14. Below
Roguelikes really took off over the last few years, with all the Dark/Demon's Souls titles leading the charge when it comes to games that use death as an actual game mechanic and not just a momentum-killer. Since then titles like Rogue Legacy, The Binding of Isaac and FTL have included ridiculously hard difficulty spikes, with the general consensus being that you're going to play through the same sections over and over, carrying certain things across to your next attempt each time. Below essentially looks like Dark Souls if it was 2D, overhead and the camera was zoomed waaaay out. Combat is still a thoroughly weight affair, but the core appeal here is the art style; a wondrously minimalist approach that lets developer Capybara Games create some very expansive and explorable locales with ease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxaBV_OiKGc So far this is just an Xbox One exclusive, but with so much going for it and the right mix of spectacle, instant-wow graphical prowess and enough of a learning curve to wrangle the hardcore players in too, it could be that quintessentially 'indie'-feeling title that does everything right for all demographics.