It’s a new year and before we look forward to all the new games of 2023 we got to show some love to the best games of 2022. So here we are diving into the Top Ten Indie Games of 2022. These are games that went above and beyond in one way or another, and games that you should definitely have in your video game backlog list if you haven’t played them already. Now without further ado lets dive into it the top 10 indies of 2022.
10. A Walk with YiaYia
At our number 10 spot we have the indie game, A Walk With YiaYia. This is a smaller scale game centered around a walk with your Grandma. Don’t be fooled by that mundance description. This is a game story centric gamers will love. It has the one of the best stories of 2022.
Review Snippet:
Here is a snippet from our A Walk With YiaYia Review: “The game took me about an hour to complete, but it’s an experience that hit me hard in such a way that I spent the rest of the day thinking about the game. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s not often that I find myself tearing up playing a game, but this one got me. As someone who has lost his own Grandmother I found the game to be a delightful reminder of the small everyday mundane moments that I had with her.”
I really enjoyed my time with A Walk With YiaYia. Do yourself a favor and watch the trailer for this game to see if it is for you.
9. Potion Permit
In the 9th spot on the top ten indie games of 2022 list we have Potion Permit. This game is like a mix between Stardew Vally and Tetis. In this life-sim adventure RPG, you play as the village chemist. The potions creation plays like Tetris and the rest of the game plays for Stardew Valley and Moonlighter. Where you hunt and fight for supplies for potions that you create to heal the citizens of your town.
Overall Potion Permit might be the most underrated indie game of 2022 that you haven’t played yet. The gameplay is fun and deep enough to prevent quick boredom. It mixes classic Zelda RPG gameplay with the fun Tetris style puzzles well. Its story might be on the bland side but the game itself is so well rounded and solid that you don’t even think about the narrative much. If you’re a fan of old school adventure RPG games and life simulation games, do yourself a favor and check this game out. Here is out Potion Permit Review.
8. Grid Force: Mask of the Goddess
In the 8th place we have Grid Force: Mask of the Goddess. Grid Force: Mask of the Goddess is a grid-based bullet hell game with a gorgeous art-style, solid gameplay, and a deep roster of playable characters. You play as Donna, who wakes up in a strange land with no memory of who she is and why she is there. Thankfully she meets up with a squad of ladies who not only want to help here recover her memory, but also help her to defeat the goddesses and save the future.
Grid Force: Mask of the Goddess is an indie game that is a strong contender for sleeper game of the year. If you want to play a game that has addicting gameplay and a diverse and fun roster of characters then you should definitely play Grid Force. This game has its flaws, but for every flaw there are three things that this game nails. I want to again shout-out how unique and refreshing it is that all the playable characters are diverse women. If you’re looking for a fast pace action RPG that is fresh and unique then look no further than Grid Force: Mask of the Goddess.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge
At number 7 we have Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredders Revenge. There are certain games that you play and you can quickly tell that the game has style and that right kind of sauce. Sometimes a game’s visuals just pulls you in, and then it’s up to the gameplay to seal the deal and impress you. When those two elements comes together and mixes well it causes that cynical part of gamers mind’s to disappear for a bit. It talks a special game to do that. TMNT Shredders Revenge has that ability.
Review Snippet:
“So without a doubt, this is one of the best beat em ups that we’ve had in years. Even more so this is the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game that we’ve ever had. The level of detail and polish that this game has is next level. The Story mode is solid. The fact is the voice acting and soundtrack are also next level. Then you have gameplay that is fun in a pick up and play as well as nuanced enough for those who want to go deeper with combos. Let’s be real here. This is now the blueprint and gold standard of beat up genre.
This is a well earned Cowabunga!”
6. Beacon Pines
At our number 6 spot we have the indie game, Beacon Pines. This was a point and click mystery adventure game that punched well above its weight. This game features cute Winnie the Pooh- like characters and a storybook setting, but unlike the 100 Acre Woods this game has a Peaky Blinds and Black Mirror-like tone. It explores heavier tones and themes and tells an interesting story. It has this mechanic where you collect words and then use those words at select times to decide your next action. If you don’t like how the story plays out with that word you can go back and substitute it for a different word and see how the story plays out differently.
Review Snippet:
Here is a snippet from our Beacon Pines Review: “Became Pines is a dope game that knows what it wants to be. It’s a mystery adventure visual novel game that doesn’t overstay its welcome. This game isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re looking for a fast pace action game then this isn’t the game for you. On the flip side, if you’re looking for a conspiracy mystery game with fantastic art, music and storytelling then this game delivers in spades.”
I really enjoyed my time with Beacon Pines. I was engaged all the way through and I loved seeing the different paths that my words created. Do yourself a favor and watch the trailer for this game to see if it is for you.
5. Jack Move
We have the indie game, Jack Move, in the 5th spot of the ProNerd Report’s indie top ten games of 2022. More people need to play this game. For those of you who don’t know about this game, Jack Move is Cyberpunk turn-based JRPG. It’s a game that wasn’t on my radar going into playing it for review. However, very quickly you could tell it had that special sauce.
Review Snippet:
Here is a snippet from out Jack Move Review: “Overall Jack move is a solid Cyberpunk RPG. Even though it does have its faults it has way more going for it than against it. Jack Move is a well done RPG, with a simple easy to follow narrative and addicting turnbased gameplay. Jack Move might be my sleeper game of the year. This game me that adult version of Pokémon that I’ve been craving for a long time. If you like the Cyberpunk genre and want a short quality RPG experience then I highly recommend checking Jack Move out.”
Jack Move is the adult JRPG that I’ve been wanting for a long time. Playing this game me vibes of what I enjoyed about Pokémon and Golden Sun growing up but in a more mature package that really respects gamer’s time. The fact that this game has a slider that allows you to control how frequently enemies randomly appear is brilliant. You can make the game super grindy to help level you up or turn off enemy encounters completely so that you can quickly do side quests. This is a feature that should be in all JRPGs going forward. I love this game and I’m proud to give it the 8th spot on this list.
4. Cult of the Lamb
In the 4th spot of the ProNerd Report’s top ten indie games of 2022, we have Massive Monsters indie sensation, Cult of the Lamb. I don’t ever remember playing anything quite like Cult of the Lamb and this is a game that stuck with me since its release.
Review Snippet:
Here is a Snippet from our Cult of the Lamb Review “Cult of the Lamb is absolutely one of the best games I’ve played in 2022. It’s a damn good rouge like game and an even better Village simulator. There are a few things I wished this game did a bit better, but overall this is another banger from Devolver Digital. This game with its demonic vibe and tone won’t be for everyone and that is completely understandable. If that doesn’t bother you then try out this game. Be warned Cult of the Lamb is an experience likely to be your next video game obsession.”
Cult of the Lamb was my daily game for a section of 2022. No matter what happened in the day I often found myself relaxing while mowing down the dungeons and checking on my followers. This is one of the most innovative games of 2022 and is well deserving of the 7th spot on this illustrious list.
3. Prodeus
At number 3 we have Prodeus. This is another example of an indie game that took me by surprise. So Prodeus is a game that is basically old school doom, but with modern day features and gameplay. It has this old school 90s retro filter mixed in with modern day lighting and particle effects. I always say that there is an art to making gun play in games feel right and this game knocks it out of the park in that regard. Playing this game’s campaign took me back to playing old school Doom and Halo Combat Evolves campaign.
Review Snippet:
Here is a snippet from our Prodeus Review: “Overall Prodeus is a wildly fun time. It is a true love letter to retro shooters, but also a well designed modern shooter. There tons of replay value here due to the games insanely detailed and robust level crafting system. This game is so good that you wouldn’t have guessed that this was a crowd funded project. Seriously Prodeus is one of the best shooters of 2022.This is definitely a game fans of the genre should have their collection.”This is a game that I’d recommend to anyone who is looking for a fun shooter campaign to play. It is currently on gamepass and its also $20.00 to buy.
2. Vampire Survivors
In 2nd place on the top ten indie games of 2022 is Vampire Survivors. This game is so simple, yet so incredibly addicting and fun. When I played the game for the first time I wasn’t initially impressed. I thought the appearance was a bit rough, and the gameplay was too simplistic. It was when I died for the first time and quickly raced to start another round that I realized that I had been bitten by the same damn bug as everyone else who was raving about this game.
Review Snippet:
So Vampire Survivor officially takes the fifth spot on the list. Shout out to the developer Poncle. You created something special with this one.
Here is a snippet from our Vampire Survivors Review: “Overall Vampire Survivors is the perfect example of how the best things are often the simplest things. This game doesn’t have a lot of the complexities of other roguelike games. Instead it offers insanely fun and addicting gameplay that will have you saying “just one more run.” Vampire Survivors is one of the best games of 2022 and a game that you should definitely try out.”
The Indie Game of the Year: Rogue Legacy 2
In 1st place of the ProNerd Report’s top ten indie games of 2022, is Rogue Legacy 2. This is a game that is a strong contender for the most slept on game of the year. Nobody talked about this one and its baffling because it’s so damn good. Honestly it was probably the best roguelike game of the year and one of the best platformers of the year. Another reason why I say that it was slept on was because the first game was a critical darling. Everyone and their mama loved the first one and this one is even better than that game. To be honest, it’s not even close. So I’ll be the brave and righteous soul in video games media and give Rogue Legacy 2 its flowers.
Review Snippet:
Here is a snippet from our Rogue Legacy 2 Review: “Overall Rogue Legacy 2 is a phenomenal roguelite game. Even with its nontraditional way of storytelling, the game’s addicting loop draws you in and keeps you wanting more. By the way you don’t have to play the first game to understand what’s happening here. Really I’d skip the first game and just play this one. This one is everything great about the first game multiplied by 12. Rogue Legacy 2 is a game that you will play and lose all your sense of time. Seriously it’s that addicting. If you are a fan of platformers and roguelite games then this is one that you have to have in your collection.”
So Rogue Legacy 2 takes the 1st place slot. More people need to play this game. Go play it. You won’t regret it.
Now let’s talk about the medalist.
Overall/Final Thoughts on The ProNerd Report’s Top Ten Indie Games of 2022:
This is the ProNerd Report’s and The Single Player Experience’s 2022 top ten indie games of the year list. So I said this with the game of the year list, overall I will say that 2022 had a solid assortment of games. Even though I’d argue that we were a bit light with big AAA games, but we were blessed with an all you can eat buffet of wonderful indie games. There were so many games that didn’t make this list, but were great experiences. I’ll be real with you, indies carried us through 2022. The indies held it down for gamers in 2022. To the Indie developers I want to say thank you. Thank you for taking the providing us with this dope experiences. So that is the list of the Top ten Indie games of the year for 2022. These are games that you should have in your video game backlog.
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