In 2024, the indie gaming scene has delivered a stellar lineup of hidden gems that capture the spirit of Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Okami. For players who crave atmospheric platforming, intricate metroidvania exploration, and memorable art direction, these titles stand out as must-plays. Whether you’re a fan of tight controls, emotional storytelling, or unique combat systems, this curated list is your roadmap to the best underrated adventures available now on PC, Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus – Folklore Meets Metroidvania Magic
If you’re seeking an experience that blends the mythic beauty of Okami with the exploratory depth of Hollow Knight, look no further than Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus. Released in July 2024 by Squid Shock Studios, this action-adventure platformer immerses you in a world inspired by Japanese folklore. You play as Bō, a mystical fox spirit navigating lush landscapes filled with spirits and ancient puzzles. The game’s hand-painted visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, each area feels like a living painting.
Bō stands out for its fluid movement mechanics and Metroidvania progression. As you unlock new abilities, like ethereal dashes or spirit-form transformations, the world organically opens up. The narrative is woven through environmental cues and NPC encounters rather than heavy exposition, echoing what made Hollow Knight’s storytelling so beloved. It’s an essential pick for anyone who values artistry as much as gameplay depth.
Wordless – Turn-Based Combat in a Platformer Package
Wordless is proof that innovation still thrives in indie platformers. This hidden gem fuses fast-paced action-platforming with turn-based combat, a combination rarely seen but executed flawlessly here. You’ll leap through dreamlike worlds filled with abstract architecture and mysterious foes. When combat initiates, gameplay shifts to strategic turn-based battles where timing and resource management are key.
This unique approach creates constant tension between exploration and confrontation. Fans on r/HollowKnight have praised Wordless for its “crazy action-turn based combat” that keeps every encounter fresh (Source: Reddit · r/HollowKnight). If you want something that feels familiar yet fundamentally different from mainstream metroidvanias, Wordless deserves your attention.
7 Hidden Gem Indie Games Like Hollow Knight (2024)
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Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus – Immerse yourself in a stunning, hand-drawn world inspired by Japanese folklore. As Bō, a mystical fox spirit, you’ll explore vibrant landscapes, solve puzzles, and master Metroidvania-style platforming. Released in July 2024, it’s praised for its enchanting art and rich narrative.
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Wordless – This atmospheric platformer features striking visuals and a unique action-turn-based combat system. With minimal dialogue, Wordless tells its story through evocative environments and fluid movement, making it a standout for fans of emotional, challenging adventures.
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Blue Fire – Dive into a mysterious, ruined kingdom filled with perilous platforming and fast-paced combat. Blue Fire blends precise 3D platforming with deep exploration, offering a dark, atmospheric experience reminiscent of Hollow Knight’s haunting world.
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9 Years of Shadows – Step into a beautifully animated, side-scrolling Metroidvania where music and color restore a world consumed by darkness. With lush pixel art and a heartfelt story, 9 Years of Shadows delivers both challenging gameplay and emotional depth.
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The Legend of Tianding – Set in early 20th-century Taiwan, this action-platformer brings folklore and history to life. Play as Liao Tianding, a legendary vigilante, and use martial arts and acrobatics to outsmart enemies in a comic book-inspired adventure.
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Afterimage – Explore the breathtaking world of Engardin in this hand-drawn Metroidvania. Afterimage features intricate environments, challenging enemies, and a deep lore to uncover, making it a perfect pick for fans of exploration and discovery.
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Grime – Unleash your power in a surreal, atmospheric action-RPG where you absorb enemies to grow stronger. Grime stands out with its unique art style, intense combat, and interconnected world, offering a fresh take on the Metroidvania genre.
Blue Fire – A Fast-Paced Platforming Odyssey
Blue Fire, often described as a spiritual cousin to both Hollow Knight and The Legend of Zelda, offers a kinetic blend of precise platforming and dungeon exploration. Its dark-fantasy world is filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered by those brave enough to master its challenging movement system. Wall-running, air-dashing, and acrobatic leaps are core to progression, making each area feel like an intricate obstacle course designed for speedrunners at heart.
The game’s haunting soundtrack and stylized visuals create an atmosphere that’s equal parts mysterious and inviting. With cleverly designed bosses and rewarding upgrades hidden off the beaten path, Blue Fire constantly rewards curiosity, a hallmark trait shared by all great metroidvanias.
The Indie Metroidvania Resurgence Continues. . .
The first half of our list already highlights how diverse, and daring, indie developers have become in 2024. But there’s more to come! In the next section we’ll dive into four additional under-the-radar masterpieces: 9 Years of Shadows, The Legend of Tianding, Afterimage, and Grime. Each brings its own twist to classic formulas while capturing what makes indie games so vital for discovery-driven gamers.
9 Years of Shadows, Healing Through Color and Sound
9 Years of Shadows is a visually stunning metroidvania that stands apart thanks to its bold color palette and emotionally resonant soundtrack. Developed by Halberd Studios, this game puts you in the armor of Europa, a warrior on a quest to restore color and hope to a world shrouded in darkness. The interplay between music and gameplay is remarkable: each area pulses with dynamic soundscapes that evolve as you progress, echoing the emotional highs and lows of Europa’s journey.
What makes 9 Years of Shadows truly special is how it weaves healing into both its narrative and mechanics. Players use elemental powers tied to color, solving puzzles and battling corrupted creatures in environments that transform as you bring vibrancy back to the world. If you loved the atmospheric storytelling of Hollow Knight, this hidden gem will strike a chord, both visually and emotionally.
The Legend of Tianding, Side-Scrolling Kung Fu Adventure
If you crave historical flair and high-octane action, The Legend of Tianding delivers in spades. Set in early 20th-century Taiwan, this side-scrolling beat ’em up follows Liao Tianding, a Robin Hood-esque folk hero, through bustling city streets, secret tunnels, and epic boss battles. The comic book art style pops with energy, while the fluid martial arts combat feels incredibly satisfying.
Beyond its engaging gameplay loop, The Legend of Tianding offers a rare glimpse into Taiwanese culture and folklore. Each chapter introduces new enemies, gadgets, and story twists that keep the experience fresh from start to finish. For anyone who loves fast-paced action layered with meaningful narrative (think Okami’s mythic storytelling meets Celeste’s character-driven arcs), this title is an absolute must-play.
Afterimage, Hand-Painted Worlds Await
Afterimage is another standout for fans seeking lush artistry paired with classic metroidvania depth. This hand-painted adventure immerses players in Engardin, a sprawling fantasy realm brimming with secrets, lost civilizations, and ancient magic. The game’s non-linear structure encourages exploration at your own pace; every corner hides lore or upgrades for those willing to stray from the main path.
The combat system blends melee weapon mastery with magical abilities, requiring both quick reflexes and thoughtful strategy when facing formidable bosses. Afterimage’s visual direction alone warrants praise: each environment feels like a living watercolor painting brought to life by dynamic lighting effects. If you’re searching for an indie title that rewards curiosity as much as skill, much like Hollow Knight or Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus: this one deserves your attention.
Grime, Absorb Your Foes, Shape Your Destiny
No list of 2024’s best hidden gem indie games would be complete without mentioning Grime. This surreal action RPG/metroidvania hybrid plunges players into a nightmarish world sculpted from living stone and organic matter. What sets Grime apart is its absorb mechanic: rather than simply defeating enemies, you can absorb their essence to gain new abilities or permanently enhance your stats.
The result is an ever-evolving playstyle where experimentation is not just encouraged but essential for survival against grotesque bosses and shifting environments. Grime’s haunting art design, with its blend of abstract horror and beauty, evokes some of Okami’s most dreamlike moments while delivering tight combat reminiscent of Hollow Knight at its most challenging.
Where Will You Start Your Next Adventure?
This year’s crop of underrated metroidvanias proves that innovation continues to thrive beyond mainstream releases. Whether you’re drawn to folklore-inspired worlds (Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, The Legend of Tianding, Kitsune Tails) or crave unique combat systems (Wordless, Grime, Blue Fire, Afterimage, 9 Years of Shadows) there has never been a better time to dive into indie discovery.
If you’re ready for your next obsession, or just want something off the beaten path, these seven hidden gems offer endless hours of challenge, wonder, and artistry across all major platforms in 2024.
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