
Originally released as a mod, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe brought this mind-bending experience to PS5 players with enhanced graphics and new content. It consistently ranks among the best indie games on PlayStation, sitting comfortably at #25 on TrueTrophies’ list.
What makes this game special is how it plays with expectations. Each playthrough can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on your choices. The narrator’s commentary shifts based on whether you follow instructions or break from the intended path.
PS Plus members got a treat when The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe was added to the service in January. Many consider it one of the best indie games ever made, making it a must-play for subscription holders.
The game shines in its writing and voice acting. The narrator reacts to your decisions with humor, frustration, or confusion. This creates a strange relationship between player, character, and narrator that few other games achieve.
PS5 enhancements improve the visual presentation while maintaining the game’s distinctive art style. Load times are practically non-existent, letting you jump between endings quickly.
Multiple endings give The Stanley Parable tremendous replay value. Each path through the office complex reveals new jokes, commentary, and surprises. The game adapts to your choices, often in unexpected ways.
For players who enjoy breaking gaming conventions, The Stanley Parable offers plenty of opportunities. Try walking backward at the start or ignoring clear instructions – the game will notice and respond accordingly.
6. Road 96
Road 96 is a unique adventure game where players embark on different journeys to escape a country ruled by a totalitarian regime. Each playthrough offers something new as the game uses procedural generation to create varied road trips where no two will ever be alike.
The game features a mix of eccentric characters you’ll meet along your journey. These encounters range from heartwarming to tense, creating memorable moments that stick with players long after they finish the game.
Music plays a huge role in Road 96’s atmosphere. The soundtrack perfectly captures the 90s setting and enhances the feeling of youth and rebellion throughout the game. This audio backdrop helps encapsulate the desire to bring about societal change.
The storytelling in Road 96 stands out with its political themes and character-driven narratives. Players face tough choices that impact their journey and the game’s world, adding replay value as you can take different paths.
Gameplay varies between dialogue choices, mini-games, and tense situations where you must decide how to react. These elements keep the experience fresh across multiple playthroughs.
Critics have praised Road 96 as a riveting and repeatedly tense tale that offers thoroughly rewarding journeys. The PS5 version runs smoothly and takes advantage of the console’s capabilities.
For those who enjoy the main game, there’s also an expansion called Road 96: Mile 0. This prequel focuses on characters Zoe and Kaito, offering rhythm sections that reviewers have called “euphoric” alongside deeper world-building.
Road 96 joins other acclaimed indie titles like The Stanley Parable and Bramble on PS5. It stands out for its procedural storytelling and political themes that resonate with many players.
If you enjoy games with strong narratives, meaningful choices, and a dash of 90s nostalgia, Road 96 deserves a spot in your PS5 library. Its blend of tension, humor, and heart creates a memorable gaming experience.
7. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a unique blend of management sim and adventure game that stands out in the PS5 indie lineup. Players take on the role of Stella, a ferrymaster who guides spirits to the afterlife. The game has no combat or danger, making it perfect for those seeking a calming experience.
The art style is simply gorgeous, featuring hand-drawn 2D animations that bring the characters and world to life. The vibrant colors and fluid movements create a warm, inviting atmosphere that pulls you in from the start.
At its core, Spiritfarer is a game about death, but it approaches this heavy topic with care and gentleness. You’ll build relationships with spirit passengers, learn their stories, and help them resolve unfinished business before saying goodbye.
Gameplay involves building and upgrading your boat, cooking meals for your passengers, and exploring the world. Each spirit has unique requests and needs, adding variety to your journey.
The PS5 version is actually the Farewell Edition, which includes all updates and additional content released since the original launch. This means more spirits to meet and more stories to experience.
What makes Spiritfarer special is how it balances fun gameplay mechanics with emotional storytelling. You’ll find yourself attached to these characters, making their eventual departures meaningful and sometimes tearful moments.
The game allows for cozy management of resources while still keeping things relaxed. You can harvest materials, craft items, fish, and farm at your own pace without stress or timers pushing you forward.
Music deserves special mention, as the soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s mood. Soft melodies accompany your journey, enhancing emotional moments without overwhelming them.
Many players consider Spiritfarer one of the best gaming experiences they’ve had, citing its emotional impact and thoughtful design. The game teaches valuable lessons about acceptance and letting go through its characters.
If you’re looking for something different from typical action-focused games, Spiritfarer offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a heartfelt adventure that stays with you long after you finish playing.
8. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut stands out as one of the most unique RPGs available on PS5. Unlike traditional RPGs, it features no combat at all. Instead, it focuses entirely on dialogue and exploration, creating a deeply immersive storytelling experience.
The game’s skill system is frequently praised as one of the best in the RPG genre. Your character’s skills actually talk to you, offering different perspectives and approaches to situations based on your build choices.
This narrative masterpiece earned significant recognition at The Game Awards 2019, winning awards for Best Narrative and Best Role-Playing Game. It also took home honors for Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game, cementing its place in gaming history.
The Final Cut version adds full voice acting to every character, making the already rich world even more engaging. Each voice brings distinct personality to the game’s colorful cast of characters.
Originally released as a PC exclusive in October 2019, this top-down RPG draws inspiration from classics like Planescape: Torment while creating something entirely new. Its unique art style resembles an oil painting come to life.
Players take on the role of a detective with amnesia who must solve a murder while also piecing together his own identity. The choices you make can lead to wildly different outcomes and experiences.
The PS5 version takes advantage of the console’s capabilities with improved loading times and controller features. Though some players reported bugs at launch, many issues have been addressed through updates.
What makes Disco Elysium special is how it lets you role-play complex moral and political viewpoints. The game doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, instead encouraging players to engage with them thoughtfully.
For PS5 owners looking for something different from the usual action-focused games, Disco Elysium offers a narrative-focused experience unlike anything else on the platform. Its mix of detective work, character development, and social commentary creates a truly memorable gaming experience.
9. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley stands as one of the most beloved indie games available on PS5. This charming farming simulator lets players escape the hustle of city life to rebuild their grandfather’s old farm.
The game offers incredible freedom. Players can grow crops, raise animals, mine for resources, fish, and build relationships with the quirky townspeople of Pelican Town. Each villager has their own personality and backstory to discover.
The pixel art style gives the game a warm, nostalgic feel while the changing seasons add variety to gameplay. Each season brings different crops to plant and events to enjoy.
What makes Stardew Valley special is its relaxing pace. There’s no pressure to rush through anything. You can take your time and play exactly how you want. Some players focus on maximizing farm profits while others enjoy exploring the mines or focusing on relationships.
The game received several updates since its original release, adding multiplayer options so friends can farm together. The PS5 version runs smoothly and looks great on bigger screens.
Combat exists in the mines where players battle slimes and other creatures, but it’s simple and accessible. The deeper you go, the better resources you find.
The community center restoration project gives players long-term goals to work toward. Completing bundles with items you’ve grown or found around town brings the abandoned building back to life.
Fishing offers a challenging but rewarding mini-game that takes practice to master. Each water area contains different fish species, with some being quite rare.
The game’s soundtrack deserves special mention too. The music changes with each season and location, perfectly capturing the mood of country life.
Stardew Valley proves that casual PS5 games can offer incredible depth. Players often find themselves sinking hundreds of hours into their farms without ever running out of things to do.
10. Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb combines adorable visuals with surprisingly dark gameplay. This unique indie title puts you in charge of your own woodland cult after being saved by a mysterious entity.
The game blends roguelike dungeon crawling with community management. You’ll venture into random areas to battle enemies and rival cult leaders while gathering resources for your growing flock.
Back at your base, you’ll build structures, perform rituals, and keep your followers happy. Happy followers mean more power for you, but neglect them and they might start questioning your leadership.
The art style is what first grabs attention. Cute animal characters exist in a world with sinister undertones, creating an interesting contrast that works surprisingly well.
Combat feels responsive and rewarding. Each run through the dungeons offers different weapons and abilities, keeping the gameplay fresh even after many hours.
Many players consider it one of the standout indie games on PS5. The game balances its dark themes with humor and charm that makes running your cult oddly satisfying.
Resource management adds another layer of strategy. You’ll need to cook food, gather materials, and make tough decisions about how to use limited supplies.
The game offers plenty of customization options. From designing your cult’s doctrine to choosing which buildings to construct, you can create a cult that matches your preferred playstyle.
Why Indie Games Matter
Indie games provide fresh perspectives and gameplay innovations that many AAA titles can’t match. They’re typically created by smaller teams with more creative freedom, allowing for experimental concepts and unique storytelling approaches.
Indie developers can take risks that big studios avoid due to financial pressures. For example, games like Forever Skies bring post-apocalyptic survival to life in ways larger studios might not attempt.
Players benefit from indie games through:
- Lower price points – most cost less than $30
- Unique art styles not dictated by marketing teams
- More focused experiences that don’t need to please everyone
- Personal stories from diverse creators
The PS5 has become a welcoming home for indie developers, with Sony actively supporting smaller studios and showcasing their work.
Unique Features of Indie Games on PS5
The PS5’s powerful hardware gives indie developers new tools to enhance their games. Many indies take advantage of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to create more immersive experiences.
PS5 indie games often load almost instantly thanks to the console’s SSD, removing frustrating wait times that existed on previous platforms. Games like The Knightling, coming August 2025, demonstrate how indies can leverage the PS5’s technical capabilities.
Some standout features include:
- Enhanced visuals with ray tracing previously unavailable to small studios
- 3D audio creating immersive soundscapes
- Smoother gameplay with stable framerates
- PS5-exclusive indie titles not available on other consoles
The PS5 indie game library now features dozens of titles across various genres, from peaceful puzzle games to intense action adventures. Many of these are considered “hidden gems” worth discovering.
How Indie Developers Enhance the PS5 Experience
Independent game creators bring fresh ideas and unique perspectives to PlayStation 5, pushing boundaries in ways larger studios sometimes cannot. Their contributions help diversify the console’s library beyond mainstream offerings.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
Indie developers often take bold risks with gameplay that big studios might avoid. Many indie teams on PS5 experiment with mechanics that challenge traditional gaming formulas. For example, some games use the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback in creative ways that larger developers haven’t explored.
The PS5 has become a hit among indie developers thanks to its hardware power and development accessibility. This has led to games featuring:
- Time manipulation mechanics
- Physics-based puzzles using the DualSense features
- Procedural generation with PS5’s quick loading capabilities
- Experimental control schemes
- Cross-genre hybrid experiences
Sony has encouraged these innovations by offering development hardware loan programs that give smaller teams access to PS5 dev kits.
Art Styles and Storytelling Approaches
Indie games on PS5 often feature distinctive visual styles that stand apart from AAA titles. Hand-drawn animations, minimalist designs, and stylized graphics create memorable experiences that feel personal and crafted with care.
Many indie developers tell stories mainstream games rarely touch. They explore:
- Mental health challenges
- Cultural perspectives from underrepresented communities
- Experimental narrative structures
- Personal journeys based on real-life experiences
- Social issues through interactive storytelling
These games frequently pack emotional depth into shorter experiences. A two-hour indie game might deliver more heartfelt moments than some 40-hour blockbusters.
The PS5’s 2024 lineup includes numerous indie titles that showcase this variety of artistic approaches and storytelling methods. Players looking for something different will find indie games offering experiences that feel fresh and personal.
Frequently Asked Questions
PS5 indie games combine creativity, innovation, and quality gameplay experiences at affordable prices. Players have found numerous titles that deliver unique experiences only possible through independent development.
What indie titles have gamers been enjoying most on PS5 lately?
PS5 players have been raving about several standout indie titles. Hollow Knight continues to captivate gamers with its challenging combat and beautiful, hand-drawn world.
The Stanley Parable remains popular for its clever narrative structure and multiple endings. Cuphead’s stunning 1930s animation style and tough-but-fair gameplay keeps players coming back for more.
Celeste offers tight platforming with a touching story about mental health. Undertale continues to win hearts with its unique combat system and memorable characters.
Which multiplayer indie experiences on PS5 are considered must-plays?
Indie developers have created some amazing multiplayer experiences for PS5. Sonic Mania stands out with its split-screen racing and competition modes that bring friends together.
Bloodstained offers cooperative gameplay that lets players team up against challenging bosses. Road 96 provides a unique multiplayer storytelling experience where choices matter.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime demands communication and coordination as players pilot a spaceship together. Overcooked! All You Can Eat brings chaotic kitchen management to life with improved PS5 graphics and loading times.
Can you recommend some hidden gem indie adventures available on PS5?
Several lesser-known indie adventures offer amazing experiences on PS5. Bramble presents a mysterious world with clever puzzles and beautiful visuals.
The Pedestrian turns street signs into an innovative puzzle platformer. Grimm Fandango‘s remastered noir adventure set in the Land of the Dead offers a unique story.
Lonely Mountains Downhill provides a serene yet thrilling mountain biking experience. The Messenger starts as a simple action platformer before expanding into something much more complex and rewarding.
Are there any exceptional free indie games to download on the PS5?
PS5 owners can enjoy several quality free indie games. Dauntless offers a Monster Hunter-like experience without any cost to start playing.
Genshin Impact impresses with its vast open world and constant updates. Apex Legends continues to evolve its battle royale format with a focus on team dynamics.
Rocket League’s vehicular soccer remains completely free to play with only cosmetic purchases available. Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout occasionally appears in PlayStation Plus lineups, offering chaotic multiplayer fun.
What have been the standout indie games released for PS5 this past year?
The past year brought several exceptional indie releases to PS5. Sea of Stars captured hearts with its beautiful pixel art and turn-based combat inspired by classic JRPGs.
Dave the Diver combined restaurant management with underwater exploration in a surprisingly cohesive package. Cocoon, from the creators of Limbo, delivered mind-bending puzzle mechanics that use nested worlds.
Dredge blended fishing simulation with cosmic horror for a uniquely unsettling experience. The Last Campfire offered emotional storytelling wrapped in accessible puzzle design.
How does the PS5 platform support indie game developers and their games?
Sony has improved indie support on PS5 compared to previous generations. The PlayStation Store now features dedicated indie sections that highlight smaller titles among AAA releases.
PlayStation’s indie initiative provides development kits and marketing opportunities to selected independent creators. PS Plus regularly features indie games, exposing them to millions of subscribers who might not otherwise try them.
Sony’s less restrictive certification process has made publishing easier for small teams. The PS5’s powerful hardware enables indies to create visually impressive games without the massive teams required for AAA development.
