Any games with less than 1000 total Steam reviews you’ve enjoyed and thought more people ought to know about? Not a hard limit, just a guideline for what could be classified as “undiscovered” on Steam, assuming it wasn’t released yesterday.
I would recommend:
Full Bore, a cute block-based puzzle platformer. Solid mechanics, level designs and even a somewhat engaging story. Unfortunately hasn’t been on a sale since 2021 according to steampricehistory.com, while it was frequently reduced to €2-3 before that. Not sure I’d recommend it to everybody at full price, but IMO it’s one of the best indie platformers I’ve played. edit: Did someone email the creator of Full Bore or something? It’s suddenly on sale again, for the first time in ages :) Go buy it!
Devil Daggers. Survive as long as you can in a small arena with enemies that get harder and more abundant with time. Current world record is around 1232 seconds.
I’ll go with “less than 100 reviews”, as with “less than 1000” my list would get really, really long. This leaves two titles in my Steam Library which I think deserve way more attention than they got:
ComPressure: It’s a Zachtronics-like game, where you build analogue and logic circuits using steam pipes and valves instead of wires and transistors. Its UI is a bit unwieldy, but the game itself is amazing, and it really is a shame that it hasn’t gotten more attention. Also, while there is a paid version on Steam, the game’s source code is available.
Crown of Pain: It’s a match-3 with RPG elements. That’s basically all that is to it, but it’s a lot of fun.
I initially wrote 100, but when starting to look through my Steam library I realized how few games had that few reviews. All the indie games I thought might be borderline unknown turned out to have 5k+ reviews.
I can only recommend squirrel stapler. It is a small(about 1h long) funny Indie game, where you hunt squirrels and staple them to your dead wife. It even has a story.
It’s pretty much “Rocket League meets golf”, with two different types of modes:
Racing: Everyone has a ball that they’re pushing in real time as quickly as they can to the goal
Golf: Everyone has a ball that they’re trying to get into the goal with as few turns (its a turn based mode) as they can
Doesn’t have any microtransactions in it (aside from a couple of supporter packs that grant you a few cosmetic items), has an in-game “store” but they’re cosmetics that you unlock with currency that you get from playing and doing challenges (they can’t be purchased with “real” money).
I enjoy the fact that I can pick it up, play a few matches, and then put it down, which is one of the reasons I like to play Rocket League every now and then.
Do note that for the most part the game is multiplayer-only, like Rocket League. It has a time trial mode that can be played offline, but that’s about as far as it goes for offline/singleplayer content.
Runs fantastic on the Steam Deck (it is Deck verified) and I can easily reach 90FPS on my OLED Deck. It also of course runs perfectly on desktop as well via Proton.
Plays like an RTS, but not as involved. You control a squad of soldiers moving through an area where different types of alien spawn are taking root to take over. Each level has a timer (under 10m each IIRC), and your job is to sweep through and clear the infestation in that time. You can outfit each soldier in your squad with different weapons and specialties, and split them up to handle different jobs tactically.
Environmental Station Alpha - My favorite metroidvania, really just a straight up Metroid clone. I really love the music and atmosphere, and just about every room is distinct and memorable in some way. Check protondb, requires a bit of tweaking.
I’ve been eyeing Quest Master lately. This game is essentially “Zelda Maker” with an in-depth level creator and a lot of heart. Unfortunately, it’s not discounted this summer sale.
Its a really cute and funny tactics game where you control the Tactics Club in a series of snowball fights to determine the future of the school. Each club is full of silly little jokes and the tactics got me well enough for me to replay multiple stages for a better score.
Devil Daggers. Survive as long as you can in a small arena with enemies that get harder and more abundant with time. Current world record is around 1232 seconds.
I’ll go with “less than 100 reviews”, as with “less than 1000” my list would get really, really long. This leaves two titles in my Steam Library which I think deserve way more attention than they got:
I initially wrote 100, but when starting to look through my Steam library I realized how few games had that few reviews. All the indie games I thought might be borderline unknown turned out to have 5k+ reviews.
I can only recommend squirrel stapler. It is a small(about 1h long) funny Indie game, where you hunt squirrels and staple them to your dead wife. It even has a story.
Some games I thought were pretty good that got somewhat looked over:
Dandara: Trials of Fear – Somewhat Metroid like but with a unique limited movement system.
The Dwarves – An ARPG with a bland title (based on a book I guess) that I think made a lot of people overlook this but the gameplay was well done.
Echoes of Aetheria – Typical JRPG which isn’t for everyone but I enjoyed it.
The Fall of the Dungeon Guardians – Similar to Grimrock (though maybe not quite as good) but still fun.
Figment – Adventure puzzle game with some surreal and cutesy art, pretty well done.
Full Void – Inspired by games like Out of this World, it was short but very cool.
Grandpa’s Table – It’s not a crazy hard brain teaser, just a relaxing sliding puzzle game with great music.
Rise of the Third Power – Another JRPG that had some fun writing and combat.
Seedlings – A Godot engine puzzle platformer with Samarost vibes. The detail put into the story at the ending really surprised me.
Turbo Golf Racing
It’s pretty much “Rocket League meets golf”, with two different types of modes:
Doesn’t have any microtransactions in it (aside from a couple of supporter packs that grant you a few cosmetic items), has an in-game “store” but they’re cosmetics that you unlock with currency that you get from playing and doing challenges (they can’t be purchased with “real” money).
I enjoy the fact that I can pick it up, play a few matches, and then put it down, which is one of the reasons I like to play Rocket League every now and then.
Do note that for the most part the game is multiplayer-only, like Rocket League. It has a time trial mode that can be played offline, but that’s about as far as it goes for offline/singleplayer content.
Runs fantastic on the Steam Deck (it is Deck verified) and I can easily reach 90FPS on my OLED Deck. It also of course runs perfectly on desktop as well via Proton.
Infested Planet
Plays like an RTS, but not as involved. You control a squad of soldiers moving through an area where different types of alien spawn are taking root to take over. Each level has a timer (under 10m each IIRC), and your job is to sweep through and clear the infestation in that time. You can outfit each soldier in your squad with different weapons and specialties, and split them up to handle different jobs tactically.
Think Syndicate meets Advance Wars.
Environmental Station Alpha - My favorite metroidvania, really just a straight up Metroid clone. I really love the music and atmosphere, and just about every room is distinct and memorable in some way. Check protondb, requires a bit of tweaking.
Sublevel Zero is a very nice modern Descent rogue-like mix that also has a nice optional VR mode.
Beat Invaders is a nice modern space invaders variant with nice graphics and good music.
4D Golf is the most mind-fuck game I’ve ever played! The end of the game threw me for a loop https://store.steampowered.com/app/2147950/4D_Golf/
Nuclear Blaze is a short but action packed. The art style is also amazing! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1662480/Nuclear_Blaze/
I’ve been eyeing Quest Master lately. This game is essentially “Zelda Maker” with an in-depth level creator and a lot of heart. Unfortunately, it’s not discounted this summer sale.
Just finished Dungeons of Dreadlock. I do not like puzzle games in most cases (not my genre), but enjoyed this one.
Quite a nice game to spend 5 hours with. Cost peanuts. Was perfect on steam deck.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1896880/Dungeons_of_Dreadrock/
I played this on Android. It was a lot of fun.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goongames.DungeonsofDreadrock
My recommendation is Wintermoor Tactics Club https://store.steampowered.com/app/917840/Wintermoor_Tactics_Club/
Its a really cute and funny tactics game where you control the Tactics Club in a series of snowball fights to determine the future of the school. Each club is full of silly little jokes and the tactics got me well enough for me to replay multiple stages for a better score.