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Whether it’s a predilection for the past, a hunt for a new speedrunning community, or a desire to be lost in a world full of eccentric characters (2021 saw some real favorites), these games show the dedication and care their developers put into them. When that joy is shared with fans, all those hours coding, designing, and writing will have made the gaming community a better place.
10 Forward: Escape The Fold
Incorporating those popular card-based mechanics into a roguelike dungeon crawler is a winning concept, if the success of 2021’s Inscryption is any evidence. While some may go to great lengths to ease their card-collecting itch, the bite-sized Forward: Escape the Fold wraps it all up in a gameplay loop that’s simple to learn and lasts as long as the player dares enter another round.
With stories of multimillion-dollar efforts breaking on a regular basis, it’s easy to forget that fundraising can have more modest goals. In the case of Two Tiny Dice’s sole developer, Christophe Coyard, the campaign appears to have resulted in a small and dedicated community.
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9 The Last Relic
The February 2022 Nintendo Direct announced a pleasant surprise for Earthbound fans. Those with a love for pure ‘90s nostalgia — particularly JRPGs — received news of a Mother 2 rerelease, among others. The Last Relic is keeping that good news flowing with a strategic combat system, expansive crafting, and unlockable costumes.
Created by a duo team of human Chris Hall and the cat Monty, what started as a love of the NES days flourished into an enjoyable entry into the JRPG genre. With The Last Relic and other indie JRPGs like Cesspool releasing this year, Nintendo is sleeping on an opportunity to finally release Mother 3 in the West.
RELATED:This Was The Perfect Time For Nintendo To Re-Release Mother 3
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8 Soulchild
Fans of retro platformers have been blessed with quality releases of their favorite genre. 2021’s Celeste Classic 2 was just one in a long line of hits. While OK Games is busy working on their latest game, Earthblade, Spanish developer, dunny, is putting the last touches on Soulchild, their platformer with those ever-popular metroidvania elements.
If the promising itch.io demo is a taste of what’s in store, Soulchild could be in the running for one of the best platformers of 2022. To help the game along the way, a close-knit community for fans to share fan art, dedicated speedsters’ speedruns and daily cheese facts is there to build the hype.
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7 Recursor
Speaking of speedrunning, Metroid fans know how a well-designed moveset lends itself to pushing a game to its limits. Fans brought to the series through Metroid Dread need look no further than Recursor to challenge a gripping new sci-fi world.
Active in the Super Smash Bros Melee community, creator Wills Blackett — also known as Schmoo — put his experience creating a browser-based Melee demake into his original IP. Featuring time trials, a versus mode for up to 4 players, and a customizable campaign, prospective speedrunners should give Recursor’s demo a shot to get a feel for the quick-paced action and fluid controls.
RELATED:Games That You Can Learn To Speedrun Fast (& Still Look Impressive)
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6 Ratten Reich
Austrian studio Metall Adler Studios teamed up with publisher Cryptivo to create a real-time strategy game in which battles are fought by armies that stalk prey at night. Rats are cute but they are highly adaptive, so it makes sense that they’ve taken to the trenches.
Certain studios may be trying to keep an iron grip on the RTS genre, but they have serious competition with Ratten Reich on the field. On top of campaign and skirmish modes, the intricate lore allows players to lead factions based on real-world nations: America, Japan, Ethiopia, and Austria to name a few. Ratten Reich’s Discord server is the place for memes, dreams, and historical battles.
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5 Zero Sievert
Inspired by the STALKER series, Zero Sievert takes in-depth crafting and survival gameplay and wraps it into a colorful pixel art package. Featuring base building, weapon customization, and inventory-wrangling, complete with a Fallout-esque personal device, players find no lack of activity in this post-apocalyptic world.
Those familiar with Project Zomboid will recognize the gameplay loop of gathering supplies and battling menaces in the wild, but with a mission and faction system, Zero Sievert sets itself apart.
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4 Ailuri
The term ‘platforming tearjerker’ should be well-understood by those familiar with games such as Ori and the Blind Forest. Like the ‘sports dog’ film genre, there’s something about cute characters taking on tall challenges that always seems to end in heartbreak (like the saddest Netflix movies). Even so, they’re irresistible. Ailuri, the fluffy titular character, is worth a tear or two.
Luckily, fun couch co-op allows players to take on sprawling levels and bosses with added emotional support. Ailuri’s demo doesn’t spoil the ending, but if the final release is anything like Ori, the journey along the way will be something special.
RELATED:Best Platformer Games Of 2021
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3 The Outbound Ghost
An art style reminiscent of Paper Mario and gameplay elements inspired by the 2D installment of the Legend of Zelda series along with Undertale: The Outbound Ghost certainly knows how to mix everything together to make a unique blend.
Fans of The Minish Cap will appreciate the colorful cast and puzzles, while those new to the adventure genre will appreciate something cute and comedic. The Outbound Ghost is one to watch. With a Switch release on the way too, Nintendo’s roster of adventure games is shaping up well for 2022.
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2 Unusual Findings
‘90s fans have no shortage of nostalgia bait, but what about those looking to relive the ‘80s? Whether it’s a love for the scent of Aquanet or the Netflix series Stranger Things that draws you to the decade, Unusual Findings keeps the spirit of neon and pleather alive.
Unusual Findings is not just a bunch of references; it offers a gameplay style reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures like King’s Quest. Those born a few decades late shouldn’t be put off, however. Unusual Findings’ sci-fi coming-of-age story is one that can be enjoyed by anyone.
RELATED:Stranger Things Season 4 Release Date May Be Hidden In Clues Followed By Fans
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1 The Garden Path
Many have their eyes peeled for the next great life sim to transport them into a world full of compelling characters and endless adventures. They’d be pleased to learn that The Garden Path finally has a release date scheduled for 2022.
While Stardew Valley may be an immediate comparison, with gardening taking the forefront of this flowery landscape, developer carrotcake cites Animal Crossing and Don’t Starve as the main influences for this real-time sim. Here, players are supposed to grow with the natural world around them. Those interested in hearing more about the design philosophy of solo developer, Louis Durrant, can check out our interview below.
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MORE: The Garden Path Interview: Dev Discusses Characters, Achievements, And Future Plans
