30 Hidden Gems in the Gaming World

Action & Adventure

1. Hyper Light Drifter
   A stunning pixel-art action RPG with tight combat and an evocative, wordless story.
2. A Short Hike
   A relaxing exploration game where you climb a mountain, meeting quirky characters along the way.
3. The Pathless
   A fast-paced open-world game with fluid movement mechanics and puzzle-solving elements.
4. Below
   A challenging survival adventure with haunting visuals and an enigmatic story.
5. Dandara
   A gravity-defying Metroidvania with unique mechanics and a vibrant world inspired by Brazilian culture.

RPGs

6. CrossCode
   A retro-inspired action RPG with clever puzzles and fast-paced combat.
7. Divinity: Dragon Commander
   A hybrid of RPG, RTS, and political simulation with dragons and jetpacks.
8. GreedFall
   A colonial-era fantasy RPG with deep story choices and beautiful environments.
9. Elex
   A sprawling open-world RPG combining post-apocalypse, fantasy, and sci-fi.
10. Anodyne
    A surreal, Zelda-like adventure with dreamlike environments and thought-provoking themes.

Indie Darlings

11. Rain World
    A challenging platformer where you play as a slugcat navigating a hostile ecosystem.
12. Oxenfree
    A supernatural thriller with stunning dialogue mechanics and an eerie atmosphere.
13. OneShot
    A meta-puzzle adventure game with a touching story and innovative design.
14. Outland
    A beautiful 2D platformer blending light-and-dark mechanics with smooth combat.
15. FAR: Lone Sails
    A post-apocalyptic journey across a desolate landscape in a unique vehicle.

Puzzle & Strategy

16. Into the Breach
    A minimalist turn-based strategy game with deep tactical choices.
17. Return of the Obra Dinn
    A monochrome detective game with a compelling mystery and innovative gameplay.
18. Dorfromantik
    A soothing tile-placement puzzle game perfect for unwinding.
19. The Witness
    A visually stunning puzzle game with intricate, environmental puzzles.
20. Human Resource Machine
    A programming-themed puzzle game that’s both educational and entertaining.

Horror & Thriller

21. Darkwood
    A top-down survival horror game with an oppressive atmosphere and branching narratives.
22. SOMA
    A psychological horror experience that dives into existential questions about identity.
23. Yomawari: Night Alone
    A spooky yet adorable survival horror game with a focus on exploration.
24. Detention
    A chilling narrative-driven horror game set in 1960s Taiwan.
25. Stories Untold
    A unique text-adventure anthology blending nostalgia and horror.

Simulation & Unique Concepts

26. Slime Rancher
    A charming farming sim where you raise slimes on an alien planet.
27. VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
    A visual novel where you serve drinks and hear stories in a dystopian future.
28. Papers, Please
    A gripping simulation game where you play as an immigration officer in a dystopian world.
29. Cook, Serve, Delicious!
    A fast-paced restaurant management game with frantic multitasking.
30. Spiritfarer
    A cozy management game about ferrying souls to the afterlife, brimming with emotion.