
2025 was a fantastic year for video games, but that created a challenge: many excellent titles didn’t get the attention they deserved. These weren’t flawed or poorly marketed games—in fact, they were polished, high-quality, and well-promoted. Despite all that, they were overshadowed by the year’s biggest hits and largely went unnoticed.
It’s particularly disappointing that so many excellent games are being ignored. These titles weren’t just good within their genres – they were innovative, playing with new ideas while still being respectful of players’ time. Dedicated fans followed their development closely and loved them, but the wider gaming world seems to have missed them entirely. It’s surprising, considering all three were released this year and deserve more attention.
3) Monster Train 2

The first Monster Train became popular by combining deck-building, roguelike elements, and lane-based tower defense. Monster Train 2 improves on this successful formula, adding new features and options without changing what players already loved. It includes new clans, more in-depth progression, and deck combinations that encourage inventive strategies over strict, perfect builds.
Monster Train 2 excels as a roguelike deckbuilder because it truly lets players control their fate. Each attempt presents important decisions, and losing usually feels like a result of your choices, not just bad luck. The game’s unique vertical battlefield keeps things interesting, making you consider positioning and strategy alongside card combinations. This focus on spatial thinking gives Monster Train 2 a distinct strategic feel that sets it apart from other games in the genre.
Okay, so Monster Train 2 is seriously good, but it feels like it flew under the radar. There are so many deck-building roguelikes out there, and a lot of people probably just assumed it was more of the same. Honestly, that’s a shame, because it really builds on what made the first game great and adds a lot of depth. If you’re into games like Slay the Spire and you’re looking for something with more strategy and a real challenge, this is one of those hidden gems you absolutely need to check out. I was blown away!
2) Stick It to the Stickman

Stick It to the Stickman initially seems like a simple, silly game. Its basic stick figure graphics and over-the-top humor give the impression it’s just a quick, lighthearted experience. However, that’s very deceiving. Underneath the quirky visuals is a surprisingly smart and fun fighting game that uses realistic physics, along with a humorous story and addictive, replayable gameplay.
In this game, you play as an office worker who takes on the corporate world with fists, feet, and whatever else you can find. The combat is wild, quick, and surprisingly funny. Because the game uses realistic physics, every fight feels different and encourages you to think on your feet. You can use anything around you – desks, windows, even your coworkers – as weapons to defeat your enemies.
This game cleverly transforms the annoyances of work into a satisfying release, but does so without being cruel or negative. As you play, you unlock increasingly wild abilities that keep the game exciting. Despite being truly original, it didn’t get much attention, likely because of its unusual style and humor. A lot of players saw it as a fleeting trend instead of recognizing it as one of the most creative indie action games released lately.
1) Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyo

Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a truly creative game, built around a unique idea: using a yoyo for everything! You’ll battle enemies, explore levels, and solve puzzles all with the help of your yoyo. This makes the game feel fun, imaginative, and full of surprises. Instead of just button-mashing, fights require skill and good timing. Even getting around is a challenge, as you learn to swing, bounce, and cleverly control enemies with your yoyo. It’s refreshing to see a modern game where every part feels carefully designed around one central idea.
The game isn’t just well-made; it’s full of personality. The art is bright and playful, and the world is designed to make you want to explore, not just tick off items on a list. You can really feel the joy and dedication that went into creating it, reminding you of classic games where charm was key. It has modern features, but still feels wonderfully nostalgic.
Despite being a truly inventive and unique action-adventure game, Pipstrello and the Cursed Yoyo didn’t gain much attention. It lacked the boost of popular streamers or a strong launch, meaning many players who enjoy indie platformers might have overlooked it – which is unfortunate. It fully embraces a fresh concept and deserves to be recognized for that.
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2026-01-01 03:11