The games that get the most attention in today’s industry are the big budget AAA titles who spend large sums of money on marketing their blockbuster titles. While these games are often great experiences, there are a lot of games from small and mid sized developers that go unnoticed. If you’re sitting around on a lazy Saturday, looking for something new to get into or look forward to, here’s a list of some under the radar games that might pique your interest. You may find that one of these becomes a personal gem.
Subnautica
Platform: PC, Xbox One
Release: August 2016
If you own a PC and enjoy exploration and crafting games then you might want to check this game out. The premise is you are a lone survivor of a space ship crash and must survive on a nautical alien world. Subnautica allows the player to explore an aquatic alien planet by scuba diving and traveling in submersibles, while collecting resources and food to survive.
Release Date: June 2016
By the creators of the game Limbo, Inside is a 2D sidescroller that has a unique atmosphere and music, with moments of horror and supsense mixed in. Use the environment to your advantage to avoid being caught or killed by your foes. Like its brethren Limbo, the lighting and silhouettes give a unique and somber feeling of dread.
7 Days To Die
Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One
This recently released title is a Survival Horror Game in a randomly generated game world, set in Arizona after the third World War. The player must survive by scavenging for supplies and crafting materials while also fending off an ever stronger zombie horde. The games physics system can be punishing if you fail to give proper support to the structure you build. If you enjoy this current booming genre of games, 7 Days to Die might be worth checking out.
Song of The Deep
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: July 12th 2016
This game is a 2D sidescroller which is about a girl’s search for her missing father who is trapped in the depths of the ocean. Using a submarine that can be upgraded as one progresses through the game, the game focuses more on exploration and less on combat, making it a refreshing change from some of its more violent contemporaries in gaming.
Ghostbusters
Release Date: July 2016
This action adventure, 4 player co-op game takes place after the movie reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise. In the game you take charge of a brand new Ghostbuster who is nabbing ghosts in Manhattan, each character has their own personality so it isn’t a CAW game. As your character levels you may upgrade your gear and improve your ghost zapping efficiency.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Release Date: 2016
This is a sequel to the first Xenoverse with more characters and time travelling antics than the first game saw. Players of the original can import your previous character from Xenoverse 1 as they relive the Dragon Ball series all over again.
Attack On Titan
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Vita, PS3
Release Date: August 2016
This game depicts key events in the Manga/Anime series the game features 3D maneuvering as depicted in the Manga. Combat and action is fast paced and very addicting and plays out just like the Anime. It should make for hours of fun.
The Technomancer
Release Date: June 28th 2016
This is an Action Scifi RPG, set on Mars during a war for water, You play as a Technomncer who has an ability to discharge destructive electrical pulses. This game is made by the same Spiders studio that brought us Bound by Flame and its gameplay is reminiscent of the Dragon Age and Mass Effect series especially fleshed out Companion relationships. We also have aTechnomancer Wikifor it!
Battle Worlds Kronos
This turn-based strategy game was once a Kickstarter campaign. Fans of the thoughtful genre will want to give this game a look as it promises vexing decisions and engaging gameplay in an immersive sci-fi setting.
Exist Archive: The Other Side of The Sky
Release Date: October 2016
This is a 2D JRPG with combo based combat and dungeon crawling. The game story revolves around 12 individuals that are trapped in the underworld and there is salvation for only 11 of them. The characters battle for survival and escape from their circumstances.
These titles don’t have all the name recognition of some of the more seminal current titles, and they may also not receive the highest metacritic scores. But what’s important to remember with smaller titles is that sometimes, budget restrictions keep these games from reaching their full potential. However, this is offset by the fact that many of these games are often a lower release price than the standard 60 USD for big titles, which make them appealing to gamers on a budget, of which there are many.
Even with some of the compromises they have to make, many games like these feature special, unique cores that are worth taking a longer look at. It may change a lazy Saturday into something special that lasts for months. Anything on the horizon not listed here? Share what you’re keeping an eye on in the comments.
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