Accessibility in games isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. For some players, it means having more time to react. For others, it’s larger UI elements, assist modes, or even the option to skip frustrating mechanics. While no single title can meet every need, more developers are finding ways to open their games to wider audiences.
Indie studios in particular have been creative about this. Their flexibility and player-first approach mean they often experiment with features bigger studios overlook. Below, we’ve highlighted five accessible indie games that stand out in 2024, each showing how smart design can make play more inclusive without losing challenge or fun.
Hades
Supergiant’s Hades is a roguelite where you guide Zagreus, son of Hades, as he fights through the underworld. Each run is tough, and repeated deaths are part of the cycle. Progress comes slowly, which can discourage some players.
To make the experience more flexible, Hades includes God Mode. This option begins with 20% damage resistance. Each time you die, the resistance grows by 2%, up to a maximum of 80%. You can switch it on or off whenever you want, and it does not block achievements.
God Mode keeps the core loop intact while softening the punishment of repeated failure. It allows players who need more breathing room to enjoy the story and combat without feeling locked out. Accessibility here feels like an extension of the game’s theme: resilience through perseverance.
Celeste
Celeste is a platformer about climbing a mountain while facing personal struggles. Its simple mechanics—jumping, dashing, and climbing—become incredibly demanding in later chapters. The difficulty can feel overwhelming, which is where Assist Mode makes a difference.
In Assist Mode, you can:
- Adjust the game speed by up to 50%
- Turn on unlimited stamina and dashes
- Enable dash assist, which pauses the action so you can line up moves more easily
Each of these tools can be turned on or off independently. You can reduce the speed slightly to practice, or activate multiple assists if you prefer to focus on the story. Celeste does not hide this mode or make players feel like they are missing out. It is there to give everyone a way up the mountain, no matter their skill level.
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia puts you in the role of a ghost hunter investigating haunted locations. The tension comes from exploring dark spaces, gathering evidence, and avoiding deadly spirits. Accessibility options make sure that more players can join in without frustration.
Key features include:
- Full key binding customization for controls
- Adjustable cursor settings for size, color, and opacity
- A custom difficulty system that lets you tune how challenging each investigation feels
These options mean you can shape the experience to your comfort level while still keeping the scares intact. Phasmophobia shows that accessibility can enhance immersion by removing technical barriers that might otherwise distract from the fun.
Moving Out
Moving Out is a co-op game where you and your friends work for a moving company. The task is simple: carry items out of homes and into the truck. Chaos soon follows as you dodge obstacles, throw furniture through windows, and race against a timer.
The game includes accessibility settings that help reduce stress without taking away the humor:
- Extended timers for each level
- The option to disable hazards like ghosts
- The ability to move heavy items solo
- Items that stay locked in the truck once placed
These adjustments make Moving Out easier to enjoy with players of different ages and abilities. The focus stays on fun teamwork and silly moments rather than the frustration of missed timers or impossible challenges.
Another Crab’s Treasure
Another Crab’s Treasure takes the tough structure of a Soulslike and sets it underwater, where you play as Kril the hermit crab. You scavenge trash for armor, battle sea creatures, and uncover secrets in a polluted ocean. It is colorful and funny, but it can also be punishing.
The accessibility settings change that. Players can:
- Keep their microplastic currency after death
- Adjust combat to reduce difficulty
- Equip a pistol that allows Kril to one-shot bosses
The pistol option in particular stands out. It may sound absurd, yet it provides a reliable way for players to progress through difficult encounters. You can switch it on, defeat a tough boss, and then return to normal play. It is a reminder that accessibility can be lighthearted while still serving an important purpose.
Accessible Indie Games in 2024
These five titles highlight how indie developers are taking accessibility seriously. From the scaling difficulty in Hades to the flexible assist settings in Celeste, the goal is not to make games easy. The goal is to give more players the chance to experience stories and mechanics that might otherwise be out of reach.
As more indie studios embrace these ideas, accessibility will continue to grow as a standard part of game design. Accessible indie games are helping to shape a future where everyone can find their own way to play.
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