It’s great to relax with a good video game, especially if you’re bored of TV. There are tons of amazing genres out there, but something different lies in the indie category. Usually made by small developer teams, by supporting these games you’re supporting the developers directly, instead of corporate executives. These recommendations are spoiler-free, so go play them yourself!

“The Artful Escape” (2021)
Narrative games can tell some of the best stories, and this is one of the most captivating ones I’ve ever played. Released in 2021, “The Artful Escape” is a 2D platformer (which is a game where you jump from obstacle to obstacle,) that tells a sci-fi tale of self-discovery. Francis Vendetti, a musician who feels destined to follow in the footsteps of his famous folk-artist uncle, embarks on a symbolic journey through time and space to discover who he really is. The hand-painted style of this game blows me away with gorgeous character and environment design. The gameplay, which involves exploring linear worlds and call-and-respond rhythm games, is a little dry and repetitive, but it’s made up for by the powerful message.

“Everhood” (2021)
“Everhood,” a game by Foreign Gnomes, is one of my favorite games of all time. Similar to more popular RPGs (Role-playing-games like “Undertale” and “Earthbound,” the use of both 2D and 3D elements makes for a really interesting medium. Everhood’s shining star is its battle system, which can be best described as a mix between “Guitar Hero” and bullet-hell style games like Tohou. The player dodges incoming obstacles that keep in rhythm with the game’s captivating soundtrack. The story of the game is just as strong as the actual gameplay, exploring the topic of immortality. The characters are fun and lovable, and there are different endings based on the choices you make throughout your journey. Everhood made me laugh, cry and almost smash my keyboard after my 17th time losing a battle.

“Stray” (2021)
Stray is one of those games I can’t not mention. Though this game has gotten mainstream attention, it was still produced by an indie team of developers, and I’d argue every bit of attention they’ve gotten they deserve. This game is absolutely adorable. You play as a cat in a cyberpunk city occupied by robots. The gameplay itself involves a lot of free exploration and platforming as you traverse around the city and the story is a whole box of tissues cry-worthy.

“Untitled goose game” (2019)
“It’s a lovely morning in the village, and you’re one horrible goose,” Lighthearted and fun, this game is a must-play for anyone looking to chill out and cause some mayhem. You play as a really annoying goose, and solve different puzzles by harassing the public, and avoiding capture by humans. There isn’t much when it comes to a captivating story, but not every game has to have one. Sometimes you just want to relax while also inconveniencing others, and you can do that in this cute goose game.

By supporting indie developers, you’re not just throwing money into a corporate pit. With the last stretch of winter upon us, and possible snow days ahead, stay warm and adventure into these games.