As 2025 drew to a close, the indie gaming scene showed no signs of slowing down. December delivered a final, impressive wave of smaller-scale titles, offering perfect festive treats for players looking to unwind. Gaming content creator Aaron Potter highlighted six standout releases from the month, each bringing unique atmospheres and inventive gameplay to transport players to new worlds.
Atmospheric Adventures and Retro Revivals
The selection for December 2025 was notably strong on mood and setting. Leading the pack was Skate Story, a psychedelic odyssey from solo developer Sam Eng. Players control a demon made of glass, skating through the underworld to reach the moon. Its control scheme demands mastery but rewards with an utterly absorbing and haunting flow state, making it arguably the best skating game in recent years.
Another highlight was the charming Scrabdackle Act 1. This hand-drawn Zelda-like adventure casts players as a novice wizard exploring a world in any direction they choose. With roughly 12 hours of content in this first act, it combines clever puzzles and climatic boss battles into one of 2025's most charming takes on the genre.
Horror, Action, and Chill Vibes
Routine ensured 2025 ended strongly for indie horror. This first-person sci-fi experience strands players on an isolated moonbase, channeling a retro-futuristic aesthetic and thick atmosphere reminiscent of Alien: Isolation. After a long development, the final game delivered genuine scares and immersive exploration.
For action fans, Terminator 2D: No Fate arrived as the side-scrolling run-and-gun tribute the classic film always deserved. Developed by Bitmap Bureau, it faithfully reimagines iconic scenes like the LA spillway chase. Meanwhile, Adrift offered a more contemplative experience. This 1980s-inspired driving game tasks players with delivering an Energy Core before it explodes, all within a beautifully coloured, chill world that rewards off-road exploration.
Polished Platforming and a Special Mention
Proving the enduring appeal of classic formulas, Go Slimey Go! emerged as a brilliantly polished 2D platformer. Playing as Slimey, the focus is purely on precise bouncing and collecting dozens of hidden slimes across inventive, colourful stages. It's a masterclass in simple, effective gameplay from a small team.
A special mention went to The Rogue Prince of Persia on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. While published by Ubisoft, its development by a smaller third-party team gives it an indie vibe. This final 1.0 version is a tight 2D action-platformer that successfully adapts the roguevania formula, feeling perfectly at home on Nintendo's platforms.
This diverse crop of titles proves that the well of inventive indie talent shows no sign of running dry, providing the perfect smaller-scale entertainment to see out the year.
