The Best Indie Video Games Released in 2022
2022 has been a pretty massive year for gamers across the board. Of course, triple-A titles dominated sales worldwide. And highly-anticipated blockbusters like God of War: Ragnarök and Elden Ring sure delivered. But while big-budget productions lead the field, 2022 also saw the release of quite a few indie sleeper hits. From darkly cute action adventure to steampunk open worlds, lesser-known studios brought fresh perspectives to the table. So, let’s look back at some stellar indie games that came out last year.
Cult of the Lamb
Developed by Massive Monster, Cult of the Lamb starts out on the most bizarre premises. While adorable on the surface level, this action-adventure takes a dark and wicked turn real fast. The titular character is a possessed lamb brought back from the dead by a mysterious deity. What is the compensation for this lofty debt, you say? This not-so-benevolent demon-spirit demands that you grow a cult in their name.
So, get out and spread the word. Scavenge resources to build new structures to welcome your flock and convince them with vibrant sermons, then send your followers out into the world to advance your cause. Non-believers won’t be so easy to convert, though, and you may have to strike them down to affirm your cult is the one way to enlightenment. Blending elements of colony sim and pure roguelike dungeon-crawling in a mystical fashion, Cult of the Lamb is one hell of an addictive ride.
Tunic
Tunic is just the game to get your hands on if you’re longingly looking forward to the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This action adventure in isometric view conjures up some strong Zelda vibes, down to the green tunic of its anthropomorphic fox protagonist. Tunic also draws inspiration from the Dark Souls franchise.
With its lack of dialogues and slightly old-school design practices, Tunic masterfully captures the long-forgotten magic of the early days of gaming. Gorgeous visuals aside, Tunic also puts players through challenging combat and puzzles. And with such a fine piece of work, it is hard to believe that Tunic was single-handedly developed by its dedicated creator Andrew Shouldice over seven years.
Stray
Post-apocalyptic and steampunk games are in fashion, and mixing both genres is already a pathway to success. But add a cutesy cat into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a hit in the making. Left alone in a world where humanity has long been wiped off the map, an adorable ginger stray cat sets out on a journey to reunite with its feline family. Perils are on the way, as the underbelly of Dead City is swarming with mutant bacteria. Yet our brave kitten can rely on the unlikely help of a droid companion to unlock new paths and solve puzzles, unravelling deep-lying mysteries along the way.
Brought by the innovative minds of Blue Twelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive, Stray is an eerie single-player adventure. With immersive world-building and a melancholy art design to boot, this atmospheric exploration across a seedy cybercity was one of the highlights of 2022.
Card Shark
Card Shark isn’t your run-of-the-mill card game, as this action-adventure entry by indie studio Nerial is all about cheating. Card Shark puts you in the shoes of a young mute turned con artist, approached by a shady French count looking for an accomplice to rid the upper classes of the pre-revolutionary French society of their money. So, pull a fast one on every opponent by blatantly defrauding them in any way you may imagine. Loaded with intriguing and nerve-racking minigames, this satirical tale against a captivating 18th-century backdrop is a clever spin on an often-formulaic genre.
And it might even get you in the mood for real-life action. If you’re fond of the classics, the best UK casino table games are a click away. From poker to craps and blackjack, online casinos boast dozens of timeless games. Variations like Sic Bo and Pai Gow poker even bring Macau-styled games straight home. Live dealer sessions also spruce up the experience to let you interact with fellow players. But remember, no stacking of the cards allowed!
There you have them, 2022’s most memorable indie games. While AAA franchises made the news throughout the year, these indie efforts also stole the show for their endearing concepts and sheer gameplay quality. And sales followed, showing games produced by small-scale studios could perfectly go toe-to-toe with blockbuster giants.
