Warman (2023)

Warman (2023) is a quintessential hack-and-slash experience, dedicated to the core tenets of action-adventure RPGs: thrilling combat, deep stat progression, and the pursuit of ever-better loot. Forget convoluted narratives or world-saving quests; Warman thrusts you directly into the fray for the pure exhilaration of battle. Its freeform class system offers unparalleled character development, allowing you to seamlessly transition between combat styles simply by swapping weapons, and the procedurally generated loot ensures a fresh challenge and endless growth potential with every encounter. Explore 17 interconnected maps across three distinct biomes, delving into both handcrafted and randomly generated dungeons, all while embracing a combat loop where death is a mere inconvenience, not a harsh penalty. This emphasis on accessible, satisfying gameplay loops and robust character customization makes Warman a standout candidate for the "Best games by indie.io" list. Indie developers often excel at delivering focused, polished experiences that refine genre mechanics, and Warman does exactly that for the hack-and-slash RPG. The "no story, no worry" approach allows players to jump in and immediately engage with the compelling combat and loot-driven progression, a design philosophy that resonates strongly with the indie scene's commitment to player freedom and immediate fun. Whether you choose to face its challenges alone or with up to eight friends, Warman offers a delightful playground for those seeking pure, unadulterated action and the thrill of becoming outrageously powerful.