Badland vs Hollow Knight
Badland
Badland gained worldwide acclaim when it was first released mainly because the game itself has one of the best level designs on the mobile platform, responsive and intuitive controls, as well as a realistic physics-based gameplay. However, that's not the cherry on top - the game is possibly among the first on either Android or iOS to offer a multiplayer and co-op option despite being simply "a puzzle game". The graphics in this game is also incredibly stunning in its simplistic kind of way. The color hues supplemented the black, ball-like creature you'll be playing as. And of course, the game offers endless replayability via its level editor where players can create their own levels, share them to the world, and even play other people's levels too!Badland is an excellent atmospheric side-scrolling action-adventure platformer that guarantees hours of fun regardless of whether you're playing alone, or with or against friends. Its awards are very well-deserved and by playing it (you can get it for free), you'll quickly realize this is one of the many gems in the indie gaming scene.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a cartoonish yet somewhat hardcore 2D side-scrolling action game that will see you travelling across the dark yet wondrous world of the Hallownest, filled with huge hallow caverns, ancient ruined cities, deadly wastelands and more. Unlike most games, the combat system in this one is based on precision and timing, rather than blindly hacking and slashing, and of course, different enemy types will require different strategies. Your character will also have access to some really powerful skills and abilities by equipping Charms.Not to mention, as opposed to simply giving you a map of sorts, you actually need to chart your own journey with mapping tools which can be bought in the game. And if that's not enough, the game even has a super challeging difficulty level, the Steel Soul Mode, which will truly put your skills to the test.
Despite being developed by only 2 people, Hollow Knight somehow managed to nail everything right on the head, be it its gameplay, the melancholic atmosphere of the game which helps to tell the story of a ruined civilization, a beautiful, dark world to explore, as well as a robust and in-depth character progression system. If this sounds like something you'd like, you might want to drop by and take a look.