Our Top Rated Indie Games Of 2012 So Far…
As we approach the mid-year mark, we have found ourselves assessing which indie games have impressed us so far in 2012. The most fair way to approach the task seemed to be to look back over the games we have rated the highest; at least that way the arguments would be kept to a minimum.
Of course, in doing this we have to acknowledge that we haven’t reviewed lots of indie games that have been released this year. As this portion of the site focuses on console and PC games, we could only really include what we know too. We’ll nudge mobile.indiegamemag.com to see if they’ll do a similar thing too. We’ve also written about plenty of free indie games, which we tend not to give a rating too, so many of them aren’t included in this list. So, by no means should anyone consider this list definitive in any shape or form.
The following games are just the top rated console and PC indie titles that we have got around to reviewing. Simple as that. In any case, it’s good to have a recap every now and then. The line we drew was at 85% and up. Give them a look over and tell us in the comments what indie games have most impressed you so far in 2012!
“Some may find that the absence of story, unlockables and achievements may feel lacking, not quite tangible enough. It is this when combined with the high difficulty of Dustforce that will unfortunately turn some players away. Aside from that, there’s no doubt that Dustforce will be revered as another icon of the platformer as it attests to its very soul, etching its design on to the foreheads of those who will eventually complete it.”
“I really can’t sing the praises of Lexiv enough, the game offers hours upon hours of deeply cerebral fun. It’s RPG-style player levelling gives you more than enough of a reason to come back time and time again and the game, whilst taxing, is never a chore. The satisfaction of beating a level in Lexiv is rewarding in the classic sense as well as giving you the vague feeling that you learnt something. If you love crosswords, if you love tower defence, if you feel your vocabulary is extensive, or if you just want a challenging but rewarding experience; then this is definitely the game for you.”
Egress: The Test Of STS-417 – 88%
“By faithfully fulfilling its stated purpose of a “short-form sci-fi adventure,” Egress completed its mission successfully. At exploring what adventure games can make the player experience, it has charted new territory. Egress is one of the few games I’ve come across that genuinely transcend their medium, and what few gameplay problems it has seem petty to mention when looking at the whole package together. Egress may waste an hour of your time, but you’ll love it for it.”
“Spirits takes a classic game and updates it by adding in a more serious tone, then sliming down the game mechanics to a more elegant form. The result is an engaging, challenging game that is genuinely suitable for casual and hardcore gamers alike.”
“Overall, Alien Jelly is fantastic, the game benefits from some supremely well executed level design which provides the same visceral reward that you get from games like Portal. It’s entirely possible to get stuck at points where the difficulty takes a particular spike but it’s never frustrating enough to make you walk away. Featuring 40 levels and the ability to create, publish and share your own worlds, Alien Jelly definitely has a wealth of content that could easily see you coming back to it for quite some time.”
“If you enjoyed the original then you will love Shank 2; each scene appears bigger and better, there is more variety in combat and the counters feel rewarding, the survival mode is an excellent addition and the game is still true to what made the original so good. However, if you were squeamish at the amount of blood being spilled in the previous title, it is best to avoid Shank 2.”
Da New Guys: Day Of The Jackass – 87%
“Does Day of the Jackass do anything new in a genre that’s about as uniform and clear-cut as they come? No. In truth, if you weren’t a fan of point-and-click adventure games before, this game won’t provide the epiphany that bucks the trend. If, however, you’ve got a point-and-click itch that’s in need of scratching, Day of the Jackass fully deserves your full, undivided attention. A self-mocking tale of silliness carrying a laid-back attitude from the word “go,” it’s a charming adventure that makes sure never to take itself seriously, instead focusing on the fantastic pillars that have made point-and-click adventures the enduring cult entities they are.”
“It ain’t easy to put into words how I feel about this game, you know? But that’s exactly what makes it so special in the first place; it’s the kind of experience that’s only possible in this medium of interactive entertainment we all love so much. Alternatively If you were to look at it from a purely mechanical perspective, then yeah, Journey ain’t that mind-blowing. It’s fairly short too, a scant 2-3 hours if you’re not fastidious about collectibles. Normally that’d be a bit of a issue at the £10 price point, but in this case it seems absurd to boil it down to such a basic level; this game is just so much more than that. Provided you’re not dead inside and/or someone averse to the artsy side of gaming, then Journey is a unique interactive poem that’ll jettison you through the whole emotional spectrum in all but a flash.”
“With a dark atmosphere like Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Lone Survivor evokes a more compelling desire to explore that is reminiscent of the recently released Journey. I have spoiled enough – to say anymore would ruin the compelling desire to learn more that drives the harrowing journey through this bizarre, captivating world. Lone Survivor is something made to be experienced for yourself.”
“As a first outing, Almost Human have proved that they’re capable of great things, and the promise of editing tools and possible official expansions are sure to extend the life of Grimrock. They’ve also proven that just because a design has fallen out of vogue, it doesn’t mean that it’s inherently flawed in any way – the Dungeon Master style holds up excellently to this day, with only a few tweaks needed to make it more palatable to modern audiences. For newer RPG fans looking for something different, or old-school gamers looking to relive their formative gaming years, Legend of Grimrock is an easy recommendation.”
“Fowl Space is a refreshing title that isn’t shy of pushing boundaries and using humour that is firmly tongue-in-cheek. It is certainly worth exploring to get every last drop of gaming humour and pop culture that oozes from the game. If Fowl Space was described in meme form, which is only fitting as the game is jam packed with them, it would have to be bi-winning.”
“If you ever wanted to be with Alice as she sang with the flowers, then Botanicula will chime with you very strongly. It will with just about everyone, adult or child, due to its fantastic presentation, simplicity and mellow joy. The game went on plenty long enough but, by its conclusion, I was left gagging for more. Part of me feels like there should have been more to the ending, but that’s probably because the rest of the game is filled with such magical content – it’s hard to top that by a game’s end. I’ve replayed the game since to not only find what discoveries I missed, but to also just relive the moments I found bizarre and the ones that made me giggle. My only disappointment is that I don’t have a young child around to play through the game; I think that’s where the game will really shine.”
“As you can see in the screenshots and gameplay trailer, The Splatters looks and sounds great. The sound effects are suitably squelchy, the music is enthusiastic (and affected by various time-warping effects during key moments) and the presentation achieves everything it sets out to. The gameplay – while never trying anything outside the ‘splat bombs, get points’ cycle – is tightly designed, controlled and precise, and there’s a lot of fun to be found in clawing your way up the scoreboards as you learn the ins and outs of each level and master the simple, but flexible controls. The Splatters is an easy recommendation to anyone looking for something a little different in a puzzle game, and well worth playing the demo even if you’re not.”
“With its iconic allure, interactive richness and seamless capture of human cognition, Fez is, quite simply, the gold standard of puzzle platforming today. Substantial in its lifespan and unrelentingly impactful in its execution, this is a game that will stay with you for a long, long time, potentially changing the way you perceive not only video games, but the essence of the human mind itself. For a meagre 800 Microsoft Points, its value as a purchase, and, more poignantly, an experience, just cannot be questioned.”
“Awesomenauts has its flaws; it would be great to have more maps (there’s only a handful), characters could be more balanced, and things can certainly be frustrating if you’re not on a good team. The important thing is that the awesomeness greatly outweighs the bad. The developer, Ronimo, can always add more maps, characters, and balance the game. The core game is immensely fun and offers a different type of multiplayer deathmatch game that is currently under-represented on consoles.”
“Vidiot Game is a simple, easy-to-play, and surprisingly addicting game. It’s a good game to relax with and a great game to show to your friends. There is an excellent blend of blatant and subtle humor that kept me laughing for longer than any game in recent memory (while I’d love to share my favorite parts with you, the jokes are infinitely funnier if you discover them on your own). The game also cleverly tweaks the dialogue and structure of events so that there is something different every time you play, keeping you on your toes and engaged rather than allowing you to grow bored with the same micro-games repeatedly resurfacing.”
“SQUIDS is a fantastic game, which will appeal to a variety of players, skill levels and age groups. There is something for everyone in the game and players can play to their own strengths. Difficulty settings would be appreciated, but it is a small gripe in an otherwise excellent title. Players will simply have to learn how to strategise and make best use of the characters, abilities and powerups made available to them. Of course, struggling is the best excuse to yell, “Unleash the Kraken” at the top of your lungs. There are a variety of devices to play SQUIDS on and you should buy it for one of them: it would be a crime against nature not to.”
“GTB is a natural evolution of GSB, but more than a simple sequel. Battles no longer take place in the vastness of outer space. Action is up close and personal and each battlefield has its own unique paths, choke points and environment. Fans of strategy, RTS and tower defense games will absolutely love GTB. Hardcore and action gamers may also be pleasantly surprised. GTB‘s campaign has a variety of skill levels, scenarios and is incredibly challenging. In the words of a Bostonian, the computer AI is wicked smaht (smart, if you need clarification). With attack and defense scenarios, the campaign offers hours upon hours of gameplay. If that’s not enough, GTB features the same robust online challenge system as GSB. The bottom line is that if this game tickles your fancy, prepare to lose hours in deep strategy and glorious explosions.”
The Journey Down: Chapter 1 – 87%
“All in all, The Journey Down is a fine bit of point and clickery, with a good script, solid puzzles and a fantastic sense of style. Great for old-school fans and newcomers alike, as the puzzles aren’t too wildly challenging (or unfair) but not a cakewalk either, and there’s no potential for death or time-pressure failure to worry about, so you can enjoy the comical dialogue and vividly designed world at your own pace.”
“FFracer is a wonderful journey through the pleasant and picturesque countryside of Norway that tourist boards should consider using as a promotion tool for the country. If Google’s Street View adopted the same technology, we may never leave the comfort of our armchairs to experience a holiday again because let’s face it; the airport experience can be such a hassle.”
“A Grain of Truth is a fantastic game and it is refreshing to see that adventure games are still alive and well. It is a captivating universe, a unique story and strikes a balance between challenging and fun. The puzzles never appear so overwhelming that they are frustrating, but will still challenge players at times; unless you are a Mahjong expert that is. There are valuable life lessons to be learned from playing A Grain of Truth, but it is an enjoyable journey each step of the way.”
