LEVEL UP! Good riddance 2021, amirite? It was such a crazy year for most, but I think we can all agree we got our hands on some awesome indie games over the year. However, 2021 is over, and you know what that means? 2022 is here and it’s got a stack more indie games coming with it!
I’m so excited to see what this year has in store for us from the amazing indie game devs. Personally, I am so keen for Hollow Knight: Silksong, though we still haven’t heard from Team Cherry when we’ll be back to bug-killing, but hopefully soon!
Alas, let’s see what indie games are coming out in January 2022!
Nightmare: The Lunatic
Developer: Maetdol Games
Release Date: January 7th (Early Access)
Platforms: PC
Genre: Roguelite
“Nightmare: The Lunatic is an action roguelite platformer game where you escape your nightmare. Swap between 3 weapons constantly, use special attacks, and dodge and dodge enemy attacks. Strengthen yourself by collecting powerful and distinctive totems.”
Did someone say roguelite? Yes! Nightmare: The Lunatic is just that, set in a neverending nightmare where you’ll need to dive deep into the dream to find a way out. Battle fierce creatures, unlock secrets, and recover totems in this ethereal wonder. The art style is perfect too, showcasing a pixelated world in total ease and wonder. I’m very excited for this one as it’s been a while since I’ve jumped into a roguelite whose world seems so interesting!
Rescue Party Live
Developer: Tag Studio
Release Date: January 14th
Platforms: PC
Genre: Co-op
“Play alone or with your friends in this cooperative adventure for 1 to 4 players. Make the right moves, and coordinate with your team to rescue people in danger. Have fun, and act fast! The success of your team depends on your choices. Save as many lives as possible in a frantic race against time!”
You’re going to want to invite your friends over for this barrel of Overcooked-like chaos as you coordinate rescuing NPCs. While the style of this one is very familiar, the concept of a party co-op rescue game is certainly new to me! Definitely pick this one up if you’ve already cut your teeth on similar party games like Overcooked, Moving Out, and Think of the Children. It features a single-player mode if your friends are busy as well as local and online multiplayer modes. You venture to 6 unique environments as one of 9 cute characters, one of which is a Guide Dog! It’s such a neat touch on an already fresh approach to the couch co-op genre.
Aery – Dreamscape
Developer: EpiXR Games UG
Release Date: January 15th
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Adventure
“In Aery – Dreamscape you play as a bird like spirit who can enter the minds of other people in order to explore their thoughts, their secrets and their imagination. Experience the feeling of flying, immerse into beautiful and atmospheric landscapes and enjoy the unique storytelling of the game…”
Take to the skies in this dreamy game about exploring people’s imaginations as a bird-like spirit. Featuring a stunning 13 levels, you’ll be collecting feathers as you unlock more of the game. What I like about this one is how it allows players to glide and fly through the areas in order to gain a new perspective on the level. It’s very dynamic and it’s an instant pick for anyone who’s enjoyed a bird flying game before. Artistically it also captures that gorgeous evocative minimalism that makes roaming its levels all the more fun to explore. I doubt there’s any danger you’ll be tempted to fly too close to the sun in this one!
Watcher Chronicles
Developer: Third Sphere Game Studios
Release Date: January 19th
Platforms: PC
Genre: Metroidvania
“Become a glutton for punishment and persevere against 20+ merciless bosses and legions of skeletal nightmares in this savage yet charming 2D souls-like.”
Grab your sword and prepare for battle in this fast challenging metroidvania battler that’s more souls-like than I think we are ready for. Explore this purgatorial realm where secrets are hidden everywhere. There’s even co-op for those who need a friend to take on the madness and share the loot of the battle. Choose from fierce unique weapons or intense magic as you come up against over 20 bosses finely crafted to be your demise. This game wants to kill you, a lot, and if you do defeat it, there’s a new game plus!
Windjammers 2
Developer: Dotemu
Release Date: January 20th
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Arcade, Sports
“The best flying disc game of all time is back! With amazing hand-drawn graphics, crazy new moves, gameplay mechanics and awesome new characters and stages, Windjammers 2 is the sequel you’ve been dreaming of.”
Who hasn’t played some version of a Windjammers style game at some time or another in an arcade or home console? Pick one of 10 characters and battle it out in 2D disc jamming chaos. It’s a cult classic of the arcade that’s sure to turn more heads with its return. It also features a headbanging soundtrack, a slick arcade mode for solo grinding, and local and online multiplayer.
Blackwind
Developer: Drakkar Dev
Release Date: January 20th
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Genre: Action
“Blackwind is a top-down sci-fi action game that puts you in the shoes of a teenager trapped inside a prototype battle armor suit during an alien invasion. Face off against enemies, cut through their ranks, and fight back to stop a planetary invasion.”
I have to say, top-down games aren’t something we can ever have too much of which is a good thing, because here comes another! Blackwind is a brutal mech battler where you’ll take on enemies in your own highly optimized battle armour. Decide on your playstyle as you upgrade the mech through the game, terminating your enemies with ease. If you have a player two, they can also join the battle!
Pupperazzi
Developer: Sundae Month
Release Date: January 20th
Platforms: PC, Xbox One
Genre: Sandbox
“Put your love for pups to the test – we have a bunch of dogs that need their photos taken, doggone it! Photograph and catalogue the finest (and derpiest) dogs to build your career, upgrade your camera, and discover new canines. WOOF.”
Who doesn’t love taking pictures of dogs?! This is a game about snapping the best, most cutest photos of our furry best friends. Make your way through this world of puppers with your camera as you search for that perfect treat shot. I’m very excited for this one as it’s a spin on that familiar Pokemon Snap gameplay formula. If you need further convincing, just ask the dogs: BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK.
Hidden Deep
Developer: Cogwheel Software
Release Date: January 24th (Early Access)
Platforms: PC
Genre: Action
“Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action game heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life. Explore, climb, swim, scan, blast and shoot your way through dangerous missions in a huge sub oceanic mining and research facility. Fear the horrors that lurk below…”
Prepare for a journey into the deep in this thrilling adventure. Honestly, the plot of this game feels a little familiar but gameplay-wise it certainly tries a lot out. You’ll be fighting creatures, powering machinery, and unlocking the secrets as you search for missing researchers in the underground facility. There’s even co-op for those looking to bring a pal for moral support in the deep dark depths. Boasting a 20-hour story mode and tons of tools at your disposal, you’ll have to be ready for anything.
Reverie Knights Tactics
Developer: 40 Giants Entertainment
Release Date: January 25th
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Turn-Based Tactics
“Reverie Knights Tactics is a turn-based tactical RPG with strategic battles in isometric grids where every decision can alter the story. Travel through a hand-drawn fantasy world and lead your heroes in a story-rich adventure, visual novel style!”
For those looking for a more tactics-based game to ring in the new year, Reverie Knights Tactics is here. It’s an adventure through a hand-drawn fantasy world as you lead your favourite heroes into battle. Turn-based games aren’t usually my thing, but there’s something about the style of characters in this one and the colourful UI that has me very keen to get my hands on it!
Diplomacy is Not an option
Developer: Door 407
Release Date: January 26th (Early Access)
Platforms: PC
Genre: Tower Defense
“You were born a feudal lord. Sounds good, right? But you’re bored of hunting, executions and tournaments. Even of feasts with beautiful maidens. The only dream left – your castle surrounded by hordes of enemies. You would waste no time on negotiation. This is your chance to show’em who is in charge.”
War but make it survival of the most brutal. Diplomacy is Not an Option is a slick army battler where everyone around you is an enemy. Battle against peasants, other armies, and even other terrors that haunt the lands. While being ruthless is required, the game begs for a strategy to prevail and you’ll soon realise there’s a feisty balance where one wrong move could be your end.
So there you have it, indie game lovers…
These are just 10 of the new indie games we’ll be getting our hands on this month, let us know which one you’re most excited to play or if we missed any!
About the Author
Alex Beaty
They/Them
Alex enjoys games with rich storytelling and bold character arcs that inspire their own pursuits in game writing and narrative design.
