Happy solstice/holidays, everyone!

I just wanted to hop on here and give thanks for the support I’ve gotten this year, and for the wonderfully talented people whose games I’ve played and loved. This site has been a consistent source of inspiration and joy for me, which is something I don’t think I can say about any other website.

In April of 2022, my first game, THE FOREST OF NOISE, turned 1 year old! I’ve learned so much more about game design and audio since I created it, and it has its share of issues, but I’m still happy with the ideas I was able to present with it and there are some tweaks I’m going to add to it as I learn more and get further along with my current project. 

It was also selected to be a part of PIZZAPRANKS’ 35th edition of Indiepocalypse, a zine featuring a lot of great indie games. (Check it out!!! Some really great stuff in there!!!!!) 

I’m honored (and honestly surprised) that my first game is featured among these awesome creators. Andrew is doing something truly special for the community with this project. I’m actually gonna be on his Indiepocalypse Radio this weekend! (7-9PM ET on Saturday, the 24th.)

Also, development on the dark is a soft warm pressure is going well. I hope to release it within the next couple months! This is the longest I’ve ever worked on a single project, and I’m so excited to get it out there.

OKAY now I want to highlight some of my favorite games on itch.io that I’ve played this year:

WINTER by communistsister

Beautiful and biting interactive fiction that really nails some specific emotions. The way it guides you through the story is wonderfully integrated, too. Raw, painful, life-affirming?

Betwixt Pterosaur Wings by trout 1871 (DOMINO CLUB)

This is a wild one, and gorgeous. The tale is so strange and the ruminations are surprisingly relatable. A sick pleasure.

RUNONCE (remember_me) by alienmelon 

WOW I discovered alienmelon (Nathalie Lawhead)’s work this year and it’s forever changed the way I think about games. This is a tiny gem.

I don’t think I’ve walked this stretch of road before by -hexcavator- 

oOoOh what a mood, this one. Literally walking down memory lane. Powerful sounds and words here.

Water Womb World by Yames 

I love games about religion. It’s such a powerful thing, and it’s so personal to so many people in different ways. I especially like when religious fervor comes in the context of horror or strange circumstances. Yames does it beautifully here.

Which Way by Death Orgone 

Fucking crazy noisy short interactive fiction. Scares the daylights out of me and makes me feel real itchy.

Iro by sukinapan 

Beautifully styled, lonely, funny game. Exactly what we need more of right now, I think.

Night of the Nun... aka Nun Massacre by Puppet Combo 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

An Empty House by Modus Interactive 

The sounds are crazy and I love them. The visuals fried my retinas and I love them.

city::ephemera by INFINITE TEARS 

very verrrrrrry haaaaaaazy. Had an almost nostalgic warm experience exploring this shifting city.

In terms of non-itch games, some I’ve really loved this year are Devotion (Red Candle Games), Neon White (Annapurna Interactive with fucking MACHINE GIRL ON THE OST OMG IT’S SO GOOD), and Thumper (Drool). I’m currently getting my heart ripped out of my chest by God of War: Ragnarök.

I hope y’all are staying warm this winter. Have a safe and happy end of the year.

<3

Mared Jurphy