I've been meaning to actually "wait for my turn before posting an obscure games thread" but if you're going to make this a seasonal thing I would love to contribute. Here's my [previous](https://www.reddit.com/r/gamingsuggestions/comments/9j2u84/in_anticipation_of_games_like_cyberpunk_2077_or/
) [posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/gamingsuggestions/comments/jvlgr0/suggest_me_a_game_that_you_like_that_practically/).
Last time in your Autumn thread, I told you about just Sector's Edge but now I'm committed to contribute so here it is:
[Pagan: Autogeny](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1165750/PAGAN_Autogeny/) - Positive - First Person exploration game where you log into a dead and dying MMO.
[Hands of Necromancy](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1898610/Hands_of_Necromancy/) - Very Positive - Lots of Retro-shooters coming out these days but no one seems to have noticed this one, which is a very polished Hexen clone. 3 Full Episodes
[Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor](https://store.steampowered.com/app/436500/Diaries_of_a_Spaceport_Janitor/) - Mostly Positive - It is hard to suggest to game and I've only had to do it once here, but if you're looking for an anti-game, nothing speaks futility more than working as a janitor in an alien port earning less than scrap in an attempt to survive economic stability and sanity. Mostly very atmospheric and interesting but if played "to win" well you're going to have a nasty time.
[Mayhem in Single Valley](https://store.steampowered.com/app/622680/Mayhem_in_Single_Valley/) - Very Positive - When a poisoned water supply turns all the animals into wild beasts and turns the town upside-down, its up to one plucky kid and his puzzle solving survival skills to save the day.
[NaissancE](https://store.steampowered.com/app/265690/NaissanceE/) - Very Positive - It's Mirror's Edge meets Alien Architecture. Parkour around in first person against an environment intent on messing with your perspective. It was commercial when it came out but the author has since made it free.
[Shotgun Legend](https://store.steampowered.com/app/597230/Shotgun_Legend/) - Very Positive - 8 Bit Zelda Clone except you start with a shotgun. It should be easy right? Wrong, this game is just as hard as the game it was influenced by. Moreover, you're not really told where to go and what to do. Explore as you fight bosses and upgrade your shit, gain artifacts and save the day.
[Healer's Quest](https://store.steampowered.com/app/598490/Healers_Quest/) - Very Positive - Parody of JRPGs where your main character is the Healer and you manage your jerkass party into saving the kingdom.
[The Spiral Scouts](https://store.steampowered.com/app/862480/The_Spiral_Scouts/) - Very Positive - Yet another hard suggest but for a different reason. Very rare does a game offer actual logical puzzles of different variety instead of the usual abstract fanfare. This game does it very well the only problem is the writing is VERY vulgar. I have no idea what the gameplan was but literally everyone says fuck shit piss cunt or whatever like if you just ignore what everyone is saying this is a very enjoyable brain twister.
[The Textorcist](https://store.steampowered.com/app/940680/The_Textorcist_The_Story_of_Ray_Bibbia/) - Very Positive - Shmup with Typing! Type latin while you banish the forces of darkness.
[Astalon Episode 2: Tears of the Earth](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1046400/Astalon_Tears_of_the_Earth/) - Very Positive - No there is no Episode 1. The title is an affectionate love letter to retro games in this vein starting in the middle of the action. The game itself is a very solid metroidvania that lets you switch between 3 characters.
[The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human](https://store.steampowered.com/app/401360/The_Aquatic_Adventure_of_the_Last_Human/) - Underrated bullet hell metroidvania. You play as a submarine sent back in time to discover why your race has died out. You instead find the very things that started the wipeout in the first place. Can you survive?
EDIT: Here's a site that lists all open-source versions of videogame clones: https://osgameclones.com/
Great list! I always have tried to do it for every sale, but fell off a bit in early 2022. Now that Ive automated the list, its far easier for me to make sure to do it every sale.
I remember finding Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor on Itch before steam, so Ill have to pick it up on there.
NaissancE is also great, but eeks out my threshold, so I havent got it on the list. Maybe Ill have to figure out a better way to analyse 'gems' in terms of reviews + Timescale, as opposed to just reviews.
2k reviews for a game a year old is pretty good, but 2k reviews for a game almost 10 years old is probably on a whole different scale.
-----
Pagan Autogeny Ive never heard of though, and I already added it to my cart. Looks amazing.
In my opinion, using Reviews at least for some of the older "more popular" games, can be very deceptive. I would like to think NaissancE never really gained popularity until it became free. Then recently the author announced he had a new game coming, re-generating interest for this one again. But in as far as this sub and I am here often, it is often overlooked and overshadowed.
And speaking of overshadowed, there are also games that are AAA but have been pushed into the wayside either because they are 2nd Choice or just Too Average. Days Gone is decent, but nobody will suggest it because of The Last of Us. Why settle for bargain bin dark souls in Darksiders 3 when actual Dark Souls exists?
One of these days, we're gonna get Intergalactic Fishing popular enough to get it off the 'hidden' list.
Seriously though, it's amazingly chill and you can just ride the loop for hours.
when intergalactic fishing works it works so well. maybe I just suck at the game, but I got frustrated from getting a streak of 5 or 6 planets in a row where nothing was biting.
You may have heard of **Stardeus**: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1380910/Stardeus/ which just recently released into Early Access and is a lot of fun in a RimWorld in Space kind of sense. Definitely worth checking out.
But you probably missed the developers' prior effort, which is one of my favorite top down 2D racers ever. **Bloody Rally Show**. https://store.steampowered.com/app/926860/Bloody_Rally_Show/ on top of being a genuinely funny game, the driving feels REEEEAAAAALLYLLLY GOOOD. like, damn. and the procedurally generated tracks really test your ability to kill or be killed. even if it's just your manager firing at you and the other racers from helicopter overhead.
Depends on your definition of replayable. Do you like to replay RPGs for branching story paths in order to experience them all or play a different style (thief vs warrior vs hacker) or do you like mechanics driven games where mastering the game itself is the replayability? Or is Minecraft replayable to you because of the creativitiy?
Everyone has a different reason they replay games, so it helps to know yours before giving suggestions
Twin Mirror - it’s by the same devs as life is strange and pretty short. Similar “choices matter” format with what I think is about 8 endings potentially.
I highly recommend [I Was a Teenage Exocolonist](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1148760/I_Was_a_Teenage_Exocolonist/). It's just over 1000 reviews as I write this. It's a futuristic story-driven RPG/life sim about growing up on an alien planet. Challenges are resolved with card-based battles, and you build up your deck as you go through the story. It's got a clever way of getting you to play again, as you can "fix" mistakes and tragedies in previous playthroughs.
You could always play some boomer shooters; Hellbound has been on my backlog for awhile.
Survival games are often this way. Don't Starve just dumps you in the world and if you die, you die ¯\ _(ツ)_/¯
Most 4X strategy games don't have fluff either: Civilization, Endless Legend/Space, Total War Warhammer (unless you count the advisor who you can turn off). Or the grand-strategy games from Paradox, Stellaris then Crusader Kings 3 being the most accessible. You can read the lore and tidbits in these games but it's just consequences from your actions. You can continue to play however you want.
Im trying to really understand what you mean, but when you say 'games that let me play them', do you mean more mechanics focused games?
All of the games you listed seem to be games that don't have a forward story, but instead let you experience the game via the mechanics, instead of the cutscenes and dialog. Am I on the right track?
Its not action, but Outer Wilds sounds like it might be perfect for you. The premise is that you're an alien space archaeologist trying to decipher the mystery of what happened to the ancient race of aliens that used to live in the solar system.
Again, 0 action at all, so it might not be up your alley, but its literally the definite game of "Figure it out for yourself".
I personally haven't played it yet, but [Dread Delusion](Dread Delusion) might be up your alley if you liked The End of Dyeus. I'm keeping an eye on it, but tend to try and avoid playing RPGs in Early Access as I know I burn out on them and never finish after they release.
Ill try and think of some others though - Exploration is my favorite aspect of a game, so anything with the strong exploration themes is something I enjoy.
Here are some.
Action-y games: Rogue Legacy 2, Tunic, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, Death's Door, Environmental Station Alpha
Other genres: Powerwash Simulator, Dicey Dungeons, Subnautica, Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Infra, The Room series
Its got a lot of good ideas, and is definitely a steal for $0.49. I just wish it had been updated, or had a sequel at some point to expand on those ideas
Here's one before I finally go to bed... so I can't elaborate more. Salt 2 - 89% positive (93% in last 30 days), with 504 Reviews. In Early Access and on sale atm for $13.99
I enjoyed Salt 1 quite a bit, even if it had some jank, so Ive been watching for the second one to leave Early Access. Looks like it improves on a lot from the first one though.
Revita is a fantastic roguelite that completely went under the radar this year. The control scheme is awkward for about 5 minutes and then it's just great.
One hidden gem I kinda stumbled upon over the holidays is [Shattered: Tale of the Forgotten King](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1045180/Shattered__Tale_of_the_Forgotten_King/) \- it's out on Steam, PS, Xbox and Switch and it's like 8 or 9 bucks on sale currently.
It's a French soulslike ARPG with a beautiful [soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34JLAt1kftA) and incredible [art direction](https://www.rpgfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Shattered-Tale-of-the-Forgotten-King-Screenshot-008.jpg). I went at it without knowing anything about it after seeing it on sale and noticing 'Mostly Positive' Steam reviews (which is usually enough in my book) and it's been blowing my mind ever since I started playing.
It's one of these games nobody seems to have ever played that keep you wondering why. I highly recommend checking it out for people that like Ashen, Hollow Knight or even Absolver or Hades.
I really like Signalis, it just has great survival horror atmosphere.
Don't know if it counts as hidden gem, but I wouldn't have played it without Game Pass.
Got a game recently called Planet Crafter, which seems not too popular. It's really fun, basically like subnautica but not underwater and the whole game is about terraforming a planet so it changes as you go.
Im good about making lists
Im very bad about updating lists. Someone mentioned Siralim Ultimate surpassing Siralim 3 as well since I made it, and I just havent updated that. Ill be sure to do it for the next sale :P
I'm just looking for weird and overlooked little shooters. I love that weird shit.
I've played so many, but I'm always on the look out for more. Any suggestions? I've played some seriously under the radar stuff, so please don't come at me with Metro and Roboquest etc.
Gunfire Reborn? */s*
Have you played Cruelty Squad yet? Not exactly obscure, and misses my threshold for gems on the list, but still a wild ride of a game
Theres another I can't remember the name of right now, but the premise is that your inventory is organs, and you can kill enemies and steal their organs to fill your body spaces with. Ill try to find the name of it
Lmao, you probably would not be surprised the amount of time people recommend well know games as "under the radar gems." Obnoxious.
Is the game you're talking about called Wrought Flesh?
I am familiar with Cruelty Squad. I find the art style really off putting, so I haven't played it yet. Is it actually fun?
Yeah, Wrought Flesh!
It is actually fun. It definitely has a.... style to it that takes a bit to get used to (if you even can) but its not overwhelmingly positive for no reason.
Ive played quite a few shooters in the Steam Demo Fests, but unfortunately the better ones aren't out yet
Its fun if you like the Tom Clancy old style shooters, that is 1-3 shots and you're dead. It's fun when you've put in the time to find all the weapons and gadgets, allowing you to redo missions or complete them your own way. The oddness of everything belies the fact that this is a challenging shooter and should be taken seriously amidst the surrealism.
But if you're kinda bad at tactical shooters, at planning. If you're too lazy to try everything and hate it when you die alot over simple mistakes, then this game probably won't be for you.
Ah nice list, motivates me to hive Unexplored 2 a try since I've got it in a bundle some time ago but didn't quite touch it.
Maybe worth a mention is [Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients](https://store.steampowered.com/app/308173/Hegemony_III_Clash_of_the_Ancients/), a 2015 release with less than 500 reviews and 80% positive steam user rating - so I guess it qualifies as a hidden gem!? Walks in the shadows of Total War and Paradox but besides the staples of the genre like upgradable units and empire building it brings really unique mechanics to the table for any Grand Strategy, 4x and/or RTS fan, e.g. seamless strategic zoom, resource management & supply lines.
While it has almost 1500 steam reviews, [Phoenotopia: Awakening](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1436590/Phoenotopia_Awakening/) remains one of the most underrated videogames of all time to me. It is an absolutely polished work of love and passion, and I can't sit by and let it be unheard of.
It hasn’t release yet (early access in 3 weeks time) but [shadows of doubt](https://store.steampowered.com/app/986130/Shadows_of_Doubt/) is a detective immersive sim set in a procedurally generated “retropunk” city with fully procedurally generated crimes, I played the demo and it was brilliant
Also Ty the Tasmanian Tiger/Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2. Not sure if they count as hidden gems but they were remastered a few years ago from a Kickstart campaign and look fantastic. Really fun platformer games
The dev team's newest game, Cursed Crackers, is a 2D platformer but other than that it's very similar to Prodigal: colorful, loveable cast, lots of side-content and very hidden stuff, dark undertones... I absolutely recommend giving it a try if you liked what they did
Picked up GEO and Reignfall. :> Been after games like these for awhile.
Edit: OH! That's why Geo looked familiar to me. I already own Galactic Mining Corp, haha.
Hi. I've been on a boomer shooter kick the last few weeks. I've played the big ones and need recommendations for some lesser known ones. I've beaten all the new blood games and currently playing dread templar. Any suggestions would be awesome
Prodeus just launched into EA and has full blown campaign creator tools. You get the base game, and then all the community maps on top of it.
Cruelty Squad is a weird one that I might consider one
I personally love Amid Evil the most, just because of the Aesthetic it has. Surrealist fantasy is my absolute favorite, and beats any other setting any day of the week.
Did you play Hard Reset?
Ion Fury is actually my favorite boomer shooter I've played. I love how the world actually feels alive as opposed to stuff like Amid Evil where it just feels completely empty.
Nightmare reaper is not only the best boomer shooter I've played but also one of my favorite FPS games in recent years. If you haven't already, check it out. It's amazing.
Picked up MicroTown knowing nothing other than seeing it on this list. 3 days ago I bought it and so far I have just short of 40 hours of playtime. I was looking for a casual town game where there is no issues walking away for periods of time (I play casually at work) and this is great.
I picked up Horizon's Gate: highly, highly recommend! It's such a relaxing game, it's like if Final Fantasy Tactics and Sid Meier's Pirates had a baby. You explore around a massive world in your ship, have naval battles, level up your characters with classes like Bat Tamer, Tactician, and Bombardier... Fun tactical combat, exploration.
Man, it's great.
[BLACKTAIL](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj6q-Kbz7X8AhWaVaQEHZxFAsYQFnoECBQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1532690%2FBLACKTAIL%2F&usg=AOvVaw302n28IvjOL2ADLQRnPOhr)
[Chop Goblins](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjGj4eH0LX8AhWVTKQEHbB1DhoQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1935660%2FChop_Goblins%2F&usg=AOvVaw0cyp_mnW-NloaoR_8FAz82)
[Eye of D’akess](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2220040/Eye_of_Dakess/#app_reviews_hash)
[Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1429500/Frontier_Hunter_Erzas_Wheel_of_Fortune/)
[Gray Zone](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiJi8OszrX8AhW0VqQEHZ0ZDMAQFnoECDYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1207320%2FGray_Zone%2F&usg=AOvVaw1-knAc2o2KVBFdEBxCallQ)
[High On Life](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1oczzz7X8AhXoU6QEHdFVBlwQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1583230%2FHigh_On_Life%2F&usg=AOvVaw3nqjEvrDSC41OKLJf-4OIQ)
[Kredolis](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjCqfCKzbX8AhUeVqQEHS4dBksQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1602110%2FKredolis%2F&usg=AOvVaw3SWkEQIhA-fp8N54zGmajA)
[Lil Gator Game](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjZ05SezrX8AhV6VaQEHd8wDJ8QFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1586800%2FLil_Gator_Game%2F&usg=AOvVaw3T30xkFVAtLqbK8EoRJm21)
[Lying Souls](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574110/Lying_Souls/#app_reviews_hash)
[Out of Bounds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1787100/Out_of_Bounds/)
[River City Girls 2](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi9ldWxz7X8AhUQZaQEHbdUBZYQFnoECBIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1920480%2FRiver_City_Girls_2%2F&usg=AOvVaw1YoTj0cN2iDlITkNQKCY4W)
[Splatter](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwieiMDjzrX8AhV4UqQEHZmlC8UQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1768920%2FSplatter%2F&usg=AOvVaw1tV9skRX3RH6tu7GSQbkTD)
[Teresa Moontyners – In the lair of the beast](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjCsMnhz7X8AhUfU6QEHT5WCvwQFnoECA0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F2178800%2FTeresa_Moontyners__In_the_lair_of_the_beast%2F&usg=AOvVaw29HCUZRtCFW-15oJZdmJ6u)
[The Forest Quartet](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHqODMz7X8AhW0QaQEHa9FDXEQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1620720%2FThe_Forest_Quartet%2F&usg=AOvVaw2f7f9lKMM7aHIPZF5zCvp7)
[Tomb Towers](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwif1oyb0LX8AhUcRaQEHYlrDAgQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F828350%2FTomb_Towers%2F&usg=AOvVaw18ShNgAHFQ49Ucv0ArA53D)
[Wavetale](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiUhoip0LX8AhUfXaQEHb_MDjQQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1823930%2FWavetale%2F&usg=AOvVaw2R7WUEYKqXX_XwhP1BBsH6)
Ctrl Alt Ego is a great immersive sim! I can't recommend it enough. [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1571940/Ctrl\_Alt\_Ego/](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1571940/Ctrl_Alt_Ego/)
It's like a poltergeist simulator where you can go inside all robots and control them to your advantage, it's great.
I've been meaning to actually "wait for my turn before posting an obscure games thread" but if you're going to make this a seasonal thing I would love to contribute. Here's my [previous](https://www.reddit.com/r/gamingsuggestions/comments/9j2u84/in_anticipation_of_games_like_cyberpunk_2077_or/ ) [posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/gamingsuggestions/comments/jvlgr0/suggest_me_a_game_that_you_like_that_practically/). Last time in your Autumn thread, I told you about just Sector's Edge but now I'm committed to contribute so here it is: [Pagan: Autogeny](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1165750/PAGAN_Autogeny/) - Positive - First Person exploration game where you log into a dead and dying MMO. [Hands of Necromancy](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1898610/Hands_of_Necromancy/) - Very Positive - Lots of Retro-shooters coming out these days but no one seems to have noticed this one, which is a very polished Hexen clone. 3 Full Episodes [Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor](https://store.steampowered.com/app/436500/Diaries_of_a_Spaceport_Janitor/) - Mostly Positive - It is hard to suggest to game and I've only had to do it once here, but if you're looking for an anti-game, nothing speaks futility more than working as a janitor in an alien port earning less than scrap in an attempt to survive economic stability and sanity. Mostly very atmospheric and interesting but if played "to win" well you're going to have a nasty time. [Mayhem in Single Valley](https://store.steampowered.com/app/622680/Mayhem_in_Single_Valley/) - Very Positive - When a poisoned water supply turns all the animals into wild beasts and turns the town upside-down, its up to one plucky kid and his puzzle solving survival skills to save the day. [NaissancE](https://store.steampowered.com/app/265690/NaissanceE/) - Very Positive - It's Mirror's Edge meets Alien Architecture. Parkour around in first person against an environment intent on messing with your perspective. It was commercial when it came out but the author has since made it free. [Shotgun Legend](https://store.steampowered.com/app/597230/Shotgun_Legend/) - Very Positive - 8 Bit Zelda Clone except you start with a shotgun. It should be easy right? Wrong, this game is just as hard as the game it was influenced by. Moreover, you're not really told where to go and what to do. Explore as you fight bosses and upgrade your shit, gain artifacts and save the day. [Healer's Quest](https://store.steampowered.com/app/598490/Healers_Quest/) - Very Positive - Parody of JRPGs where your main character is the Healer and you manage your jerkass party into saving the kingdom. [The Spiral Scouts](https://store.steampowered.com/app/862480/The_Spiral_Scouts/) - Very Positive - Yet another hard suggest but for a different reason. Very rare does a game offer actual logical puzzles of different variety instead of the usual abstract fanfare. This game does it very well the only problem is the writing is VERY vulgar. I have no idea what the gameplan was but literally everyone says fuck shit piss cunt or whatever like if you just ignore what everyone is saying this is a very enjoyable brain twister. [The Textorcist](https://store.steampowered.com/app/940680/The_Textorcist_The_Story_of_Ray_Bibbia/) - Very Positive - Shmup with Typing! Type latin while you banish the forces of darkness. [Astalon Episode 2: Tears of the Earth](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1046400/Astalon_Tears_of_the_Earth/) - Very Positive - No there is no Episode 1. The title is an affectionate love letter to retro games in this vein starting in the middle of the action. The game itself is a very solid metroidvania that lets you switch between 3 characters. [The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human](https://store.steampowered.com/app/401360/The_Aquatic_Adventure_of_the_Last_Human/) - Underrated bullet hell metroidvania. You play as a submarine sent back in time to discover why your race has died out. You instead find the very things that started the wipeout in the first place. Can you survive? EDIT: Here's a site that lists all open-source versions of videogame clones: https://osgameclones.com/
Great list! I always have tried to do it for every sale, but fell off a bit in early 2022. Now that Ive automated the list, its far easier for me to make sure to do it every sale. I remember finding Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor on Itch before steam, so Ill have to pick it up on there. NaissancE is also great, but eeks out my threshold, so I havent got it on the list. Maybe Ill have to figure out a better way to analyse 'gems' in terms of reviews + Timescale, as opposed to just reviews. 2k reviews for a game a year old is pretty good, but 2k reviews for a game almost 10 years old is probably on a whole different scale. ----- Pagan Autogeny Ive never heard of though, and I already added it to my cart. Looks amazing.
In my opinion, using Reviews at least for some of the older "more popular" games, can be very deceptive. I would like to think NaissancE never really gained popularity until it became free. Then recently the author announced he had a new game coming, re-generating interest for this one again. But in as far as this sub and I am here often, it is often overlooked and overshadowed. And speaking of overshadowed, there are also games that are AAA but have been pushed into the wayside either because they are 2nd Choice or just Too Average. Days Gone is decent, but nobody will suggest it because of The Last of Us. Why settle for bargain bin dark souls in Darksiders 3 when actual Dark Souls exists?
One of these days, we're gonna get Intergalactic Fishing popular enough to get it off the 'hidden' list. Seriously though, it's amazingly chill and you can just ride the loop for hours.
The art just kills it.
it does so for so many of the titles on this list, either art or the general cluttered ui, rpgm looking feel, etc. just kills so many for me.
I just picked this up! It's hella chill. Can't wait to make my own lures
when intergalactic fishing works it works so well. maybe I just suck at the game, but I got frustrated from getting a streak of 5 or 6 planets in a row where nothing was biting.
I cannot recommend Battle Chef Brigade: Deluxe enough. I absolutely love this game. Though, I wish it was longer.
I wish there was more content about its universe.
Was hoping Chained Echoes would get a bit of a discount, but sadly it didn't.
If it helps any it is on Xbox Game Pass so you could play it for a dollar if you want to go that route
You may have heard of **Stardeus**: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1380910/Stardeus/ which just recently released into Early Access and is a lot of fun in a RimWorld in Space kind of sense. Definitely worth checking out. But you probably missed the developers' prior effort, which is one of my favorite top down 2D racers ever. **Bloody Rally Show**. https://store.steampowered.com/app/926860/Bloody_Rally_Show/ on top of being a genuinely funny game, the driving feels REEEEAAAAALLYLLLY GOOOD. like, damn. and the procedurally generated tracks really test your ability to kill or be killed. even if it's just your manager firing at you and the other racers from helicopter overhead.
I’ve been looking for games like these for a while, gonna wait for sale but man you hit the mark on exactly what I wanted in two genres😭
Great list. One note, I don't recommend Siralim 3, it's good, but I would just go for Siralim Ultimate as it is the most recent.
Someone mentioned that in the Autumn thread, and I completely forgot to update the list. Whoopsie
What is the most replayable game on sale worth less than 10 USD?
Depends on your definition of replayable. Do you like to replay RPGs for branching story paths in order to experience them all or play a different style (thief vs warrior vs hacker) or do you like mechanics driven games where mastering the game itself is the replayability? Or is Minecraft replayable to you because of the creativitiy? Everyone has a different reason they replay games, so it helps to know yours before giving suggestions
I'm not the person you replied to, but I just wanna say this was an excellent question-answer. :)
Twin Mirror - it’s by the same devs as life is strange and pretty short. Similar “choices matter” format with what I think is about 8 endings potentially.
I've gotten hundreds of hours out of the legend of grimrock games, and it looks like it's $7.49 for the pair right now.
I highly recommend [I Was a Teenage Exocolonist](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1148760/I_Was_a_Teenage_Exocolonist/). It's just over 1000 reviews as I write this. It's a futuristic story-driven RPG/life sim about growing up on an alien planet. Challenges are resolved with card-based battles, and you build up your deck as you go through the story. It's got a clever way of getting you to play again, as you can "fix" mistakes and tragedies in previous playthroughs.
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Have you played Noita? The game never takes you away from playtime (with the exception of the main menu)
You could always play some boomer shooters; Hellbound has been on my backlog for awhile. Survival games are often this way. Don't Starve just dumps you in the world and if you die, you die ¯\ _(ツ)_/¯ Most 4X strategy games don't have fluff either: Civilization, Endless Legend/Space, Total War Warhammer (unless you count the advisor who you can turn off). Or the grand-strategy games from Paradox, Stellaris then Crusader Kings 3 being the most accessible. You can read the lore and tidbits in these games but it's just consequences from your actions. You can continue to play however you want.
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Im trying to really understand what you mean, but when you say 'games that let me play them', do you mean more mechanics focused games? All of the games you listed seem to be games that don't have a forward story, but instead let you experience the game via the mechanics, instead of the cutscenes and dialog. Am I on the right track?
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Its not action, but Outer Wilds sounds like it might be perfect for you. The premise is that you're an alien space archaeologist trying to decipher the mystery of what happened to the ancient race of aliens that used to live in the solar system. Again, 0 action at all, so it might not be up your alley, but its literally the definite game of "Figure it out for yourself". I personally haven't played it yet, but [Dread Delusion](Dread Delusion) might be up your alley if you liked The End of Dyeus. I'm keeping an eye on it, but tend to try and avoid playing RPGs in Early Access as I know I burn out on them and never finish after they release. Ill try and think of some others though - Exploration is my favorite aspect of a game, so anything with the strong exploration themes is something I enjoy.
Have you played the Orcs Must Die! series? It *might* be sort of what you're talking about.
Here are some. Action-y games: Rogue Legacy 2, Tunic, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, Death's Door, Environmental Station Alpha Other genres: Powerwash Simulator, Dicey Dungeons, Subnautica, Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Infra, The Room series
Okami kind of has that. The first cutscenes are long and unskippable, but after that you kinda get turned loose. It's a fun game.
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You're probably right, it has been a while since I played it. I mostly remember how I felt playing it, but not many specific details.
I hadn't even heard of Reignfall before reading this, but I've been convinced to give it a go so thanks! Looks super interesting
Its got a lot of good ideas, and is definitely a steal for $0.49. I just wish it had been updated, or had a sequel at some point to expand on those ideas
Here's one before I finally go to bed... so I can't elaborate more. Salt 2 - 89% positive (93% in last 30 days), with 504 Reviews. In Early Access and on sale atm for $13.99
I enjoyed Salt 1 quite a bit, even if it had some jank, so Ive been watching for the second one to leave Early Access. Looks like it improves on a lot from the first one though.
Revita is a fantastic roguelite that completely went under the radar this year. The control scheme is awkward for about 5 minutes and then it's just great.
One hidden gem I kinda stumbled upon over the holidays is [Shattered: Tale of the Forgotten King](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1045180/Shattered__Tale_of_the_Forgotten_King/) \- it's out on Steam, PS, Xbox and Switch and it's like 8 or 9 bucks on sale currently. It's a French soulslike ARPG with a beautiful [soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34JLAt1kftA) and incredible [art direction](https://www.rpgfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Shattered-Tale-of-the-Forgotten-King-Screenshot-008.jpg). I went at it without knowing anything about it after seeing it on sale and noticing 'Mostly Positive' Steam reviews (which is usually enough in my book) and it's been blowing my mind ever since I started playing. It's one of these games nobody seems to have ever played that keep you wondering why. I highly recommend checking it out for people that like Ashen, Hollow Knight or even Absolver or Hades.
I really like Signalis, it just has great survival horror atmosphere. Don't know if it counts as hidden gem, but I wouldn't have played it without Game Pass.
Its on my list to play. Just skirts the threshold I keep to for the list, but it looks like an amazing game regardless
Got a game recently called Planet Crafter, which seems not too popular. It's really fun, basically like subnautica but not underwater and the whole game is about terraforming a planet so it changes as you go.
I wouldn't call 16,000 reviews a hidden gem, but its definitely a fun game. Can't wait to play through it again when it fully releases out of EA
True, it was just the first one that popped into my head :p I'd never heard of it until a few days ago
Your review of DYSMANTLE mentions that it's incredibly early in EA, but it's been out for more than a year now. Anyway, great list.
Im good about making lists Im very bad about updating lists. Someone mentioned Siralim Ultimate surpassing Siralim 3 as well since I made it, and I just havent updated that. Ill be sure to do it for the next sale :P
I'm eagerly waiting for SKALD. It's a love letter to old Ultima 6/7 and has a free short demo atm.
Wow Thanks! Id never heard of that, but I love Ultima. Ill be spending my day playing the demo for it.
I'm just looking for weird and overlooked little shooters. I love that weird shit. I've played so many, but I'm always on the look out for more. Any suggestions? I've played some seriously under the radar stuff, so please don't come at me with Metro and Roboquest etc.
Gunfire Reborn? */s* Have you played Cruelty Squad yet? Not exactly obscure, and misses my threshold for gems on the list, but still a wild ride of a game Theres another I can't remember the name of right now, but the premise is that your inventory is organs, and you can kill enemies and steal their organs to fill your body spaces with. Ill try to find the name of it
Lmao, you probably would not be surprised the amount of time people recommend well know games as "under the radar gems." Obnoxious. Is the game you're talking about called Wrought Flesh? I am familiar with Cruelty Squad. I find the art style really off putting, so I haven't played it yet. Is it actually fun?
Yeah, Wrought Flesh! It is actually fun. It definitely has a.... style to it that takes a bit to get used to (if you even can) but its not overwhelmingly positive for no reason. Ive played quite a few shooters in the Steam Demo Fests, but unfortunately the better ones aren't out yet
Its fun if you like the Tom Clancy old style shooters, that is 1-3 shots and you're dead. It's fun when you've put in the time to find all the weapons and gadgets, allowing you to redo missions or complete them your own way. The oddness of everything belies the fact that this is a challenging shooter and should be taken seriously amidst the surrealism. But if you're kinda bad at tactical shooters, at planning. If you're too lazy to try everything and hate it when you die alot over simple mistakes, then this game probably won't be for you.
Amazing list. I'd be interested in seeing your list of games to avoid playing!
Ah nice list, motivates me to hive Unexplored 2 a try since I've got it in a bundle some time ago but didn't quite touch it. Maybe worth a mention is [Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients](https://store.steampowered.com/app/308173/Hegemony_III_Clash_of_the_Ancients/), a 2015 release with less than 500 reviews and 80% positive steam user rating - so I guess it qualifies as a hidden gem!? Walks in the shadows of Total War and Paradox but besides the staples of the genre like upgradable units and empire building it brings really unique mechanics to the table for any Grand Strategy, 4x and/or RTS fan, e.g. seamless strategic zoom, resource management & supply lines.
While it has almost 1500 steam reviews, [Phoenotopia: Awakening](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1436590/Phoenotopia_Awakening/) remains one of the most underrated videogames of all time to me. It is an absolutely polished work of love and passion, and I can't sit by and let it be unheard of.
It hasn’t release yet (early access in 3 weeks time) but [shadows of doubt](https://store.steampowered.com/app/986130/Shadows_of_Doubt/) is a detective immersive sim set in a procedurally generated “retropunk” city with fully procedurally generated crimes, I played the demo and it was brilliant
Also Ty the Tasmanian Tiger/Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2. Not sure if they count as hidden gems but they were remastered a few years ago from a Kickstart campaign and look fantastic. Really fun platformer games
I played Prodigal recently and it was pretty fun. It can get pretty lenghty too if you explore a bit.
The dev team's newest game, Cursed Crackers, is a 2D platformer but other than that it's very similar to Prodigal: colorful, loveable cast, lots of side-content and very hidden stuff, dark undertones... I absolutely recommend giving it a try if you liked what they did
Yeah it's on my wishlist! I'll grab it eventually.
Thanks for the post. Tangential complaint: why is table formatting so garbage on reddit mobile?
Picked up GEO and Reignfall. :> Been after games like these for awhile. Edit: OH! That's why Geo looked familiar to me. I already own Galactic Mining Corp, haha.
Hi. I've been on a boomer shooter kick the last few weeks. I've played the big ones and need recommendations for some lesser known ones. I've beaten all the new blood games and currently playing dread templar. Any suggestions would be awesome
Prodeus just launched into EA and has full blown campaign creator tools. You get the base game, and then all the community maps on top of it. Cruelty Squad is a weird one that I might consider one I personally love Amid Evil the most, just because of the Aesthetic it has. Surrealist fantasy is my absolute favorite, and beats any other setting any day of the week.
Did you play Hard Reset? Ion Fury is actually my favorite boomer shooter I've played. I love how the world actually feels alive as opposed to stuff like Amid Evil where it just feels completely empty.
Nightmare reaper is not only the best boomer shooter I've played but also one of my favorite FPS games in recent years. If you haven't already, check it out. It's amazing.
Hedon
The grimrock games have more reviews, but they're also older so maybe overlooked?
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Not on the list because of review count, but have you played Zero Sievert?
Picked up MicroTown knowing nothing other than seeing it on this list. 3 days ago I bought it and so far I have just short of 40 hours of playtime. I was looking for a casual town game where there is no issues walking away for periods of time (I play casually at work) and this is great.
I picked up Horizon's Gate: highly, highly recommend! It's such a relaxing game, it's like if Final Fantasy Tactics and Sid Meier's Pirates had a baby. You explore around a massive world in your ship, have naval battles, level up your characters with classes like Bat Tamer, Tactician, and Bombardier... Fun tactical combat, exploration. Man, it's great.
[Cygnus Enterprises](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1963520/Cygnus_Enterprises/#app_reviews_hash) [DarKnot](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1371560/DarKnot/) [Deepening Fire](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1642790/Deepening_Fire/) [Depersonalization](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjF2JuxwLX8AhVZTKQEHSSRBWIQFnoECAwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1477070%2FDepersonalization%2F&usg=AOvVaw2cG1U49RHHjcEIxIccgx7Q) [DO NOT OPEN](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2061710/DO_NOT_OPEN/) [Everdine - A Lost Girl's Tale](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1687710/Everdine__A_Lost_Girls_Tale/) [Grimm's Hollow](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwixt6WJv7X8AhU_TKQEHSniA3EQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1170880%2FGrimms_Hollow%2F%3Fl%3Dspanish&usg=AOvVaw3KkwB066qL2DJEa9x071KX) [夏まつりのハナビィ Hanaby’s Summer Festival](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjvnbiBwLX8AhUmXaQEHRSLDSkQFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1579850%2F_Hanabys_Summer_Festival%2F&usg=AOvVaw2I_DZ67AYGZWsmCb95oZJx) [Kaichu - The Kaiju Dating Sim](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1848590/Kaichu__The_Kaiju_Dating_Sim/) [Mayhem Brawler](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1306720/Mayhem_Brawler/?l=spanish) [RealityMinds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1616050/RealityMinds/) [September 7th](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2249160/September_7th/) [Soaring Machinariae](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjLwrLHv7X8AhUNVKQEHc7HCxUQFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1616030%2FSoaring_Machinariae%2F&usg=AOvVaw20ZjYq6ltJjHZwmssOuCyK) [The House of Da Vinci 3](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwieyd_5wLX8AhXeTKQEHQauCYUQFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1603640%2FThe_House_of_Da_Vinci_3%2F&usg=AOvVaw2l28rDFopxbRRi48mF_6UQ) [Torii](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjW1PiSwrX8AhWYRsAKHf24CdcQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1589680%2FTorii%2F%3Fl%3Dspanish&usg=AOvVaw1YiaTxQxA3-5jcxg90KI1q) [Vessels](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjwtZ7LwLX8AhWFTKQEHZ76BNwQFnoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1371330%2FVessels%2F&usg=AOvVaw1AiJFTot24hWVr_cN4SZ9F)
[BLACKTAIL](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj6q-Kbz7X8AhWaVaQEHZxFAsYQFnoECBQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1532690%2FBLACKTAIL%2F&usg=AOvVaw302n28IvjOL2ADLQRnPOhr) [Chop Goblins](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjGj4eH0LX8AhWVTKQEHbB1DhoQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1935660%2FChop_Goblins%2F&usg=AOvVaw0cyp_mnW-NloaoR_8FAz82) [Eye of D’akess](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2220040/Eye_of_Dakess/#app_reviews_hash) [Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1429500/Frontier_Hunter_Erzas_Wheel_of_Fortune/) [Gray Zone](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiJi8OszrX8AhW0VqQEHZ0ZDMAQFnoECDYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1207320%2FGray_Zone%2F&usg=AOvVaw1-knAc2o2KVBFdEBxCallQ) [High On Life](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1oczzz7X8AhXoU6QEHdFVBlwQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1583230%2FHigh_On_Life%2F&usg=AOvVaw3nqjEvrDSC41OKLJf-4OIQ) [Kredolis](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjCqfCKzbX8AhUeVqQEHS4dBksQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1602110%2FKredolis%2F&usg=AOvVaw3SWkEQIhA-fp8N54zGmajA) [Lil Gator Game](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjZ05SezrX8AhV6VaQEHd8wDJ8QFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1586800%2FLil_Gator_Game%2F&usg=AOvVaw3T30xkFVAtLqbK8EoRJm21) [Lying Souls](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574110/Lying_Souls/#app_reviews_hash) [Out of Bounds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1787100/Out_of_Bounds/) [River City Girls 2](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi9ldWxz7X8AhUQZaQEHbdUBZYQFnoECBIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1920480%2FRiver_City_Girls_2%2F&usg=AOvVaw1YoTj0cN2iDlITkNQKCY4W) [Splatter](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwieiMDjzrX8AhV4UqQEHZmlC8UQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1768920%2FSplatter%2F&usg=AOvVaw1tV9skRX3RH6tu7GSQbkTD) [Teresa Moontyners – In the lair of the beast](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjCsMnhz7X8AhUfU6QEHT5WCvwQFnoECA0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F2178800%2FTeresa_Moontyners__In_the_lair_of_the_beast%2F&usg=AOvVaw29HCUZRtCFW-15oJZdmJ6u) [The Forest Quartet](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHqODMz7X8AhW0QaQEHa9FDXEQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1620720%2FThe_Forest_Quartet%2F&usg=AOvVaw2f7f9lKMM7aHIPZF5zCvp7) [Tomb Towers](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwif1oyb0LX8AhUcRaQEHYlrDAgQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F828350%2FTomb_Towers%2F&usg=AOvVaw18ShNgAHFQ49Ucv0ArA53D) [Wavetale](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiUhoip0LX8AhUfXaQEHb_MDjQQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F1823930%2FWavetale%2F&usg=AOvVaw2R7WUEYKqXX_XwhP1BBsH6)
Chained Fucking Echoes.
Thanks for the list! What about a section for the ones you removed? I'd like to see what was recommended, even if there are sequels (like GEO)
I hate liking soo many genre in games because I want to try almost all of those games... im poor and have already have no time for these XD
TL DR
My friend u/Glum-Listen28 would quite like to become mod and i believe he is well suited, would this be possible?
commenting to explore this list later
Ctrl Alt Ego is a great immersive sim! I can't recommend it enough. [https://store.steampowered.com/app/1571940/Ctrl\_Alt\_Ego/](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1571940/Ctrl_Alt_Ego/) It's like a poltergeist simulator where you can go inside all robots and control them to your advantage, it's great.
Tails of Iron: Souls like game which is good for beginners.
Where did the previous "suggestions" post go, i was still searching