It’s that time once again to look back at the games released throughout the year and pick our favorites from the long list of releases. With The Game Awards handed out to the respective winning teams, it’s nice to throw our own voting results in the ring for our reader’s consideration. Focusing on the games released from independent studios, given our other list focused more on the AAA game releases, here is the GameTyrant team’s official list of the top 5 indie titles from 2022!
Indie Game of the Year: Cult of the Lamb
Devolver Digital and Massive Monster released neat little game with solid gameplay and a blasphemously-good concept. This game was Cult of the Lamb and it is a title that didn’t just get a rare perfect review score from us, but it was among the top choices from the majority of our team! With an easy-to-learn playstyle that allows players to enjoy the game in their own way, this adaptative title brings the best of two great genres together. That said, it is the clear choice for our team’s Indie Game of the Year!
Cult of the Lamb is available now for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
The Entropy Centre
Another top contending indie game from this year is The Entropy Centre by Stubby Games and Playstack. This puzzle adventure game brings back the comically dark atmosphere that puzzle fans have desired since the Portal series. Plus, the puzzle mechanic is interestingly new while not being completely unheard of, giving players the joy of solving puzzles without spending a ton of time learning to understand the mechanics. Surprisingly enough, this title also earned a rare perfect review score from us!
The Entropy Centre is out now on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
The Callisto Protocol
Being the debut title of the new team at Striking Distance Studios and aided by KRAFTON comes a new space-based horror survival game. The Callisto Protocol initially launched with a bumpy start, mainly for the PC player base, but ultimately provided a greatly unique experience. Bringing some of the horror tactics from the team’s previous work on the Dead Space series and combining that with new gameplay mechanics, including a completely unique melee system, turned out to be some of the greatest work from this year. While our review isn’t the highest of highlights for the game, given the rough launch, it is hard to argue that it is worthy of being considered a top contender for 2022.
The Callisto Protocol is out now for PC via Steam and Epic Games, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Tunic
The new adventure game from Andrew Shouldice and Finji finds its way as a top title of 2022 after providing an unforgettable journey. Tunic managed to the rogue-lite genre forward in inventive and exhilarating ways while also subtly honoring the titles that came before it. This adventure includes action, puzzles, secrets to uncover, and lore that is simply remarkable, to say the least. Yet another title that earned a perfect review score from us and has earned its way on our list.
Tunic is available now on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Vampire Survivors
Considered one of the best debut titles and leaving its early access period this year is Vampire Survivors by Poncle. This definition of a modern retro success is a pixel-art bullet-hell action rogue-like. While our team didn’t review this one, many of us did manage to play it and the experience this game gives is one that is worth having. Mow down your foes with randomly changing builds to conquer the vast mobs of hundreds to win the game.
Vampire Survivors is available now on PC via Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Mobile via Android and iOS.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, with how many games were released in 2022, it was hard to bring it down to just a Top 5. Here are some of the choices that were considered, but ultimately didn’t make the final list:
