3. Thomas Was Alone
(Mike Bithell)
Original US Release: June 30th, 2012
“Built in Unity, and employing simple polygons (what some may call “programmer art”) to embody a variety of archetypes, Thomas Was Alone eases the player into a series of progressively complex puzzles that demonstrate the importance of co-operation, camaraderie, mutual respect and compassion while offering a legitimately engaging puzzle platformer whose complexity scales seamlessly…
To evoke emotion, epiphany, anger, bemusement, self-reflection, with a few earth-toned primitives betrays game design’s secret – that it is a unique method for communication. Like puppetry, or writing or making a chocolate souffle, it is capable of affecting all of our sensual and logical faculties at once. Mathematical problems and deep-rooted emotions can be jostled all at once, and like devouring a hot, perfectly made chocolate souffle, it affects us on many levels simultaneously and that can lead to powerful, unforgettable experiences.
Thomas Was Alone gets all of this. And it is the essence of that to which an indie game allows, exclusive and apart from AAA’s, and that to which they should aspire. It is easily one of the year’s best.”
- From the original IGR review of Thomas Was Alone by Indie-Game-Freak
Top 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. HM1 HM2 HM3 MA
Minecraft, Terraria, Proteus?
Thanks for your comment! Terraria was actually released in 2011, and we named it our number 3 title in our Best Indie Games list for 2011. Minecraft was also officially released in 2011. Due to its massive popularity, we felt it didn’t need the nod from us that year. You’ll also notice that while Proteus isn’t in our Top Ten for this year, we did give it an Honorable Mention.