The Most Promising Indie Games That Showed Up at E3

Sure, the gaming event is a showcase for triple-A blockbusters, but a surprising number of small, thoughtful gems piqued our interest.
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Games like Sable can't match the scale of a blockbuster, but their wonder, creativity, and joy persist.Shedworks

E3 is widely considered a conference for big games, and understandably so; the largest publishers in the industry dominate the event, debuting trailers and news for the most expensive and expansive videogames they could possibly produce. But it's not impossible to find compelling independent games at the show, either: here are our picks for five that you'll want to keep your eyes on in the months to come.

NeoCab (Chance Agency, PC)

NeoCab is a game about the emotional labor of the gig economy, in a moody cyberpunk futurescape. You play one of the last human cab drivers, competing against an army of automated cars. The narrative forces you to balance the emotional health of your protagonist with the brutal needs of the job, as you struggle to barely—just barely—eke out a living. Grim? Definitely. Compelling? That, too.

Release Date: Unannounced


Bravery Network Online (Gloam Collective, PC)