I firstly met this game through gamepass some years ago(it is still there, so a good way to test it if not sure about buying). I thought it would be just a silly generic poke clone, but I was very wrong, this… game simply is incredible, seeing it again here even made me want to play it again. The mix of using metroidvania mechanics mixed with the monsters is made spectacularly, a must play for fans of this kind of game
I came to the Spelunky party later than most, somewhere in the 2016-2017 era. It was initially launched in its HD form in 2012 to Xbox Live arcade, and I had already played games like Limbo and Braid through the Arcade feature… and didn't want another sidescroller. Man, was that ever a miscalculation. Even though Limbo and Braid are fantastic in their own right, they are limited, 2-5 hour experiences. I must have over 150+ hours in Spelunky alone, not including its sequel (which improves on this game in every way and is 10/10 in its own right). This isn't to say that playtime is equal to quality or value, but only to illustrate that even with 150 hours, I would still go back and play this with enthusiasm and most likely continue to find new and interesting niches of this incredible game. This game was apparently the turning point for many developers; it gave rise to incorporating more "Rouge" like elements into their design. Once they saw Mossmouth's application of the procedurally generated levels, random events, the 1-1 restart instead of the traditional checkpointing in the action-platformer genre, the niche gameplay of 'Rouge-likes' exploded. It spawned an entire sub-genre that then also changed and grew, things we now commonly see as rouge-lites. (This was something that at the time was seen as heretical to OG Rouge fans, but the genre moved forward regardless.) But don't mistake the forerunner as something to only acknowledge, play this game. It is difficult, chaotic, and downright cruel sometimes, but even despite the challenge, its gameplay and controls carrying you forward as you learn everything about it. Eventually learning the secrets of the world to delve even deeper. The reward is a game that is tuned to always respond in a predictable way, even if it may predictably lead to your demise. (Those stupid bats!)
Risk of Rain has an excellent core loop of killing enemies, opening loot chests, challenging bosses, and zipping to a new map in pursuit of the final challenge. The slower you go, the stronger the final boss gets, so hop to it!… While the mechanics and gameplay are all worthy of a purchase on their own, the way every upgrade you collect is physically attached to your character model is just exquisite. Chef's kiss, perfection. Hits the absolute maximum dopamine of highrolling a build that does everything you wanted, then resets you to go try for it again or perhaps chase down some challenges or secrets in the various maps. The game is content-rich and addictive, then you layer online co-op on top to drag your friends in for an hour ish on a run. I have 8 hours on Steam and ~30 on PS4 (latter is not explicitly tracked), ergo the sum time is greater than what's listed on Steam.
The story takes place in various settings and all of them are great. You will be surprised by how the game evolves. After getting through that however many times you're interested in, there's a 'skirmish mode' of sorts that I've put hundreds… of hours into as a time killer after workouts or during meetings.
You have a royal flush? That's cool. I have 5-of-a-kind Aces! Balatro's basic formula is "(card value) x (game multiplier) = score", which leads to very creative strategies and outside-the-box thinking. Instead of betting chips, you need to accumulate a target score… within a fixed number of hands. Need more score? Maybe delete some cards from your 52-card deck so you can more consistently sculpt a higher-value hand. Maybe add some cards with special rules, like replaying themselves when scored in a hand. Maybe pick up some jokers, which passively change the games' rules so you can do crazy things like copying cards, gaining score multiplier for making hands with red-colored cards, or perhaps get some planet or tarot cards to upgrade the basic score + multiplier of particular hands or upgrade your deck! Balatro further innovates with different starting decks, a neat progression system for unlocking content based on achievements, and challenging "enemy" mechanics that may undo your carefully planned strategy at the most inopportune time. Don't sweat it if you fail a run, maybe next time you'll get a score so big that the game resorts to using scientific notation to keep up with your numbers!
Stolen Realm is a fantasy tactics game where you'll start as a single class (for instance, Warrior, focusing on Might for damage and Armor to shrug off incoming attacks) and quickly evolve into an insane multi-class godlike creature (the Warrior is now… also a Monk, rapidly moving about and throwing enemies into one another, but also a Thief who steals enemy actions and backstabs for criticals!) The equipment and "fate" systems allow you further angles to develop your own unique play style as you progress your campaign. There's also the pure roguelike mode that speeds up progression considerably while dropping out the between-dungeon segments done in town during the main campaign (those segments are fun for the campaign though, as your progression really shines there!) Co-Op is done with simultaneous player turns followed by all enemies, permitting ridiculous schenanigans with your friends. And if you're the type that doesn't have friends, you can play as many characters per human as you want up until the party cap is filled, though it really helps to spread the mental load amongst people or just run 2-4 characters. When playing as a duo (most of my playtime), we each run two characters and that grants everyone plenty of fun synergies and things to do without getting TOO crazy!
You should enter Inscryption knowing as little as possible for the best experience, so I'll be intentionally vague. The narrative is the game's strongest point, but the gameplay involves unique resource systems, replayability mechanics, and surprises that are sure to delight anyone… who enjoys deckbuilding games. It took me about 10 hours to complete, then I stuck around for an extra 6 chasing down various things and just enjoying the game -- it's not a forever game, but it is one that will stick with you in a good way well beyond any notion of hours spent in game.
Fishing games are classic staples--often a highlight worthy mini-game within other games. Dredge expands upon it by giving you 3D control of a little boat that you can upgrade to catch more fish as you progress in a short, but rewarding and… well-paced journey. Couple all of that with its beautiful art style and horror-inspired self-explored narrative, and you're sure to enjoy more than mere fishing. It's short but worth your time. It's cheap especially during sales. It's relaxing but not boring.
This game is early access in name only. There is enough content for you to play forever, actually forever, and be satisfied. The deepest most well thought out zombie survival game ever made. You write your own survival story, start in a… small survivors cabin or sick with the flu, naked, and in the middle of a house fire. You can play with your friends and the developers are constantly updating. The only reason the game isn't out of early access is that they have OCD and won't stop until it is perfect in their eyes which is equivalent to live service updates from a game you pay indie prices for once. Oh , did I mention the extremely active modding community? If the base game doesn't have it, there is a mod for it. 11/10 stop reading this and buy it already.
This is one that I come back to from time to time even after playing to death. Great visuals and satisfying game loop. Upgrade your ship and build to break the game.
A broken build chess rogue lite. Build your board as you progress through escalating challenges. Plot your path to the boss to maximize your build potential as you add pieces to your board and gain game changing, and breaking, artifacts and items.… For the price, if you like chess but wish there was more to it, or you like broken build games, you shouldn't skip this title.
This is a must play if you enjoy minigames and having your expectations subverted. You will upgrade your skill tree until the minigame you thought you were playing becomes a different game in the best way. There is a huge amount of… content for the price point and there is something for everyone in this title.
Spelunky 2 excels in almost over its predecessor Spelunky HD in almost every way. With new pathing through its Rouge-like platforming, giving you choice and varied runs in search of the ends of its many threads. There are few games that reward… continued play with such pixel perfect understanding of not only the jumps, enemies, or treasures that you may find, but that you after you master it, you may find yourself spoiled for lack of such thoughtful gameplay and precision in everything else. Do not misunderstand, this game is HARD; it is punishing; with little "Rouge-lite" progression to accommodate your ego when you will lose everything. But for those that learn the systems, find the hidden secrets, and truly master its core; there is limitless play here. I can't recommend this game enough. I have come close to the final portal several times, and even then, I haven't finished every little thread this game offers, the thieves, the curse, ... the eggplants... even with over 250+ hours. Although, with that being said, the number of personal stories I have made in search of this game's goals, the triumphs, and the losses, are priceless. This is the ultimate, "stranded island" game and probably the hidden gem you're looking for.
The card gameplay is very fun, but the story around it is even better. Go in blind.
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