Top 10 Hidden Gem Video Games of 2017

Feeling like you’re trapped at school definitely sucks, but at the very least you’ve probably never been kidnapped and imprisoned against your will like the unfortunate characters of our first entry. Taking center stage in this visual novel, players have to uncover the mastermind behind the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juveniles, and it’s a gripping ride throughout. The characters each have excellent dialogue that keeps the experience engaging and fresh, and the game has tons of replayability thanks to a bunch of minigames and endgame content to keep you coming back for more.

Improving on the original entry in literally every way, this sequel to the multiplayer fencing game keeps the brutally violent, strategic gameplay you love, but overhauls the formula with dramatically improved visuals, character customization, and a much-needed improvement to the online matchmaking that is tactical, intense, and incredibly satisfying. You’ll have to learn to read your opponents, punish their mistakes, and master your movement if you want to claim victory, and the entire process is more rewarding than your initial impressions might lead you to expect.

Look, sometimes you just want to be the bad guy and retreat to your underground lair, and when that time comes Dungeons 3 is where you’ll turn. If you’re a veteran of the series, the all-new, randomly generated dungeons will be a welcome change of pace. If you’re new to the series, prepare to have all your spare time consumed by an atmospheric and fun battle for overworld supremacy where you’re in charge not only of the armies but also of hordes of base-building demons. Some levels can be challenging but don’t get frustrated, just smack some imps around. There’s no better stress relief.

The series has never quite caught on to the same success as other open-world franchises like GTA or Saints Row, but being a prequel means this title is a great place to jump in if you haven’t already. The main story is surprisingly good, but beyond that, the game is so packed with things to do that you can get sidetracked for hours just beating down on some thugs, or running your side businesses for some extra income. Whether you’re looking for some bad-ass boss fights or lighthearted fun, there’s something here to please everyone.

If you’re anything like us, the fantastic art style and surreal, creepy world is what will draw you in, but it’s the story and character interactions that will keep you invested in the lives of Mae and her friends as you explore the bleak, stagnant town of Possum Springs. Sure, there’s some light platforming, but the game’s strengths lie in the gradual exploration of the ominous woods and its excellent writing that tells a surprisingly mature, deep story about the gradual passing of time.

Narrative first-person games get a bad rap for being linear and boring, but when they’re done well they’re an excellent storytelling vehicle, and that’s exactly what carried this entry to our list. We won’t spoil anything for you, but taking a look back in time at one of the most unfortunate, “cursed” families in existence is a tragic experience that had us sympathizing with each and every one of the Finches. It’s not particularly long, but we guarantee that you’ll be thinking of this game long after you finish it, and in our opinion that alone is worth every penny.

There are plenty of games that cash in on popular licenses with lazy adaptations of the source material, but thankfully that’s not the case here. The fantastic animated cutscenes are a great nod to the original comics, but even if you’ve never opened a single page of the short-lived series, the underlying game is excellent on its own merits. The overworld is crawling with enemies and randomly generated dungeons to keep you busy for hours, and the intricate crafting system means you’ll always have new, exciting weapons to test on your countless foes. Every single battle is a treat and never feels like a grind, which is rare in a turn-based strategy game.

Every so often a game innovates and expands on existing genres, and Motion Twin did just that by tossing some roguelike elements into the classic metroidvania formula. This fusion of styles means every encounter with the many challenging enemies runs the risk of permadeath, and keeps the tensions high as you decide between exploring for new cells and risk taking damage, or heading straight for the boss and potentially missing out on some crucial upgrades. Whether it’s boss attack patterns or the layout of a certain room, you’ll learn something new on every run and will be itching to load up into a new prisoner just as soon as your last one dies.

After a long Kickstarter campaign and development, this love letter to 90s collectathon platformers finally burst onto the scene and turned out to be even better than we had hoped. The story and characters just ooze creativity, and that passion translates into the platforming and puzzle solving that are precise and rewarding. The game may look cute, but there are so many collectibles hidden within tons of challenging moments that will test your skills and have you more than a little frustrated at times, but in the best way possible. Even if you didn’t grow up with the genre, you couldn’t ask for a better introduction than this one.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Snipperclips” (2017)

“Thimbleweed Park” (2017)

“Pyre” (2017)

It takes lots of confidence to label your game “independent triple-A,” but Ninja Theory did just that and still managed to shatter expectations by delivering a truly exceptional title. Guiding Senua in her quest against the goddess Hela and her own psychosis, players will travel through an atmospheric Norse and Celtic world complete with epic mythologically inspired enemies and environments. The hack and slash combat is no slouch either, feeling precise, responsive, and surprisingly cinematic when dealing with interesting and diverse bosses. Wrapping all these elements up into one neat little package is no small feat, but this title also tosses in an important look at mental health to boot.