Indie games can be awesome, you just need to find a good way to avoid the crap. For example:
deck builders - Slay the Spire is the GOAT here, pretty much everything else is a knockoff (though I’ve heard good things about Monster Train); if you want a really unique experience, try Inscryption
Metroidvanias - not sure what “loops” are, sounds like OP is talking about rogue-like; Hollow Knight is the GOAT, I’ve heard Hyper Light Drifter (currently playing and good so far) and Tunic are great as well
3D platform - I’ve heard A Hat in Time is the GOAT here, though there’s certainly a lot of crap; if you broaden the definition of “indie” a bit, Psychonauts is great
There are a ton of crappy indie games, but that’s just because there’s so many games total. I think there are more good indie games than good AAA games, they’re just a bit harder to find among all the crap.
OP could be talking about gameplay loops, those are present in every game. Eg Hollow Knight’s loop: explore, stab bugs, find charms/upgrades, beat boss, repeat until there is nothing else to do. If a gameplay loop is boring and has no variety it becomes obvious it’s a loop, the same way bad films make it obvious you’re watching a film with characters of specific archetypes, and a story with an intro, mid point, climax, and a resolution. And by bad I mean bland, there’s still a certain joy in comically not well crafted media
In terms of deck builders I’ve been really enjoying Fights in Tight Spaces. You use cards to build James-Bond-esque fight scenes. Also, for platformers, shovel knight remains excellent.
Indie games can be awesome, you just need to find a good way to avoid the crap. For example:
There are a ton of crappy indie games, but that’s just because there’s so many games total. I think there are more good indie games than good AAA games, they’re just a bit harder to find among all the crap.
OP could be talking about gameplay loops, those are present in every game. Eg Hollow Knight’s loop: explore, stab bugs, find charms/upgrades, beat boss, repeat until there is nothing else to do. If a gameplay loop is boring and has no variety it becomes obvious it’s a loop, the same way bad films make it obvious you’re watching a film with characters of specific archetypes, and a story with an intro, mid point, climax, and a resolution. And by bad I mean bland, there’s still a certain joy in comically not well crafted media
In terms of deck builders I’ve been really enjoying Fights in Tight Spaces. You use cards to build James-Bond-esque fight scenes. Also, for platformers, shovel knight remains excellent.