2018, another in a growing line of trash-fire years, is finally over. On the indie gaming front, it was okay year, if not spectacular. Return of the Obra Dinn, A Case of Distrust, and WayHaven Chronicles: Book One are likely the only games your humble favorite Cliqist writer and video creator will remember for years to come. But 2018 is old news, now it’s all about the futuristic space year of 2019, and what’s to come!
Below, I’ve compiled a clickbait-worthy and utterly meaningless list of indie games that may be (but probably not) coming in the New Year. Like any list, it orders the game from least to most interesting, and has plenty of screaming about the evils of Valve, Bethesda, and Microsoft. And Christmas is supposed to be over!
Honorable Mentions
It was difficult to put together this year’s list. There are so many great looking indie games slated for release this year it felt like trying to come up with a decent analogy. And with plenty of games from last year’s list getting delayed, I had my work cut out for me. Our wallets are certainly going to take a beating this year.
I don’t want to spoil the video, so instead of telling you The Other Worlds is my top pick, let’s instead go over some honorable mentions. Like Indivisible, a 2D RPG brought to us by Lab Zero. You may remember an interview we did with them a couple of years ago about the difficulties of working with Indiegogo. Or maybe you remember this piece on how I wish I pledged more money to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night which is also due for release in 2019. Honestly, it’s not my kind of game, but David Hayter is in it, so now it is!
Where does The Occupation, last year’s #1 game rank on this year’s list? Watch the video to find out!
Eastshade looks fantastic as well, a first-person narrative painting game where you go around the world and simply paint what you see. Though, since the painting is automatic and you don’t get to do it yourself, it didn’t make the cut. Life is Strange Season 2 will be fully released this year, though since it’s an episodic game, don’t be surprised if its final installment doesn’t escape Dontnod’s doors until 2031.
I’d like to close this shindig out with by saying the best indie game of 2019 likely isn’t on this list at all. That goes for all of you with your own lists as well. Indie games are delayed (even canceled) all the time. Indie developers also like to play things close to the chest, so there’s a good chance some fantastic game will come out this year that hasn’t even been announced yet. Remember: always keep your mind open to new things, get out of your comfort zone, and maybe you’ll find something truly special.
