Not really like SV but all of Lucas Pope's games definitely stand out. Another individual who does pretty much all his own work. Paper's Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, both excellent and very unique.
Your mention of Return of the Obra Dinn reminded me of this article[1] which I found quite fascinating about dithering, the technique used for the game's art style. One of the neat things about these types of small indie games is that they can do unique things with (among other things) art style which bigger budget games that need a wider appeal can't afford to.
The recently released Echo Beach..
"As a clerk at the Ministry, your job is to hunt down the remaining musicians in their place of last refuge - The Musicnet."
Hypnospace Outlaw
"In Hypnospace Outlaw you play as a volunteer 'enforcer' who is tasked with bla bla bla... to make money bla bla. The cool thing is that there's a super robust fake OS and a really big fake internet with all kinds of neat things to find. OK?!? Ok!"
Completely agree. I wish I could forget everything about Obra Dinn so I can go back and play it again for the first time. I also recommend going into it blind, so that early on when the nature of what your character is dealing with is revealed, you won't have any idea it was coming.
Lucas Pope and Concerned Ape are supremely talented (they even compose the music for their games!). I'll buy anything they release at this point, sight unseen.
I’ve often made that comparison myself, though I hesitate sharing it in order to avoid triggering a possible knee-jerk response.
Outer Wilds is my favorite game of all time :) It is generally quite chill (though there are a few tense moments). I hear the DLC is a little scary/thrilling but I haven’t played it yet.
I just played Obra Dinn. For years I have been saying “Why aren’t there any games like Sierra’s Manhunter series?” Obra Dinn is the first game that ever reminded me of Manhunter. Also, it was fun and very well made.
[1] https://surma.dev/things/ditherpunk/