17 Underrated Video Games You Need to Try
Sometimes the best things in life don’t come with neon lights and billboards. The gaming world is no different. While some titles dominate the spotlight, others quietly wait to be discovered like hidden treasures. If you’re tired of the usual suspects and ready for a fresh gaming adventure, here are 17 underrated gems that deserve your attention. Get ready to add a few unexpected titles to your backlog.
1. Hollow Knight – A Beautifully Brutal Experience
At first glance, Hollow Knight seems like another charming indie platformer. But don’t be fooled by its cute bug protagonist and hand-drawn world. This game is harder than trying to explain quantum physics at a dinner party. Its sprawling, interconnected world is packed with secrets, challenging bosses, and a combat system that demands precision. You’ll get lost, you’ll rage-quit, and then you’ll come crawling back for more.
2. A Plague Tale: Innocence – Rats, But Make It Emotional
When you think of medieval times, you probably don’t picture an army of plague-infested rats. A Plague Tale: Innocence turns that nightmare into a visually stunning and deeply emotional story. You play as Amicia, a young girl trying to protect her brother while evading soldiers and, yes, rivers of rats. It’s a game that combines puzzle-solving with gut-wrenching narrative moments. Just don’t play it if you’re squeamish about rodents.
3. Celeste – Climbing More Than Mountains
Celeste is one of those games that’s not just about the challenge of platforming but the emotional journey of its protagonist. You’re tasked with climbing a mountain, and as you do, you also navigate the character’s personal struggles with anxiety and self-doubt. It’s hard, yes, but it’s also deeply rewarding. Each time you fall, you’re reminded that failing is part of the process, both in life and in gaming.
4. Oxenfree – Supernatural Conversations You’ll Never Forget
If you’re into supernatural mysteries with a dash of teenage angst, Oxenfree should be your next download. It’s not your typical horror game – there are no zombies or jump scares, just a group of teens stuck on an island dealing with some weird, time-bending phenomena. The dialogue system is its real star, allowing for natural, flowing conversations that actually feel, well, real. The haunting atmosphere will stick with you long after you’ve put the controller down.
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5. Dead Cells – Dying Has Never Felt So Good
In Dead Cells, death isn’t the end. It’s just another step in the process of improving your skills, unlocking new weapons, and mastering the rogue-like platformer’s intricacies. With each respawn, you get a little better, which makes the game surprisingly addictive. Its combat is fast-paced and satisfying, and the randomly generated levels ensure no two runs are the same. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of finally taking down a boss that’s killed you 12 times in a row.
6. The Messenger – Ninja Gaiden on Steroids
Remember those brutally hard ninja games from the ‘80s and ‘90s? The Messenger takes that nostalgic formula and kicks it up a notch. You start with an old-school 8-bit aesthetic, only to have the game morph into a 16-bit world halfway through. It’s a brilliant mix of fast-paced platforming, clever writing, and time-traveling shenanigans. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a pixelated ninja, this is your game.
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7. Hades – The Underworld’s Most Charming Rogue-Lite
Hades might have gained some popularity recently, but it’s still underappreciated for how much it offers. The game combines sharp combat with an ongoing, ever-evolving story that doesn’t just reset every time you die. With every escape attempt, you get more dialogue, learn more about the world, and develop deeper relationships with the quirky gods of Olympus. It’s like Groundhog Day but with way more sword fights.
8. Gris – A Watercolor Masterpiece
If you’re the type of gamer who prefers art over action, Gris will speak to your soul. This side-scrolling platformer looks like it was painted by a master artist – every frame is a work of art. There’s no dialogue or combat, just a hauntingly beautiful journey through grief and recovery. It’s meditative, visually stunning, and short enough to experience in a single sitting. Sometimes, a game doesn’t need words to make you feel everything.
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9. Slay the Spire – Card Battling Has Never Been This Strategic
Deck-building games don’t always scream “thrill ride,” but Slay the Spire proves they can be just as addictive as any action-packed adventure. You assemble a deck of powerful cards to climb a tower filled with enemies and bosses. Every decision feels crucial, from which cards to add to your deck to how you manage your limited health. It’s the kind of game you pick up for a quick session and suddenly realize three hours have passed.
10. Hyper Light Drifter – Pixel Art with Heart
Hyper Light Drifter doesn’t waste time holding your hand. It throws you into a vibrant, mysterious world with little direction and no dialogue. You’ll rely on your instincts, and sharp reflexes, as you explore its open world filled with cryptic secrets. It’s tough but fair, rewarding those who take the time to master its combat and uncover its lore. Plus, the retro-pixel art style is an absolute feast for the eyes.
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11. Katana Zero – Bullet Time and Blade Slashes
Katana Zero is the love child of old-school action games and modern time-manipulation mechanics. You play a katana-wielding assassin with the ability to slow down time, which makes slicing through rooms full of enemies all the more satisfying. The story is full of twists, turns, and deep philosophical questions (yes, really). The combat feels smooth, fast, and utterly satisfying, especially when you pull off a perfect run through a level.
12. Little Nightmares – Creepy, Cute, and Utterly Unsettling
If Tim Burton designed a platformer, it would look a lot like Little Nightmares. This eerie puzzle-platformer throws you into a world filled with grotesque monsters and oversized environments that make you feel tiny and helpless. The unsettling atmosphere and disturbing visuals will keep you on edge, but the simple yet effective gameplay mechanics make it worth every tense moment. It’s short but will leave a lasting impression on your psyche.
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13. Outer Wilds – Space, Time Loops, and Existential Dread
Imagine being stuck in a 22-minute time loop, doomed to watch the solar system explode over and over again. That’s the core of Outer Wilds, a game where exploration is key, and every piece of information you gather brings you closer to unraveling the mystery. It’s part puzzle game, part space exploration, and entirely captivating. There’s no combat, just pure curiosity and the feeling of impending doom.
14. Spiritfarer – Death Has Never Been This Heartwarming
Spiritfarer is a game about dying – but not in the depressing way that sounds. You play as Stella, a ferry master to the deceased, tasked with helping spirits move on to the afterlife. It’s more of a management sim than an action game, but it’s the emotional connections you build with the spirits that make it special. The game’s mix of gentle platforming, crafting, and touching storytelling will make you feel all the feelings.
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15. Moonlighter – Dungeon Crawling with a Capitalist Twist
What if Link from The Legend of Zelda needed a side hustle? That’s basically the premise of Moonlighter. By day, you run a shop, selling the loot you find in the dungeons you crawl through at night. Balancing both roles is surprisingly addictive, as you fight monsters and then haggle over prices back in town. The game is charming, challenging, and the perfect blend of capitalism and monster-slaying.
16. Yoku’s Island Express – A Pinball Platformer, Yes Really
Yoku’s Island Express is the delightful, pinball-infused platformer you never knew you needed. Instead of running and jumping like most games, you’re flung around a colorful, tropical island by pinball paddles. The mix of exploration, puzzles, and pinball physics makes for an incredibly unique experience. It’s like someone mashed together Metroid and Sonic the Hedgehog and then threw in a bunch of bumpers for good measure.
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17. SOMA – A Horror Game with a Brain
SOMA isn’t your typical run-and-hide horror game. Sure, there are terrifying moments where you’re evading monsters in an underwater research facility, but the real horror comes from its mind-bending philosophical questions. It’s a game that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the story lingers long after the credits roll.
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