Indie Recommendations for October 2025
Shocktober has arrived!
Yes, it’s officially autumn, the leaves are turning yellow, the rain is beating against our windows, and the fridge is demanding pumpkin. Simultaneously, our digital libraries are also crying out for an update, largely because October is packed with titles that deserve our attention.
As usual, we mention: Release dates are a dangerous sport! A delay can pop up at any time. We, at GRIND, still haven't bought our crystal ball (but it's on our Steam wishlist), so we take the official information and package it with a large dose of humour, but also a little scepticism.
Let's see which indies are catching our eye this month…
GIGASWORD
Release date: 2 October 2025
Platforms: PC
October kicks off in style with a sword bigger than your entire games library. GIGASWORD doesn't beat around the bush. We've got a title that screams, "Look how big I am!". We know little about the gameplay for now, but the vibe is clearly experimental, perfect for those who love surprises from the indie scene. If you're the type to buy a book, seduced by the cover alone, GIGASWORD is for you.
King of Meat
Release date: 7 October 2025
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
A title that sounds more like a culinary festival than a video game. In reality, King of Meat is a crazy co-op platformer, full of puzzles, hack-and-slash, and dungeons, which will contain over 100 levels at launch. Get your friends ready, because this is the kind of game where everyone blames everyone else when the group dies at the first boss. "I didn't press the button!" will remain the famous final phrase of every King of Meat player, I'm telling you for sure.
Absolum
Release date: 9 October 2025
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5
Beat-’em-up? Check. Roguelike elements? Check. Fantasy with tyrants to overthrow? Check. Absolum is for nostalgics and for those who believe that "button mashing" is a way of life. The world is ruled by Sun King Azra, a guy who seems to have missed the lesson on "how to be a decent ruler." Luckily for you and your colourful gang of heroes, you're ready to give him hell. And yes, here it's actually advisable to keep your notebook next to your keyboard, because you'll have to write down how many combos you've discovered before your keyboard gives up the ghost.
Dreams of Another
Release date: 9 October 2025
Platforms: PC, PlayStation
If Absolum is for those who want to smash keys, Dreams of Another is for those who want to let them rest. The game promises a contemplative, artistic experience, where the story is more important than the score. A welcome break between two "rage quit" sessions from King of Meat. In Dreams of Another, you're allowed to breathe, listen, and lose yourself. Be careful, though! Your friends might ask you: "What are you doing, sleeping with the PC on?".
Ball x Pit
Release date: 15 October 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch / Switch 2, PC
In this case, we have a roguelite bullet-hell where the ball is the star. And not just any ball, but one that bounces, ricochets, and puts you in impossible situations. Ball x Pit is the kind of game that tests your reflexes, patience, and… nerves. If you try to play it relaxed, you'll find yourself yelling at the screen within the first 10 minutes. But hey, that's exactly what we want in a bullet-hell, isn't it?
Away From Home
Release date: 22 October 2025
Platforms: PC
This is a title that already gives you a big lump in your throat. Away From Home is about nostalgia, longing, the search for a place to belong. It will probably be one of those indie games that leaves you not just with visual memories, but emotional ones too. If you find yourself wanting to call your parents at the end, it means it's done its job. Don't play it on a rainy day if you're already melancholic. You might just turn into poetry in the flesh.
Mina the Hollower
Release date: 31 October 2025
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
We conclude our monthly suggestions with a pronounced retro style. From the creators of Shovel Knight comes Mina the Hollower, a top-down action-adventure that looks like it was pulled straight from a Game Boy Color, but with enough modern polish to keep you hooked for hours. Mina, an inventor mouse, burrows underground and uses various tools at her disposal to bring order to a dangerous world. If you want to feel like a kid again, but with adult skills (or not), Mina is exactly what you need. You can even call her right now… 8989…
Final thoughts
October 2025 is a rich month for indies that combine combat, emotion, and retro-nostalgia. From giant swords to heroic mice, from co-op puzzles to melancholic stories, it's impossible not to find something to your taste. We say "Shocktober" could be an annual tradition, making you tremble not just with fear, but with excitement for how many good games are coming.