Hey there Blerdy Tribe, it’s a brand new year and there have been some huge strides within the gaming community. Indie games are becoming more prominent, with more mainstream sites covering them much more frequently than they have in the past. But, for me the most exciting is the shift towards more visibility for traditionally underrepresented groups in games! Don’t get me wrong, there is still a ways to go, but, I’m happy to see that there has been an effort to create more representative games and a lot of that has to do with a diverse creators stepping in to create games that reflect their own experiences, identities, and cultures.
As a Black gamer I am always on the look out for diverse games, so once again I did a call for games with planned 2022 release dates that feature characters and stories centered around often underrepresented groups–and as always the community provided!
Thank you to everyone who sent me their projects or shared the tweet–you guys are the real MVPs! So, I spent some time shifting through all the responses and checking out game pages for this post and y’all I am excited for all of these games! If you’re like me and you’ve been craving more diversity in your games, this is the list for YOU!
Belle Automata
- Publisher: Jellyfish Parade
- Genre: Sci-fi | Fantasy | Romance
- Tentative Release: December 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Jellyfish Parade has been one of my fave indie devs for a few years now because of their romance games consistently center strong Black female leads pursuing BIPOC love interest and a Black otome fan, their games bring me a chance to actually see myself in the stories and characters they create. Their upcoming sci-fi romance, Belle Automata follows a sentient android, Aureve as she discovers her place in the world alongside a group of others like her.
Call Me Cera
- Publisher: Toadhouse Games
- Genre: Slice-of-Life | Wholesome | Friendship
- Tentative Release: 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Last year Toadhouse Games founder, Alanna shared her thoughts about Queer representation in the gaming industry alongside several other indie devs. During the interview Alanna expressed a desire to create games that “destigmatize mental illness” and focus on from within the LGBT community. In the team’s upcoming release Call Me Cera, they tackle both following the titular character, Cera as she navigates being an adult, therapy, and finding her place in a new town.
Spirit Swap
- Publisher: Soft Not Weak
- Genre: Match-3 | LGBTQ+ | Visual Novel
- Tentative Release: 2022
- Where to Play: Steam
Soft Not Weak’s lo-fi match-3 game, Spirit Swap has been on my radar for quite some time and I am excited to see that the release date is on the horizon! Cast spells, be queer, & crash the biggest concert of the year! This game is definitely a stand out–blending together casual match-3 gameplay mechanics and the narrative driven story telling of a visual novel, with the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC rep I crave from my games.
Trouble Comes Twice
- Publisher: Foxglove Games
- Genre: Slice-of-Life | LGBTQ+ | Comedy
- Tentative Release: Spring/ Early Summer 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Foxglove Games came to play in 2022 with their slice-of-life visial novel Trouble Comes Twice where player can tackle college and “romance a cast of pretty bisexuals”. Choose between twins Jace and Hazel and embark on a competition to find love, whoever gets into a relationship first wins!
Made Marion
- Publisher: Velvet Cupcake Games
- Genre: Alternate History | Fantasy | Romance
- Tentative Release: Late 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
I had the chance to play the demo for Made Marion last year and I fell in love with the gorgeous visuals, strong heroine, and immersive Robin Hood inspired story. Follow leading lady, Marion as she carves out her own fate in this engaging twist on the famous English folktale.
Sigh of the Abyss: Shadow Bonds
- Publisher: Rascal Devworks
- Genre: Dark Fantasy | LGBTQ+ | Romance
- Tentative Release: Q1/Q2 2022
- Where to Play: Steam
Sigh of the Abyss is a new discovery, but one that I am eager to get my hands on! Embrace the monster within to free yourself from a curse in this dark fantasy visual novel. An immersive fantasy world full of dynamic characters that you can romance or befriend and beautiful visuals make Sigh of the Abyss an experience you won’t want to miss out on this year!
Validate: Struggling Singles in Your Area
- Publisher: Veritable Joy Studios
- Genre: Comedy | LGBTQ+ | Romance
- Tentative Release: August 2022
- Where to Play: Steam
Here’s another game I have had my eye on for awhile! In most games you’re lucky to get one or two characters of color. But, Validate: Struggling Singles in Your Area gives us an entire game where the entire case consists of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters. Set in the Jercy City area, thirteen struggling singles in their twenties navigate through the trying ordeals of capitalism to find meaning in their lives.
An Everyday Love
- Publisher: Hollow Rose Studios
- Genre: Casual | Slice-of-Life | Romance
- Tentative Release: Fall 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Solo dev, Hollow Rose Studios is working on their first project, a cute slice-of-life visual novel, An Everyday Love. Let’s face it these past few years have been pretty hectic, so it’s nice to see some more relaxed games on the horizon in 2022. Customize your protagonist, and begin a new chapter in your life, while pursuing romance, strengthening your friendships, and striking out to fulfill your dream.
Memory Ghosts
- Publisher: Sync Project
- Genre: Mystery | Supernatural | Romance
- Tentative Release: Fall 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Sync Project is another solo dev making their debut in 2022 with a fun project! Memory Ghosts is a paranormal otome about a young woman haunted by ghosts and her past. Explore the unknown and maybe discover a bit of romance along the way! Memory Ghosts features male and female love interests and an entertaining modern supernatural adventure.
Deliver Us From Evil – Keldran Route
- Publisher: Galen Games
- Genre: Gothic | Supernatural | Romance
- Tentative Release: Q1 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Technically Galen Games dropped their supernatural romance game, Deliver Us From Evil in 2021, but this year brings us the much anticipated Keldran route. For those of you who have been waiting for a chance to romance the enigmatic LI, your chance is here, and it comes with a poly relationship option with Ace!
Camp Palut
- Publisher: Bearly Playing Games
- Genre: Mystery | LGBTQ+ | Romance
- Tentative Release: March 2022
- Where to Play: Steam
Supernatural mystery visual novel? Sign me sup! Bearly Playing Games is coming into the new year with their spooky-cute sapphic visual novel, Camp Palut. Take a trip to the titular all girls summer camp, immerse yourself in fun camp activities, get to know your fellow campers, and uncover a dangerous secret! Camp Palut offers a fun, relatable cast of diverse characters and an unforgettable story that’ll keep you reading till you reach it’s thrilling conclusion.
Zeitz Machz √Rhapsody
- Publisher: Occult Lily
- Genre: Psychological Horror | Yuri | Visual Novel
- Tentative Release: TBA 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Lose yourself in Occult Lily’s psychological horror yuri visual novel Zeitz Machz √Rhapsody which is set to be released this year. Two women, with no memories must uncover the truth behind their precarious situation. I’ve only covered a handful of yuri games here, but each one has a strong cast and compelling story and from what I’ve seen so far Zeitz Machz looks like it’ll be a one of a kind experience.
The Inverted Spire
- Publisher: Nicholai A. Melamed, Feardeer, and Mickey Hoz
- Genre: Dystopian | Fantasy | LGBTQ+
- Tentative Release: TBA 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
The Inverted Spire is another new 2022 discovery and I’ll be honest, goblins aren’t in my usual wheelhouse, but this game has some pretty striking visuals and I am a sucker for gorgeous art! Once I looked into the game more, I was drawn in by the rich worldbuilding, unique dark fantasy setting, and in universe all non-binary cast.
Heart Fragment – Book Two: Belief Fragments (Shannon & Lana)
- Publisher: Starfield Gaming
- Genre: Mystery | Psychological | Romance
- Tentative Release: Spring 2022
- Where to Play: Steam
This is another game that made its official debut in 2021, but Starfield Gaming’s psychological mystery visual novel is coming into 2022 with some new content that you won’t want to miss! Follow Xani as they attempts to uncover the truth about their family and newly acquired psychic abilities. Not only is Xani a person of color, but Book Two introduces two new story paths: bubbly bestie, Shannon and a platonic path for Lana, Xani’s childhood confidant. Lana is a trans woman and unlike the other pursuable paths, her route is strictly platonic (due to the age gap). Also for book two the devs will be adding pronouns for the MC Xani.
Citizen Sleeper
- Publisher: Jump Over The Age
- Genre: RPG | Tabletop | Cyberpunk
- Tentative Release: TBA 2022
- Where to Play: Steam
Set on Erlin’s Eye, a ruined space station that is home to thousands of people trying to survive on the edges of an interstellar capitalist society, Citizen Sleeper is an immersive cyberpunk adventure. Now, I will readily admit Citizen Sleeper is definitely not a game that I’d usually find myself playing, but I’ve seen a few streamers playing narrative RPGs and I’m curious to see what this game has to offer. Boasting a diverse casts of characters and an engaging story, I think this is a game worth keeping your eye out for in 2022.
High School Daze: Junior Year
- Publisher: Hummingbird Games
- Genre: Slice-of-Life | LGBTQ+ | Romance
- Tentative Release: Fall 2022
- Where to Play: Windows, Mac, & Linux
Craft the high school experience of your dreams in Hummingbird Games’s slice of life visual novel, High School Daze: Junior Year. Have fun exploring and growing as you navigate the highs and lows of being a high school student–now’s the time to live a little so don’t be afraid to spread your wings and get a little messy! Forge lasting friendships, create enemies, and maybe find love among the game’s relatable cast of diverse characters!
College Craze
- Publisher: Pretty Ink
- Genre: Adult | Life Simulator | Romance
- Tentative Release: 2022
- Where to Play: Official Site
Start 2022 with something a little spicy! Pretty Ink’s College Craze is an adult dating sim and life simulation game that lets you explore all your steamy fantasies while also juggling your studies. This is your story, the possibilities are endless!
Don’t Miss Out on These Upcoming Games
Alright folks, that’s my list of diverse games to keep an eye out for in 2022! Of course this is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start if like me you’re looking for new games to dive into in the coming year.
I’m super excited for Spirit Swap and Trouble Comes Twice! I still need to play demos/do more research for the others, but I’m sure that there will be quite a bit of excitement for at least a few more.
Yay!! I hope you’ll find some more cool titles to play! Some of these games I hadn’t heard about before working on this post so I’m really excited to give them a play