The best indie games with multiple endings

Key recommendations

• Various indie games have multiple endings determined by a variety of decisions.
• Games like
  Lone Survivor
  and
  Papers, please
  provide replay value with their alternate endings.
• Titles like
  Stanley's Parable
  use multiple endings as your core motivation for the game.

While many games feature a clear beginning, middle, and end, there are a variety of games that facilitate multiple conclusions. This is predominantly seen in higher budget games, but plenty of indie games have tried their hand at this approach as well.

From Playdead's secret alternate ending inside to the multitude of endings in Lucas Pope's classic indie title, Papers, pleasethe quality of multiple endings can be seen in a variety of genres in indie games. However, these endings are not always the most varied and are often decided based on binary decisions.

1 Lone Survivor

A 2D survival horror game with psychological themes

Described as a game where choices matter, Lone Survivor is a 2D pixel art survival horror game that features elements of psychological horror and stealth gameplay. Despite the pixel art aesthetic, Lone SurvivorHis visual style is decidedly creepy. This is largely due to the unsettling visuals, dark tone and unique effects.

Gamers who enjoy survival horror, stealth mechanics, and psychological horror stories can find themselves on board with Lone Survivor. Additionally, the addition of multiple endings dramatically increases the replay value of the game. These endings are centered around the character's mental health, a theme that runs in tandem with Of the lone survivor psychological horror.

2 Papers, please

A classic indie game with a minimalist style

Developed by Lucas Pope (who later created Return Of The Obra Dinn) and launched in 2013, Papers, please is a minimalist indie game that is driven by its subtle story and supported by a downcast atmosphere. The game takes place in the fictional state of Arstotzka, a communist territory, putting players in the role of an immigration inspector.

While the endings aren't the most detailed, there are plenty of them, and each one is surprisingly evocative given the minimal visuals. In general, Papers, please it offers a sad but thoughtful experience that is enhanced by the variety of endings. These endings include everything from arrest to escape from Arstotzka.

3 No oxen

An indie supernatural adventure

No oxen is an indie adventure game that is driven by its whimsical atmosphere and supernatural story. The game's unique art style, immersive soundtrack, and otherworldly atmosphere provide players with a distinctive experience that has multiple endings.

These endings see each of the Oxenfree's characters reach different fates of happiness based on the decisions the players have made throughout the game. Fans of games like Night in the forest and/or Kentucky Route Zero can enjoy No oxenalthough it certainly has its differences. For those who enjoy this title, however, No oxen more recently spawned a sequel in the form of Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals.

4 Stanley's Parable

A strange, quirky and often humorous walking simulator

Launched in 2013, Stanley's Parable is a first-person indie game with an emphasis on exploration. Although somewhat simple on the surface, essentially a walking simulator, Stanley's Parable it is elevated by a strange atmosphere, an excellent narrator and a multitude of endings.

Discovering the diverse and often humorous endings of Stanley's Parable it's what elevates the title above and beyond a walking simulator. The use of multiple endings as the underlying motivation for the game as a whole is particularly unique Stanley's Parable a distinctive experience after over a decade on the market. These endings are usually achieved by either obeying or disobeying the advice of the game's narrator, and much of the joy we have in Stanley's Parable it's in finding out what happens when the rules are broken.

5 Undertale

An indie RPG that is more than the sum of its parts

Although its images may be simple, Undertale is a surprisingly atmospheric experience thanks to its music, memorable character designs, and evocative writing. Undertale is a unique RPG that allows players to exercise their pacifism, a plus that facilitates the game's multiple endings.

Undertale succeeds with its ensemble of colorful characters and the narrative woven around them, building one of three endings. These endings are determined by three playstyles: neutral, pacifist, and genocidal, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

6 inside

A narrative-driven puzzle platformer with a deep atmosphere

inside is a puzzle platformer developed by Playdead (LIMBO), driven by a subtle and engaging narrative atmosphere. The sound design and art direction drive much of the experience, as does the dystopian world that acts as the game's backdrop.

More secrets can be found everywhere insideHis short but sweet adventure, hidden relatively well in a variety of dark and whimsical environments. If the player manages to discover each secret, inside rewards them with an alternate ending. However, both endings are equally ambiguous.

7 Hollow Knight

An indie Metroidvania in an underground world

Hollow Knight is an indie Metroidvania that succeeds with its well-crafted combat and, more importantly, its immersive atmosphere. The underground world where Hollow Knight takes place is extraordinarily creative and beautifully crafted with imaginative art direction and character design.

The game's narrative is told with a subtle hand, mostly given to the player through character dialogue and environmental storytelling. As such, its multiple endings can be difficult to come across naturally, requiring players to work a little harder to achieve them. Many of these endings leave the game on a somewhat bittersweet note, though the secret scene (unlocked by talking to the Mister Mushroom NPC) provides a more whimsical ending to the adventure.

8 Bastion

A gripping action-adventure with a strong narrative

This impressive debut from Supergiant Games (transistors, Hades) offers players an action-adventure experience enhanced by a unique and completely immersive method of storytelling. Bastion primarily uses narrative to tell its story. The music, the talented voice and the unique world do Bastion a very memorable experience. The binary choice towards the end of the game is just the cherry on top.

While not full of branching options and impactful decisions, Bastion features an important choice towards the end of the game that affects the ending. As a result, Bastion it is somewhat more replayed than it would otherwise be. One ending results in turning back time, while the other is a somewhat bittersweet final note.