Pixel games are one of the most unusual game genres. Their peculiar graphics are primarily associated with the old games on phones and consoles. New projects combine nostalgic elements and modern technical decisions. Pixel games are suitable for those who wish to focus on passage. Hyper-realistic graphics and extra special effects do not distract the user from what is happening on the screen. This year will be full of pixel games releases. This top collected the most interesting 2022 games.
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance
Starting a list of games with a supplement is unusual. But this release deserves to top the "pixel list." Repentance is a DLC for The Binding of Isaac roguelike shooter. The game gathered a decent fanbase with its unusual plot and superb performance.
The project started in 2011. That's when Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl's game came out. The guys developed an adventure based on a biblical story. The main hero is a boy named Isaac. He hides from a possessed mother who is plotting to kill her son. The voice of supposedly God rules her. But in fact, the house is crawling with hostile creatures. The user's task is to traverse several levels of the basement. You may ask what this has to do with the shooter. The case is that Isaac really can shoot. But he uses his tears instead of bullets.
Initially, the game was supposed to be an experiment. However, it appealed to the public and was critically acclaimed. That's because the unusual plot touches on many taboo topics, including infanticide, the flip side of religion, and abortion.
According to McMillen, DLC Repentance is more a sequel than a supplement. It's so full of content that players will need a lot of time to get through it. It sounds fantastic and intriguing.
Mercury Abbey
Furry haters, don't turn your back on this game. The heroes of this game are human-like animals. But this in no way diminishes the atmosphere. The narrative is centered around the mysterious story of Mercury Abbey and the alchemist's curse, as well as the duo of uncle and nephew trying to figure out what the hell is going on around them.
The game looks like a classical detective adventure. And the retro-inspired pixel design only reinforces the impression. The game's visuals have brought together the best features of comic books, fifties fashion, and Victorian gloom.
Users will have to run across the empty halls and hedge mazes. Lush gardens replace dungeons. You won't get bored with such graphics.
The creators combined folklore and social conflicts, detectives, and fantasy, and what came out was a fascinating story about ghosts and other evil things. Those who love mysteries will enjoy the game. The possibility of active interaction with the environment is an excellent addition. The game claims to have a vast number of hints and collectibles.
Witchbrook
The Chucklefish studio has already given us quite a few exciting projects. Now the team is working on the action-RPG Witchbrook. The developers ' last game is between Harry Potter and Stardew Valley. The story takes place in a wizard's school. Education is combined with regular city life: students walk around the bustling city in their free time.
The work on the project is slow but steady. The developers said that now they are working on the details. Simulators should give a unique charm to the game. That's why even the phases of the moon and tides will be added to the gameplay. The laws of nature move the waves in Witchbrookwill. It's not the most critical game feature, but it's interesting. And it shows much love the team has for the story.
Witchbrook is a story about the joys and sorrows of teenage life. Children's experiences are perceived differently when events unfold in the center of a magical world. The game is still being developed. There is no guarantee that we will see it this year, but we will hope for the better.
There is no Light
This game is called Dark Souls of the pixel games. The powerful action-adventure is full of darkness, blood, and fury. The hero even has an anger indicator. The character can turn into a berserker and discover hidden abilities from time to time.
You will have to go through the underground world. It is full of bosses and obstacles. The game's main mechanics is a rich combat system: any weapon that comes to hand is used. It's the only way to survive in a furious dungeon. The remaining humans hid underground after the global catastrophe. Survivors have organized a religious sect and sacrificed newborn children to a new god. The protagonist decides to oppose the dictatorship. He gets out into the world to get his child back.
The plot is non-linear to learn the story in any sequence. The main thing is to remember that a player's choice affects the course of events.
Brave Earth: Prologue
Immortal classics never cease to inspire developers. This game pays tribute to the first parts of Castlevania and other pixel masterpieces. The gameplay is based on active fights and a tactical approach. The creators put a lot of effort into the game and made each level by hand. The players will be provided with beautiful designs and spectacular backgrounds. The story revolves around three heroes with a unique plot, character, and fighting style. All begins with an unassuming task given to a young knight. Package delivery suddenly turns into a battle with monsters and a fight with a demonic cult.
Loot River
This roguelike action fully demonstrates how great pixel graphics combine with technological advances. Realistic lighting and water animation are balanced with exciting, dynamic battles. Locations are generated in the course of the game. Elements of different levels are connected in random order. It makes gameplay unpredictable and diverse.
The plot is based on another dark fantasy. And all the canons of the genre are here: the catacombs, lots of weapons, and secret knowledge. The hero learns to control the dungeon ruins. He makes his way directly through the abandoned fortress, defeating enemies along the way. Dying is not the end. After every death, the hero resurrects in a parallel reality.
Like the previous game, Loot River will delight you with a hand-drawn world and, at the same time, by cool animation of battles and a realistic environment.
Sea of Stars
Gamers remembering The Messenger of 2018 will recognize the world of this game. Sea of Stars is set in the same open reality. Exploring environments, a host of unique characters with unique histories and reinventing the RPG genre are the keys to success from Sabotage Studio.
This time, the game tells a story about two children endowed with magical abilities. A boy and a girl are gifted with solar and lunar powers. Joining together as a powerful duo, they set out to fight evil. Only together they can use Eclipse Magic. This is the only way to stop the chaos. There will be many exciting meetings and locations worth exploring on their way.
Metal Slug Tactics
This game is a sequel to a popular run-and-gun series Metal Slug. The combat action combines elements of roguelike games and RPG. Users will take part in bright, dynamic fights. It takes more than strength and skill to win. The players will need to show tactics and wise leveling up your heroes. There are more than enough original heroes in Metal Slug. Good news for the series' fans: characters from the previous parts will get back to the new game.
Metal slug is not only serious and strategic but also fun. It is due to this balance that the line has become iconic. New technologies helped the developers reconsider old mechanics. You can gather an army of soldiers, learn super-attacks and fuel your adrenaline in a whole new way.
The gameplay is particularly charming because of the endless replayability. A player can replay their favorite missions as much as they like. The number of deaths in Metal Slug Tactics is also unlimited. Gamers can always call for help to deal with the quests by working together. All in all, new battles await us, both epic and fun. We cannot miss that.
DurDanto
DurDanto is a beautiful Metroidvania platformer, where the landscapes of the ruined city are drawn in a beautiful pixel style. The plot is not complicated: the hero crushes his enemies with his magic and sword and goes to his goal.
The widespread mastery of magic led to chaos. After learning the magic of three elements, malicious wizards decided to establish tyranny. They set a chain of robberies and attacks in the city that led to decay. A boy named Zubok decided to fight against injustice. He has his secret magic.
A bouncy retro soundtrack accompanies the gameplay. Players will need to master sword, bow, and magic and adapt to the opponents, each of whom is unique. There are also traps, puzzles, and secret passages. And locations are randomly generated. So it will be interesting to see the result.
Songs of Conquest
The last point in our list is the game, combining strategy, adventure, and RPG elements. Players will not only have to fight with enemies but also develop kingdoms. Everyone will find something tо their liking: players will gather an army, learn magic, and conquer lands. Power over the world is at stake.
This game is for players who don't like limiting themselves. The number of tasks in Songs of Conquest will not let you get bored. The distribution of finances goes hand in hand with brute force. And magic increases the power of a sword. A player may choose any way of kingdom development. The main thing is to achieve the final goal: greatness.
You can go camping and join forces with your friends. Songs of Conquests implies both single-player and multiplayer modes. Interesting fact: the author's editor of levels is built in the game. A user can not only select a pleasant soundtrack for battles; they have the opportunity to create scripts and even dialogs. And each of the campaigns will be accompanied by a unique music theme. These are so-called bard songs — ballads praising the achievements of the player.
Royal fantasy is the endless theme for games, including pixel ones. However, the upcoming titles are devoted not only to chivalry and magic. This top compiles the most diverse pixel projects of the coming year. Some of them are nice and kind, the others are funny, and the third are brutal and evil. There is entertainment for everyone. Pixel graphics will create a unique atmosphere. It has accompanied gamers since the birth of the industry and until now.