Undertalers & RPG Makers
There’s a sub-genre within indie RPGs that’s hard to pin down. Mostly consisting of games made within RPG maker or Gamemaker Studio (not always though!) these games sometimes have combat, maybe contain some puzzles, and can vary pretty wildly on their tone. What unifies them is a top down viewpoint and an interesting story to tell. Thanks to the ease of access to the tools needed to make them, there is an abundance of this style of game out there - but it still takes skill and talent to create something special. Here’s the best of these from 2022.
Lily's Well
PureIceBlue’s horror chops when it comes to 2D top down games is extensive, which is on full display with the retro vibes of Lily’s Well. Released for Free with an optional supporter pack. Also, I bloody love their Piczo inspired website.
Heartstop
A traditional narrative focused RPG Maker game in the vein of To The Moon. The world has frozen in time, with a story focused on the relationship between the only two remaining people on earth able to move.
Ashina: The Red Witch
Top down 2D Spirited Away. A cozy few hours on a game centered around death.
XenoTown
The most Earthbound inspired game on this list, this cheap, bite sized RPG is full of great gags and odd characters. I mean, your party consists of a human, an alien and a germaphobic toilet.
Restless Soul
Humour is a tough thing to land in games, but Restless Soul seems to somehow do it with ease. Combined with bullet hell style battles and puzzles, the top notch writing really makes this one shine.
An Outcry
An RPG Maker horror game with an unmistakable mood. "Guide the Unnamed through the worst night of their life: Harass your neighbours. Debate with birds. Smoke to survive."
For A Vast Future
A top down gameboy inspired RPG set in a post-war dystopia. Excellent music, great QOL features, wonderful pixel art.
Vamps For The Memories
Free
A self referential lite RPG about racing to kill a vampire. Light and funny. "It's like classic LucasArts made a Final Fantasy knock-off.” Plus, it’s free!
This Way Madness Lies
A Shakespearian Magical Girl RPG from the mind behind Cosmic Star Heroine and Cthulhu Saves the World. The best part is, it’s fairly cheap and not super long! Actually no, that’s not the best part - read the first half of the first sentence again.
Vacant Kingdom
Has demo
Very clearly inspired by Undertale, this top down bullet hell RPG is one truly for the secret hunters.
MeMoMi
Free
A surreal 2D psychological adventure game where you travel through a “body-like” world in search of a legendary cure to save this body, i.e.. the world.