Bigger isn’t getting better and better, and the indie games of 2022 prove it. While there have been a lot of incredible AAA stunners this year, like elden ring and God of Wår RagnarokIndies continue to offer some of the best experiences in the medium.
From nostalgic adventures and hazy protagonists to philosophical narratives and games that completely break with the mold of interactive entertainment, this year’s indie releases constantly surprise and delight. They are no longer fringe curiosities, but unique experiences that the industry pays more attention to. Here are the ten best indie games of 2022.
10 Norco
Norco is a point-and-click adventure game that bills itself as a southern gothic narrative. It takes place in a fictional Louisiana town in a pseudo-post-apocalypse dominated by greedy corporations destroying the environment.
This stark portrait of the cost of a post-industrial world is gripping and beautifully crafted, making it a standout narrative masterpiece in 2022.
9. Return to Monkey Island
Speaking of point and click, monkey island returned this year with a new adventure from the original creators of the series. Return to Monkey Island is a nostalgic adventure that manages to recapture the magic of the originals while feeling fresh.
In a year of so many emotionally intense games, comedic joy is born Return to Monkey Island is a breath of fresh air.
8th. Villain Legacy 2
How do you improve on one of the best roguelike games of all time? Are you doing Villain Legacy 2. The genealogy-based looping gameplay, in which you take on the role of an ever-expanding ancestral tree, returns, with further enhancements that greatly enhance the experience beyond the original game.
7. signalis
signalis is not only one of the best indies of the year, but hands down the best horror game of the year. This PS1-inspired thriller blends old-school gameplay with a deeply compelling puzzle-box story. For anyone who thinks modern survival horror remakes lose something special in translation, signalis is an experience not to be missed.
6. cult of the Lamb
Management simulations are all the rage, who wouldn’t want to be their own little boss in a video game? From a crowded field cult of the Lamb rises thanks to its unique twist on the formula that players make a deal with the devil to successfully run a cult.
The imaginative premise and charming art draw you in, but cult of the Lamb delivers the joys of a good management simulation. Just don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
5. citizen sleeper
citizen sleeper is one of the most impactful games of 2022. Mostly developed by one person, this game is inspired by tabletop roleplaying games and features a unique dice-based game system. It tells the story of a sleeper, a downloaded consciousness in an artificial body, who ran away to a space station to start a new life. The story confronts corporate misconduct and the struggle for bodily autonomy in a capitalist world.
While it’s full of meaningful stories to explore, citizen sleeper is a short experience. If you want more, you can play the DLC episodes, each developed in a month, although you can’t tell how good they are.
4. neon white
neon white is a Sega Genesis fever dream full of adrenaline and badass humor. Mixing elements from action games, first-person shooters, platformers, and even dating sims, Neon White throws everything against the wall.
You play as the titular Neon White, an assassin saved from Hell tasked with wiping out demons in order to win a place in heaven. Divided into short levels that can take only a few seconds to complete, neon white will make you understand the complexities of speedrunning like never before.
3. tunic
tunic is a love letter to the Legend of Zelda games of the SNES era. You play as a little fox that washes up on a mysterious beach and must explore the world by collecting new tools and traversing dungeons filled with enemies.
Action and puzzle mechanics abound tunicwhich hides a treasure trove of secrets for players to uncover. Tunic’The greatest moments are when the player feels a sense of accomplishment in discovery, something the game encourages you to do through your own deductions. Keep a notebook and pencil handy because solving tunic‘s mysteries require real work.
2. immortality
On the border between cinematic thrills and video games, immortality is the latest narrative mystery game by Your history Creator Sam Barlow. Players are tasked with sift through hours of footage to piece together the life of a forgotten movie star. Every frame in the film is crafted with palpable passion, and an intriguing mystery forces the player to pull every possible thread.
1. Stray
Stray immediately captured the hearts of all players (and cats) who played it with its cat-based platform adventure. The novelty of playing as a cat combined with a beautiful world helped Stray a standout experience in 2022 as it took home the awards for Best Indie and Best Indie Debut (as well as a Game of the Year nomination) at The Game Awards on December 8th.
Playing as a cat isn’t just a gimmick – enter the captivating world of Stray is one of the best game designs of recent times.
Vice versa celebrates the best of the best in entertainment, gaming, science and technology in 2022. Go to Vice versa Hub for awards.