Underrated Gems That Deserve a Second Look

29 August 2025

When it comes to gaming, everyone and their mother has heard of Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Minecraft. These big-budget, fan-favorite titles soak up all the attention, and honestly, rightfully so—they're fun and polished. But what about those games that slipped through the cracks? The ones that didn’t get enough love when they launched but still pack a mean punch?

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on those underrated gems—games that deserve way more playtime than they’ve been given. Maybe they came out at the wrong time, had a confusing launch, or just didn’t get enough marketing muscle behind them. Whatever the reason, these games are more than worth a second look, especially if you’re tired of the same old AAA cycle.

So, grab your controller, keyboard, or touchscreen, and let’s dive into some criminally overlooked titles you should definitely have on your radar.

Why Do Great Games Get Overlooked?

Before we dive into the list, let’s talk about how this even happens.

Picture this: you’re a small developer, pouring your heart and soul into a game. The launch date rolls around... and boom! You're released on the same day as Elden Ring. Ouch. Timing, bad luck, lack of advertisement, or even just the wrong platform can cause a solid game to fall into the shadows.

Gamers often stick with what they know, and many hidden gems get buried under the weight of huge releases, buggy early builds, or niche appeal. But here’s the kicker—some of these games end up aging like fine wine. Fixes happen, communities grow, and suddenly the game is awesome... if only people gave it another shot.

1. Spec Ops: The Line – Not Just Another Shooter

If you looked at Spec Ops: The Line and thought, “Oh, another military shooter,” you’re not alone. But boy, were we wrong to brush this one off.

This game is a psychological gut-punch in the best way possible. Underneath the dusty Dubai setting and cover-based mechanics is a disturbing narrative that forces you to question your actions, your morality, and even the role of violence in video games.

It’s Apocalypse Now meets Call of Duty—a rare narrative experience the genre desperately needed.

Why it deserves a second look: It’s not about the shooting; it’s about the emotional impact. This one sticks with you long after the credits roll.

2. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West – A Breathtaking Journey

This one’s a huge “why didn’t more people play this?” kind of game.

Released back in 2010, Enslaved is a post-apocalyptic adventure based loosely on the ancient Chinese tale “Journey to the West.” The world is lush yet decaying, the characters feel real, and the relationship between Monkey (the protagonist) and Trip (his reluctant companion) is among the best character dynamics we've seen.

With stunning visuals (for its time), great voice acting (Andy Serkis, anyone?), and a story that feels surprisingly human, Enslaved deserved a cult following.

Why it deserves a second look: It’s like watching a beautifully animated movie but with the control in your hands—a gripping narrative adventure that feels both soulful and action-packed.

3. Sleeping Dogs – The GTA of Hong Kong

If Grand Theft Auto and Batman: Arkham had a baby and raised it in Hong Kong, you’d get Sleeping Dogs.

This open-world action-adventure lets you explore the gritty underworld of Hong Kong while playing as an undercover cop. Driving feels great, combat is tight (the hand-to-hand system is crazy good), and the story toes the line between loyalty and justice.

Despite being critically praised, it didn’t perform well commercially. Maybe it was the lack of hype or bad timing… but this is one of the most fun and unique sandbox games from the 2010s.

Why it deserves a second look: It brings something fresh to the table—Eastern crime drama mixed with action mechanics that still hold up today.

4. A Plague Tale: Innocence – Rats, Tragedy, And Heart

This one flew under the radar when it launched, but it’s finally getting some flowers. Still, not enough people have played it.

Set during the Black Plague in France, A Plague Tale: Innocence follows two siblings, Amicia and Hugo, as they survive war, disease, and something a little more… supernatural. The game’s unique mechanic involves controlling rats (yes, rats!) and using light and shadows to navigate deadly situations.

While the sequel (Requiem) got more buzz, the original game was a masterclass in atmosphere, storytelling, and emotional weight.

Why it deserves a second look: It’s emotional, beautifully crafted, and its stealth mechanics are beyond creative. Plus, who knew rats could be so terrifying?

5. The Saboteur – Fighting Nazis in Style

You’ve probably never heard of this one, but trust me—it’s worth checking out.

The Saboteur puts you in the shoes of an Irish resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied France. What makes it stand out? Well, the visuals for one. The game starts in black and white and regains color as you liberate areas. It’s a powerful visual metaphor wrapped in open-world stealth-action gameplay.

Think Assassin’s Creed, but with vintage cars, a moody jazz soundtrack, and a style all its own.

Why it deserves a second look: Rockstar-style gameplay with an artistic twist—this one's a moody masterpiece that got ignored way too quickly.

6. Alpha Protocol – The Spy RPG We Didn’t Deserve

If you hear “Obsidian RPG” and immediately think Fallout: New Vegas, you’re not alone. But Alpha Protocol is another underrated Obsidian gem that lets you live out your spy fantasy in a way no other game really has.

It was super buggy at launch, and critics dunked on it for janky mechanics. But underneath the surface is an insanely detailed, reactive RPG. Your choices matter—like, really matter. Conversations, missions, and even romances change based on how you play.

Why it deserves a second look: It’s Mass Effect meets Mission Impossible. If you can look past a few rough edges, you’re in for a wild ride.

7. Bulletstorm – Pure, Dumb, Over-the-Top Fun

Sometimes you want deep narrative and emotional storytelling. Other times? You just want to kick aliens into spikes and shoot guys with exploding leashes.

Bulletstorm never tried to be serious, and that’s what makes it so dang fun. It embraces chaos, rewards creativity in violence (hello, skill shots), and has just enough story to keep things moving.

It was overlooked because it tried to launch during a stacked year, but it’s the kind of game you play with a grin on your face the whole time.

Why it deserves a second look: It's a hidden gem for those who love arcade-style mayhem and aren’t afraid of a little crude humor.

8. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning – The RPG That Almost Had It All

Kingdoms of Amalur had big names behind it and an even bigger world. Created by author R.A. Salvatore and featuring art from Todd McFarlane, this RPG had serious potential.

And honestly? It delivered. The combat was fluid and customizable, the world was vast, and the loot system was addictive. Unfortunately, the studio behind it faced a massive financial collapse shortly after release, and the game never got the support it needed post-launch.

Now with a remaster (Re-Reckoning), it's the perfect time to give it the attention it never got.

Why it deserves a second look: It’s the perfect blend of Skyrim exploration and God of War-style combat. What’s not to love?

9. Mad Max – Wasteland Wonder

Despite being tied to a blockbuster movie, Mad Max never really took off in the gaming community. And that’s a freaking shame.

Driving through sandstorms, customizing your car, brutal melee combat, and exploring a visually jaw-dropping wasteland—this game nailed the post-apocalyptic vibe. It also had one of the best open-world car combat systems, hands down.

So why did it flop? Timing. It came out the same day as Metal Gear Solid V... and got completely overshadowed.

Why it deserves a second look: It's one of the most atmospheric open-world games out there with insanely satisfying vehicle warfare.

10. Valkyria Chronicles – Turn-Based Strategy With Heart

If you're into strategy games and haven’t played Valkyria Chronicles, you’re seriously missing out.

This game mixes tactical RPG elements with real-time action, wrapped in an anime-style war story that manages to be both charming and gut-wrenching. The watercolor visuals are stunning, and the gameplay strikes an addicting balance between planning and improvisation.

It didn’t catch fire in the West when it launched, but it slowly grew a cult following—and for good reason.

Why it deserves a second look: It blends genres in a way few games do successfully. It’s like chess if every piece had a backstory and a rifle.

Final Thoughts: Sometimes You Gotta Dig a Little

Not all great games sit on the top shelf. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones you hear about from a friend, or stumble across during a late-night YouTube deep-dive. These underrated games may not have made billions, but they hold something far more valuable—heart, creativity, and uniqueness.

So, next time you're thumbing through your game library wondering what to play, skip the usual suspects. Dust off one of these underrated gems. Who knows? You might just find your next favorite game hiding in plain sight.