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What are the hidden gems of 2020?
- Thread starter FolderBrad
- Start date
I'm unaware how discussed it was here, but Bug Fables is by far the best game I have played this year. I honestly prefer it to the Paper Mario games it was clearly inspired by. It further develops TTYD's combat by swapping partners for more involved party members, has an incredibly well-realised world with a likeable cast of characters who all have solid arcs, and there is just SO MUCH to do with the amount of side-quests it has.
I know it launched last year but the Switch version came out this year and that's how I played it so imo it counts
I know it launched last year but the Switch version came out this year and that's how I played it so imo it counts
Just bought the soundtrack yesterday thanks to this post! It's amazing, so thanks for the suggestion!
Definitely one of my top 5 this year.
Mine is probably Convoy. It's similar to FTL but you control a few cars, escorting a convoy, Mad Max style.
Yeah I talked about it. It is so meaty, I didn't finish everything but I almost did and it took me 47 hours all of which was a joy to play.
I love the setting, the growth and relationship between the main characters, there's some very heartfelt moments(Leif's quest chain is such a standout). And the music, I can't get over how good it is.
There's something to be said for having an actually challenging hard mode available from the start with a bunch of extra rewards to help with it, and there's a lot of strategy available too that's always nice.
Falk WE GOT ANOTHER ONE
If you like the vs. 1010 track then I recommend checking out this fanmade mix, it's the only song where the vocals are directly linked to the boss attacks but they're not included on the soundtrack version.
I didn't have a problem with the length since replaying the bosses on harder difficulties and unlocking the full skill tree gave it plenty of longevity, but the gameplay definitely could have used a little more polish. It was the first effort from a new team released during a pandemic, so I have no doubt they'll learn from the mistakes and do even better next time.
I'm happy to see No Straight Roads getting love here too because I thoroughly enjoyed that game. I think gameplay-wise it's a lot of fun once you get past some rough edges, and the story, characters and visual design of the bosses carry the game just as much as the soundtrack. It's one of those games that you play and feel like the developers had a hell of a lot of fun making it
I honestly just wanted to spend as much time in this world as possible so I more or less did everything. Then as I finished what I thought was the last thing, I discovered that there was an entire card game you could play with scanned enemies. I didn't bother finishing it but just the fact it was there was dope
I honestly just wanted to spend as much time in this world as possible so I more or less did everything. Then as I finished what I thought was the last thing, I discovered that there was an entire card game you could play with scanned enemies. I didn't bother finishing it but just the fact it was there was dope
What did you (and by extension others if you all see this!) play it on? I saw some comments about discrepancies between versions, but not sure if there is more parity now between them all. I'd love to play it on Switch as my main platform, but would also consider it elsewhere if the differences are relatively significant.
I played it on PS4. I'm unaware if it's been fixed now, but I believe the Switch version has a bug in it where one of the bosses doesn't spawn healing items, making it more difficult than it's supposed to be. I've not touched the Switch version myself so I can't compare
It's on my must buy list, just gonna be awhile before I get there.
Thank you for enlightening us, looks amazing, how's this sneak under my radar.
No it's not. To my knowledge, the only English version is only available in Asia and you have to import it. Not sure if it is available digitally.
As a lover of boy bands in my youth: thank you! XD
Oh cool! I didn't know Falk posted on here! Love your music in general and awesome job on the soundtrack!
Yeah, just tried it. Suppose to be doing a shirt for this game so let's see how it goes.
Some of the most fun couch co-op fun I've had since super monkey ball on the cube.
Don't miss these:
Don't miss these:
My GOTY is probably Star Drift Evolution, a little low poly racer that beat out the genre competition via excellent handling, oodles of tracks and a very comprehensive online system. Also, despite being billed as isometric, the chase cam is fantastic. Cheap as chips, tons of fun. Epitome of hidden gem.
I recommend Cake Bash as well, which just came out recently.
Cake Bash | Release Date Reveal Trailer | Nintendo Switch
Cake Bash is coming to Nintendo Switch on November 19th 2020! More info @ https://playcakebash.com/Fight to be the tastiest cake in Cake Bash! A frantic four...
www.youtube.com
Even though it originally released on PC last year, 2020 is my first introduction to the game...
A Short Hike
The experience is sweet and--as the title suggests--short, but also very satisfying. It leaves you wanting more, but in a good way...
Guess that's it for now. I"m sure there are others, but ASH is the clear standout off the top of my head. Back to studying...
A Short Hike
The experience is sweet and--as the title suggests--short, but also very satisfying. It leaves you wanting more, but in a good way...
Guess that's it for now. I"m sure there are others, but ASH is the clear standout off the top of my head. Back to studying...
I've always been interested in AA but I typically only enjoy VNs when there is a lot of gameplay (more like adventure games I suppose). Is there a lot of interactive gameplay in the AA games? Is it mostly dialogue options or is there other stuff too? And, is Murder by Numbers the same or does it have more or less interactivity/gameplay? Thank you!
How are the puzzles in Campfire? I heard kinda mixed impressions.
Have you played UnderHero? That's a PM-like and I absolutely loved my time with it. I'm eager to play Bug Fables, just waiting on a sale.
Murder by Numbers is a shorter VN game than most. There are 4 main cases and they all left along at a reasonable pace. There is dialogue, but I found it entertaining and engaging with well-written characters. As for gameplay, well, it's Picross! No more or less, really. If you like Picross, you'll enjoy it and if you don't, you probably won't! I happen to enjoy the two types of games it merges together, so wasn't surprised to find that I really liked the overall package.
Ahhhhh this thread is the WORST! Like I needed to spend $65 on an import copy of this! Can't wait though, it will be here tomorrow.
Now that I've bought a copy, Bamco will probably stealth release it in the US for like $20 haha!
3 games that deserved more attention this year:
Huntdown
Absolute masterpiece. Fantastic pixel art (best I've seen since Katana Zero), amazing soundtrack, pretty much flawless gameplay, great bossfights, tons of references to 80's action flicks like Mad Max, Terminator, Blade Runner... just a blast to play from start to finish and there's not a lot in this that could have been done better.
Paradise Killer
Wonderfully bizarre, stylish, open world detective game in which you try to solve a murder on a secluded, synthetic island filled with lunatics and secrets. Had tons of fun exploring the island, collecting clues and investigating the mysteries surrounding not only the murder, but also the island and characters on it. Soundtrack is a standout as well, game has VIBES.
The Pathless
Playing this on PS5 at the moment (about 8 hours in) and enjoying it a ton. Feels like a mix between Journey, Shadow of the Colossus and Breath of the Wild (imagine Hyrule without combat, villages and characters, but gorgeous landscape, ruins, puzzles and platforming only). Gameplay can be a bit on the repetitive side occasionally, but I'm having a lot of fun solving the puzzles, traversing the beautiful world, marveling at giant structures and soaking in the atmosphere. Really great.
If I had actually played it (still waiting for the PS5 version), I'm fairly sure Ghostrunner would belong here as well, because everything about this game speaks to me.
Huntdown
Absolute masterpiece. Fantastic pixel art (best I've seen since Katana Zero), amazing soundtrack, pretty much flawless gameplay, great bossfights, tons of references to 80's action flicks like Mad Max, Terminator, Blade Runner... just a blast to play from start to finish and there's not a lot in this that could have been done better.
Paradise Killer
Wonderfully bizarre, stylish, open world detective game in which you try to solve a murder on a secluded, synthetic island filled with lunatics and secrets. Had tons of fun exploring the island, collecting clues and investigating the mysteries surrounding not only the murder, but also the island and characters on it. Soundtrack is a standout as well, game has VIBES.
The Pathless
Playing this on PS5 at the moment (about 8 hours in) and enjoying it a ton. Feels like a mix between Journey, Shadow of the Colossus and Breath of the Wild (imagine Hyrule without combat, villages and characters, but gorgeous landscape, ruins, puzzles and platforming only). Gameplay can be a bit on the repetitive side occasionally, but I'm having a lot of fun solving the puzzles, traversing the beautiful world, marveling at giant structures and soaking in the atmosphere. Really great.
If I had actually played it (still waiting for the PS5 version), I'm fairly sure Ghostrunner would belong here as well, because everything about this game speaks to me.
Hey! If you're a visual novel lover, but not like a big anime fan, here are some cool titles you might want to try that are set in a Fantasy/Medieval world and released (or partially released in 2020). They all have amazing visual style, great storyline, and made by small European indie studios (because for me it's important to support indies). They are either free chapters or free demos are available and I truly think they are worth you attention!
Errant Kingdom
Set in a high fantasy world drowned in political intrigue. You can choose your own path (nomad, knight, or ambassador), the game ain't pushing you to pursue a romantic route if you don't want to and the characters are truly stunning.
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
This narrative-driven text-based RPG actually grew out of a real-life roleplaying game.
You'll dive into a lifelong journey of the man set in a gritty world where a person's Lot (or estate) is determined at birth, while the gods are real and preside over the fates of men. Divided into chapters, the game keeps track of the player's deeds, the skills they acquired, as well as other overlapping circumstances that shape a unique plotline for each playthrough. Available for free on Steam, around two hours' worth of gameplay, and got 100+positive reviews from players.
Love the Guard be the King
You're the youngest child of a lesser bourgeois, raised in the castle, between the King's cruelty, the Queen's friendship, and Mathias's kindness. Great minimalist 'sketch' art style, lovely jokes, different choices to make. Can't recommend more!
Errant Kingdom
Set in a high fantasy world drowned in political intrigue. You can choose your own path (nomad, knight, or ambassador), the game ain't pushing you to pursue a romantic route if you don't want to and the characters are truly stunning.
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
This narrative-driven text-based RPG actually grew out of a real-life roleplaying game.
You'll dive into a lifelong journey of the man set in a gritty world where a person's Lot (or estate) is determined at birth, while the gods are real and preside over the fates of men. Divided into chapters, the game keeps track of the player's deeds, the skills they acquired, as well as other overlapping circumstances that shape a unique plotline for each playthrough. Available for free on Steam, around two hours' worth of gameplay, and got 100+positive reviews from players.
Love the Guard be the King
You're the youngest child of a lesser bourgeois, raised in the castle, between the King's cruelty, the Queen's friendship, and Mathias's kindness. Great minimalist 'sketch' art style, lovely jokes, different choices to make. Can't recommend more!
I thought they were just right. Like they weren't too complicated and I never had to use a walkthrough but at the same time most were challenging enough that it felt good to solve them. But everyone's mileage is different. If you're unsure, you can watch bits of gameplay videos to give you a better idea of what the puzzles are like because they all tend to be in the same overall style.
Thanks for the info! I'll check out a gameplay video for sure.
Last month I thought 13 Sentinels was my hidden gem of 2020, but then this week I played Spiritfarer for the first time. The gameplay loop of crafting, cooking and gathering all while sailing a boat is so relaxing.
Came to post this if no one else did. One of my legit faves of the year.
I absolutely loved Zniw Adventure, a retro point and click will lovely animations
store.steampowered.com
Zniw Adventure on Steam
Zniw Adventure is a hand-drawn point and click adventure game with a strong 90's vibe and cartoon animations. Play as Zniw - a yellow female dinosaur who is on a mission to find the ultimate gift for her mother's hatchday!
How hard is One step from eden ? I play hard games, roguelikes quite often but even from hardcore gamer, I heard this is sometimes too hard, with too many things to follow at the same time. It makes me hesitate.
I have a feeling Chronos: Before the Ashes might go unnoticed this year.
it was originally a VR game that preceded the incredible Remnant: From the Ashes, but has now been ported over to consoles.
It's a simple Soulslike, with slow deliberate combat and a really unique death/aging system and slowly exploring these shattered worlds is as compelling as ever.
I'd recommend to anyone who's a fan of the genre or of Remnant who wants a bit more of that universe.
Also +1 for Mortal Shell. It was a really excellent game that did not get the recognition it deserves.
it was originally a VR game that preceded the incredible Remnant: From the Ashes, but has now been ported over to consoles.
It's a simple Soulslike, with slow deliberate combat and a really unique death/aging system and slowly exploring these shattered worlds is as compelling as ever.
I'd recommend to anyone who's a fan of the genre or of Remnant who wants a bit more of that universe.
Also +1 for Mortal Shell. It was a really excellent game that did not get the recognition it deserves.
It's like the A Short Hike of this year for me. Absolutely chill vibes! I Am Dead also, very chill and from the Hohokum folks, so it's very wholesome despite being about...death. Spiritfarer and I Am Dead both about being ok with death. Hades, too!
It seems that gamers that love it are fans of point & click games but fans of platformers don't find it appealing. I'm in the latter camp, the platforming looks to be nothing special.