So I was asked, "Can you recommend to me some hidden gems?"
To be honest with you, most good PC games are hidden gems.
Look at the numbers: over 1,000 PC games drop on Steam every month. That’s an entire NES library’s worth -- every 30 days. Almost all of it sinks without a trace.
And of the games that are popular, too many get forgotten because -- like it or not -- PC gaming doesn't have the same kind of retro ecosystem that console gaming has. Go to any retro game con -- you’ll see NES carts, PS2 displays, Genesis boxes. But hardly any PC games. And when PC gaming is spoken about at all, it's almost always about hardware. Not the games that made us chase better graphics cards in the first place.
So let's change that.
I’ll keep this simple. Every game below has under 100 reviews on Steam. That’s my benchmark for “hidden gem.” Some are old. Some are modern. All are worth your time.
- ORB: Off-World Resource Base
This is a lot like Homeworld but with more of an emphasis on resource extraction. Basically, it's a true 3D RTS. Because this is space, you have to interact in an environment with width, length, and depth. Navigating the maps takes time to get used to, but once you figure it out, the gameplay becomes addictive. The story is also quite compelling too.
- Ookibloks
One of the best puzzle games I've ever played. If Nintendo published this, it would be deemed a classic. The goal is simple: you're a monkey collecting bananas that are embedded in blocks. In order to get them, you must smash the blocks. In your way are a bunch of enemies, and if you touch them, you die. And you got to pass each level quick or else Devil Cat will come after you.
- Paper Monsters Recut
A cute and cozy 2.5D platformer with cute paper-like visuals. If you're looking for something family-friendly that's easy enough for kids to control, then Paper Monsters Recut is a must. The characters are adorable, the environments are stunning, and it's so fun to explore. The soundtrack is also incredibly memorable.
- Curse of the Crescent Isle DX
You know how Super Mario Bros. 2 was vastly different from the first Super Mario Bros. -- and then Nintendo never implemented that gameplay mechanic ever again with a Mario game? Well, Curse of the Crescent Isle is a spiritual successor to Super Mario Bros. 2, with similar NES-style visuals, but even more complexity.
- Space Moth DX
This is an above average vertical bullet hell shoot-'em-up. But what takes this over the top is the stunning visuals. No, this is not breaking any new ground -- you can run this on a potato. But all those insects paired with the psychedelic colours is a feast for the eye. And I got to say, shooting up some butterflies while gliding past some sakura never gets old.
- Z.A.R.
Released in 1998, this Russian-made FPS was ambitious for its time time -- notable for supporting VR. However, Z.A.R. is nothing like Quake or really any FPS. Each level is about navigating an open map, finding enemies, eliminating them -- then reaching the extraction point. Another neat aspect is the destructible environments. Nightdive Studios re-released this for a good reason.
- Demon's Crystals
A fast-paced twin-stick shooter with a Halloween theme and Pentium-era low poly visuals. Easy to start, incredibly difficult to master. The guns are excellent, the challenges are fun, and it's a genuine thrill to collect those crystals. If you like arcade-style gaming, this is wonderful.
- Hyper Sentinel
If you're familiar with the C64 classic shoot-'em-up Uridium, Hyper Sentinel is pretty much its spiritual sequel. But also, it's so much better. Not only does it have better visuals, it has exceptional controls too. What's more, the power-ups and boss fights are truly epic. Truly one of the best neo-retro games I've played.
- Katana Soul
Another C64-inspired game with an impressive CRT filter. You are a samurai taking on demons. Of course, you're slicing them up with your katana. The difficulty isn't for everyone, but if you love old school 2D platformers, this will be a must-play. And I got to say that SEEP, the developer, makes some truly memorably neo-retro games.
- Timberman: The Big Adventure
You may be familiar with Timberman, a simple-but-addictive arcade game where the goal is to chop as much wood as you can without being mangled by branches. What not a whole lot of people know is that, two years ago, a spin-off 2D platformer was released -- and it is absolutely fantastic. Controls are precise, the visuals are beautiful, and it's got a lot of charm. Unfortunately, few people have played it. This is a definitive hidden gem.
These aren’t just hidden gems. They’re the bones of a forgotten culture. And they’re still gleaming.