The Best Reviewed Games You Might Have Missed

24 August 2026

Let’s face it—there are so many video games these days, it’s easier to lose a gem in the shuffle than it is to lose your keys down the couch. Every month, new titles blast onto the scene like they’re trying to win gold at the hype Olympics. But in that chaos, some absolute bangers get buried like treasure in a sandbox you forgot to dig up. And guess what? These games got glowing reviews… but somehow still slipped under your radar.

Pour yourself a Mountain Dew, grab your favorite snack, and get comfy. We're about to uncover the best reviewed games you might have missed—and trust me, these are the hidden Level 99 bosses of underappreciated brilliance.

A Quick Word Before We Dive Into Gaming Goodness

You're probably thinking, "Wait, if they were so well-reviewed, how the heck did I miss them?" Well, friend, welcome to the wild world of gaming in the age of social media algorithms and backlog nightmares. Sometimes it’s not about the game—it’s about timing, marketing budget, and whether it dropped the same week as a Grand Theft Auto trailer.

Now, let’s shine a well-deserved spotlight on these unsung heroes of gaming greatness.

1. A Plague Tale: Innocence – Rats, Stealth, and Sibling Goals

Developer: Asobo Studio
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (and later PS5/Xbox Series X)
Release Year: 2019

You ever play a game and think, “I didn’t know I needed medieval France, emotional trauma, and a tsunami of plague rats in my life”? That’s A Plague Tale: Innocence in a nutshell.

You play as Amicia, a teenage girl trying to protect her younger brother Hugo—who has mysterious powers (cue dramatic music)—while dodging inquisitors and an ocean of disease-carrying rodents. No pressure.

What really makes this game sing (besides the rat-swarm tech, which is both horrifying and oddly impressive) is the emotional storytelling. Critics swooned over the narrative, voice acting, and the unique mix of stealth and survival gameplay. But with AAA titles launching left and right, this one quietly tiptoed into gamers’ libraries—often unplayed.

Why You Should Play It:

If you enjoy heartstring-tugging storylines, stealth mechanics, and the constant terror of rodent-induced nightmares, this game is your jam.

2. Return of the Obra Dinn – Because Who Needs Color Anyway?

Developer: Lucas Pope
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Release Year: 2018

Imagine if Sherlock Holmes decided to quit solving crimes in foggy London and took a cruise ship into the Bermuda Triangle. That’s Return of the Obra Dinn for you.

This indie masterpiece, from the creator of Papers, Please, is a detective game like no other. The twist? It’s in stunning 1-bit monochrome, like your Game Boy got an arts degree. You’re an insurance investigator unraveling the mysterious fate of the crew aboard a ghost ship. No guns. No explosions. Just brains, a stopwatch that rewinds time, and a whole bunch of “Wait… what just happened?!”

Why It Was Missed:

Released without a marketing blitz and wrapped in an artsy aesthetic, it didn’t scream “buy me” to the average gamer. But oh boy, the reviews were basically love letters.

Why You Should Play It:

This is one part logic puzzle, two parts mystery novel, and three parts “I feel smarter after playing this.”

3. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen – The Cult Classic That Just Won’t Quit

Developer: Capcom
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 (with later ports to everything under the sun)
Release Year: 2012

If Skyrim and Devil May Cry had a baby raised by Dark Souls, its name would be Dragon’s Dogma. This game had no business being this good—and yet, it was.

With insanely satisfying combat, a dynamic world full of monsters, and a pawn system that lets you build your own AI party members (who are either battle gods or walking disasters), Dragon’s Dogma carved out a cult following. Critics applauded its ambition and jank-charm. Unfortunately, it launched with little fanfare and got swallowed by bigger fish in the RPG pond.

Why It’s Still Relevant:

The definitive version, Dark Arisen, fixed a lot of issues and added an awesome dungeon. Bonus: a sequel is finally on the way.

Why You Should Play It:

If you like climbing onto a chimera’s back mid-battle like Legolas in Lord of the Rings, this game is for you.

4. Astral Chain – Cyberpunk, Policework, and... Demonic Pets?

Developer: PlatinumGames
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2019

Here’s an idea—play as a futuristic cop in a dystopian city who battles interdimensional monsters using chained monster buddies that look like if Gundams had babies with Pokémon. Sounds like a fever dream, right? That’s Astral Chain.

With PlatinumGames’ signature flashy combat, Astral Chain was a critical darling and Switch-exclusive that somehow didn’t break into must-play status. Possibly because it looked too weird? Or maybe it was the massive shadow cast by Fire Emblem: Three Houses that launched around the same time.

Either way, this game kicks serious cyber-butt.

Why You Should Play It:

You control two characters at once in combat using a psychic tether. It’s basically battle ballet with robots. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.

5. Slay the Spire – The Card Game That Ate My Life

Developer: MegaCrit
Platforms: PC, consoles, mobile
Release Year: 2019

“Oh great, another card game,” you’re thinking. But hold up! Slay the Spire isn’t your average digital deckbuilder. It’s addictive. Like, “just one more run” until 4 AM addictive.

It blends roguelike mechanics with card strategy in a way that would make even a poker shark sweat. Every decision matters. Every card counts. And every time you die… well, you’re smiling, because you get to start over and try a whole new build.

Critics gave it sky-high ratings and streamers adored it. But outside of the indie roguelike crowd, many players still haven’t given this gem a shuffle.

Why You Should Play It:

It will make you feel like a tactical genius and ruin your productivity forever.

6. The Forgotten City – Time Loops and Moral Dilemmas Galore

Developer: Modern Storyteller
Platforms: PC, Consoles
Release Year: 2021

Originally a Skyrim mod (yep, really), The Forgotten City blossomed into its own full game—and boy does it shine. It's a narrative-driven mystery where you must solve a series of ethical puzzles in an ancient Roman city trapped in a time loop.

And yes, it’s as intense and brain-bendy as it sounds.

Think Groundhog Day meets Assassin’s Creed with a heavy dose of The Good Place. The game asks you philosophical questions, makes you question your sense of morality, and then drops a plot twist like it’s hot.

Why You Might’ve Missed It:

Low marketing budget, weird premise, and the whole “based on a mod” thing might’ve made folks hesitate.

Why You Shouldn’t Sleep On It:

This game isn’t just smart—it’s human. It’s deep. It’s got Roman drama and at least one guy in a toga. What more do you want?

7. Outer Wilds – The Game That Teaches You to Love Dying

Developer: Mobius Digital
Platforms: PC, Consoles
Release Year: 2019

Outer Wilds is a game that doesn’t guide you. It doesn’t hold your hand. It throws you into a time-looping solar system and whispers, “Figure it out, space nerd.”

And somehow… it’s beautiful. It’s awe-inspiring. It’s a cosmic puzzlebox that’s more about curiosity than combat. Every 22 minutes, the sun explodes. You die. And then you begin again, just a little wiser than before.

Critics praised its originality, design, and emotional storytelling. But because it’s more of a cerebral experience than an action-packed shooter, it stayed under the mainstream radar.

Why You Should Play It:

This isn’t a game. It’s a love letter to exploration, mystery, and the vast, beautiful loneliness of space. Also, it’ll make you cry (in a good way).

So, Why Do These Games Miss the Spotlight?

Short answer: timing, competition, and marketing—or lack thereof.

Long answer? Sometimes games just don’t get the red carpet treatment they deserve. Maybe they launched too close to a mega-release. Maybe they didn’t have enough flashy explosions for the trailer. Or maybe they were just… too different.

But different doesn’t mean bad. In fact, different often means brilliant. And these best reviewed games are proof of that.

Honorable Mentions (Because Cutting It Off at 7 Felt Wrong)

- Tunic – Zelda meets Fez, starring a tiny fox in a huge world.
- Chicory: A Colorful Tale – Mental health, art, and painting your way through a story.
- CrossCode – An old-school action RPG with a sci-fi twist and all the retro vibes.

Final Thoughts: Your Backlog Just Got Bigger

Look, I get it. Your backlog is already longer than a Skyrim side quest list. But these aren’t just more games. These are the good ones—the hidden champions, the ones that poured their code-souls into creating something fresh, fun, and unforgettable.

So go ahead. Blow off that dusty AAA shooter. Boot up something unexpected. You’ll thank yourself later.

Just maybe warn your friends you’re disappearing into “just one more game” for the next three months.