
GI: Dust: An Elysian Tail’s first instruction: Press X to wage war. It gets to the minutiae later. Most games have you wage war by default, but Dust has the courtesy to ask, a moving gesture before you’re forced to cut through a gang of faceless enemies, their village burning behind you. It’s hard to take the warrior you control seriously: He’s a blue, bipedal fox in a sedge hat. The temptation to make a furry joke is severe, but Dust’s taken pains to earn your respect with its first moment. It earns that respect in kind, slow and sure.

It's right that we recognize the 12 best indie games of the eight generation of gaming. It would be remiss to ignore the impact they've had.
Hollow Knight was a masterpiece. I cared less for the arena combat (Gods, not in the in-game arena) but everything was tight and the exploration was extremely enjoyable. Absolute masters of their craft in level design. I hope Silk Song gives the bees a second chance since their area was only a short subsection.

Mick Doherty has put together a list of indie games that, in his humble opinion, you need to play at least once in your life.

These are games made by a single developer. Serving as proof that you don't need millions of dollars and a team of people to make a amazing game.