Indie Power Rankings – 2022

The 2022 Indie Power Rankings feature the eligible indie games reviewed by The Single Player Experience that year. Games are ranked by their SPE Review Score out of 10, with the Passion Score out of 100 serving as the tiebreaker when multiple games share the same Review Score. Only fully released games reviewed by SPE are eligible.
Click here for more information on the review and passion score system.

The Big Three

01
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Rogue Legacy 2

Rogue Legacy 2 Review Youtube Thumbnail
SPE 9.0 Review Score
A-Tier
Action-Adventure Platformer Roguelite RPG
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Rogue Legacy 2 Review: A Must-Play Roguelite Experience
94 / 100

Why It Ranks

The game is Fun and Addicting with a Gameplay loop, Great Platforming, Great Classes, Well Throughout Gameplay Mechanics, and Stellar Gameplay. While the game isn't perfect the pros greatly outweigh the negatives.

02
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Death's Door

Death's Door Review Thumbnail
SPE 9.0 Review Score
A-Tier
Action Adventure
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Acid Nerve
83 / 100

Why It Ranks

Even though this game lacked a mpa and I got lost this is a must play action adventure experience. It has Magnificent gameplay, stunning art style and a surprisingly touching narrative.

03
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Prodeus

Prodeus Review Thumbnail
SPE 9.0 Review Score
A-Tier
Action-Adventure First-Person Shooter
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Bounding Box Software Inc.
79 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a great first person shooter that feels like a throwback and a modern game all in one. It has addicting gamplay, great retro art style, and good shotting mechanics. It has a bit of a lack of a narrative, but the fun game play more than makes up for that error.

Rest of the Top 10

04
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Cult of the Lamb

Cult of the Lamb Thumbnail
SPE 9.0 Review Score
A-Tier
Action-Adventure Roguelite
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Massive Monster
77 / 100

Why It Ranks

It’s a damn good rogue-like game and an even better Village simulator. There are a few things I wished this game did a bit better, but overall this is another banger from Devolver Digital. Be warned Cult of the Lamb is an experience likely to be your next video game obsession.

05
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Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors Review Youtube Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Roguelike
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Poncle
90 / 100

Why It Ranks

Vampire Survivors Review Reading Time: 4 minutes I remember the last time that I got jumped. For those of you who don’t know what getting jumped is Urban Dictionary defines it as “the act of being maliciously assaulted by two or a large number of...

06
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Doomed to Hell

Single Player Experience Doomed to Hell Review Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Action Bullet Hell Roguelike Twin-Stick Shooter
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Gagonfe, Ulon, QUByte Interactive, Rhowsl, Game Nacional
86 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a excellent twin stick shooter bullet hell game. The action is fun and zippy. Its addicting, it's short, and it knows what it wants to be and nails it. While the sword gamplay is lacking the rest of the package is superb.

07
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Potion Permit

Potion Permit Review Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Adventure Puzzle RPG
PC Ps5 Xbox (Series, One)
MassHive Media
79 / 100

Why It Ranks

Overall Potion Permit might be the most underrated indie game of 2022 that you haven’t played yet. The gameplay is fun and deep enough to prevent quick boredom. It mixes classic Zelda RPG gameplay with the fun Tetris style puzzles well. Its story might be on the bland side but the game itself is so well rounded and solid that you don’t even think about the narrative much. If you’re a fan of old school adventure RPG games and life simulation games, do yourself a favor and check this game out.

08
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Grid Force – Mask of the Goddess

Grid Force Mask of the Goddess Review Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Adventure RPG
PC Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Dreamnauts Studios, Playtra Games
74 / 100

Why It Ranks

If you’re looking for a fast pace action RPG that is fresh and unique then look no further than Grid Force: Mask of the Goddess.

09
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Jack Move

Jack Move Review Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Adventure RPG Strategy
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2
HypeTrain Digital
74 / 100

Why It Ranks

Jack Move Review Reviewed on PC Disclaimer: Review code provided by PR/publisher. Ever thought of what would happen if you mixed Final Fantasy one, Cyberpunk, and Pokémon together? Yes, No, maybe just a bit? Well if you have then you probably imagined something like Jack...

10
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A Walk With Yiayia

A Walk with Yiayia Review Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Adventure Visual Novel
PC Switch/Switch 2
Trent Garlipp
70 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a short game that hits hard with a good artstyle and superb writing/storytelling. While the game is short with a runtime of around an hour it is a hour well spent and a game that is memorable.

Rest of the Top 25

11
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The Last Hero of Nostalgaia

The Lost Hero of Nostalgaia Review Thumbnail
SPE 8.0 Review Score
B-Tier
Action-Adventure Souls-like
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Over The Moon
35 / 100

Why It Ranks

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia Review So I’ve mentioned in the Single Player Experience Podcast, that I haven’t connected to the Soulsborne games because of the way that they tell narratives. Other than Seikro you have to find lore pieces around the world that you...

12
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Beacon Pines

Beacon Pines Review Image
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Point & Click
PC Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Hiding Spot Games
73 / 100

Why It Ranks

Beacon Pines Review: Black Mirror Meets Winnie the Pooh Reviewed on Xbox Series X |S Disclaimer: Review code provided by PR/publisher. I don’t think I’d ever played anything quite like Beacon Pines. Sure I’ve played choice driven adventure games. Just recently I played another game...

13
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge Thumbnail (1)
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Adventure Beat ’Em Up
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Splashteam
61 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a fun beat' em up that has good gameplay and well crafted levels. There is a lack of a great narrative, but the presentation and gameplay outweighs the bad.

14
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Dredge Review

Dredge Review Thumbnail
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Adventure RPG
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Splashteam
59 / 100

Why It Ranks

Dredge Review: The Most Creepy, Addicting, Calm Experience… When I was a boy my dad took me fishing. I remember carrying my Power Rangers fishing pole and walking up to that lake thinking that this was going to be the best day ever. People talk...

15
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The Knight Witch

The Knight Witch Review Thumbnail
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Adventure Twin-Stick Shooter
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team
43 / 100

Why It Ranks

The Knight Witch Review Metroidvania might be the most crowded genre in all of games right now. With the rise of Indies, also came with it a flood of Metroidvania games. Some Like Hollow Knight, SteamWorld Dig, and Dead Cells represents the very best of...

16
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Lil Gator Game

Lil Gator Game Review Thumbnail
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Adventure Cozy
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
MegaWobble
36 / 100

Why It Ranks

Lil Gator Game Review There isn’t anything like a game that displays a lot of heart. The latest example of this is Lil Gator Game. As kids we’ve all played in one form or another using our imaginations. Some of us used our imaginations to...

17
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Batora: Lost Haven

Batora Lost Haven Review Thumbnail
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Adventure Hack and Slash RPG
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Stormind Games
35 / 100

Why It Ranks

Batora: Lost Haven Review Batora: Lost Heaven is a game that I didn’t know much about before I got the review code. I knew that it was a Single-player Sci-fi game and if you don’t know that is my jam when it comes to video...

18
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Wavetale

Wavetail Review Thumbnail
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Action-Adventure Platformer
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Thankful Group
34 / 100

Why It Ranks

Wavetale Review So Wavetale is a game that I knew very little about before I got the game for review. However, it immediately made a solid impression on me. Despite a few flaws, there are many things to like about the game making it an...

19
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Tinykin

Tinykin Review - Thumbnail Image
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Action-Adventure Platformer
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Splashteam
31 / 100

Why It Ranks

Tinykin Review: Is this a Indie Pikmin or More? Reading Time: 4 minutes Reviewed on Xbox Series X |S More frequently Indie games that I didn’t have on my radar, come into my life, slap me across the face with its standout trait and leave...

20
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Brok the InvestiGator

Single Player Experience Brok the InvestiGator Review Thumbnail
SPE 7.0 Review Score
C-Tier
Adventure Beat ’Em Up
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
COWCAT Games
30 / 100

Why It Ranks

Brok the InvestiGator Review When you read the title or see the game’s cover artwork you would probably conclude that Brok the InvestiGator was a point and click mystery game staring a talking anthropomorphic Gator. You’d be partially correct. However, this game is much more...

21
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Kraino Origins

Kraino Origins Review Thumbnail
SPE 6.0 Review Score
Mid-Tier
Action-Adventure Platformer
PC Switch/Switch 2
GameAtomic
65 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a game with a gorgeous art style, fun action and good platforming. While it does have a thin story and doesn't introduce the game mechanics well this game is solid.

22
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Sifu Review: The Blackbelt of Beat Em Ups

Sifu Review
SPE 6.0 Review Score
Mid-Tier
Action-Adventure Beat ’Em Up
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Sloclap
60 / 100

Why It Ranks

Sifu is a wonderful blend of martial arts movies of the past, modern art, and challenging gameplay. It’s not for everyone, and it has its flaws, but this game is a must-play if you are a fan of fighting or beat ’em-up games.

23
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Trek to Yomi

Trek to Yomi Thumbnail
SPE 6.0 Review Score
Mid-Tier
Action-Adventure
PC Ps5 Xbox (Series, One)
Devolver Digital
54 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a side scrolling action adventure that has a gorgeous art style and setting. This is held back by boring gameplay and shallow puzzles. While the game has all the interesting sizzle there is not a lot of steak.

24
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Thymesia

Thymesia Review Thumbnail
SPE 6.0 Review Score
Mid-Tier
Action-Adventure Souls-like
PC Ps5 Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
OverBorder Studio
51 / 100

Why It Ranks

This is a good action adventure souls-like game that has slick and fun gameplay. While It doesn't have the best narrative or an interesting main character it does have some fun boss fights and addicting combat.

25
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Metal Mind

Metal Mind Review Thumbnail
SPE 6.0 Review Score
Mid-Tier
Action-Adventure Roguelite Twin-Stick Shooter
PC Switch/Switch 2 Xbox (Series, One)
Whirllaxy Studio
43 / 100

Why It Ranks

Overall though Metal Mind is a solid entry into the Rogue-lite genre. While some of the quality of life decisions and overall structure of the game prevent it from being a Hall of Fame entry, I do think this is an easy recommendation for gamers who want a twin-stick shooter indie.