Best of: RPG's
Could you get any more classic of a genre? The Elden Rings and the Pokemons of the world are all well and good, but there is just so much possibility when it comes to the genre. From open ended exploration to crunchy battle systems, this year, we feasting.
Coromon
Legitimately and un-ironically the best Pokemon game to come out in 2022. Coromon asks what if the history of Pokemon diverged around the 3rd or 4th gen, and instead of switching to 3D and keeping the franchise focused on appealing to all ages, instead the game dove into the things that heavy fans of the franchise have come to know and love. From smart tweaks like an SP instead of PP system and HMs that are attached to the player through technology rather than tied to ‘mons, to building in fan-created innovations such as nuzlocke runs and difficulty modes, Coromon is a 2D Pokemon adventure that scratches all the itches you might have after being left wanting by Arceus or Violet/Scarlet.
Wigmund
Has demo
There’s something utterly charming about the earnestness of Wigmund’s vibrant world. Hitting full release this year with a continued pace of patches and additions, Wigmund’s Tolkein-esque setting is a delight to explore and role play in.
Wartales
Early access
An open world turn based RPG with a massive gritty medieval world to explore, plunder and survive in. Build up a band of not-so-merry companions, get eaten by wolves, defend or take down merchant caravans, soak in a unique middle ages world.
Crystal Project
A really interesting take on the old school JRPG formula, in that Crystal Project is kind of a cross between early Final Fantasy and Skyrim?? a top down adventure that puts the focus on exploration and self-progression over a focused linear narrative.
Digitizer
What if Cyberpunk 2077 was created by one person, with all the that could possibly entail? Digitizer is an open world RPG that kind of buckles under the weight of it’s own ambition, but it’s a worthwhile jank of a time.
1428: Shadows over Silesia
Has demo
A Dark Fantasy isometric adventure that plays in the realm of medieval history, specifically the Hussite wars. Using this setting as a backdrop to tell a somewhat fantastical narrative, the balance between combat, puzzles and stealth help this RPG stand out among its peers.
Asterigos: Curse of the Stars
Ancient Greek and Roman mythologies collide with everyman’s Souls style combat in a colourful world. Have a ton of fun exploring in this modern God of War style RPG adventure.
Praey For The Gods
Sadly buried in the Christmas-New Years period of 2021, Praey For The Gods is indie Breath of the Wild meets Shadow of the Colossus. Explore a vast world, climb on the backs of beasts to slay them and uncover the secrets that litter every corner of this frozen landscape.
Gedonia
Something of an indie Skyrim that has just gone from strength to strength throughout it’s early access period, finally hitting 1.0 late this year. Very much a “role play however you want, do just about anything” style experience, amazingly made by just one person.
Dread Delusion
Early access
Legitimately one of the most awe inspiring, alien, aesthetically thick games out there. Pulling on the early to mid 2000s first person RPG era, a single screenshot is enough to pique the curiosity. I can not wait for this to be fully finished.
Thymesia
A plague ridden soulslike RPG with a clever “plague weapon” risk reward system elevating it to more than a simple clone. Sitting closer to Bloddborne than any other FromSoft game, Thymesia sits above it’s peers to stand alongside the cult favourite.
Lunacid
Early access
Also pulling inspiration from a bygone era, this dungeon crawler explicitly places itself in the Shadow Tower and King’s Field lineage. Living entirely up to that descriptor and extremely cheap to boot, of the charts atmosphere and stellar level design will draw you into this inscrutable world.
White Lavender
What if Sokpop made a Soulslike? Well, you don’t really have to wonder, because White Lavender is the bite sized answer to your needs. Sokpop here with the bangers this year!
CESSPOOL
A classic indie, inexpensive turn based JRPG. A nice short story, an interesting graphical style and some nice tunes to top it all off.
Tinyfolks
A stripped down minimalist tactical turn based RPG with great depth in customisability in your party and heroes, all for just a couple of bucks.
Jack Move
An awesome cyberpunk turn based 2D JRPG many years in the making. Excellent interlocking systems design, backed up by meticulously crafted animations.