“From captivating indie stories to under-the-radar adventures, here are the hidden gems in gaming that deserve your attention.”
In the vast world of gaming, countless titles get released each year, but some great ones slip under the radar. These hidden gems may not have the marketing budgets or blockbuster recognition, but they offer unique gameplay, rich stories, and memorable experiences. If you’re looking for something different from the mainstream hits, here are some must-play hidden gems that you might have missed.
1. Outer Wilds
Genre: Action-Adventure / Exploration
Developer: Mobius Digital
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Outer Wilds is an award-winning exploration game that combines mystery, science fiction, and an expansive open world. You play as a new recruit exploring an alien solar system caught in a 22-minute time loop. The goal is to uncover the secrets of the universe, understand the cause of the time loop, and explore unique planets, each with its own distinct environments and physical laws.
Why It’s a Gem:
The game’s mechanics are unlike anything you’ll experience in mainstream titles, creating a sense of wonder with every new discovery. Its thought-provoking story and beautiful, hand-crafted universe make it a must-play for fans of exploration and narrative-driven games.
2. A Plague Tale: Innocence
Genre: Action-Adventure
Developer: Asobo Studio
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Set during the Black Plague in medieval France, A Plague Tale: Innocence tells the story of Amicia and her younger brother Hugo, who are on the run from the Inquisition and a horde of rats carrying the plague. This narrative-driven game combines stealth, puzzle-solving, and intense emotional storytelling to deliver a haunting experience.
Why It’s a Gem:
The game’s visuals and atmosphere are stunning, immersing you in a dark, plague-ridden world filled with danger. Its character development and emotionally charged storyline make it a hidden gem for players who love strong narratives and historical settings.
3. Slay the Spire
Genre: Deck-Building Roguelike
Developer: MegaCrit
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android
Slay the Spire is a unique blend of deck-building and roguelike elements, where you choose a character and fight your way up a tower by building a custom deck of cards. Each run presents new challenges, forcing you to make strategic decisions and adapt to unpredictable encounters.
Why It’s a Gem:
With its addictive gameplay loop, strategic depth, and endless replayability, Slay the Spire has earned a loyal fanbase. This game is ideal for players who enjoy strategy and card games but may have missed it among other mainstream releases.
4. Disco Elysium
Genre: RPG / Narrative-Driven
Developer: ZA/UM
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Disco Elysium is an RPG unlike any other, combining detective work, complex dialogue choices, and an intricately detailed world. You play as a detective with a troubled past, investigating a murder in a decaying city. The game’s core mechanics revolve around decision-making, character development, and psychological exploration.
Why It’s a Gem:
Disco Elysium offers a deep and intellectual narrative with richly developed characters and complex choices. Its unique gameplay style, focusing on dialogue and storytelling rather than combat, makes it a standout for players seeking a thought-provoking experience.
5. Celeste
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Maddy Makes Games
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Celeste is a challenging indie platformer that follows the story of Madeline as she attempts to climb Celeste Mountain. The game combines tight platforming mechanics with a touching story about mental health, perseverance, and self-discovery.
Why It’s a Gem:
Despite its pixel art style, Celeste is visually stunning and emotionally impactful. The game’s difficulty is balanced with rewarding gameplay, and the narrative adds depth, making it more than just a platformer. Celeste is a hidden gem for anyone who appreciates challenging gameplay with a meaningful story.
6. Gris
Genre: Platformer / Puzzle
Developer: Nomada Studio
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
Gris is a beautiful and minimalist platformer that tells the story of a young girl dealing with loss and grief. The gameplay is simple, involving platforming and puzzle-solving, but the hand-drawn art style and watercolor-inspired visuals make it an unforgettable experience.
Why It’s a Gem:
Gris is more than just a game—it’s an artistic experience. The visuals, soundtrack, and story come together to create a meditative journey that explores complex emotions. It’s perfect for players who enjoy visually striking and emotionally resonant games.
7. Hades
Genre: Roguelike / Action
Developer: Supergiant Games
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
In Hades, you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, attempting to escape the Underworld. This action-packed roguelike combines fast-paced combat with a compelling narrative, where you interact with gods, forge relationships, and uncover family secrets.
Why It’s a Gem:
Hades blends action and storytelling in a way few games do. The characters are well-developed, and each run offers new dialogue, making the game feel fresh even after multiple playthroughs. Its gameplay is addictive and challenging, making it one of the best roguelikes of recent years.
8. Return of the Obra Dinn
Genre: Puzzle / Mystery
Developer: Lucas Pope
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Return of the Obra Dinn is a mystery game with a unique art style, set aboard an abandoned ship where all the crew have mysteriously died. As an insurance investigator, you must solve the mystery by examining clues and piecing together the story of each character’s fate.
Why It’s a Gem:
With its monochromatic, retro-inspired visuals and immersive storytelling, Return of the Obra Dinn offers a unique and rewarding puzzle-solving experience. It’s a hidden gem for players who enjoy detective games and piecing together complex narratives.
9. Oxenfree
Genre: Adventure / Mystery
Developer: Night School Studio
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android
Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller about a group of friends who accidentally open a ghostly rift. The game’s dialogue system allows players to shape relationships and influence the story’s outcome, making for a personalized experience.
Why It’s a Gem:
With a gripping story, realistic dialogue, and atmospheric visuals, Oxenfree is a fantastic choice for fans of narrative-driven games. It’s a memorable experience that explores themes of friendship, mystery, and the supernatural in a fresh way.
10. Journey
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Thatgamecompany
Platform: PlayStation, PC, iOS
Journey is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant game that takes players on a pilgrimage through a vast desert toward a distant mountain. The game focuses on exploration, music, and visuals to tell its story without any spoken dialogue.
Why It’s a Gem:
With its minimalist design and breathtaking landscapes, Journey is a powerful emotional experience despite its simplicity. The game’s wordless storytelling and beautiful soundtrack make it a unique and meditative experience for players looking to relax and reflect.
11. The Talos Principle
Genre: Puzzle
Developer: Croteam
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
The Talos Principle is a philosophical puzzle game that combines challenging mechanics with deep questions about consciousness, humanity, and existence. Players solve intricate puzzles in a mysterious world while uncovering clues about their purpose and reality.
Why It’s a Gem:
For fans of both philosophy and puzzle-solving, The Talos Principle offers a cerebral experience that goes beyond typical gaming. Its narrative and existential themes make it a standout for players who enjoy games that provoke thought and introspection.
12. Hyper Light Drifter
Genre: Action-Adventure
Developer: Heart Machine
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Hyper Light Drifter is an action-adventure game inspired by classic 16-bit games, combining challenging combat with a rich, atmospheric world. The game follows a wanderer with a mysterious illness who explores a ruined, high-tech world filled with secrets and dangers.
Why It’s a Gem:
The game’s unique art style, synth-heavy soundtrack, and tough combat make it a standout indie title. It’s ideal for players who appreciate games with a strong aesthetic and challenging gameplay that pays homage to retro gaming.
Conclusion
These hidden gems offer some of the most innovative and engaging experiences in gaming. While they may not have received blockbuster attention, each of these titles is a masterpiece in its own right, showcasing creativity, unique storytelling, and captivating gameplay. From the emotional journey of Gris to the thought-provoking puzzles of The Talos Principle, these games are worth exploring for any gamer seeking something off the beaten path. If you’re ready to dive into lesser-known adventures, these hidden gems provide an unforgettable gaming experience that shouldn’t be missed.