2021 was another great year for indie games, and there are plenty of unique and innovative hidden gems that flew under the radar.

Despite major games delays and console shortages, 2021 was a pretty good year for gamers. Much of this is thanks to the incredible work of indie game studios who not only continue to deliver fresh and innovative experiences, but were largely able to adjust to the challenges of making a game in 2021 in a way plenty of AAA developers have struggled with.

2021 continued the positive trend of the last couple of years where indie games got the attention they deserve. Not only did Nintendo and Microsoft hold several events highlighting the indies coming to their platforms, but games like Kena: Bridge of Spirits and It Takes Two won big at this year's Game Awards, with the latter taking home the top prize over games like Deathloop and Metroid Dread. However, while those games (along with others like Loop Hero and 12 Minutes) had a lot of buzz surrounding them, there are plenty of other indies that went overlooked.

RELATED: The Game Awards 2021: The 8 Biggest Announcements From the Show

Developed by indie studio Zoink, Lost in Random is an EA Original just like It Takes Two. Set in the dark fantasy world of Random, the game follows Even, a young girl on a journey to find her sister, who was whisked away on her twelfth birthday to live alongside the tyrannical Queen. On her journey, Even meets Dicey, a sentient dice with incredible powers that help her throughout her adventure. Beyond its Tim Burton-inspired aesthetic and charming story, Lost in Random has a unique and engaging combat system that combines card-based powers, action and a variety of different objectives that keep the game fresh from start to finish.

However, while it was highlighted by Tribeca Games and promoted by EA, Lost in Random was largely overshadowed, in part because it released at a busy time of the year -- the game shared its September 10 release date with Tales of Arise, Life Is Strange: True Colors, NBA 2K22 and WarioWare: Get It Together. Still, Lost in Random is a great game to revisit before 2022 game releases really get started.

RELATED: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Trailer, News & Latest Updates

Before Your Eyes is a unique and emotional experience that perfectly encapsulates the kind of creativity that makes indie games so compelling. Developed by GoodbyeWorld Games, the game tells the story of a recently-departed soul who has to relive their most important moments before they can move on. However, what really makes Before Your Eyes stand out is its innovative controls -- players literally move the game along by blinking.

While it does offer other accessibility options, Before Your Eyes is best played with a webcam for maximum immersion. As the player blinks, they tell the Ferryman of their childhood, first love and more. However, the Ferryman also presses them to delve into the darker elements of their past to determine if they are worthy of moving on to the afterlife. Before Your Eyes takes the phrase blink-and-you'll-miss-it storytelling to its logical, literal conclusion, delivering a powerful story alongside its unconventional mechanics.

RELATED: Which Starter Temtem Is Right for You?

Plenty of video games try to emulate tabletop Dungeons & Dragons, from licensed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 to most Western-made fantasy RPGs like Divinity Original Sin II and The Elder Scrolls. However, while those games capture the aesthetics, mechanics and creative character build options players associate with D&D, no game captures the quirky randomness of the TTRPG quite like Wildermyth.

Developed by Worldwalker Games, Wildermyth is combines visual novels and tactical RPGs with procedurally-generated elements that add infinite replayability and somewhat effectively replace the judgment of a human Game Master. While Wildermyth offers pre-made campaigns, these will play differently every time based on the game's random events, the player's choices and (most importantly) the characters they craft to go on each adventure. Players have some options in terms of building their heroes and selecting their skills, what matters more than that is who they create and what they do.

Ultimately, Wildermyth plays like a long, generations-spanning campaign, with characters going from simple farmers to epic heroes, developing friendships and rivalries along the way. They'll even age and can have children who can become heroes themselves. Every choice matters, and (just like in D&D) there are consequences for the player's actions -- whether that's trying to single-handedly take on a powerful enemy or trusting a wolf god.

RELATED: One Magic Item Will Wreck Your D&D Campaign - Here's How to Use It Anyway

Annapurna Interactive delivered a stylish and psychedelic adventure this year with The Artful Escape. The game follows teenage guitar prodigy Francis Vendetti as he embarks on a musical career of his own while trying to forge his own legacy independent of his late folk legend uncle. Players will help Francis craft his stage persona as he explores alien worlds, stolen opera houses and a musical multiverse for inspiration.

The Artful Escape is a game full of color and life that features a stunning visual style, compelling characters, excellent voice work from the likes of Michael Johnston and Lena Headey, and (of course) lots and lots of music. While its gameplay largely boils down to basic platforming, the experience and vibe are enough to make it a must-play.

RELATED: Rumbleverse Is the Pro Wrestling Game the Genre Has Been Missing

This top-down adventure game is as charming as it looks and as colorful as the player wants it to be. Chicory: A Colorful Tale takes the visual style of a coloring book and allows players to paint the entire world and solve puzzles with their art. Beyond that, though, the game tells a powerful and relatable story through its main character (who the player can name after their favorite food) as they struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome after stumbling into the role of Wielder.

Armed with a magical paintbrush, players are tasked with exploring the black and white world of Picnic, literally painting the town as they restore color, solve problems, and complete environmental puzzles to get around and find collectables. Chicory's rich world combines bright colors and dark themes to create a game that will especially resonate with creative types, but beyond that, the game is simply about accepting oneself and creating a better, kinder world.

KEEP READING: The Five Best Two-Player Co-Op Games to Play in 2021

Noelle is a Features Editor for CBR. She can usually be found underneath a large pile of Pokémon plushies thinking about an RPG she never completed while trying to finish a different RPG. On the occasions Noelle remembers she has a Twitter, she can be found @Noelle_Corbett.