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Are you a passionate video gamer? Have you ever envisioned your “dream game” coming to life?
Creating video games requires significant time and financial investment. Given the business model of the gaming industry, publishers often have a narrow window after a game’s launch to recoup their investments. This pressure leads many publishers to shy away from innovative concepts, opting instead for sequels and established franchises like Call of Duty. Consequently, the most original and exciting ideas frequently emerge from smaller indie studios, which often lack the resources to produce large-scale, polished games typically associated with major publishers like EA.
Fortunately, platforms such as Kickstarter, alongside initiatives like Steam’s Greenlight program, have empowered indie developers to realize their creative visions. Many of these crowdfunded titles have garnered critical acclaim, often surpassing the success of traditional AAA games.
To celebrate these remarkable achievements, we at Zippia have compiled a list of the highest-rated crowdfunded indie games from recent years. This list highlights 18 of the most successful crowdfunded games, ranked according to their Metacritic scores. While not exhaustive, it showcases some of the standout titles in the indie gaming scene.
Here’s a quick look at the Top Ten:
- Kentucky Route Zero: Act III
- Pillars of Eternity
- Owlboy
- Divinity: Original Sin
- Shovel Knight
- Darkest Dungeon
- Hyper Light Drifter
- FTL: Faster Than Light
- Project CARS
- Prison Architect
How We Compiled This List
This compilation of games is not exhaustive, but rather a selection based on various sources. It’s important to clarify that this isn’t strictly a “best of” ranking but serves as a survey of notable crowdfunded games currently available.
We excluded any titles still in development, such as Yooka-Laylee or The Long Dark, although the latter has received significant praise even while in early access. For episodic games like Kentucky Route Zero, we only included the highest-rated episode in our rankings.
After selecting the games, we organized them by Metacritic scores. In cases where scores were tied, we prioritized the games with a higher number of reviews, as that reflects a more robust reception.
Now, let’s dive into the list!
1. Kentucky Route Zero: Act III
Description: An atmospheric point-and-click adventure set in a surreal version of rural Kentucky. Influenced by magic-realism, the game features diverse elements from a government bureau reclaiming spaces to a colorful distillery run by skeletons, all linked by a mystical underground highway known as the Zero. Although still in development, the existing episodes are exceptional enough to warrant its place on this list.
Developer: Cardboard Computer
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 7
Metacritic Rating: 91
2. Pillars of Eternity
Description: A tactical RPG that closely resembles Dungeons & Dragons gameplay. Heavily influenced by classic Bioware titles, it utilizes the d20 system as a base for gameplay, offering players various story and dialogue options based on skill levels. It’s a niche title beloved by RPG enthusiasts.
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Release Date: Mar 26, 2015
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 71
Metacritic Rating: 89
3. Owlboy
Description: A 2D platforming RPG showcasing a charming 16-bit art style. Drawing inspiration from iconic games, it has received accolades for its engaging story and artistic visuals. Players assume the role of Owlboy, embarking on an adventure filled with challenges.
Developer: D-Pad Studio
Release Date: Nov 1, 2016
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 47
Metacritic Rating: 88
4. Divinity: Original Sin
Description: An action RPG that offers dual customizable protagonists. Players can control them individually or as a party in single-player mode, or engage in cooperative gameplay with a friend. The game features rich storytelling and tactical combat mechanics.
Developer: Focus Home Interactive
Release Date: Oct 27, 2015
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 5
Metacritic Rating: 87
5. Shovel Knight
Description: An action RPG platformer that harkens back to retro gaming. Players take on the role of a shovel-wielding knight on a quest to vanquish evil. Its nostalgic design and engaging mechanics have garnered it a loyal fanbase.
Developer: Yacht Club Games
Release Date: Jun 26, 2014
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 46
Metacritic Rating: 85
6. Darkest Dungeon
Description: A roguelike dungeon crawler steeped in Lovecraftian horror, where managing your characters’ sanity is crucial. The game’s stress mechanics and unique art style have made it a standout in the genre.
Developer: Red Hook Studios
Release Date: Jan 19, 2016
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 55
Metacritic Rating: 84
7. Hyper Light Drifter
Description: An action-adventure game featuring a unique visual style and narrative approach, reminiscent of contemporary titles. Players navigate a dangerous world while uncovering its mysteries.
Developer: Heart Machine
Release Date: Mar 31, 2016
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 46
Metacritic Rating: 84
8. FTL: Faster Than Light
Description: A tactical roguelike game centered on space combat, where players manage ship systems in a quest to survive. Its replayability and strategic depth have made it a favorite among fans.
Developer: Subset Games
Release Date: Sep 14, 2012
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 42
Metacritic Rating: 84
9. Project CARS
Description: A hyper-realistic racing simulator offering extensive customization options. While it caters to a niche audience, its attention to detail and realism have earned it a dedicated following.
Developer: Slightly Mad Studios
Release Date: May 6, 2015
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 48
Metacritic Rating: 83
10. Prison Architect
Description: This city-building game challenges players to create and manage prisons. Featuring complex resource management systems, it allows for unique and sometimes bizarre designs.
Developer: Introversion Software
Release Date: March 2013
Total Reviews on Metacritic: 36
Metacritic Rating: 83
Conclusion
That’s a wrap! Below, you’ll find the complete list of crowdfunded titles. For more information about careers in game development or computer animation, be sure to explore our career pages on the main Zippia website.
Detailed List of the Top Crowdfunded Video Games
| Rank | Game Title | Metacritic Ranking (For PC) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky Route Zero: Act III | 91 |
| 2 | Pillars of Eternity | 89 |
| 3 | Owlboy | 88 |
| 4 | Divinity: Original Sin | 87 |
| 5 | Shovel Knight | 85 |
| 6 | Darkest Dungeon | 84 |
| 7 | Hyper Light Drifter | 84 |
| 8 | FTL: Faster Than Light | 84 |
| 9 | Project CARS | 83 |
| 10 | Prison Architect | 83 |
| 11 | Superhot | 82 |
| 12 | The Banner Saga | 82 |
| 13 | Torment: Tides of Numenera | 82 |
| 14 | Tyranny | 81 |
| 15 | Wasteland 2 | 81 |
| 16 | Sunless Sea | 81 |
| 17 | Shadowrun Returns | 76 |
| 18 | Broken Age | 76 |
Author
Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.
