2024 has been a rollercoaster for gaming, featuring major hits like Black Myth: Wukong and Astrobot alongside disappointments such as Concord and Suicide Squad. While the community engaged in lively debates over these big-budget titles, many exceptional games from innovative indie studios flew under the radar, not receiving the attention they deserved.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! As we are about to say goodbye to this year, we’re spotlighting 7 underrated games that you probably overlooked but definitely shouldn’t have. So, without a delay, let’s find games that deserve way more appreciation.
Nine Sols
To start this list, there could not be a better game than Nine Sols. Being a 2D game, it has that perfect fusion of epic action, ancient Chinese mythology, and cyberpunk that will feel like a fusion. Sekiro-style combat is another feature of the game.
It follows the story of Yi, a vengeful hero on a quest to defeat the Nine Sols, powerful beings who have invaded and taken control of Yi's land.
Combat is the heart of the experience. It emphasizes a defensive playstyle, with blocking and parrying at its core, which is more rewarding than punishing.
Navigation might be frustrating for those trying this genre for the first time, with a world map that can make backtracking tedious. Overall, it is an excellent pick for skill-based fans.
Nine Sols is available on Windows, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox Series.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess appeals to players who enjoy deeply thematic games with challenging combat and folklore-inspired worlds. The game is set in a mystical mountain, Mt. Kafuku, surrounded by defilement and evil spirits.
As a protagonist, Soh must purify the villages during the day and protect the maiden at night. This cycle will continue until you completely cleanse the mountain and restore the peace of this land.
Apart from this, a key feature of this game is that you will not be alone in fighting. Villagers will also you against seethe. Each villager has their abilities and weapons.
As mentioned earlier, it is rich in Japanese folklore and culture. One such is the Kagura dance, which is an important part of the game's purifying land process.
Kunitsu-Gami is available on Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox Series.
1000xResist
Another underrated pick on our list is 1000xResist. It is a sci-fi adventure set 1,000 years after humanity almost became extinct from a disease spread by alien beings known as the Occupants.
The game revolves around Iris, a teenage girl who miraculously survived the plague and became immortal, birthing a society of clones who live in an underground bunker.
You play as the Watcher, reliving and interpreting Iris's memories, now called ALLMOTHER, in an attempt to uncover the truth about why society was formed and other dark secrets.
As you can see, the game will be mostly narrative-driven and puzzle-based, gradually contributing to retrieving Iris's lost memories.
1000xResist is available to play on Windows and Nintendo Switch.
Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom doesn't have a deep narrative-driven story but rather focuses on a fun and imaginative world to explore. Unlike typical games where jumping is a core mechanic, this game challenges players to use a special move-set to navigate through vibrant, retro-inspired levels.
As per gameplay, you’ll take control of a quirky yellow taxi, speeding through environments filled with collectibles. You have to overcome obstacles and tricky platforming challenges. You can boost, slide, and even perform a ground-pound attack.
As per the Steam description, the gameplay is designed to feel like a nostalgic throwback to the Nintendo 64 era, specifically to the collectathon genre.
Unicorn Overlord
Unicorn Overlord allows players to engage in strategic battles while exploring a rich fantasy world filled with mythological beings and magical forces.
You play as a young unicorn prince who embarks on a quest to reclaim his throne and restore peace to the land.
The gameplay mixes classic tactical RPG elements with fast-paced real-time combat, so you must think on your feet. You’ll build your army from over 60 characters, including humans, angels, and more, each with unique abilities.
The trick to winning is all about smart positioning and managing your units. You must balance your army's composition and skills to outsmart and outmaneuver your enemies. It’s like a chess game, but with a lot more action!
Unicord Overlord is available on Switch, PS5, PS4 and Xbox Series.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
A narrative-driven RPG set in a dark fantasy world - who doesn't love this combo? In Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, You play as Red and Ada, a pair of Banishers tasked with hunting and purifying restless spirits in the mysterious land of New Eden.
The gameplay in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is action-strategy. You will spend most of your time battling and banishing hostile ghosts, each with unique abilities and weaknesses.
Combat is fast-paced but requires strategy, as you must use the right tools and abilities to take down different spirits. Antea, for example, has powerful exorcism abilities, while Red uses his military training to handle more physical threats.
If you enjoy exploring dark worlds like Bloodborne or The Witcher, it offers a similar sense of mystery and danger.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is available on Windows, PS5, and Xbox X/S.
Nobody Wants to Die
We are talking about New York in 2329 when the human race finally attained the technology to overcome death and attain immortality. But the twist is that only the rich and elites have access to this technology.
You play as Detective James Karra, tasked with solving the mysterious murders of the city's elite.
Moreover, the gameplay mostly revolves around solving crimes, with a cool mix of detective work and time manipulation. You'll examine crime scenes using a variety of futuristic tools, including an X-ray device to spot hidden objects and UV light to reveal things like blood trails.
Time manipulation plays a huge part in the experience, allowing you to rewind moments to see how a crime unfolded or slow down the action to catch the smallest details.
Nobody Wants to Die can be played on Windows, PS5, and Xbox X/S.