Who doesn't like hidden gems? Needles in a haystack, diamonds in the rough.
Good games that don't get enough attention, and end up falling behind in another games shadow.
Here is a list of games that I've played, that I consider hidden gems and possibly worth your time.
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There's a reason why The Vagrant shows up in so many hidden gem lists. It usually goes on sale for less than $1.60, and for the amount of content it offers, it's an absolute steal. Not to mention being inspired by Vanillaware games. It may be rough around the edges, but it's still a good deal.
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Akane is a hard, and challenging game, if you die you have to start again from the beginning. For some, that may be an immediate turn off, but the game plays pretty well and it features a nice soundtrack. There are unlockables to work towards that may make the game easier or more tolerable.
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Pixel Shinobi: Nine Demons of Mamoru is (or was) an Early Access game, but one of the few that I think deserves a notable mention. It's also a hard and challenging game with tight controls, with a skill tree of varying skills to learn, and crafting to create ninja tools. May also have some english translation issues but for what's available here, I think it's worth it.
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Developed my Migami games, known for Castlevania: The Lecarde Chronicles, Wallachia is a retro-style side scrolling shooter with a nice soundtrack. Also has a collaboration costume to unlock from Bloodstained Ritual of the Night. This game doesn't really go on sale, but it's cheap enough to be worth a mention. To avoid confusion, this is not a metroidvania kind of game. There are stages you play through.
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A beloved game of mine and to me, the holy grail of hidden gems. This is a game you could easily sink hundreds of hours into and has steam workshop support. I wrote a very lengthy write up of my adventures here:
https://www.resetera.com/threads/be...d-kenshi-wanted-to-share-my-adventures.90300/
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A recent gem I came across, and possibly 2020's hidden gem for me. It's "Anime Luftrausers", with a colorful artstyle, pixel art characters, fast paced dog fights, unlockable upgrades, plenty of missions, a small open world area to explore, a True Ending, New Game+, and an Arcade Mode. Oh, and a fantastic soundtrack!
https://www.resetera.com/threads/dont-sleep-on-jet-lancer.353848/
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Another recent gem, this game is in Early Access and recently got an English Update. However, the English Update isn't complete. If you like Mount & Blade, with cool-down based skills, this might be worth your time. This game also supports steam workshop, but most mods may be in chinese.
https://www.resetera.com/threads/sands-of-salzaar-bannersaga-meets-mount-blade-meets.351424/
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Exanima is an Early Access game that released back in 2015, and is notorious for its slow updates. This is also a hard and challenging top down isometric dungeon crawler with an Arena Mode and a Practice Mode. The whole game revolves around physics, including its combat system. Normally, I'd recommend this game but a recent update made changes to the games save system which makes the game too unbearable to play. So as of right now, I actually don't recommend this game but at the very least keep an eye on it.
Good games that don't get enough attention, and end up falling behind in another games shadow.
Here is a list of games that I've played, that I consider hidden gems and possibly worth your time.
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The Vagrant on Steam
Guide Vivian the Vagrant, through vibrant and dynamic landscapes while hacking and slashing a path from a quiet coastal village through mysterious forests, haunted castles, and wrecked battlegrounds. When the endless barrage of enemies have been vanquished, what solace will be left for our hero?
store.steampowered.com
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Akane on Steam
2121 A.D, with no escape options, Akane prepares for her final battle in the rain-soaked neon streets of Mega-Tokyo. Akane is an arena arcade slasher. Take out as many yakuza as possible, slashing and shooting in a one-hit-one-kill fight to the death.
store.steampowered.com
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Within the blade on Steam
Bloody stealth platformer, about the ninja in which you cut the enemies into pieces.
store.steampowered.com
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Wallachia: Reign of Dracula on Steam
Wallachia Reign of Dracula is a retro-styled action platformer/shooter game.
store.steampowered.com
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Save 67% on Kenshi on Steam
A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors.
store.steampowered.com
https://www.resetera.com/threads/be...d-kenshi-wanted-to-share-my-adventures.90300/
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Jet Lancer on Steam
Jet Lancer is a high-velocity aerial combat shooter where you duel enemy aviators, hunt giant robots, and defy death at supersonic speeds as you evolve from an unknown rookie aviator into a once-in-a-generation ACE pilot.
store.steampowered.com
https://www.resetera.com/threads/dont-sleep-on-jet-lancer.353848/
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Sands of Salzaar on Steam
Bringing you to an exotic desert where you’ll recruit, train, and guide your troops into battle against rival cities and factions. Embark on an adventure that’s uniquely yours; Customizable characters, professions, and factions. The land is filled with a variety of hidden secrets.
store.steampowered.com
https://www.resetera.com/threads/sands-of-salzaar-bannersaga-meets-mount-blade-meets.351424/
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Exanima on Steam
Explore, fight, survive and unravel mysteries in this unique and unforgiving 3D isometric RPG set in an original dark, low fantasy world. Exanima's exceptional attention to detail and realistic simulation of all things aim to provide a deeply immersive and dynamic gameplay experience.
store.steampowered.com
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