Some of the Best Games You’ve Probably Never Played
Many amazing games get lost in the shuffle every year, with more and more being released which can leave gems buried. Tracking them down can be a challenge in its own right, so we wanted to shine a light on some games that deserve some attention – so here are a handful across a number of different categories to suit gamers of all types.
Indie Breakouts You Might Have Missed
Some of the most innovative and creative games come from smaller game studios, free from the constraints of bigger publishers to make something that appeals to wider tastes.
Made by LocalThunk, a one-man team, Balatro mixes elements of poker and roguelike elements to create a truly unique experience that won Best Indie Game at the Golden Joystick Awards. Simple yet full of strategy, it keeps players coming back for just one more run.
There’s also the beautiful puzzle-platformer Animal Well, built by Billy Basso – also known as videogamedunkey, which has garnered critical acclaim. Its atmospheric world full of secrets and clever challenges has engaged a dedicated player base and shows what a small team can create to rival the bigger studios.
Games with Innovative Mechanics
Games that handle differently provide players with a new take on the gaming experience, breaking away from the standard to challenge what titles are able to provide.
Somehow uniting Tetris-style block matching with a roguelite adventure and maths-based combat, Drop Duchy really does think outside of the box. Every game gives players something different to try, keeping them on their toes.
Meanwhile, Mortal Sin takes the first-person action genre reminiscent of Wolfenstein and Doom, bringing it into the modern era of gaming with a medieval flair. Balancing equal parts grit and flashy graphics channeling comic book charm, it’s one to get your hands on.
Retro-Inspired Modern Classics
Old-school gaming is back with modern twists (some would argue it never left), letting players enjoy arcade games online in new ways.
UFO 50 is probably the best example of this in recent years, bringing together 50 fully-fledged individual games from a fictional publisher UFO Soft – actually all produced by Mossmouth. All of these bring something different to the table, with reviewers praising the brilliant fusions of past and present game design.
Cosy and Wholesome Gaming Experiences
For those who aren’t looking for something fast-paced or with a high challenge level, there are plenty of fantastic cosy games on the market to uncover.
Tempopo is a music puzzle game with a lo-fi look, where you guide cute characters through mazes while enjoying a lovely soundtrack and calming gameplay. Then there’s Neva – from the team that made Gris – which takes a story about loss and friendship to new heights through a beautiful art style and interactive narrative.
So, if you’re looking to get stuck into a new game, any one from these lists would make for a great starting point – or use them as a jumping off point to inspire your search for the best game you missed in recent years.