So many games came out this year that it was impossible to play them all. Among all of them there were “hidden gems” that, for one reason or another, did not shine as they should and many did not even know them. It's only fair to give them another chance, so here are 10 games that went unnoticed upon their release in 2024, but are very much worth it.
Contra: Operation Galuga
Contra fans have been waiting for many years for a new game that lives up to the classics, but decided to ignore it when it finally came out. This excellent 2D action title doesn't have the best plot in the world, but it offers a very fun and challenging experience that modernizes the best ideas of games from the 80s and 90s.
Here is our review.
Saviorless
The first Cuban game released commercially outside the island deserved more love than audiences gave it. This puzzle platformer is not only visually beautiful, but it tells a powerful and ambitious story about the power of narratives and how they are manipulated by those in power.
Read the review of this game here.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
This was a great year for 'metroidvanias' thanks to excellent titles like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown y Nine Solsbut there was a game of this genre that deserved more attention and it is the work of actor Abubakar Salim and his Surgent Studios team. This is a fantastic work inspired by African legends that, in addition to being very funny, has one of the most beautiful and emotional stories of the year. Give it a chance.
You will find our review of this game here.
Vampire Therapist
Here's something different and unexpected: a visual novel starring vampires that isn't about terrorizing humans, but about helping other members of our species feel better about themselves and their immortality. This is a fantastic and very positive experience about the lies we tell ourselves, full of very charismatic characters.
Here is our review.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
It is not strange that 'soulslike' style games have gone unnoticed in 2024 under the shadow of the DLC of Elden Ringbut those who are looking for different scenarios within the same genre should have paid attention to this work that takes us to a very original new scenario in which the use of hand-to-hand combat is combined with firearms, we fight gods inspired by mythology Sumerian and we use a sophisticated reputation system to level up.
Read our review of this unfairly underrated title here.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder
Another 'metroidvania' that deserved more attention this year is this title that was in development for a long time. At first glance, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder It doesn't seem to do anything special that other games in the genre haven't done before, but it's the beautiful pixel art, excellent designs, steampunk world and elaborate lore that makes it worth it. If you love this type of game, you have to play it.
Here is our review of this game.
Sleepless
We recommend Sleepless Not only because we want to support the Latin American industry – it was developed by a team from Argentina – but because we had a delicious time playing it. This is a short but intense puzzle and platform game with an adorable vampire protagonist and a tango soundtrack to remember.
Read the review here.
Iron Meat
Iron Meat is a short but fun retro experience that seeks to return us to the simpler times of the first Contra. It has an excellent and grotesque biopunk horror aesthetic with a great rock soundtrack that forms a great atmosphere. If you didn't like the Konami game that tops this list but you want to play some 'run and gun', this is the other great option.
Read the review of this game here.
Arco
This is one of the best games of 2024 and has unfairly gone unnoticed despite its great quality. It has a great anti-colonial story, beautiful pixel art, great music, and a deep turn-based combat system. It also has Latin American talent on its development team. It is a mandatory purchase.
If you are interested in knowing more about this game, read our review.
Fear The Spotlight
We had already included this game in our list of best horror games of 2024 and it pains us to see that it is also one of the most unnoticed of the year. This title inspired by the classic survival horror of the 90s has a great story and adorable characters, plus it causes a good couple of scares. If you like the genre, you have to give it a chance.
Here is the review of this game.
Discover more from PS5
Subscribe and receive the latest posts in your email.
Table of Contents
