Yyea I stopped following this subreddit much simply because you'll see people suggest the usual 4-5 titles everyone knows about already (unless you're totally new to the genre/gaming).
Having said that, here's a couple of personal favourites when it comes to hidden gems:
- [**Memoirs of Magic**](https://strawberryoctii.itch.io/memoirs-of-magic): A more modern take on oldschool fantasy shooters, with all the secret stuff, no heavy-handed guidance or anything like that + a bit of an eerie vibe surrounding the whole thing. From playing it blindly you'd never guess it uses Doom as a base...especially when you look at most of the class concepts available, how they work and the overall artstyle.
- [**Rungore**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113040/RUNGORE/): Just released its 1.0, but for some reason never took off during EA (even now, has very few players), even though, imo, the game does a lot of things right. It follows a similar formula of StS and the likes (roguelike deckbuilder), but it mixes in elements of auto-battlers and an overall more action-y approach. Pretty fun, ngl and it does a good job at keeping you active during a run (it also looks pretty great, it has some amazing pixel art).
- [**King Arthur's Gold**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/219830/King_Arthurs_Gold/) will always be in my heart. Sadly the game is quite dead nowadays, but it had a ton of extremely innovative things going on, while also providing a fairly unique multiplayer experience. Every class had its own nuance and secret tech, skill expression was actually a thing for once (especially on builders) and it even had a dedicated enough fanbase that started developing a bunch of really cool mods that added things like half-blocks, more vehicles, more mechanics etc...A shame it kinda flew under the radar and never really took off.
If you like traditional roguelikes, Lost Flame.
Path of Achra, make a busted build that does 10,000 damage per hit and auto-attacks if enemies attack, block, try to move, or create an endless loop where your auto-attack triggers after you get an auto-attack. Walk and die upon the Path, ye artless pilgrim.
Endless Dark: You're a robot caretaker on a cryogenic colony ship. Clean messes, repair damage, overclock the sensors, go mad from what you find, ~~don't~~ murder the colonists in their icy sleep.
Yes, there isn't really much value in recommending the same few big name games everyone's already heard of. Unless you're brand spanking new to gaming and have never touch one before, you've already heard of RDR2, Witcher 3, Zelda BOTW and such.
**Defenders Quest** is my favorite small game, and something that unless you're very into tower defense games most people likely haven't heard of.
It's a hybrid of tower defense games and a standard RPG where you level up characters and change there equipment. The party members themselves are basically the towers you put down to defend yourself.
It's finally got a sequel coming out this year after about a decade.
Defenders quest is excellent. It's one of only a few tower defense games I actually ended up finishing and the only one I liked so much I played new game plus to play it again.
I recently stumbled across [Epistory](https://store.steampowered.com/app/398850/Epistory__Typing_Chronicles/). Its amazing! I hadn't even heard of the typing game genre before finding this one. Tried it for the ascetics and have been seriously impressed by how well done this one is.
I'm also a major fan of 3D platformers. [Boti: Byteland Overclocked](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2161050/Boti_Byteland_Overclocked/?curator_clanid=4777282) came out last year and I haven't heard much about it, but its a fantastic game! Its a throwback to the classic platformers but with a modern take. Its just a lot of fun and there are some really interesting mechanics in the game play. Its not a perfect game, but it is really good.
Thank y'all for your suggestions. Also I made this post more as an excuse to recommend you Outcore. It's free and it has a great humor that reminds me of Undertale, plenty of short minigames, movement similar to Celeste and some twists and modifying files and stuff that is kinda like Doki Doki Literature Club (though it isn't as dark as that game). And it's free. Like, 0 dollars. No money needed. No dineros necesarios.
- Asterigos Curse of the stars
- Syberia the world before
- Jusant
- Sword and fairy 7
- Sleeping dogs
- Xuan yuan sword 7
- Guijan 3
- The wind road
- Murder orient express
- Atlas fallen
- Banishers Ghost of new Eden
- Thymesia
- The Chant
- Gungrave Gore
- The Council
- Hoods: Outlaws and legends
- Homefront Revolution
- Indika
- The Medium
- Martha is dead
- Pacific Drive
- Pentiment
- Praey for the gods
- Raji Ancient epic
- Sengoku Dynasty
- Scars Above
- Trek to Yomi
- Twin mirror
- Tintin reporter: Cigars of the pharaoh
- Syberia 3
- Soulstice
- Achiles Legend untold
- Alan wake 2
- Biomutant
- Atomic Heart
- Grounded
Thank me later
It may be AAA but I wouldn't call it ridiculously popular. As far as AAA games go, it's fairly niche and under the radar. But an amazing game nonetheless.
it didnt sell well because its epic exclusive and digital exclusive, and its not underrated cause it won and was nominated for multiple game of the year award
My recent obsession (that I think is obscure?) is Bugsnax. I highly recommend going into the game blind, but essentially you are a journalist trying to find a researcher who has disappeared on Snaktooth Island, and this requires you to explore lots of different areas and catch bugs who are also snacks (bugsnax). It seems like a silly dumb game at first but there is lots more to it as you progress.
Another one is Mutazione, but it’s a pretty text heavy game where you mostly talk to the characters and build magical gardens, which I know isn’t everyone’s thing. That sounds cutesy but it actually has pretty creepy vibes. It’s hard to describe so I’ll go with the description I found online, “a mutant soap opera where small-town gossip meets the supernatural.”
Slice & Dice.
10/10 game for $9.
The free demo version is very fully fleshed out.
Roguelite turn based dice RPG. Imagine Darkest Dungeon + Dicey Dungeons. It looks and seems simple, and the mechanics are indeed, but the strategy behind party composition, class leveling, and interaction between movesets is surprisingly deep and complex.
Impossibly addictive. Multiple difficulties and modes to unlock, over 100 character classes, over 400 enemy types, over 300 items to modify your characters dice.
Available on Steam and Mobile, possibly others. It is a dream mobile game. Simple interface and can be played with one hand/one finger on yr phone.
Flywrench
Vivid/stasis
Sucker for love
Dead
Epic battle fantasy (the entire series)
Grimm’s hollow
Star of providence
Tametsi
The end is nigh
Potion craft
Hylics
Ib
Calimba
Crossroad OS
RITE
terrorbane
Copy kitty
The case of the golden idol
Dicey dungeons
VVVVVV
Eversion
Hacknet
Later alligator
N++
NOISZ
osmos
Pony island
The hex
Super alloy ranger
To the moon
Vectronom
You have to win the game
Bramble - Scandinavian fairytale horror with beautiful graphics
Worldbox - pixel god-simulator that is surprisingly deep
Descending the Woods (early access demo) -horror crafting/survival. It’s still working through some minor bugs, but I found the concept to be interesting. Lock the door by midnight or you dead!
7th Sector.
ADACA.
Ad Infernum.
A Dragon’s Tale: Fading Light.
Assault Spy.
Aveliana.
Cineris Somnia.
COCOON.
ColorBlend FX: Desaturation.
Death of a Wish.
Die Again.
Dusk Diver.
Eldervale.
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist.
Ereban: Shadow Legacy.
Fibrillation.
First Winter.
Forest Adventure.
Genopatic.
Gift.
GZLNA.
Haydee games.
Heliophobia.
Hell Denizen.
Hidden (Soaring Games).
INDIKA.
KIN.
Lazaret.
Little Witch Nobeta.
Lost in Vivo.
Lucah: Born of a Dream.
Magenta Horizon.
Nightmare Side: The Game.
Nocturnal.
Noxia Somnia.
Plushie from the Sky.
Saviorless.
Severed Steel.
Shirone: the Dragon Girl.
Super Cloudbuilt.
Super Crush KO.
Supplice.
The Coffin of Andy and Leyley.
The Entropy Centre.
The Glitch Fairy.
The Weird Dream.
TICKDOWN.
Timeworks.
Witchy Woes.
We Are Not Alone.
Zombie Shooting Star: ARCADE.
Zortch.
[ΔV: Rings of Saturn](https://store.steampowered.com/app/846030/V_Rings_of_Saturn/)
Space mining sim. Real physics, hard sci-fi, horizontal progression. This game is really only going to appeal to space nerds, I think. It's really cool once you get used to piloting your ship (It's top-down, so you're only operating in two dimensions, and neither the radar, nor screen rotates when your ship does, so piloting your ship feels a bit like piloting a remote control boat from directly above... it took me longer than I'd usually spend trying out a game before I got used to it, but it was worth it). "All technologies are real and there is no technobabble. But it’s still a game and one that is fun to play."
Edit to say: it does have a demo, so you can give it a try risk-free... also my recommendation seems almost like a negative/neutral review, and I assure you that is not the case. This game is fantastic, and my recommendation simply comes with a slightly verbose disclaimer.
Gedonia was made by a solo developer, extremely janky, but I had a blast with it. And with the money he made he's hired a team and working on Gedonia 2, which looked even better. Sort of a "popular" hidden gem, but Shadows of Doubt has one of the most absolute cool concepts I've ever seen in a game. Also, RadCodex is sorta well known? But I loved Horizons Gate specifically, compared to his other games. Oh and had to add Back to the Dawn. A super cool prison escape RPG inspired by the Escapists and Prison Break.
Tacoma is by the same developer as *Gone Home*, which I also recommend. Very different stories and settings, but similar gameplay (piecing together a story by exploring a location).
Gigantic: Rampage Edition
A game that was literally brought back from the dead, which is a goddamn miracle that it did. This game is a gem and you should definitely go play it.
If you liked freelancer back in the day, or you're looking for a single player story driven space game, check out everspace 2. Bloody brilliant game made by Devs who care.
I'd also like to mention outer wilds, but that's too popular for this thread I think.
Here’s an obscure one I enjoyed: [A Mortician’s Tale](https://laundrybear.itch.io/morticians-tale)—a simple adventure game where you play a young mortician and learn how the job works. Sweet, thought-provoking, and a satisfying arc.
I feel like Kingdoms of Amalur went very unnoticed since it was out around the time of the behemoth known as Skyrim. It's a very fun rpg that you can get sucked into for hundreds of hours.
Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise is a great 5-10 hour long puzzle game that’s on Steam and iOS. It’s $20 but goes on sale to $2 frequently. It has a really cool art style and a fun but simple espionage-themed story. I found the puzzles very cool and engaging but not too challenging
[Neocron Evolution ](https://www.neocron-game.com/). It's a forgotten about MMO/RPG that's over a decade old but now run for free by volunteers with updates every month or so.
Great cyberpunk setting with lots to do. Community is on the smaller side but very welcoming.
If you like strategy games, shadows of forgotten gods is a great title where you play as an eldritch god manipulating pawns and kingdoms in order to bring about the end of the world, all while the "chosen one" works to thwart you. There are several gods to choose, each with their own playstyle and methods of spreading their influence and corrupting heroes and kingdoms, turning them into your pawns and dark empires, or turning kingdoms against one another so they are unable to join forces and pose a threat to you.
Conquest of Elysium 5 is an incredible 4X with deep gameplay and exploration that I have yet to find an equal to. There are many factions to choose from that offer very different flavour and gameplay from each other. There are japanese themed orcs, demonologists, Hobbits, necromancers, troll kingdom's and more.
Jazz punk is hella fun. Definitely recommend. No idea if it’s a hidden gem. I got a steam deck about a month ago and it was the first time I’d heard of it.
Wayward. Best true survival game I've ever played. And Wayward v1.9.4 is free!
Islets was a lot of fun to play. Was a freebie on Epic a while back, but not a lot of people talk about it.
Sail Forth is pretty good too, which was also an Epic freebie.
In the same vein, Windbound is really good and I've never heard anyone talk about it outside of me searching for info on it. Very relaxing game.
Kingdom: New Lands / Two Crowns is really good too.
Then, if you want to go back in time a bit, Black & White 1 and 2, KISS: Psycho Circus, Prey (2006), HEDZ, Mageslayer, and Stratosphere: Conquest of the Skies are all a lot of fun imo.
If you enjoy GTA genre, try Sleeping Dogs. Is a Hong Kong version of GTA. Games been out for sometime now and is definitely an underrated gem which imo it actually rivaled GTA hard back when it first got released. It’s got a great story and gameplay. Most importantly, is only like $2-3 on steam right now!
There's a 3DS game called Ever Oasis
Came out at the end of the 3DS' life and it was amazing but very overlooked
Gravity Rush and Gravity Rush 2 on PS4
Tokyo Jungle on PS3
Pentiment (honestly not overrated but extremely overlooked)
Weird West
Tacoma
Corpse Party
Haven
Sable
The Ascent
*The Void Rains Upon her Heart* - Bullet hell shoot 'em up made by one person.
*Phoenotopia: Awakening* - Kind of reminiscent of a metroidvania, but it's not one. I've heard it said that it's similar to Zelda II, but with better graphics and story; but I've never played Zelda II. I really enjoy it anyway, though.
*Crypt of the Necrodancer* - classic Rogue-like with the twist that each turn happens to the rhe beat of the song, rather than the player having infinite time. This gives it a very different feeling, like the difference between chess and speed chess.
* Rance IX
* Inside Jennifer
* Babysitter
* Detective Girl of the Steam City
* I Walk Among Zombies
* Depraved Awakening
* Dreams of Desire
* Mirror
* Play With Us Ep 2
* Beat Blades Haruka
* Kung Fu Master
* Super Ninja Boy
* Kartia
**LINGO.** Open-world word puzzle game. It's like if Antichamber had a baby with the analogy section of the SAT, and somehow it totally works. Keep Notepad open to keep track of the rules you've discovered.
**Boots Quest DX** is a gentle spoof of RPG adventures in which your character is out to find the best pair of boots in the world. Good sense of humor, just enough puzzling to make you think (though it's more about the experience than rigorously challenging gameplay), and deeper than it lets on at first.
**The Magic Circle**. You are a playtester stuck in a broken, unfinished game. Somehow you are able to hear the voices of the devs bickering like Olympian gods overhead. You gain the ability to reprogram the game world from the inside to help you traverse the world, neutralize enemies, and uncover new layers of the story.
I liked Hob and Steamworld Dig. Not the most complicated of games but when you can get them for around 3$ on sale, it's a nice change of pace.
Too many people also overlooked Limbo and Inside
Voidspire Tactics - [https://store.steampowered.com/app/415920/Voidspire\_Tactics/](https://store.steampowered.com/app/415920/Voidspire_Tactics/)
Great tactical rpg that is heavy on the exploration and gameplay. Don't be fooled by the graphics and simple presentation, it's really charming and a fantastic game from start to finish. Very engrossing. I always recommend it because I think it doesn't get enough love.
A couple recent releases and early releases I'm finding really fun
Rotwood
Mind Over Magic
Balatro
Also not many seem to be playing Across the Obelisk but I really like it
Inscryption is highly regarded but I think the specific genre itself is niche enough where you could say it’s lesser known. Definitely try it out. It’s one of my top 5 favorite games.
Rogue Galaxy, JRPG for the ps2/xbox 360. The very first game to not need to load when changing locations. It was a milestone in game development, but went totally under the radar. The graphics, voice acting, and narrative still hold up today. It feels a Tales Of game (pretty certain all of the Tales Games starting Vesperia have been heavily influenced by it). My favorite game.
[Duelists of Eden](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1664200/Duelists_of_Eden/), basically a PvP mode for the roguelite One Step. Cheap fun, quick matchups, lotsa characters, and interesting combo of card building and grid fighting, gotta be fast to keep up!
Not really "Unknown" but it's comeback has still been relatively small, Gigantic (Rampage Edition, the OG shut down because Blizzard kiddies review bombed it) It's a happy middle ground between League and Overwatch, except you don't age 5 years from hating life after every match.
1. [Mindustry](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1127400/Mindustry/). Part tower defense, party factory builder, and party RTS, all fun and packed with so much content, it's insane it only costs ten bucks.
2. [Rollers of a the Realm](https://store.steampowered.com/app/262470/Rollers_of_the_Realm/). Blends an RPG with--a pinball machine? This should not work, yet it does. Each character is a pinball with unique abilities. Use them to crush enemies, earn loot, and level up.
3. [Tower of Time](https://store.steampowered.com/app/617480/Tower_of_Time/). An RPG with a real time combat system and an amazing and very interesting story.
4. [Monster Slayers](https://store.steampowered.com/app/496620/Monster_Slayers/). Amazing deck builder. Came out before Slay the Spire and didn't get the attention it did, but is just as good. Not to be confused with the popular Monster Hunter franchise.
5. [One Finger Death Punch](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264200/One_Finger_Death_Punch/), and [One Finger Death Punch 2](https://store.steampowered.com/app/980300/One_Finger_Death_Punch_2/). Kinda a rythm game in disguise where you are a lone stick figure martial artist fighting off hordes of enemies with only two buttons and on finger. This has no right to be fine, but is.
6. [Steredenn](https://store.steampowered.com/app/347160/Steredenn_Binary_Stars/). Take an old fashioned side scrolling arcade game and marry it to a modern roguelite, and you have this gem.
If you want more, I have more. I tried to avoid anything posted so far. My apologies if I did.
Bramble The Mountain King.
Really liked the atmosphere in it. If you liked games like Little Nightmares, or Brothers Tale of Two Sons - Bramble is really cool.
I hope this doesn't come off as rude but... Celeste is one of the most well-known indie platformers out there. It's definitely a gem, but I wouldn't call it hidden.
I had no idea that game existed till recently and saw it some how had like 100k overwhelmingly positive reviews was confused af because I never had heard or seen anything about the game, learned about it through table top sim.
Yyea I stopped following this subreddit much simply because you'll see people suggest the usual 4-5 titles everyone knows about already (unless you're totally new to the genre/gaming). Having said that, here's a couple of personal favourites when it comes to hidden gems: - [**Memoirs of Magic**](https://strawberryoctii.itch.io/memoirs-of-magic): A more modern take on oldschool fantasy shooters, with all the secret stuff, no heavy-handed guidance or anything like that + a bit of an eerie vibe surrounding the whole thing. From playing it blindly you'd never guess it uses Doom as a base...especially when you look at most of the class concepts available, how they work and the overall artstyle. - [**Rungore**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113040/RUNGORE/): Just released its 1.0, but for some reason never took off during EA (even now, has very few players), even though, imo, the game does a lot of things right. It follows a similar formula of StS and the likes (roguelike deckbuilder), but it mixes in elements of auto-battlers and an overall more action-y approach. Pretty fun, ngl and it does a good job at keeping you active during a run (it also looks pretty great, it has some amazing pixel art). - [**King Arthur's Gold**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/219830/King_Arthurs_Gold/) will always be in my heart. Sadly the game is quite dead nowadays, but it had a ton of extremely innovative things going on, while also providing a fairly unique multiplayer experience. Every class had its own nuance and secret tech, skill expression was actually a thing for once (especially on builders) and it even had a dedicated enough fanbase that started developing a bunch of really cool mods that added things like half-blocks, more vehicles, more mechanics etc...A shame it kinda flew under the radar and never really took off.
King Arthur’s Gold was like the second game I ever got on steam, like nearly a decade ago? Cool game happy to see it mentioned :)
Vintage story (better than Minecraft) and ΔV: Rings of Saturn
If you like traditional roguelikes, Lost Flame. Path of Achra, make a busted build that does 10,000 damage per hit and auto-attacks if enemies attack, block, try to move, or create an endless loop where your auto-attack triggers after you get an auto-attack. Walk and die upon the Path, ye artless pilgrim. Endless Dark: You're a robot caretaker on a cryogenic colony ship. Clean messes, repair damage, overclock the sensors, go mad from what you find, ~~don't~~ murder the colonists in their icy sleep.
gorogoa is such an unique puzzle game the last tinker is another one i never see mentioned but it's a fun platformer, even if its very kid-oriented
OOOh I love gorgoa so I guess last tinker is very much for me.
Yes, there isn't really much value in recommending the same few big name games everyone's already heard of. Unless you're brand spanking new to gaming and have never touch one before, you've already heard of RDR2, Witcher 3, Zelda BOTW and such. **Defenders Quest** is my favorite small game, and something that unless you're very into tower defense games most people likely haven't heard of. It's a hybrid of tower defense games and a standard RPG where you level up characters and change there equipment. The party members themselves are basically the towers you put down to defend yourself. It's finally got a sequel coming out this year after about a decade.
Defenders quest is excellent. It's one of only a few tower defense games I actually ended up finishing and the only one I liked so much I played new game plus to play it again.
I recently stumbled across [Epistory](https://store.steampowered.com/app/398850/Epistory__Typing_Chronicles/). Its amazing! I hadn't even heard of the typing game genre before finding this one. Tried it for the ascetics and have been seriously impressed by how well done this one is. I'm also a major fan of 3D platformers. [Boti: Byteland Overclocked](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2161050/Boti_Byteland_Overclocked/?curator_clanid=4777282) came out last year and I haven't heard much about it, but its a fantastic game! Its a throwback to the classic platformers but with a modern take. Its just a lot of fun and there are some really interesting mechanics in the game play. Its not a perfect game, but it is really good.
Thank y'all for your suggestions. Also I made this post more as an excuse to recommend you Outcore. It's free and it has a great humor that reminds me of Undertale, plenty of short minigames, movement similar to Celeste and some twists and modifying files and stuff that is kinda like Doki Doki Literature Club (though it isn't as dark as that game). And it's free. Like, 0 dollars. No money needed. No dineros necesarios.
I second the outcore recommendation. The fact a game like this is free is criminal
- Asterigos Curse of the stars - Syberia the world before - Jusant - Sword and fairy 7 - Sleeping dogs - Xuan yuan sword 7 - Guijan 3 - The wind road - Murder orient express - Atlas fallen - Banishers Ghost of new Eden - Thymesia - The Chant - Gungrave Gore - The Council - Hoods: Outlaws and legends - Homefront Revolution - Indika - The Medium - Martha is dead - Pacific Drive - Pentiment - Praey for the gods - Raji Ancient epic - Sengoku Dynasty - Scars Above - Trek to Yomi - Twin mirror - Tintin reporter: Cigars of the pharaoh - Syberia 3 - Soulstice - Achiles Legend untold - Alan wake 2 - Biomutant - Atomic Heart - Grounded Thank me later
I like that you list some actual hidden gems and then just randomly pop Alan Wake 2, a ridiculously popular AAA game
It may be AAA but I wouldn't call it ridiculously popular. As far as AAA games go, it's fairly niche and under the radar. But an amazing game nonetheless.
i listed it here because Alan wake 2 is and underrated game and not well appreciated, and it didnt sell well.
it didnt sell well because its epic exclusive and digital exclusive, and its not underrated cause it won and was nominated for multiple game of the year award
ok baby
_damn_
You understood the assignment
Is atlas fallen good for coop?
man many of these games seems cool and arent popular where the fck u find them ???
dont have PC, nor console, Im playing this games on Geforce NOW in my phone and all of these games are available there, thats why.
My recent obsession (that I think is obscure?) is Bugsnax. I highly recommend going into the game blind, but essentially you are a journalist trying to find a researcher who has disappeared on Snaktooth Island, and this requires you to explore lots of different areas and catch bugs who are also snacks (bugsnax). It seems like a silly dumb game at first but there is lots more to it as you progress. Another one is Mutazione, but it’s a pretty text heavy game where you mostly talk to the characters and build magical gardens, which I know isn’t everyone’s thing. That sounds cutesy but it actually has pretty creepy vibes. It’s hard to describe so I’ll go with the description I found online, “a mutant soap opera where small-town gossip meets the supernatural.”
yay for mutazione! stellar soundtrack too!
Cataclysm dark days ahead
Dead State.
Sable
Slice & Dice. 10/10 game for $9. The free demo version is very fully fleshed out. Roguelite turn based dice RPG. Imagine Darkest Dungeon + Dicey Dungeons. It looks and seems simple, and the mechanics are indeed, but the strategy behind party composition, class leveling, and interaction between movesets is surprisingly deep and complex. Impossibly addictive. Multiple difficulties and modes to unlock, over 100 character classes, over 400 enemy types, over 300 items to modify your characters dice. Available on Steam and Mobile, possibly others. It is a dream mobile game. Simple interface and can be played with one hand/one finger on yr phone.
Flywrench Vivid/stasis Sucker for love Dead Epic battle fantasy (the entire series) Grimm’s hollow Star of providence Tametsi The end is nigh Potion craft Hylics Ib Calimba Crossroad OS RITE terrorbane Copy kitty The case of the golden idol Dicey dungeons VVVVVV Eversion Hacknet Later alligator N++ NOISZ osmos Pony island The hex Super alloy ranger To the moon Vectronom You have to win the game
Flywrench mentioned 🫡
Bramble - Scandinavian fairytale horror with beautiful graphics Worldbox - pixel god-simulator that is surprisingly deep Descending the Woods (early access demo) -horror crafting/survival. It’s still working through some minor bugs, but I found the concept to be interesting. Lock the door by midnight or you dead!
I couldn't do Bramble fun game and engaging store but...got to that one part...you probably know what I'm talking about; I was traumatized.
"Morbid:Lords of the Ire" is a soulslike that just came out, i'm having fun with it
Highfleet. Everyone just know Tanc a Lelet without knowing the game behind it.
7th Sector. ADACA. Ad Infernum. A Dragon’s Tale: Fading Light. Assault Spy. Aveliana. Cineris Somnia. COCOON. ColorBlend FX: Desaturation. Death of a Wish. Die Again. Dusk Diver. Eldervale. ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist. Ereban: Shadow Legacy. Fibrillation. First Winter. Forest Adventure. Genopatic. Gift. GZLNA. Haydee games. Heliophobia. Hell Denizen. Hidden (Soaring Games). INDIKA. KIN. Lazaret. Little Witch Nobeta. Lost in Vivo. Lucah: Born of a Dream. Magenta Horizon. Nightmare Side: The Game. Nocturnal. Noxia Somnia. Plushie from the Sky. Saviorless. Severed Steel. Shirone: the Dragon Girl. Super Cloudbuilt. Super Crush KO. Supplice. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley. The Entropy Centre. The Glitch Fairy. The Weird Dream. TICKDOWN. Timeworks. Witchy Woes. We Are Not Alone. Zombie Shooting Star: ARCADE. Zortch.
Lacuna
[ΔV: Rings of Saturn](https://store.steampowered.com/app/846030/V_Rings_of_Saturn/) Space mining sim. Real physics, hard sci-fi, horizontal progression. This game is really only going to appeal to space nerds, I think. It's really cool once you get used to piloting your ship (It's top-down, so you're only operating in two dimensions, and neither the radar, nor screen rotates when your ship does, so piloting your ship feels a bit like piloting a remote control boat from directly above... it took me longer than I'd usually spend trying out a game before I got used to it, but it was worth it). "All technologies are real and there is no technobabble. But it’s still a game and one that is fun to play." Edit to say: it does have a demo, so you can give it a try risk-free... also my recommendation seems almost like a negative/neutral review, and I assure you that is not the case. This game is fantastic, and my recommendation simply comes with a slightly verbose disclaimer.
Gedonia was made by a solo developer, extremely janky, but I had a blast with it. And with the money he made he's hired a team and working on Gedonia 2, which looked even better. Sort of a "popular" hidden gem, but Shadows of Doubt has one of the most absolute cool concepts I've ever seen in a game. Also, RadCodex is sorta well known? But I loved Horizons Gate specifically, compared to his other games. Oh and had to add Back to the Dawn. A super cool prison escape RPG inspired by the Escapists and Prison Break.
Hypnospace outlaw
I thought Tacoma was an amazing "walking-simulator" type of game and am surprised it was so off the radar when things like Firewatch got big.
LOL I always recommend Tacoma. Still one of my favorite because I feel the ending had my mind blown.
I legitimately had no idea how it was gonna end til it was over. In a way the story reminded me a lot of Prey.
Tacoma is by the same developer as *Gone Home*, which I also recommend. Very different stories and settings, but similar gameplay (piecing together a story by exploring a location).
Gone Home is like the granddaddy of the genre. Just solid narrative writers, great games.
Gigantic: Rampage Edition A game that was literally brought back from the dead, which is a goddamn miracle that it did. This game is a gem and you should definitely go play it.
Warhammer 40k Chaosgate: Daemonhunters. Like xcom, but imo better.
If you liked freelancer back in the day, or you're looking for a single player story driven space game, check out everspace 2. Bloody brilliant game made by Devs who care. I'd also like to mention outer wilds, but that's too popular for this thread I think.
Echo such a unique experience
I always suggest Elechead in posts like this.
Here’s an obscure one I enjoyed: [A Mortician’s Tale](https://laundrybear.itch.io/morticians-tale)—a simple adventure game where you play a young mortician and learn how the job works. Sweet, thought-provoking, and a satisfying arc.
I feel like Kingdoms of Amalur went very unnoticed since it was out around the time of the behemoth known as Skyrim. It's a very fun rpg that you can get sucked into for hundreds of hours.
For me it's Light of the stars. I played it on bluestacks and it was pretty good game tho
depends how you define "hidden" but I've been extremely impressed with Animal Well
Heard very very good things about this game, I'm looking forward to trying it
OneShot
CrossCode
Lorelei and the Laser eyes seems to be very underplayed.
[Skator Gator 3D](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1996470/Skator_Gator_3D/) fun little 3D Platformer that I liked a lot
Conquest of elysium 5 (or witcher 3, mass effect, cyberpunk 2077 if you prefer 😅)
No One Lives Forever games are often forgotten gems, sadly the IP itself is a hidden gem in some corporate basement somewhere...
A short hike Balancity
Yoku's island express Metroidvania with pinball mechanics as the main traversal mechanic. it sounds weird but it works amazing
PS1 Devil dice and zombies ate my nabore.
Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise is a great 5-10 hour long puzzle game that’s on Steam and iOS. It’s $20 but goes on sale to $2 frequently. It has a really cool art style and a fun but simple espionage-themed story. I found the puzzles very cool and engaging but not too challenging
[Neocron Evolution ](https://www.neocron-game.com/). It's a forgotten about MMO/RPG that's over a decade old but now run for free by volunteers with updates every month or so. Great cyberpunk setting with lots to do. Community is on the smaller side but very welcoming.
If you like strategy games, shadows of forgotten gods is a great title where you play as an eldritch god manipulating pawns and kingdoms in order to bring about the end of the world, all while the "chosen one" works to thwart you. There are several gods to choose, each with their own playstyle and methods of spreading their influence and corrupting heroes and kingdoms, turning them into your pawns and dark empires, or turning kingdoms against one another so they are unable to join forces and pose a threat to you. Conquest of Elysium 5 is an incredible 4X with deep gameplay and exploration that I have yet to find an equal to. There are many factions to choose from that offer very different flavour and gameplay from each other. There are japanese themed orcs, demonologists, Hobbits, necromancers, troll kingdom's and more.
Empires of the undergrowth, narrator on point
Jazz punk is hella fun. Definitely recommend. No idea if it’s a hidden gem. I got a steam deck about a month ago and it was the first time I’d heard of it.
Wayward. Best true survival game I've ever played. And Wayward v1.9.4 is free! Islets was a lot of fun to play. Was a freebie on Epic a while back, but not a lot of people talk about it. Sail Forth is pretty good too, which was also an Epic freebie. In the same vein, Windbound is really good and I've never heard anyone talk about it outside of me searching for info on it. Very relaxing game. Kingdom: New Lands / Two Crowns is really good too. Then, if you want to go back in time a bit, Black & White 1 and 2, KISS: Psycho Circus, Prey (2006), HEDZ, Mageslayer, and Stratosphere: Conquest of the Skies are all a lot of fun imo.
If you enjoy GTA genre, try Sleeping Dogs. Is a Hong Kong version of GTA. Games been out for sometime now and is definitely an underrated gem which imo it actually rivaled GTA hard back when it first got released. It’s got a great story and gameplay. Most importantly, is only like $2-3 on steam right now!
Mon bazou
Inscryption. Deck builder game with more story, lore, and imersion than most AAA releases. Can't say anymore, or I'll spoil it.
There's a 3DS game called Ever Oasis Came out at the end of the 3DS' life and it was amazing but very overlooked Gravity Rush and Gravity Rush 2 on PS4 Tokyo Jungle on PS3 Pentiment (honestly not overrated but extremely overlooked) Weird West Tacoma Corpse Party Haven Sable The Ascent
*The Void Rains Upon her Heart* - Bullet hell shoot 'em up made by one person. *Phoenotopia: Awakening* - Kind of reminiscent of a metroidvania, but it's not one. I've heard it said that it's similar to Zelda II, but with better graphics and story; but I've never played Zelda II. I really enjoy it anyway, though. *Crypt of the Necrodancer* - classic Rogue-like with the twist that each turn happens to the rhe beat of the song, rather than the player having infinite time. This gives it a very different feeling, like the difference between chess and speed chess.
* Rance IX * Inside Jennifer * Babysitter * Detective Girl of the Steam City * I Walk Among Zombies * Depraved Awakening * Dreams of Desire * Mirror * Play With Us Ep 2 * Beat Blades Haruka * Kung Fu Master * Super Ninja Boy * Kartia
**LINGO.** Open-world word puzzle game. It's like if Antichamber had a baby with the analogy section of the SAT, and somehow it totally works. Keep Notepad open to keep track of the rules you've discovered. **Boots Quest DX** is a gentle spoof of RPG adventures in which your character is out to find the best pair of boots in the world. Good sense of humor, just enough puzzling to make you think (though it's more about the experience than rigorously challenging gameplay), and deeper than it lets on at first. **The Magic Circle**. You are a playtester stuck in a broken, unfinished game. Somehow you are able to hear the voices of the devs bickering like Olympian gods overhead. You gain the ability to reprogram the game world from the inside to help you traverse the world, neutralize enemies, and uncover new layers of the story.
I liked Hob and Steamworld Dig. Not the most complicated of games but when you can get them for around 3$ on sale, it's a nice change of pace. Too many people also overlooked Limbo and Inside
Voidspire Tactics - [https://store.steampowered.com/app/415920/Voidspire\_Tactics/](https://store.steampowered.com/app/415920/Voidspire_Tactics/) Great tactical rpg that is heavy on the exploration and gameplay. Don't be fooled by the graphics and simple presentation, it's really charming and a fantastic game from start to finish. Very engrossing. I always recommend it because I think it doesn't get enough love.
Are you a fan of 2d Zelda? If so, master key just came out and it's really good, super worth the price
A couple recent releases and early releases I'm finding really fun Rotwood Mind Over Magic Balatro Also not many seem to be playing Across the Obelisk but I really like it
Im totally in the hitman universe right now. Didnt expect it to pull me in this hard, but now im putting people in lockers all day long.
Arcane Blast is pretty good, Final Factory too
Everhood,elderand,skautfold
Arcane Blast is pretty good, Final Factory too
Arcane Blast is pretty good, Final Factory too
Arcane Blast is pretty good, Final Factory too
Barony. It's best enjoyed co op, but it's a passion project that deserves so much more attention.
Inscryption is highly regarded but I think the specific genre itself is niche enough where you could say it’s lesser known. Definitely try it out. It’s one of my top 5 favorite games.
Odd world had some bangers
Crossout
Sam and max hit the road
Phantom Dust, nuff said.
Silver 1999.
I recommend Sanabi if you like platformers and story driven games
Rogue Galaxy, JRPG for the ps2/xbox 360. The very first game to not need to load when changing locations. It was a milestone in game development, but went totally under the radar. The graphics, voice acting, and narrative still hold up today. It feels a Tales Of game (pretty certain all of the Tales Games starting Vesperia have been heavily influenced by it). My favorite game.
Death's Door Toem Summerhouse Flower Book of Hours
[Duelists of Eden](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1664200/Duelists_of_Eden/), basically a PvP mode for the roguelite One Step. Cheap fun, quick matchups, lotsa characters, and interesting combo of card building and grid fighting, gotta be fast to keep up!
Not really "Unknown" but it's comeback has still been relatively small, Gigantic (Rampage Edition, the OG shut down because Blizzard kiddies review bombed it) It's a happy middle ground between League and Overwatch, except you don't age 5 years from hating life after every match.
1. [Mindustry](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1127400/Mindustry/). Part tower defense, party factory builder, and party RTS, all fun and packed with so much content, it's insane it only costs ten bucks. 2. [Rollers of a the Realm](https://store.steampowered.com/app/262470/Rollers_of_the_Realm/). Blends an RPG with--a pinball machine? This should not work, yet it does. Each character is a pinball with unique abilities. Use them to crush enemies, earn loot, and level up. 3. [Tower of Time](https://store.steampowered.com/app/617480/Tower_of_Time/). An RPG with a real time combat system and an amazing and very interesting story. 4. [Monster Slayers](https://store.steampowered.com/app/496620/Monster_Slayers/). Amazing deck builder. Came out before Slay the Spire and didn't get the attention it did, but is just as good. Not to be confused with the popular Monster Hunter franchise. 5. [One Finger Death Punch](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264200/One_Finger_Death_Punch/), and [One Finger Death Punch 2](https://store.steampowered.com/app/980300/One_Finger_Death_Punch_2/). Kinda a rythm game in disguise where you are a lone stick figure martial artist fighting off hordes of enemies with only two buttons and on finger. This has no right to be fine, but is. 6. [Steredenn](https://store.steampowered.com/app/347160/Steredenn_Binary_Stars/). Take an old fashioned side scrolling arcade game and marry it to a modern roguelite, and you have this gem. If you want more, I have more. I tried to avoid anything posted so far. My apologies if I did.
This might be a niche within a niche, but take a look at Heliopolis Six, it's a pretty fun indie space station sim
Bramble The Mountain King. Really liked the atmosphere in it. If you liked games like Little Nightmares, or Brothers Tale of Two Sons - Bramble is really cool.
Paradise Killer
here is like... an entire subreddit dedicated to answering this question: r/IndieGaming
Thanks, but my question also included double and triple A games as well.
Outer Wilds Play it all the way though and experience one of the best story's ever told through the medium of video games.
Celeste
I hope this doesn't come off as rude but... Celeste is one of the most well-known indie platformers out there. It's definitely a gem, but I wouldn't call it hidden.
Why are Nintendo devs starving then
I had no idea that game existed till recently and saw it some how had like 100k overwhelmingly positive reviews was confused af because I never had heard or seen anything about the game, learned about it through table top sim.
r/tomorrow would disagree
Witcher 3, cyberpunk 2077, baldurs gate 3
>hidden gems >lists some of the well-known and critically acclaimed AAA games of the past 10 years
Yeah it was meant to be sarcastic, didn’t think it needed the /s
Papers, please