Many gamers have missed out on gems that deliver simply amazing experiences. These titles have in my opinion, for whatever reason, flown under the radar for a lot of gamers. Some of them might just be too old for new gamers to have known about, while others just didn’t have the same level of hype that big publishers can generate.
Below, find the five greatest games I think many gamers have probably never played, but should definitely try out.
The Long Dark
I played The Long Dark for a long time during Early Access and it has recently seen a full release on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Indie developer Hinterlands Studio’s single-player survival title is the greatest games I don’t see many people talking about, but if they only knew how good the game was, I think they would jump at the opportunity.
Unlike most survival games, there is no zombies or other crazy things to fight off. Instead, it is you against the wilderness and animals, with your only job that of survival. The game now has a story mode on full release as well, but it is the sandbox aspect that I think knows no equal. Everything about The Long Dark just screams quality and the developer is working hard to improve the game even after release.
The game’s permadeath feature in sandbox mode, its beautiful art style and riveting story in the campaign makes it a must have and in my opinion, the best single-player survival experience out there.
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Reaper: Tale of the Pale Swordsman
In November 2013, my view about mobile gaming changed forever. I was tasked with reviewing Reaper: Tale of the Pale Swordsman, developed by Hexage, and I was completely blown away. In my review, I called it the perfect game. It was the first time that I felt a game nailed every aspect so perfectly that I simply couldn’t find any faults with it.
Reaper: Tale of a Pale Swordsman strikes the balance between an epic story, fast paced combat that requires player skill and graphics that deliver a superb atmosphere while still incorporating a wide variety of RPG elements, creating an absolutely perfect mobile gaming experience in the process.
If you want to have a mobile experience other than something like Clash of Clans or Candy Crush, then I suggest you check it out on Android or iOS.
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Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
Developed by Headfirst Productions and published by Bethesda, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth was one of the most terrifying and immersive games I have ever played. The game was released over a decade ago and to this day remains a game of exceptional quality.
Younger gamers might have never experienced the magnificent FPS title, filled with puzzle elements, investigative work, stealth and that Cthulhu themed horror that brings out the creepiest moments ever in a video game.
For any H.P. Lovecraft fan, or those who just want an old-school horror experience, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth was a game ahead of its time and I feel it is still relevant even today. You can pick it up on Steam right now for only R109, or add it to your Wishlist, as I have seen the game go for less than R40 during Steam sales.
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Prison Architect
Managing a prison and dealing with riots, prisoners and everything in between has never been so much fun. Prison Architect, developed by Introversion Software, is a Steam Early Access success story that has a special place in my heart. Just imagine being the Warden of a maximum-security prison in both a free build and a story mode, or dig your heels into the escape mode and try to make your way to freedom.
Since the game has been released on parole from Early Access, it has grown even more and the developers continue to support this amazing title. It feels like a mix between Dungeon Keeper, Theme Hospital and something more sinister, touching on real-world issues all while giving a challenging management experience that players shouldn’t miss out on.
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Black Mesa
Everyone and their cat has probably played the original Half-Life, or at the very least have heard about it multiple times over the years. Maybe you even saw the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 and Dota debacle which is still going on right now.
However, you might not have heard about Black Mesa, a third-party remake of the original Half-Life which not only does Valve’s ground-breaking FPS justice but improves on it in every way possible. The Crowbar Collective has been hard at work throughout the years, faithfully recreating the game using Valve’s Source engine. Even back in 2012, my colleague Han Cilliers called Black Mesa “the Perfect Game”. Since then, it has seen a massive graphical overhaul and looks on-par with some modern titles. It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest games you will ever play.
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Have you played any of these amazing titles and which other games do you think many gamers have probably never played but definitely should? Let us know in the comment section below and share your gaming gems with us.
