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Emotional short indie games to play when you want to cry

Emotional Indie Games | Players Seek Heart-Wrenching Experiences

By

Mark Johnson

Apr 26, 2025, 01:44 AM

Edited By

Marco Silva

Snappy read

Two characters from indie games expressing deep emotions, set against a soft background that suggests a heartfelt story, perfect for those looking to cry through gaming.

A growing number of gamers are on the hunt for indie titles that not only deliver immersive storytelling but also provoke strong emotional responses. The call for short, touching narratives to explore has led to various recommendations in the gaming community.

Exploring Recommendations

A post on gamer forums requested suggestions for indie games that can evoke tears in about one to two hours. Popular titles mentioned include:

  • A Short Hike

  • What Remains of Edith Finch

  • Storm Boy

  • Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

Many players express a preference for story-driven puzzles, as highlighted by one user who said they're currently enjoying Blue Prince, a game rich in emotional depth raised through storytelling.

"I need something that'll wreck me emotionally and leave me thinking about it all night."

Community Picks

Gamers didn't hold back with suggestions:

  1. Signalis:

    One player shared, "It's rare that Iโ€™ll cry over a game, but Signalis had me SOBBING at the end." They noted itโ€™s a longer experience, clocking in at about 10 hours, yet praised its compelling world-building and puzzles.

  2. Steam Reviews:

    Another player highlighted a review of Signalis, calling it, "A game about sad lesbians, for sad lesbians," which sparked laughter and further interest in the title.

While Signalis diverges from the one-hour preference, its engagement factor has sparked considerable interest. Curiously, players remain keen on balancing emotional impact with a manageable playtime.

Key Insights

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Signalis is considered a masterpiece by many, despite its length.

  • ๐Ÿ’” The hunt for emotional short-form games continues; players value narrative depth.

  • ๐Ÿ”‘ "Itโ€™s all about the story and puzzles for me!" - A user's perspective.

Overall, while the quest for concise, tear-jerking narratives remains strong, players are also open to longer experiences offering strong emotional cleverness and gameplay depth. Are you ready to join the tear-jerkers rally?