2016 is only days from ending, and boy oh boy have their been a ton of games to enjoy from January 1st to December 31st. And while all the hype has been focused around the big holiday titles like Battlefield 1, Final Fantasy XV, and Dishonored 2– here are a few games that you may have missed from earlier this year.
Now, I’ve read similar articles to this that list games like The Witness, Firewatch, and Stardew Valley. But those games are anything but hidden gems, hopefully you seen a game or two here that you haven’t gotten to play this year for your gaming pleasure.
6 Games You Probably Missed In 2016
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3. The Flame of the Flood
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
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rnThe Flame of the Flood is a rogue-like survival sim that throws you into a post apocalyptic world with very little to go on, or survive off on. You must run, fight, collect, and float your way down river to keep the adventure alive in a procedurally generated world. While the markets been somewhat saturated with the survival and rogue-like genres, this one set itself apart with the distinct vibe that reminded me of both The Last of Us and The Walking Dead. -
6. Invisible Inc.
Platforms: PC, PS4
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rnKlei Entertainment’s Invisible Inc is one of the true hidden gems of 2016, it’s a turn based strategy game released on PC, PS4, and iOS. It’s a stylish take on espionage where the world has been taken over by the corporate elite, you play as a group of spies as they infiltrate the world's most dangerous corporations. Invisible Inc. is one of the free games with Playstation Plus this month, so you might want to rush to download this before the year ends! -
1. Pocket Card Journey
Platforms: 3DS
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rnAddiction comes in so many forms and very seldom is addiction healthy, my 2016 addiction came in the form of racing small horses on my 3DS’s touch screen. It’s Pocket Card Jockey, Game Freaks latest endeavor into the world of non Pokemon related game development. They found gold on this expedition. You play as a struggling jockey trying to find his footing in the big world of professional horse racing, and after a mysterious accident you’re able to connect your time on the back of a horse with the one thing you're actually good at, solitaire. And that’s it, you play solitaire to get your stallion to the front of the pack. It’s simple but incredibly addicting.
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rnI remember when Nintendo announced Pocket Card Jockey during their 2015 E3 presentation. No one got excited, cared for, or understood this odd concept turned 3DS game. And yet here I am, seven months later, still playing with digital horses on my 3DS before jumping into Super Mario Maker 3DS or Pokemon Moon. -
5. Ratchet & Clank Remastered
Platforms: PS4
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rnThis reboot felt like a new game, and despite some weird tie ins to the subpar movie released around the same time, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Lombax and his robotic friend. The platforming is tight, the variety of weapons is incredibly delightful, and the story is downright charming. It’s not a new franchise, or even a particularly well hidden one, but this awesome platformer hit stores in April, it’s definitely worth checking out if you need a break from this first person shooter intense year. -
4. Severed
Platforms: 3DS, PS Vita
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rnDrinkbox Studios is on it’s way to making quite the name for itself. Both Guacamelee and it’s 2016 title, Severed, are quite the treat. Severed is an action game where you play as Sasha, guiding her in a dangerous mission to save her family in some sort of purgatory, fighting various monsters by swiping your finger across the touchscreen. Severed is one of final games worth picking up on both the Wii U and the Playstation Vita, but I’d say the 3DS is the best platform to play it on if you don’t already have one of the others. -
2. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered
Platforms: PC, PS4
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rnLike Ratchet and Clank, Valkyria Chronicles didn’t come out this year, but an awesome remastered version did hit the PS4, giving you another chance to play this amazing tactical game. All the DLC is included and it’s at a very fair price currently. If you haven’t had the chance to jump in on this hype train, there could not be a better version to pick up and play. I recently picked this up myself since I missed it earlier in the year, it’s made for some great late night sessions during this holiday season. -
6 Games You Probably Missed In 2016
