There are hundreds of video games released each year just on consoles alone. Add in computers and mobile phones and the numbers skyrocket. The massive amount of titles mean a lot of worthwhile games can slip through the cracks and go unnoticed by most gamers even if they deserve a large player base. To make sure you don’t miss out on some of the lesser known titles that are well worth playing, we have put together a list of the most overlooked games in 2018.
2018 overlooked games – Unavowed
This point and click adventure game might look like a throwback to PC gaming’s past, but its stellar writing and layered gameplay made it the best take on the genre in years. The branching, fully voice acted storyline will keep players on the edge of their seats as they play and the developer commentary is good for the second run. Dave Gilbert has always been a talented developer, but this is truly his best work yet.
2018 overlooked games – The Missing
The latest game from Swery has players attempting to avoid horrific death traps in order to find their missing friend. Avoiding these pitfalls is nearly impossible, but J.J. never dies from her injuries. This is due to an ability for her to be revived no matter the injury (even ones as severe as decapitation). This puzzle-platformer even has a powerful ending to its story that steals the show.
2018 overlooked games – DJMax Respect
The latest installment in the long running rhythm series is a great one and has finally come to North American shores. It features over 100 songs and the gameplay is just as compelling as ever before. While anyone can enjoy it, music game fans should definitely give this one a spin.
2018 overlooked games – Full Metal Furies
This action role-playing game is all about teamwork. It’s the latest game from the creators of Rogue Legacy, and can be played with up to four players both online and offline. There is no game quite like it, and the fun story is filled with twists that will keep your attention until the very end.
2018 overlooked games – CrossCode
While this action role-playing game looks like a SNES title, its design is entirely modern. There are over 100 different enemy types and nearly just as many combat arts to master as well. It’s an absolutely massive title that players can sink dozens of hours into and the 100 quests never get overly repetitive thanks to some varied design.
2018 overlooked games – 428: Shibuya Scramble
It’s been a decade since 428: Shibuya Scramble was originally released for Nintendo Wii, but this critically acclaimed visual novel just got a North American release for the very first time in 2018. Available on both PlayStation 4 and PC, the game follows multiple protagonists that live in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo as they all deal with the aftermath of a kidnapping. The interconnected stories are both fascinating and compelling, and there are over 50 endings that players can unlock.
2018 overlooked games – Laser League
While Roll7 is best known for their stylish 2D action games, Laser League proved the studio’s versatility. This frantic multiplayer game based around avoiding and activating lasers is a blast no matter if you’re playing locally or with friends online. It’s available on a variety of platforms, and is a great addition to any gaming night.
2018 overlooked games – Youropa
Youropa is all about gravity. Players are able to stick to any surface they can touch thanks to their suction cup feet, which means walking on walls and even upside down. It’s a cool concept that is made even better thanks to some fantastic puzzles that are as challenging as they are fun to solve. There is even a vast creation suite (the same one that the game was created with) that allows players to make everything from their own levels to entire cities to ensure that the fun never has to end.
2018 overlooked games – Rival Megagun
This is one of the most unique shoot ’em ups released in quite some time. It features a competitive twist as players can turn into the titular Mega Gunship and then invade their opponent’s screen as a boss. It’s an incredibly cool experience, and it’s quite fun even if you don’t have a friend to play with locally as the single-player arcade mode is a fully fleshed out offering.
2018 overlooked games – WarioWare Gold
While WarioWare Gold is a Nintendo published title, it sadly didn’t get the recognition it deserved due to it being released exclusively for Nintendo 3DS. While the Switch is most people’s handheld of choice at this point, the latest WarioWare is well worth dusting off the dual-screens. It takes a variety of microgames from the entire history of the series, including many from the phenomenal Twisted, and wraps them in a new package that is just as compelling as ever.