Let me preface this by saying that yes, indie games work with limited resources, smaller teams and other constraints when it comes to game development, and while a lot of wonderful gems did (and do) reach us from indie studios, the wider industry will always have the advantage when it comes to raw resources.
Still, it is hard to deny the beauty, the heart and the ingenuity of indie titles, even when they thread roads well traveled, when these games are made with love, it feels like a familiar but new journey, a delightful rediscovery that nonetheless touches home, to those that know the source.
My example here is The Last Faith:
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It self describes as a gothic metroidvania soulslike, which it is, and I'm sure the most astute among us immediately could pick up the major influence here. Yes, Bloodborne.
As such, is it groundbreakingly original, astonishingly innovative? no, but oh does it do these influences proud in gameplay, setting and feel. Everything is appropriately somber, dreary and lavishly animated and the game builds upon a lore much its own, with similar trappings and storytelling to the one Fromsoft wizards employ.
Does it reach the same pinnacles of greatness, of GOTYness? depends on who you ask, but the point is, to many (myself included) this is the closest they could get to a quality Bloodborne-esque experience because Sony won't unjail their baby, and in that role, I feel it succeeds brilliantly.
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So that's my (admittedly passionate) answer to my own question, and I'd love to hear if from those that have had similar experiences (or if they haven't, all the same).
