Anomaly: Warzone Earth - I loved this game so much when it was released. It the opposite of a tower defense game. You have to make your way through the towers and support your units with some special abilities like healing your units or distract the towers.
Portal - Not an indie game but when it came out most people were impressed by the mechanics. I would say that a lot of games would never been released without Portal.
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Agree with Papers, Please, I was skept at first but it's surprisingly deep and fun!
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I personally disliked FTL, but I don't like strategy games anyways.
I agree with Gunpoint, it's an amazing game. Played the demo, you reminded me that I should grab it on day.
As for me, it's Trine/Trine 2. The simple fact that you can switch character anytime throughout the game, and that every single characters have their own specific abilities make it a nice experience.
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SpaceChem, the most innovative puzzle game I can think of. Every level you build your own solution, often using a bit of trial and error. This gives room for creativity which many puzzle games lack. It can take hours solving some levels though you'll never feel bored, the feeling of achievement too great.
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Oh man, this game literally made my brain hurt xD
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Splinter Cell: 2002
Thief: The Dark Project: 1998
005: 1981
Metal Gear: 1987
Of course, if you're talking about 3D stealth games, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, Metal Gear Solid, and Thief: The Dark Project were all released in 1998 in that order. Splinter Cell was late to the party, at 2002.
Point is, the stealth genre was around way before Thief and Splinter Cell.
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it's not about who's first...it's about who made it better.
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I agree with your point (although I wouldn't say that Splinter Cell was particularly innovative in any way).
I was taking issue with the point that Splinter Cell and Thief "invented the stealth genre," which is completely incorrect.
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Super hot. Its not a steam game but it was part of 7 day fps. It doesn't have much game play, but its mechanics are awesome and you can play it for free: http://superhotgame.com/
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Gosh. Making me go through my game library.
Dwarf Fortress basically invented a genre, though it takes a lot of work to get into it, and there are a bunch of DF-likes avilable now.
The Bit.Trip games are very unique brutally hard rhythm games that are quite possibly the most philosophical games I've ever played.
Frozen Synapse is simultaneous turn-based, squad-based strategy.
Hotline Miami is top-down GTA on acid.
Stacking has all the characters be stacking dolls, and you solve puzzles by wearing other characters.
Sword and Sworcery EP is a strange artsy game dependent on the phase of the moon.
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Snapshot - I haven't seen any other game with the same mechanic (take parts of the screen, store them and use them elsewhere)
@OP: What's your innovative aspect in Binding of Isaac? isn't it basically a rogue-like top-down shooter? Somewhat like Legend of Zelda but with random levels.
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I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like indie developers are trying to innovate much more than big name developers. I suppose that's because big name developers already have established franchises that sell well so there's no need for innovation. They just make games for lowest common denominator (consoles play a huge role here) and still earn loads of money.
On the other hand, indie developers can come up with all sorts of crazy ideas and make them happen, I suppose because they don't have publisher restrictions.
I would like you to post games that you consider to be innovative when it comes to gameplay. They should have some gameplay mechanic that really sets them apart from other games. Some examples:
FTL: Faster Than Light - Very fun, very addictive and very challenging game. I don't remember ever seeing a game that plays quite like it. You have to control your crew and ship systems with the ability to pause whenever you want (and timing is very important too), it's pretty cool.
The Swapper - Unique approach to puzzle platformer, you have the ability to replicate yourself and switch between your clones. It also has great atmosphere, interesting story and makes you think about the whole concept of replicating and killing yourself.
Hotline Miami - Top down perspective is nothing new, but the way this game plays is something else. Very fast paced, very brutal and very unforgiving, it makes you keep coming back for more. Art style and soundtrack are also extremely well done.
Gunpoint - Probably the most innovative of them all, this game is very unique with the ability to rewire whole buildings to your advantage. Too bad it's so short.
The Binding Of Isaac - The same adjectives that I used for FTL apply here as well. It looks very simple at first glance, but it really isn't.
Feel free to post more such games. :)
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