15 Best Indie Video Games Of 2016 (So Far)

4. Hyper Light Drifter

The 'Souls influence' can be seen and felt everywhere from 3D copycats like Lords of the Fallen and Bound by Flame, to more subtle nods like the bonfire scenes in Shovel Knight or here, the perfected animations of Hyper Light Drifter, where you can't simply button-mash or flail your way through its adventures.

And its this sensibility - of eagle-eyeing animations, picking your attacks and learning how to chain them together into fluid, visually-stunning combos - where Hyper Light Drifter's identity comes into its own.

Sadly, its story isn't one told without a ton of introspection and research (another Souls nod), which prompted many to question precisely why they were cutting so many neon-soaked enemies into incandescent piles on the floor, but for its combat mechanics and superb art style, Hyper Light Drifter is outstanding.