Darkest Dungeon

On the surface, Darkest Dungeon doesn't look like anything special. It's a 2D indie game, following the recent resurgence of rogue-like games and tying in traditional dungeon crawling elements. You could look at screenshot of this game, appreciate its beautiful hand-drawn art style, and move on. That would be a huge mistake. This is one of the best indie fantasy games to hit the shelf in recent years and contains innovations beyond many triple A titles. It's less about the loot (though that is present) and more about the psychological aspects of adventure. As you make your way through the world, your party will become shaped by its experiences. Paranoia, stress, kleptomania and other ailments make an appearance, crafting flawed characters from the outset with unique requirements. Tied into that are the fifteen different classes, from Paladins to archers and hound masters. The game randomizes brutally, from the level layout to the turn order and hit damage. It's frustrating yet incredibly rewarding, forcing you to think on your feet and prepare for every scenario. Story is minimal, serving more to set the dark fantasy scene than convey any real impact. That's intentional on the part of the developers, because there's already more than enough going on. The real emotion comes from the attachment to the characters you've built, the fear of death at any moment, and the satisfaction of getting it right.