10 Amazing Games With Amazing Review Scores You've Never Played

I think with the speed at which indie and AAA games are being released, and the rising prices of the latter, there's a growing backlog and wishlist that most of us are always trying to get through, but for one reason or another don't.

But beyond that, there's the unfortunate truth that sometimes great games are overshadowed by highly anticipated releases or lack sufficient marketing to compete with the biggest games of the month. I mean, why do you think every other game coming out in the second half of 2026 is doing its best to separate itself from the November launch of GTA 6?

For this reason, we've put together a list of games that might have caught your attention. Maybe you were too young when it was released, or maybe you were so focused on other releases that you missed it. Whatever the reason, here are some highly rated games you may not have played, but should definitely add to your list.

10

UFO 50

Metascore 93 | User rating 8.9

Despite being well-received upon release, UFO 50 had the misfortune of being released in the same month as Astro Bot, the 2024 Game of the Year winner. Sure, they were on other platforms, with UFO 50 only on Nintendo Switch and PC, but in the grand scheme of things, it was still difficult to compete with Sony's mascot, which was dominating marketing and news that month.

That said, UFO 50 is worth coming back and looking at because it's a unique little indie that's actually 50 games in one. Whether you're looking for a single player, multiplayer, roguelike, RPG, or platformer, this little game has it all. Between the affordable price, great quality, and variety, it's hard to beat.

9

one shot

Metascore 80 | User rating 8.9

Originally appearing as a free indie game on PC, OneShot eventually officially released on Steam as a fully remade experience in 2016. From there, World Machine Edition developed a small following that grew when the game was released on consoles in 2022. Of course, nothing still compares to what it should have been.

Despite being highly rated, reasonably priced, and available on all modern platforms, this adventure puzzle game is still mostly overlooked by players, and there's no reason for it to be. If you've been constantly looking for a cozy, story-filled indie game that will challenge you, this is it.

8

wolf in us

Metascore 85 | User rating 8.9

Considering how delayed The Wolf Among Us 2 was and the headlines it made, you've probably heard of this franchise, but you may have never come across the original. The Wolf Among Us was released episodic, so I planned on coming back after every episode, but there's also a chance I'll forget about it completely once I'm done with it.

Whatever the reason, The Wolf Among Us 2 is finally set to release next year, so now is a great time to jump into the first version if you haven't already. It's been highly rated by critics and players, and all episodes have concluded, so there's no need to wait for more content to be released.

7

pizza tower

Metascore 89 | User rating 8.9

Pizza Tower, like UFO 50, is another recent indie release that many people overlooked. Unfortunately, this may be because the game was only available on PC, but has since been released on Nintendo Switch, making it available for Nintendo console players as well.

This 2D platformer features hyper-emotional characters and an art style straight out of a 90s cartoon. That said, what really sold Pizza Tower for most players was the phenomenal soundtrack that accompanied the game's chaotic gameplay. If you haven't tried it yet, there's a good chance you won't be disappointed.

6

Ori and the Blind Forest

Metascore 88 | User rating 8.6

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is technically rated higher than The Blind Forest (metascore 90, user rating 8.9), but you shouldn't play it without playing that game first. You don't technically need to have played Blind Forest to understand Will of the Wisps, but it's awe-inspiring, adds context, and makes for a better overall experience in both games if you play it first.

Both are action platformers with a beautiful, dreamlike atmosphere and unique characters, available for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. Unfortunately, neither game is currently available on PlayStation and isn't likely to be released anytime soon.

5

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo

Metascore 85 | User rating 9.0

Even if you've never played a Square Enix game, you've probably heard of Square Enix. But you may not have heard of Paranormasight. Yes, Square Enix makes other highly regarded games besides Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts.

These horror-adventure visual novel-style games are a series, but The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is particularly the most highly rated and is available for both PC and Nintendo Switch. So if you're looking for a new mystery to solve with a spooky premise, be sure to check out this underrated game from the legendary publisher.

4

Omori

Metascore 88 | User rating 9.0

Speaking of horror, this game is closer to psychological horror than traditional horror, but another game that tends to be forgotten is Omori. Despite the bright and colorful pixel art, Omori is as unsettling as it is heartbreaking, and most people who sit down to play this game can't seem to forget the impact it had on them when they first played it.

Unfortunately, the fact that this game was originally released in late 2020 means we're all hungry to get back into the world and get out of the games we've been stuck with during quarantine. For that reason, new releases don't garner as much attention as they did just a few months ago when we were all looking for something to grab us, and Omori has probably seen that effect.

Of course, it's still widely loved by those who have since discovered it, so if you've never heard of it or haven't picked it up yet, now's your chance.

3

baldur's gate

Metascore 91 | User rating 8.8

Yes, you've probably heard of Baldur's Gate 3. If you haven't already, I'm sure you picked up your first video game today. Because BG3 is virtually unavoidable in this space. It's on every major recommended game list, it's a GOTY winner, and players are still putting in thousands of hours with tons of replays.

But this may shock you. The 3 at the end of BG3 means there were two other games before it, Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2, both of which received high praise from critics and players. Sure, it's older, but the story and gameplay are just as good, and you'll recognize some of the faces from BG3 if you've already played it.

So, if you're one of the many people who can't get your hands on Baldur's Gate 3, I highly recommend checking out the previous two games. Despite BG3's success, few players have taken the time to experience these stories, even though they are equally enjoyable in their own way.

2

Conker's Bad Fur Day

Metascore 92 | User rating 8.8

If you don't know what this is, do I have a gift for you? If you know this, you might think this game is a lot more popular than it actually is. Like many of us, I grew up in a strict household where games like this would never cross my path. However, as an adult, I have been blessed to be introduced to this hidden gem thanks to some skeptical friends.

So whether you have strict parents like me, or you're simply unlucky enough to stumble upon this game, Conker's Bad Fur Day is a disturbing, mature game about a drunken squirrel. No, I'm not kidding. And yes, this actually got a 92 on Metacritic.

Trust me when I say there is no way I can describe this game to do it justice and you have to experience it for yourself. Honestly, I think it's probably best to know as little as possible before playing. Unfortunately, this is a Nintendo 64 game, so you'll have to get creative if you decide to play it. However, for Xbox users, it's included in the Rare Replay collection on Xbox Game Pass.

1

Okami

Metascore 93 | User rating 8.9

This game is considered a gaming masterpiece, but considering not many people have actually played it, it's one of the few games on this list that might surprise you if you haven't heard of it. At the 2024 Game Awards, we learned that the sequel is officially being produced by the same director as the original, Hideki Kamiya. I don't know much more than that, but it seems to be retaining what made the original so special.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, Okami is a storied Japanese mythology adventure game from Capcom, featuring a beautiful ink-and-wash art style. I won't share any more than that because you'll have to experience it for yourself. Fortunately, you can enjoy it on just about any platform, as the HD remaster was released in 2017 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.