I didn’t play many desktop indie games in 2017 because I was so focused on finishing and shipping Shadowhand. I played some on console when I took a break from the PC, but they aren’t listed here.
Anyway, these are the ones I found most interesting (in no particular order). Note that they may be older than 2017 but I didn’t get round to playing them until 2017.

Evoland
It’s an RPG game that starts off like an old-skool game and gradually evolves into a more modern style game. I thought it was pretty neat.

Fidel Dungeon Rescue
A smart rogue-lite puzzle game with decent pixel art and a certain charm. It’s quite tricky!

Guild of Dungeoneering
A neat RPG where you build the dungeon by laying down cards for rooms, monsters and loot etc.

Hollow Knight
Everyone was talking about this so I thought I’d better try it and guess what? It was good. Metroidvania style gameplay and very polished art.

Kero Blaster
I can’t remember how I ended up with this game but I’m a sucker for old-skool pixel art experiences (if done well). So I probably saw this on Steam and got it, and it was good.

Oxygen Not Included
I got to play an alpha of this and it was so addictive I had to delete it otherwise I knew it would delay my work on Shadowhand. Recommended!

Punch Club
As an Aikido instructor, this game intrigued me and I got hooked as soon as I started playing it. Balancing your job, training and wellbeing is addictive (and too real!)

Reigns
I played a lot of card games the last couple of years as research for Shadowhad. This one wasn’t useful as it didn’t give me any ideas, but it was a clever idea, so it made my list.

Superhot
Yes I know, late to the party, but I liked it a lot. This is the only game on the list that I beat because I have a compulsion to beat level-based FPS games.