indie.io is an indie publishing platform that helps small devs get their game all the way from the conceptual phase to storefronts. From the player's perspective, it's a great place to grab the latest and greatest indie games – especially when they have a sale going. And, would you believe it, there's one live right now.
With a vast range of thrilling, relaxing, or enchanting games at your fingertips, you might need some help finding the shiniest diamonds in the indie.io haystack. That's what we're here for. With the current sale running until December 4, we've done the bargain hunting so you can snap up the best deals before it's too late. From cozy management sims to gory zombie games and turn-based tactics, there's something for you below.
Play these before the sequel
We love a videogame sequel. Not only do they give us more of what we loved the first time around, but they're also a great excuse to replay the originals. If you've not tried these games yet, there's no better time to pick them up than now, with sophomore releases for each on the way.
Cat Cafe Manager
As you might expect, Cat Cafe Manager is a cute management sim where you run the local cat cafe. What makes this so unique is that you don't just have to think about the building and running of the cafe, but also the welfare of the animals and your relationships with the locals. Adopt stray cats once they've come to trust you and build lasting friendships with your regulars, ultimately unraveling the mystery of Caterwaul Way. A cat management life sim – what's not to love? You can get your paws on Cat Cafe Manager for 60% off right now, but animal lovers might want to consider the Cats and Dogs bundle listed further down.
Coromon
We're always looking for the perfect Pokemon PC alternative, and Coromon is at the top of the list. You start off by exploring the gorgeous pixelated world of Velua before your peace is disturbed by an unnatural threat. Collect creatures and train them up for a battle to protect your home. While its Rogue Planet spinoff may have only just been announced, you can play Coromon right now with 75% off the base edition, and 59% off the deluxe!
Dark Deity
Dark Deity is a simply stunning turn-based RPG with gorgeous pixelated landscapes and sprites complimented by beautiful anime character models in the menus and dialogue screens. Part fantasy visual novel, part turn-based combat, Dark Deity leads you through Tarrazael on a mission to restore peace one battle at a time, all while managing the relationships and lives of your party of characters. Get a massive 75% Dark Deity right now, 55% off the deluxe version, or get it as part of the Turn-Based bundle we've listed below.
Our favorites
Now let's run through some of our own personal favorite indie.io games.
HumanitZ
As a zombie survival game, HumanitZ stands out thanks to the strength of its challenging combat and tactical isometric view. HumanitZ receives regular content updates, so there's always something new to discover as you gather, build, and fight. In fact, the new Bunker and Jumpers update just dropped recently and comes bundled with the base game, which right now is 30% off.
Symphony of War
If Coromon and Dark Deity piqued your interest, then consider adding Symphony of War to your library, too. Another striking pixelated RPG, but this time with strategic war game elements, Symphony of War takes place in the battle-ravaged Tahnra. Fresh out of academia, it's up to you to build an army and lead them through turn-based battles to victory. Like music to our ears, we've heard you can get Symphony of War for 50% right now, or in one of the bargain bundles detailed below.
Echoes of the Plum Grove
Echoes of the Plum Grove is another charming life sim, and we were instantly enamored by its art style and setting. Bumbling, button-nosed characters live through the culture, diseases, and lifestyle of the 18th Century, all with a Paper-Mario-style 2.5D aesthetic and the usual farming, fishing, and crafting mechanics of a life sim. Echoes of the Plum Grove is included in the indie.io sale, but its 30% discount doesn't start until November 27, so set yourself a reminder right now.
Bundle deals
Finally, these deals are the greatest bundles on offer right now, giving you more bang for your buck.
Turn-based Bundle
There's something immensely satisfying about the strategy behind a good turn-based game. They come in all shapes and sizes, but one element that remains the same is the slow and steady preparation of your next move. Dark Deity and Symphony of War, which we've mentioned above, reside in this bargain bundle, alongside Tyrant's Blessing and Dream Tactics. As a whole, the Turn-Based bundle grants 70% off the total price of all four games, so it's a great way to pick up two of our top picks while getting another couple games as a bonus.
Cats and Dogs Collection
We can't blame you if your eyes shot straight to this Cats and Dogs bundle. We're as much a sucker for a cute domesticated animal as the next person. As you might have guessed, Cat Cafe Manager is here for all your feline needs, while To the Rescue is a simulator for dog people where you run a dog shelter. Finally, Hello Goodboy is an adorable adventure game where you embark on an emotional journey through the afterlife with your best canine friend. Get all three games for less than $18 – a 69% saving on their total full price.
Five Games for Five Bucks!
How can you possibly go wrong with five games for just five dollars! Dark Deity appears here again with the wildest variety of games alongside it. Karma City Police sits you at the local PD front desk where you take 911 calls from desperate victims before entering into a unique pinball-style battle system to catch criminals. Neon Blight, meanwhile, is an exciting marriage of pixelated RPG mechanics and bullet hell shooting. Then, there's another one for zombie game fans in Blood and Zombies, a bloody tower-defense-FPS hybrid. Finally, survival horror fans, we haven't forgotten you. Wounded – The Beginning is a haunting first-person horror experience reminiscent of the genre's classics. If your tastes don't fit in one single genre, the Five Games for Five Bucks pack is an easy pick. As the biggest saving of the bunch, this mammoth collection gives you 94% off the total price of all five games.
Phew! That's a lot to get stuck into. What's more is that this just scratches the surface of what indie.io has to offer. You can find them all on indie.io's Steam storefront page.