Many gamers begin their journey with AAA games and major console brands. The creators of such have the largest reach and the most resources to get their product out there. I still remember my first time–World 1-1, trying to get an Italian plumber to jump over the chasm without dying. My love for video games started with the Nintendo Entertainment System; over the years, I’ve owned consoles from a variety of companies, played more games than I can count, and fallen in love with a handful of franchises that I return to often. But my love of indie games came late in life.

Child of Light transformed me from a skeptic into a believer. The eclectic storytelling, the gorgeous poetry, the moving soundtrack–these things finally helped me see that indie games could not only be as captivating as AAA games, they could provide unique experiences that truly lived up to the notion of video games as art. Now I know some readers may be shouting at their screen that Child of Light isn’t an indie game–it’s made by Ubisoft after all. That is undoubtedly true; but as Matt Langley observes in this article from TechRadar, the game owes much of its existence to the success of similar indie games. It’s ironic because this indie-like game from a major studio opened my eyes to the world of indie games.

After playing Child of Light, I began seeking out similar content among true indie games. Among the many gems I came across, Coffee Talk stands out as the one closest to my heart. For many years, I worked as a barista in Seattle coffee shops, even serving beverages at an overnight location. The middle of the night, find shelter from a rainstorm, fantasy-human drama felt right at home for me. Beyond my personal nostalgia for my coffee-slinging days of youth, I found the game’s writing moved me deeply. When the chance to own a physical copy of the game came up, I jumped on the pre-order for the limited run printing. The game solidified my transformed perspective about indie titles.

Tell us what you think! When did you fall in love with the indie genre? Share your reactions below or join the conversation on Boss Rush Discord.

Sources: Tech Radar, Active Hive Gaming