The 10 most underrated games of 2024 that you might have missed

Ten Underrated Video Games of 2024 You Might Have Missed

2024 saw a flurry of video game releases, but some gems were unfortunately overshadowed. This article highlights ten games deserving more recognition, offering a diverse range of experiences you may have overlooked.

Table of Contents

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
• Last Epoch
• Open Roads
• Pacific Drive
• Rise of the Ronin
• Cannibal Abduction
• Still Wakes the Deep
• Indika
• Crow Country
• Nobody Wants to Die

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Image: bolumsonucanavari.com

• Release Date: September 9, 2024
• Developer: Saber St. Petersburg
• Download: Steam

This action title showcases modern action at its finest. As Captain Titus, players engage in brutal combat against relentless Tyranids, utilizing the Ultramarines' arsenal. Cinematic battles, a grim future setting, and cooperative gameplay combine for an unforgettable experience. The game's visuals bring the Warhammer universe to life.

Why Underrated: Despite its quality, Space Marine 2 surprisingly missed a "Game of the Year" nomination, sparking fan outrage. Its dynamic gameplay, stunning visuals, cooperative mode, and unique setting deserved wider acclaim, extending beyond the Warhammer fanbase.

Last Epoch

Image: store.steampowered.com

• Release Date: February 21, 2024
• Developer: Eleventh Hour Games
• Download: Steam

This action-RPG features time travel and a deep character development system. Players explore Eterra, battling across different epochs and altering history. Five base classes, numerous subclasses, the Monolith of Fate system, and extensive crafting options provide multifaceted gameplay.

Why Underrated: Last Epoch garnered initial attention but faded quickly. Its innovative time-based system, balanced gameplay, and accessible tutorials make it a hidden gem for action-RPG fans seeking something fresh.

Open Roads

Image: backloggd.com

• Release Date: March 28, 2024
• Developer: Open Roads Team
• Download: Steam

Open Roads tells a poignant story of a mother and daughter uncovering family secrets. The game focuses on dialogue, emotional scenes, and exploration. Its unique visual style—blending drawn characters with 3D environments—is memorable. It's a character-driven narrative exploring relationships and the search for truth.

Why Underrated: The game's intimate nature and lack of action may have limited its appeal. However, it exemplifies video games as art, offering a deeply moving experience. Its emphasis on emotional content, while potentially alienating some, makes it a unique and powerful title.

Pacific Drive

Image: store.playstation.com

• Release Date: February 22, 2024
• Developer: Ironwood Studios
• Download: Steam

This unique survival simulator casts players as lone drivers venturing into a forbidden zone filled with anomalies. Maintaining their vehicle is key to survival, demanding careful route planning, repairs, and avoidance of deadly traps. The game's atmosphere and unconventional premise are unforgettable.

Why Underrated: While critically acclaimed (positive Metacritic and OpenCritic scores), Pacific Drive faced criticism regarding controls, interface, and repetitive gameplay. Despite these flaws, its originality and atmospheric world make it worthwhile for those willing to overlook its imperfections.

Rise of the Ronin

Image: deskyou.de

• Release Date: March 22, 2024
• Developer: Team Ninja
• Download: PlayStation

This grand action-RPG transports players to 19th-century Japan, a time of upheaval. As a ronin, players navigate conflict between tradition and progress. The game blends samurai combat, open-world exploration, and a compelling narrative with difficult moral choices. Its visual style captures the spirit of the era.

Why Underrated: Rise of the Ronin may have been overshadowed by other major releases, unfairly categorized as "just another samurai game." Its unique atmosphere, historical depth, and complex themes of modernization and player choice deserve more recognition.

Cannibal Abduction

Image: nintendo.com

• Release Date: January 13, 2023
• Developer: Selewi, Tomás Esconjaureguy
• Download: Steam

This tense survival horror returns to the genre's roots. Players must survive a family of cannibals in a secluded cabin, utilizing improvised weapons, stealth, and puzzle-solving. The oppressive atmosphere and limited resources create a constant sense of danger.

Why Underrated: Cannibal Abduction may have been lost amidst larger horror releases. Its low-fi graphics, while contributing to its unique charm, might deter players accustomed to high-fidelity visuals. It's a homage to classic survival horror, offering a thrilling experience for fans of the genre.

Still Wakes the Deep

Image: pixelrz.com

• Release Date: June 18, 2024
• Developer: The Chinese Room
• Download: Steam

This atmospheric horror unfolds on a North Sea oil platform beset by unexplained horror. Players must survive and escape, relying on wit and instinct in a tense atmosphere with disturbing sound design.

Why Underrated: Modest marketing and its niche genre likely contributed to its lack of attention. However, Still Wakes the Deep is a masterful work of horror, emphasizing atmosphere and psychological tension, reminiscent of titles like SOMA and Amnesia.

Indika

Image: store.epicgames.com

• Release Date: May 2, 2024
• Developer: Odd-Meter
• Download: Steam

Indika is a provocative game exploring religion, philosophy, and personal truth through abstract gameplay. Players navigate dark spaces, interacting with cryptic clues. Despite the lack of traditional mechanics, its serene atmosphere, cutscenes, and mini-games create a visually rich and contemplative experience.

Why Underrated: Despite award nominations, Indika is often criticized for its lack of traditional gameplay and lengthy cutscenes. However, its visual style and philosophical approach make it a unique art project for those who appreciate unconventional narratives.

Crow Country

Image: store.steampowered.com

• Release Date: May 9, 2024
• Developer: SFB Games
• Download: Steam

This remake of a cult classic survival horror game features puzzle elements and a retro aesthetic reminiscent of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Players explore an abandoned amusement park, facing mysteries, monsters, and dangers.

Why Underrated: Positive reviews notwithstanding, Crow Country was overshadowed by larger releases. While some criticized its simple combat and puzzles, its detailed world, unique plot, and well-crafted gameplay make it a worthwhile experience for classic horror fans.

Nobody Wants to Die

Image: youtube.com

• Release Date: July 17, 2024
• Developer: Critical Hit Games
• Download: Steam

This dystopian detective game sets players in a noir 2329 New York where death is conquered. Detective James Carr investigates murders, uncovering mysteries related to transhumanism and immortality. The game blends detective elements and sci-fi with photorealistic graphics and unique time-manipulation mechanics.

Why Underrated: Despite its ambitious concepts and philosophical themes, Nobody Wants to Die lacks widespread recognition. Its blend of genres and potentially overwhelming scope may have hindered its appeal, though its visual excellence is undeniable.

2024 offered a diverse range of excellent games, some of which deserved greater attention. These ten titles, from philosophical explorations to tense horror and unique adventures, each offer a special and memorable experience. Remember, not every great game becomes a blockbuster, and often, the smaller gems leave the most lasting impression.