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Hidden Gems or Underrated Games you played in 2024 (Black Friday Recommendations)

KàIRóS

KàIRóS

Member
Hey guys, I'm currently buying a bunch of games on all the different Black Friday sales and I'm trying to make a list for the more obscure, unknown and underrated games, so any recommendations for Indies and/or AA games that don't always get shout outs is welcome.

NOTE: It doesn't necessarily have to be games released in 2024 and you can also recommend games without a discount if you want.

Here's my 4 recommendations from 2024:

Mecha builder and Action RPG with a Vanillaware-esque Story:

PS1 styled Survival Horror with great gameplay and story:

Experimental Hack n' Slash/Strategy hybrid game by Capcom:

Turn Based JRPG with an incredibly addicting gameplay loop:

Sorry guys I would normally write a small review for each game but I don't have the time right now so you'll have to do with the steam reviews, but all 4 of those games I played this year and they are all amazing hidden gems.
 
Kenneth Haight

Kenneth Haight

Gold Member
Dragon Age Veilguard

Hot Sauce Crying GIF by First We Feast: Hot Ones
 
Bernardougf

Bernardougf

Member
KàIRóS said:
Hey guys, I'm currently buying a bunch of games on all the different Black Friday sales and I'm trying to make a list for the more obscure, unknown and underrated games, so any recommendations for Indies and/or AA games that don't always get shout outs is welcome.

NOTE: It doesn't necessarily have to be games released in 2024 and you can also recommend games without a discount if you want.

Here's my 4 recommendations from 2024:

Mecha builder and Action RPG with a Vanillaware-esque Story:

PS1 styled Survival Horror with great gameplay and story:

Experimental Hack n' Slash/Strategy hybrid game by Capcom:

Turn Based JRPG with an incredibly addicting gameplay loop:

Sorry guys I would normally write a small review for each game but I don't have the time right now so you'll have to do with the steam reviews, but all 4 of those games I played this year and they are all amazing hidden gems.
Click to expand...
This turn based rpg is a pure adventure rpg ? Or have too much social/relationship bullshit ? ... i love turn based rpg ... dont like dealing with real life sims though
 
KàIRóS

KàIRóS

Member
Bernardougf said:
This turn based rpg is a pure adventure rpg ? Or have too much social/relationship bullshit ? ... i love turn based rpg ... dont like dealing with real life sims though
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a traditional story driven JRPG, some say it's gameplay feels like the Atelier games because it has some crafting and all that but honestly I found it much more straightforward than those games, no need to grind or anything just pure fun turn based battles and constant progression.
 
Bernardougf

Bernardougf

Member
Im going to say Lords of the Fallen

A lot of people talk badly about this game and they may have their reasons. But I would suspect that a lot of "souls puritans" will deslike it for the wrong reasons.

But from a Souls hardcore fan. Its a really good souls clone, its not prime dark souls, but is the very next best thing IMHO and does its own interest things.

It has good weapon variations and builds, good mechanics and some fun bosses.

All in all I did 4 play troughs and put it as much hours I would put in any souls games, trying different builds and weapons . Really fun stuff.

I ranked above Lies of Pi. were I did just one play trough and didnt feel engaged enough to do another.

Its important to say that Im an strictly melee pve player and couldn't give two shits about magic and pvp stuff.
 
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mèx

mèx

Member
A couple of rough ones that are worth playing:

A JRPG that would feel like at home on a 3DS. It has no voice acting, small production value... Nonetheless, it is pretty cool and enjoyable.

One Steam review is describing this as "a source mod that exploded out of control". Perfect description.


Here is a couple of actually underrated gems:

Basically classic Resident Evil but in 2D.

FPS with a campaign akin to Half Life and a sandbox mode with some STALKER vibes. Made by a single dev.
 
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GHG

GHG

Member
Couple more recommendations:

Cyber Knights - Tactical RPG similar to XCOM but in a Cyberpunk setting. It's in early access but well worth a spin if you're a fan of tactical RPG's:




And two of the previous games from the same developer:



Star Traders is really deep spacefaring RPG/strategy/tactical game, where combat plays out similar to battles in darkest dungeon. At it's current price I'd say it's a must try. If you need a guide refer to this one:





Templar Battleforce:


Can't attest for this one yet but I'll be picking it up this sale.
 
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Humdinger

Humdinger

Gold Member
Noticed that Kingdom Come Deliverance is on sale for $3 on PSN. Although I assume the combat will annoy me too much to continue, I picked up a copy anyway. $3, what the hell.
 
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TintoConCasera

TintoConCasera

I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
Humdinger said:
Noticed the Kingdom Come Deliverance is on sale for $3 on PSN. Although I assume the combat will annoy me too much to continue, I picked up a copy anyway. $3, what the hell.
Click to expand...
Combat sucks against multiple enemies but, thankfully, the combat isn't the focus of the game at all.

Some tips:
- If you see a pack of angry peasants with dogs, run away. No matter if you are a walking tank on heavy armor, they'll surround you and fuck you up.
- You unlock training with Captain Bernard shortly after the prologue. It's optional, but for the love of God DON'T skip it. Make sure to train for a few IRL hours and most of all, learn all the unique skills he teach you like being able to parry attacks. Combat's all about parry.
- I'd say maces are overall better than swords. That said I used a sword because it looks more kino and heroic and had no trouble beating the game.
- If you are up for it, go extreme mode. I think it adds a lot to the game, specially since the game's all about immersion.
 
jshackles

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
Cool, another chance for me to shill Beyond Shadowgate.


Did you play (and love) the NES version of Shadowgate like I did? You need to play this game. It was crafted from design documents that were made 30 years ago when they were planning a sequel to the NES classic, which never materialized... until now. The interface is designed around the old NES game, and the Steam download itself is something like 40MB. Pixel art is great, music is fantastic, puzzles are great (hard, but not too hard). Just an overall great experience that I'm sure I'll be replaying several times.

EDIT: also tons of nostalgia as the game has levels based on Deja Vu and The Uninvited
 
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Humdinger

Humdinger

Gold Member
TintoConCasera said:
Combat sucks against multiple enemies but, thankfully, the combat isn't the focus of the game at all.

Some tips:
- If you see a pack of angry peasants with dogs, run away. No matter if you are a walking tank on heavy armor, they'll surround you and fuck you up.
- You unlock training with Captain Bernard shortly after the prologue. It's optional, but for the love of God DON'T skip it. Make sure to train for a few IRL hours and most of all, learn all the unique skills he teach you like being able to parry attacks. Combat's all about parry.
- I'd say maces are overall better than swords. That said I used a sword because it looks more kino and heroic and had no trouble beating the game.
- If you are up for it, go extreme mode. I think it adds a lot to the game, specially since the game's all about immersion.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I got the impression that combat was a big focus. Appreciate the tips.
 
Punished Miku

Punished Miku

Human Rights Subscription Service
  • Slitterhead is by far the most underrated game of the year.
  • Valfaris: Mecha Therion is one of the best shmups I've ever played. No biggie.
  • Triangle Strategy VR is one of the best gaming experiences you can have this year.
 
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C

ClanOfNone

Member
mèx said:
I'm playing it right now, it's fantastic. Surprise of the year for me, found it randomly while browsing Steam.

Click to expand...

Drova is excellent, a 2d pixel art Gothic.

Been playing 9 Sols on gamepass and that is another surprise banger for me. Don’t let the “kiddie” graphics fool you, it is Hollow Knight levels of tough. The story is surprisingly good (and dark!) with cool Buddhist and Taoist stuff woven in.
It also allows you to adjust the amount of damage you take and give, which means even old timers like me can actually get through it. Doesn’t help with the platforming though, you just gotta “git gud” with that aspect.
If the wait for Silksong is killing you, play 9 Sols.
 
Deerock71

Deerock71

Member
Mr Hyde said:
Playing Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the lost demon now. Incredible game. Very fun and creative, with a beautiful art style and wonderful music. Highly recommend it. One of the best games on Switch that I played so far.
Click to expand...
I hope this is finally the year I can snag a deep discount on a physical Switch copy of this. You can feel when a game is a passion project for a team, and this fits the bill. Rhythm Thief R by Sega is the last time I coud really feel the love they had for the game.
 
Antwix

Antwix

Member
Anyone who has been following Vampire Survivor-like games will probably know these but I think they're worth shouting out anyway.


Halls of torment is a VS-like but with a diablo spin. Death must die is a VS-like but with a Hades spin. Both are great.


Also, Dyson Sphere Program is a mix between satisfactory and factorio. Factory automation game on a more galactic level.


 
killatopak

killatopak

Gold Member
I recommend Zero Sievert for those waiting for Stalker to be patched. 2D Stalker basically.

I also mirror the Halls of Torment recommendation. Diablo artstyle Vampire Survivors. Excellent equipment and upgrade system.
 
Regginator

Regginator

Member
Not a game but Black Friday related: I got the Switch Online + Expansion subscription from the official Nintendo site, but I haven't gotten a 2nd code for it yet. How long does that usually take?
 
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bender

bender

What time is it?
My favorite game this year launches on Steam on Dec. 11th.


The previous entry is also excellent and is dirt cheap:


KàIRóS KàIRóS , it's probably worth mentioning that Crow County has a demo on Steam. I want to give MEGATON MUSASHI a whirl, but Level 5 games have never clicked with me.
 
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