November 2025 proved to be a treasure trove for gamers seeking inventive and captivating independent titles. As the festive season approached, developers delivered a diverse array of experiences, from bite-sized horror adventures to heart-warming narratives and fiendishly addictive roguelites. If you're looking to fill the gaps between major AAA releases, last month's indie scene offered plenty of treats.
A Festive Feast of Indie Innovation
The penultimate month of the year presented a wildly varied suite of games in terms of art style, genre, and gameplay. November 2025 was not short on smaller, wildly inventive projects perfect for the holiday period. While the month saw its share of spooky titles primed to deliver terror, cosy games also emerged in full force, ensuring something for every taste.
From shop management simulators with a day-night cycle to grotesquely charming roguelites, the quality was exceptionally high. Here is our selection of the nine best indie games released in November 2025.
Standout Horror and Atmospheric Adventures
Flesh Made Fear continues the excellent trend of retro-style survival horror throwbacks. Technically launching on Halloween at the tail-end of October, it's a brilliant take on the genre. Players choose a male or female member of a military unit investigating a mysterious disturbance in the woods, where terror inevitably ensues. It faithfully leans into inspirations like Resident Evil, complete with inventory management, puzzle-solving, and fixed camera angles with tank controls.
AILA poses a chilling psychological question: what if a horror game used its knowledge of you to fight back? This first-person fright-fest uses AI and virtual reality concepts to conjure terrifying, personalised scenarios. While visually a little janky, the freedom and creativity of its premise deliver chilling stealth and claustrophobic mind-bending sections.
Total Chaos began as an award-winning mod for Doom 2 and has now launched as a standalone title from developer Sam Prebble. It's an incredibly atmospheric first-person survival horror where resource management and crafting are key to surviving the terrors of Fort Oasis. Its labyrinthine locations and unsettling sense of place create total dread, despite some initial melee combat adjustments.
Emotional Journeys and Gory Brawlers
From GoodbyeWorld Games, creators of Before You Eyes, comes Goodnight Universe. This emotional journey is seen through the eyes of a six-month-old baby with telekinetic abilities. Using a quirky camera-control method as its hook, it delivers another short-but-sweet story about the power of family and keeping loved ones together.
For those seeking visceral action, Terrifier: The Artcade Game is an 18+ pixelated beat-em-up based on the B-movie slasher franchise. Releasing close to Marvel Cosmic Invasion, it holds its own with support for up to four players taking on the roles of Art the Clown and friends. It offers bloody, over-the-top finishers that will pulp heads and pop eyes, providing solid variety for fans of gory brawlers.
Addictive Gameplay and Surreal Worlds
November's standout roguelite is the delightfully odd Morsels. This top-down creature collect-em-up sees players taking on grotesque monster forms, using their unique powers to ascend through grungy levels. With a purposely garish aesthetic and painfully addictive "one more run" gameplay, it's a worthy addition to a year packed with excellent indie roguelites.
Ayasa: Shadows of Silence is an unabashedly dark 2.5D platformer in the style of Limbo and Inside. While the concept is familiar, Aya Games' descent into darkness spooks and delights with airtight platforming mechanics and gorgeous, surreal visuals, making for a compelling puzzle-adventure.
The highly anticipated Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault entered early access, successfully making the jump from 2D to 3D. This sequel doubles down on the addictive loop of running a shop by day and dungeon-crawling for resources by night. The new dimensions and deep merchant customisation options, which directly affect the prosperity of your village, keep the formula fresh.
Special Mention: A Unique Port
A special mention must go to Indika on Nintendo Switch. Odd Meter's exceptionally unique 2024 adventure, featuring a 19th-century nun communicating with the devil in an alternate Russia, launched on the hybrid console this November. It's a perfectly good way to experience this mixture of third-person and 2D pixelated sequences on the go, provided you're prepared to tackle its tough subjects.
In summary, November 2025 solidified the year's reputation for outstanding indie game releases. Whether you sought fear, emotion, addiction, or innovation, the month's small gems delivered in spades, offering perfect festive season play.
