Hidden Gem Games You Have Probably Never Played

So many games are released each year that brilliant ones slip through the cracks. Finding them can be a hobby in itself, so here is a small pick of hidden gem games across a few different styles, whatever sort of player you are.

Indie breakouts you might have missed

Some of the most creative games come from small studios, which are free from the pressure of big publishers and can chase more unusual ideas.

Balatro is the work of a single developer, LocalThunk. It blends poker with roguelike elements into something genuinely fresh, and it took home Best Indie Game at the Golden Joystick Awards. It looks simple, but there is plenty of strategy underneath, and it is very easy to say “just one more run”.

Then there is Animal Well, a beautiful puzzle-platformer built by Billy Basso, who is also known as videogamedunkey. Critics loved it. Its moody world is packed with secrets and clever challenges, and it has built a devoted following. It is a great example of what a tiny team can do next to the big studios.

Both games prove that you do not need a huge budget to make something memorable. They are the sort of titles that spread by word of mouth, passed from one player to the next with a simple “you have got to try this”.

More hidden gem games with fresh ideas

Some titles throw out the rulebook and ask you to think in a new way.

Drop Duchy joins Tetris-style block matching with a roguelite adventure and combat based on maths. It is an odd mix on paper, yet every run feels different, so you are always kept on your toes. It is a good pick if you enjoy puzzles but want them mixed with a bit of adventure.

Mortal Sin goes back to the first-person shooters in the spirit of Wolfenstein and Doom, then drops them into a medieval setting. It balances grit with flashy visuals and a comic book charm, and it is well worth a look if you like fast, old-school action with a modern finish. Fans of classic shooters will feel right at home, while newcomers get a stylish way into the genre.

Retro-inspired modern classics

Old-school gaming has returned with a few new tricks, though some would say it never left.

UFO 50 is probably the best recent example. It collects 50 complete games from a made-up publisher called UFO Soft, although they were all really made by Mossmouth. Each one offers something different, so you can dip in and out depending on your mood, and reviewers have been full of praise for the way it mixes past and present design ideas. You can read a review on PCMag UK.

Cosy and wholesome picks

Not everyone wants a fast pace or a tough challenge. If you would rather unwind, there are plenty of gentle options out there.

• Tempopo is a music puzzle game with a lo-fi look. You guide cute characters through mazes to a lovely soundtrack, and the whole thing feels calming.
• Neva comes from the team behind Gris. It tells a story about loss and friendship through stunning art and an interactive narrative.

Where to start

If you fancy something new, any title on this list is a good place to begin. Or use them as a springboard and keep digging, because the best game you have not played yet may be sitting quietly in your library or in a store listing you scrolled past.