The top 5 hidden video game gems of 2020 – Reader’s Feature

A reader offers some less well-known suggestions for some of the most interesting games of last year, including Huntdown and 13 Sentinels.

It’s unfortunate that some games aren’t celebrated in mainstream spheres because of a lack of promotion. That leaves them getting shut out from inclusion and recognition in the Game of the Year awards when they swing about every year. Here I present a few games that have flown under the radar this year, that certainly deserve a look. You may not like them, of course, but the following games deserve your attention:

Wintermoor Tactics Club

Cosy is the word that immediately pops into mind in this fun and sweet turn-based affair. Wintermoor Tactics Club takes place at Wintermoor Academy and has you participating in a snowball tournament where the losers have their club disbanded. There’s plenty at stake in Wintermoor Tactics Club but it has an innocence and wholesomeness that is infectious and adorable. There are reminders of Rockstar Games’ Bully and a sprinkling of Persona, beyond other inspirations, and its story and characters are easy to get lost in. Wintermoor Tactics Club happens to be great for this time of year too, especially if you snuggle up next to a fire with a cup of hot chocolate.

Going Under

While Hades is taking the roguelike genre limelight with its superb dungeons and meticulous art style Going Under has struggled to garner the attention it deserves. It’s a game that, like its forbears, has dungeons, but these dungeons include a gaggle of colourful monstrosities you can smash over the head with a keyboard, pencil, and plenty of other pieces of stationary equipment. It manages to have a personality and sense of style that’ll make you want to proceed forward as well as accessibility options for those who want a less demanding time.

Creaks

Another game that released to little fanfare, Creaks immediately catches your attention thanks to its wonderful art style and ornate furniture strewn environments. The artistry on display is stitched together and woven by a puzzle platforming adventure that works the old brain matter as you try to halt the pursuit of ravenous creatures as you navigate the game’s rickety confines. Modest and short it may be but it certainly leaves a unique impression and is one that you won’t soon forget.

Huntdown

Coming out in May to little fanfare, Huntdown has secretly become the best cyberpunk shooter you didn’t play – unless you did, in which case kudos to you. Retro at its core and swaggering into view with Duke Nukem’s nonchalance and bravado, Huntdown gives players a hardcore and awesome side-scrolling blaster that is an unforgettable treat – and get a load of the boss battles that present a fair and exciting challenge. It’s more interesting than Ghostrunner, more stylish than Cyberpunk 2077, and it’s one you should definitely try out, (particularly in co-op). You won’t regret it, try it and you’ll thank me later.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

Responsible for such curiosities as Odin Sphere, Muramasa: Demon Blade, and Dragon’s Crown, Vanillaware struck gold once again with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Released in the West back in September, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim has delighted critics yet such delights remain rather dormant and truncated due to relatively low sales. Aegis Rim combines nuanced storytelling, side-scrolling adventure and real-time strategy combat together into a harmonious and satisfying blend, whilst the cast of characters are so alluring that they’ll stick in your mind and you will be wholly invested in what’s happening to them.

By reader JDINCINERATOR

The reader’s feature does not necessary represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.