Every year brings a host of blockbuster titles that hog the attention. As concealed gems, they fly under the radar, offering incredible experiences that do not always receive the desired attention. There were some underrated games in 2024 that sneaked into and out of the radar without all the fair spotlight they deserved. Whether it is a story-rich adventure, a strategic RPG, or quirky indie title, here’s the list of five underrated games worth your time.
1. Dordogne – A Beautiful Storybook Adventure
Genre: Narrative Adventure
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Dordogne is a hand-painted narrative game that blends beautiful watercolor visuals with an equally touching story of childhood, memory, and relationships within the family. You take on the role of Mimi, a young woman who is visiting her grandmother’s house in the French countryside. Uncover memories from her childhood.
It has puzzles and exploration in it, but it’s its story and artistic presentation that are outstanding. Dordogne will make an experience you have during 2024 that you won’t find anywhere else with a soundtrack that gives more emotional value and choices that change Mimi’s journey along the way.
- Why It’s Underrated: Its niche focus on narrative and slower speed kept it from general attention.
- Perfect For: Gamers who enjoy emotional storytelling and beautiful art.
2. Chants of Sennaar – A Puzzle Game with Linguistic Mysteries
Genre: Puzzle Adventure
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Chants of Sennaar is an old language and myth-inspired game that drops you in this mysterious world split apart by different cultures. As you play through this world, you decipher unknown languages to bridge gaps between civilizations. The puzzles are clever-they involve observation and experimentation to uncover the meaning behind symbols and phrases.
With a visually distinct style, cryptic puzzles, and a sense of unity, it brings new life to the puzzle game genre.
- Why It’s Underestimated: Originality aside, it didn’t gain much media attention.
- Perfect For: People who enjoy puzzle games as well as deciphering languages and symbols.
3. Dave the Diver – An Addictive Underwater Adventure
Genre: Adventure / Restaurant Management
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
This is one thing that makes the game so quirky: marrying two seemingly incongruent gameplay styles-that is, deep-sea diving and restaurant management-to make it coherent and addictive. As you dig through those underwater caves during the day, fighting sea creatures, at night, you manage a sushi restaurant, dishing out the fish you catch.
The game offers an endearing art style, engaging mechanics, and a fun story that’s surprisingly deep. Its mix of genres makes it extremely replayable-even though mainstream attention never struck.
- Why It’s Underrated: Even with positive reception from players, it never reached the same hype as other indie games.
- Perfect For: Players looking for a unique blend of action and management mechanics.
4. Sea of Stars – A Nostalgic RPG Tribute
Genre: Turn-Based RPG
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Sea of Stars is a modern take on classic RPGs like Chrono Trigger, inspired by this genre and the aspects which it has been known for. The game has two protagonists trying to save their world from an ancient evil. Players will have lots of fun with lovely pixel art, a rich soundtrack, and serious tactical combat mechanics that reward timing and strategy.
Although it’s a really gorgeous love letter to the 16-bit RPG era, Sea of Stars did not draw much attention since it was one of the other major RPGs published this year, so it went under the radar.
- Why It’s Under the Radar: Launched alongside other humongous RPGs, it didn’t get noticed due to its release.
- Perfect For: Retro RPG lovers and their story-based adventure kind.
5. Cocoon – A Mind-Bending Puzzle Platformer
Genre: Puzzle / Platformer
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Cocoon is from Jeppe Carlsen, lead designer for the critically acclaimed indie hits Limbo and Inside. This time, Carlsen takes us through a mind-bending puzzle platformer where it explores worlds within worlds. Orbs hold worlds within themselves, which are used creatively to overcome puzzles and environments through labyrinthine places.
Cocoon went for minimalist storytelling with atmospheric visuals and innovations in mechanics, but it doesn’t quite hold the praise that its developer’s previous works are getting.
- Underrated Because: Unpromoted, and few people knew about the game until later.
- For Fans of An extremely challenging puzzle-platformer that gives you many thought-provoking gaming moments.
Summary: Must See Under-the-Radar Gems
While most have been flowing in from 2024, like the heavyweight octagon world, here are five you might want to consider checking out as long shot gems: emotional storytellers, mind-bending puzzle games, legendary RPGs, quirky adventures, and everything in between-these titles will find their way into your library.
Dordogne: This one’s for fans of narrative-driven games who appreciate beautiful visuals.
Chants of Sennaar: It’s for enthusiasts who love puzzles with ancient languages.
Dave the Diver: For those who like offbeat management and adventure games.
Sea of Stars: If you are an old-school RPG fan, then this is a game you have to see.
Cocoon: A mind-bender for fans of the puzzle platformer genre.
While all of them may not have gained the very top spots of the bestsellers chart, they are excellent experiences nonetheless. So if you’re bored with another big budget released game, try out these underdog hidden gems and find your next favorite game.
