If you’re tired of browsing the same AAA titles and want to unearth those hidden gems that feel personal, creative, and truly worth your time: this is for you. We’re diving deep into how to discover indie games on Steam and itch.io in 2025, so you don’t end up buried in a sea of “meh” releases.

Clarify What You’ll Actually Love

Before you open either store, ask yourself: what do I enjoy that feels underserved by big-budget games?

• Do you prefer quirky genre blends (e.g., roguelite + deck-builder + cozy story)?
• Are you drawn to strong aesthetics or ambient mood rather than high-end graphics?
• Do you like supporting smaller studios or solo devs with fresh ideas?

Having this in mind helps you narrow out the noise and focus on what matters to you.

Use Tags, Filters, and Smart Searches on Steam

Steam has a massive Indie category—but that means a lot of noise too.

• Navigate to Steam’s “Indie” genre filter: Steam Indie Category
• Use Steam’s tag system to specify your preferred mechanics, style, or mood. For example: “cozy”, “metroidvania”, “deckbuilder”, “story-rich.”
• Pay attention to curators. Lists like The Absolute Best Indie Games aggregate under-the-radar titles.
• When you filter by your tags and niche, sort by “Recent Release” or “Top Rated” rather than just “Bestseller.”

Tip: Add games to your wishlist when you’re uncertain—it helps Steam’s algorithm recommend more like them.

Explore Itch.io Differently: The System Works Uniquely

Itch.io is a wild playground of indie creativity, but the discovery tools are different:

• The search on itch.io is limited; tags and browse pages are more powerful.
• Use tag filters: combine tags like “pixel-art” + “metroidvania” + “short” to find specific fits.
• Explore new release or “top rated” lists—but also dig into lesser-known pages.
• Some indie gems appear here before Steam or remain exclusive: great for experimental finds.

Tip: Support the devs directly (many offer pay-what-you-want or demos) and you’ll often get access to early builds and updates.

Lean on External Tools & Communities

Finding indie games isn’t just about store filters—it’s about following the right signals:

• Communities like r/IndieGaming discuss niche finds and hidden gems.
• Sites like SteamPeek help spotlight indie-friendly titles through intelligent filters.
• If you find an indie dev whose style you like, follow them—they often release smaller titles you’ll love.

Tip: Make a folder or tag in your library for “potential indie gems” and revisit it monthly. You’ll build a backlog of quality.

Beware of Overload—and Trust Your Instinct

Indie game discovery comes with a caveat: there are so many releases that sifting through them can be overwhelming. Steam’s Indie list shows over 135,000 results.

• Set a simple quality filter: only titles with “Very Positive” rating, demo available, or under $20.
• Don’t feel obligated to finish every game—if the first hour doesn’t click, move on.
• Use wish lists and alerts to wait for discounts or feedback.

Make It Your Workflow for 2025

Here’s a repeatable workflow you can adopt:

1. Pick your current interest (theme or genre).
2. On Steam:
   • Go to Indie → Use tags → Filter by recent + high rating.
   • Add 3–5 games to wishlist.
   • Check curator lists or SteamPeek for one surprise pick.
3. On itch.io:
   • Use tag combinations → Sort by “Top rated” or “Most recent.”
   • Download a free demo or cheap ($1–$5) game to test.
   • Follow the dev if you like the style.
4. Pick one game a week or month and play for 30–60 minutes.
5. Rate or share feedback—you’ll help others and find more devs you’ll enjoy.

Bonus: Supporting Indie Devs While Keeping Yourself Happy

• Write reviews or leave feedback on games you like—indie devs thrive on it.
• Watch for early-access titles: you may discover something brilliant early on.
• Consider bundles or sales: many indie games go on deep discount.
• Avoid impulse buys based purely on hype; look for strong creative hooks instead.

Final Thoughts

If you approach indie game discovery with intention, knowing what you like, using the right tools, and digging deeper. You’ll uncover titles that feel like “your” games, not just what everyone else is playing. In 2025, both Steam and itch.io offer unprecedented access to creative, thoughtful indie experiences; the key is to navigate them actively and with your own preferences front and center.

Set aside some time this week, apply the workflow above, pick one game off your wishlist, and jump in. You might just find a hidden favorite worth more than the big releases.