There are a ton of great point-and-click adventure games out there, and we've got years of catalog we could release. With so many iconic classics, it's worth looking at a few titles that may have cropped up that you've missed lately or are slated for release this year. We're going to highlight a few titles we think you should play in 2022 or at the very least keep on your radar when you're in the mood to try out a new point-and-click adventure game.
#15 Erica
Erica, starring Holly Earl, is an interactive FMV originally released exclusively for the PlayStation 4 platform. However, the game recently hit iOS and PC platforms this year, which means a whole new audience is available to play. diving into this game for the first time. We don't see too many FMV titles hitting the market lately, but this is one not to pass up as you play as Erica Mason. Erica has decided to recover from her nightmares that date back to her childhood and the mysterious murder of her father. As Erica delves deeper into her childhood, more and more details begin to emerge about her family's occult relationships. With this game, players primarily make choices and drive the narrative.
#14 Documents, please
Papers, Please is a bit older title, but it's worth checking out from the independent development team 3909 LLC. This title was released in 2022 where players take on the role of an immigration agent for a fictional country of Arstotzka. While the game starts out with players simply processing immigrants into the country with the necessary paperwork, the title slowly increases in difficulty. Shortly after the game starts, attacks are launched on the country's border and its left players have to be more strict about who can enter. You'll be dealing with bribes and even fake passports that will require players to pay close attention to every detail. Depending on how many people passed correctly and if you took bribes, this will determine how much money you will earn. From there, you will need to budget the money for different utility needs and services for your family.
#13 Life is Strange: True Colors
Life is Strange is quite a popular game franchise as it is an episodic graphic adventure series that normally features an emotional storyline with a character possessing a supernatural ability. We have a brand new installment coming out this year with Life is Strange: True Colors which is developed by Deck Nine. Previously, Deck Nine was responsible for Life is Strange: Before The Storm, so this will be their first game that involves new characters that don't have a set ending already set for the development team before production begins. With this game, we are given the role of Alex Chen who uses his ability to see the emotions of other characters. It is thanks to this power that Alex will be able to discover the truth behind the death of his brother. Meanwhile, the gameplay is based on exploration, puzzle solving and lots of dialogue.
#12 The Wolf Among Us
Telltale Games The Wolf Among Us had a huge following, but it didn't achieve anything beyond the first season. The developers released the first season which followed Bigby Wolf who was forced to solve a crime in a town mostly made up of fairy tale characters. Much like our previous point with Life is Strange, this is an episodic journey where players search for clues, chat with different characters, and solve puzzles. The reason we have it on our list is because Telltale Games was brought back from the grave and with it came the announcement of a new season in development for The Wolf Among Us. details on what we can expect with this sequel, but while waiting for a new season to hit the market, players should take this time to finally spend the first season in preparation.
#11 The Living Dead
The Walking Dead was Telltale Games' biggest hit and it brought them a ton of fans who were eager to see how the narrative would unfold for Clementine. In this course, the players followed Clémentine, a young girl whom we have seen growing up for several seasons. Set in a zombie apocalypse, the game was about surviving and making choices with the people you met along the way. With so many different characters appearing with each new season, many tough choices have been forced upon players. While things didn't last for Telltale Games, the shutdown didn't mean the cancellation of The Walking Dead. This studio was in the process of developing the final game of the season when the doors closed after only two episodes were released. Luckily, Skybound Entertainment stepped in and was able to complete the final two episodes to see that Clementine's storyline was properly completed. This latest season only came out a few years ago, so if you haven't played any of the series yet, you can now do so from start to finish.
#10 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is definitely a name to grab someone's attention, but it's also a title that might fly under the radar for some. This is another game that came out a few years ago at this point, but it has received massive praise from gamers trying to go through the campaign. In this title, players follow a group of students who are skilled in some way. They can be incredibly good at programming, sports, and even fashion. However, what students fail to realize is that they are not attending a special school designed for elites. Instead, the group is thrown into a school controlled by an unusual bear who forces the group into a rough game. The only way to escape is to commit murder and get away with it. Accordingly, the game is divided into searching for clues and participating in a trial to either defend yourself as not being the killer, but also reveal who the real murderer is.
#9 Small misfortune
Little Misfortune is from the development studio Killmonday Games where we are placed in the role of Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez. This 8-year-old girl is full of imagination as she embarks on a grand journey at the behest of a mysterious voice. Tasked with playing a game, Little Misfortune learns that at the end of the game, she will receive the eternal happiness she could give to her mother. As she embarks on the journey, she is forced to live with crime and make several decisions that will play into the campaign. It's a goofy, silly game full of unexpected moments and even dark twists. It is also a very short game that only takes players around three hours, so you can easily complete it in one sitting.
#8 Fran Bow
Speaking of Killmonday Games, we also have their first Fran Bow title to review. This game is very similar to Little Misfortune as it is full of creepy and dark tones throughout the game. In this title, players take on the role of a young girl named Fran who discovers that her parents have been brutally murdered. Taken to a psychiatric ward, Fran decides to escape in search of her missing cat that she received from her parents, Mr. Midnight. This is a story-driven psychological horror adventure game that you will enjoy if you find Little Misfortune entertaining although it is quite long as Little Misfortune as Fran Bow will take players around eight hours.
#7 Not for Broadcast
Not For Broadcast first appeared in 2022 as an early access title and as of this writing, the game is still in early access. This game puts players in control of a news show where you control how production proceeds. Everything from making sure there is no interference from satellites, various feed cameras, advertisements, to even swearing is part of the job. You'll have to make sure the news goes off without a hitch or figure out exactly what's leaked to the citizens of the country. This is not an easy task as the broadcast must continue despite all the problems that may arise in the control room.
#6 Kathy Rain Director's Cut
Kathy Rain is a point and click adventure game released in 2022. In this title, players were given the role of Kathy Rain who returns to her old hometown to visit her grandmother after years of absence. It is here that she learns that her grandfather had a mysterious accident that turned him into an insane character. Hoping to get to the bottom of this mysterious incident, Kathy begins her investigation as she travels around town talking with the various characters, searching for clues, solving a series of puzzles and learning more about her family. That said, later this year we'll be getting a director's version of the game that will extend the storyline, bring out more puzzles, and even new areas to explore.
#5 Chinatown Detective Agency
Chinatown Detective Agency takes players back to the year 2032 where the world is virtually run-down and lawless. Set in one of the last commissioned locations in the world, Singapore, players here take on the role of Amira Darma, a private detective. In this world, private investigators are the first answer for so many individuals seeking justice, and being a newcomer to the world of private investigations, you have to work hard. Everything requires thorough investigation. Whether it's talking with individuals, searching different parts of town for clues, using your assortment of gadgets, or traveling the world in hopes of finding a lead. Currently, Chinatown Detective Agency doesn't release until this summer, but there's a free prologue you can dive into right now called Chinatown Detective Agency: Day One.
#4 Fine Threads
Slender Threads is another upcoming title slated for release sometime in 2022. This game puts players inside a traveling salesman who stumbles upon a strange little town of Villa Ventana. This is where our protagonist ventures before quickly discovering that there is something more sinister here in the city. Now our protagonist seeks to find answers to the city's mysterious origin and bring out the dark influence through exploration, interacting with the city's various characters and solving a host of challenging puzzles. For now, we're waiting to see when exactly this game will hit the market, but it's expected to launch in calendar year 2022.
#3 The backbone
Backbone is a new noir-style detective adventure game where you venture through the city doing various odd jobs. However, it is here that a job leads the protagonist into a darker and disturbing truth based on the city and its hierarchies. This title is story-driven and players have to explore, solve puzzles and talk with different characters. It's got everything you'd expect from a classic point-and-click adventure game, but with modern twists. It's also a title that has a prologue demo available now, much like Chinatown Detective Agency. Luckily, you don't have too much of a wait before you can dive into the full game. Backbone will hit the market on June 8, 2022, so it's only a few days after this description was written. If this game isn't already on your radar, you might be missing out on something good.
#2 Kapia
Kapia is an interesting game set in the apocalypse. As conflict brews between two world factions, the game will follow a retired pilot named Stefan who sets out to end the conflict once and for all. However, along the journey hoping to help is her granddaughter named Reny. The duo will meet quite a few interesting people and have to solve a wide range of puzzles along the way. Although this title has an interesting art style, the 2 FOR 2 development team had created this game from inspirations based on the classic 2000s era of point-and-click adventure titles such as Full Throttle and Grim Fandango. It will be interesting to see how this game pans out when it hits the market at some point this year.
#1 Rose water
Finally, a game that we may not see released in 2022 but are holding out hope for is an exciting western title called Rosewater. This story follows Harley Leger, a woman who goes west in search of becoming a great freelance writer. It is here that she tells a unique story that ends up taking her on a journey to find the lost fortune of a missing man. Along the way, players will meet all sorts of interesting characters, from rebels to bandits to new friends. We know the developers are creating a game that will allow more freedom in how they complete objectives and with choices that will alter the storyline. As of now, the game doesn't yet have a specific release date, but again, we hope to see it launch at some point in 2022.
