There have been a plethora of underrated games from recent years that have been passed on due to so many big releases coming thick and fast. However, there are a few of these titles that are totally worth checking out for a variety of reasons. If you are willing to dig beneath the surface just a little, there is gold to be found. Below are five underrated games from recent years that are well worth revisiting:
Neon White
Neon White is a fantastic, energetic platformer in which the moment-to-moment gameplay allows the players to feel to like a speed-running god if they can pull off a perfect run; providing that they can get past the cringe-worthy anime-style dialogue and design that is. Frankly, the look and the tone of this game were immediately off-putting to me as someone who is not a fan of anime, however it is impossible to deny that there is a fantastic game buried within Neon White.
Also read: 5 Ways Japanese Anime Is Lightyears Ahead Of Western Animation
Thankfully, the awful dialogue can be skipped over by those looking to just get to the gameplay and truthfully, that is where this game truly shines. It feels like the best parts of Mirror’s Edge or Windlands VR, only with even more innovation present due to the clever use of the somewhat unorthodox risk vs reward card-based combat system. It all feels very Suda 51 in the best possible way and is definitely one of the most underrated games from recent years.
A code for Neon White was provided to FandomWire by fortyseven communications.
Nier: Replicant
Nier: Replicant is a strange one. It is a game that I wouldn’t have had any interest in if I hadn’t taken a chance on the masterpiece that is Nier: Automata back in 2017. Nier: Replicant is a remake of the original Nier game which preceded Automata, first released back in 2010, so the title was in dire need of a remake.
Also, Replicant isn’t an exact 1:1 remake of the version of Nier released in the West, which starred a far bulkier protagonist. Instead, it is a remake of the Japanese version, which starred a younger, scrawnier protagonist and has been released in the West.
This is a remake well worth checking out. If you have played both the original Nier and Automata, then Replicant is somewhere in between the two, in terms of how fluid and slick its gameplay is. Regardless, it is certainly one of the most underrated games from recent years.
Chernobylite
Chernobylite is an extremely underrated game that no doubt deserves more recognition and praise. Set in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, it mixes survival horror with RPG elements, allowing players to explore the infamous contaminated zone and uncover its secrets. The game offers an immersive experience, with breathtaking graphics, vastly intricate storylines, and challenging gameplay.
Also read: Chernobyl’s Johan Renck To Direct The Last of Us Pilot
Despite its high-quality production and compelling themes, it has still yet to receive the recognition it deserves, perhaps due to its niche appeal and lack of widespread marketing. Nonetheless, those who have played the game have praised it for its captivating take on the disaster and survival genres. Chernobylite is most definitely a hidden gem that should not be missed by fans of survival games and post-apocalyptic worlds, as it is one of the most underrated games from recent years.
A code for Chernobylite was provided to FandomWire by Perp Games.
The Planet of the Apes: Last Frontier
Whilst it is a real shame that we never got a proper big budget tie in game to Matt Reeves’ fantastic Planet of the Apes movies, Last Frontier is a decent attempt. Although it is more of an interactive experience than a full-fledged game, – with the player only really being required to use the controller to impact every now and again, – Last Frontier is still worth checking out for die-hard fans of the recent Apes trilogy.
It is a short, casual experience, that isn’t going to challenge you in terms of its gameplay. However, considering its low budget, it is surprisingly sound on a technical level. Barring a few instances of pop-In, the game still looks pretty good; especially when you remember that this thing never got a current-gen release and is technically a last-gen game. All of this makes it one of the most underrated games from recent years.
Deliver Us Mars
Deliver Us Mars launched recently and is the sequel to Deliver Us the Moon. Providing that players are able to look past the technical glitches and sub-par graphics, Deliver Us Mars is worth checking out. The addition of a more robust traversal system, along with interesting puzzles, make this a clear improvement over it predecessor.
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This title likely isn’t going to make anyone’s Game of the Year list, but it is a respectable attempt at building on what Deliver Us the Moon established. The developers of Deliver Us Mars certainly set some ambitious goals for themselves with this project and it will be interesting to see how they follow up one of the most underrated games from recent years.
A code for Deliver Us Mars was provided to FandomWire by fortyseven communications.
And that completes our list of underrated games from recent years that are worth revisiting. What do you make of our picks? Are there any underrated games that you feel should have made the list? Let us know in the comments section down below.
