5 Hidden Gems From the Last Two Years You Probably Missed

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With so many major game releases lately, some fantastic smaller games have flown under the radar. These indie titles offer incredible and often surprisingly original experiences. They’re just as fun to play now as they were when they came out, making them great choices if you’re looking for something new to try this year.

Several promising games slated for 2026 aren’t getting the recognition they deserve, even now in their early development. Titles like Esoteric Ebb, Sovereign’s Tower, Replaced, and other excellent indie games coming out this year have the potential to be genre standouts. Similarly, games from the last couple of years still offer unique experiences and deserve attention alongside bigger releases.

5. Dungeons of Hinterberg

I was instantly drawn in by the art style of Dungeons of Hinterberg – it just looks fantastic when you first start playing! The game has this really cool, graphic novel-like look with cell-shading that makes the Austrian Alps setting feel so vibrant. It’s like stepping into a beautiful comic book, and you get to explore these huge mountains and uncover the secrets hidden in the dungeons.

This game combines exciting combat, reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda, with a focus on building relationships. As you meet and interact with people, you’ll unlock new abilities that make you stronger. However, it’s not just about fighting – you’ll also need to use your wits to solve puzzles and navigate the challenging environments of the Alps. Each area of the Alps presents unique obstacles, but the spells you learn will help you overcome them.

Games like Dungeons of Hinterberg helped prove that independent titles could be better than big-budget AAA games, with titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 following suit. Its success comes from being truly authentic in its design. The game stands out due to its beautiful art style, memorable characters, and features like New Game+, all built around a fun and engaging core gameplay experience. The way it blends exploration with interactions with the characters creates a relaxing and immersive experience, mirroring the vacation depicted in the story.

4. Another Crab’s Treasure

At first glance, Another Crab’s Treasure appears similar to the challenging Dark Souls series, but it offers a surprisingly rich and diverse gameplay experience. The game, which has received Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam, puts you in the role of Kril, a hermit crab on a quest to reclaim his stolen shell. While inspired by the difficult combat of Dark Souls, Another Crab’s Treasure is more accessible, making it an excellent starting point for players new to action RPGs.

While exploring the ocean in Another Crab’s Treasure, you’ll unlock Umami Techniques, which give you new combat abilities and let you customize how you play. You create your character’s “build” using items you find – these act as armor to protect against attacks. The game features many challenging bosses, but what really sets it apart is how it takes the familiar Soulslike gameplay and makes it fun and approachable. Its adorable characters also make it a great first experience for players new to the Soulslike genre.

3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a standout Metroidvania game, effectively reviving a beloved series that was previously cancelled. It offers a fresh take on the genre, building a captivating world frozen in time, filled with interesting locations and characters. The game’s story is rooted in Persian mythology and presented with a beautiful art style, making each side quest feel worthwhile.

Like classic Metroidvania games, the fun in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown comes from discovering new powers and beating tough enemies to learn new skills. The game world is full of collectibles and upgrades, and reaching some of them requires skillful platforming. Combat is deep and complex, offering intricate combo systems and character customization, making it feel more like Devil May Cry than traditional Castlevania games. There’s something to appeal to a wide range of players.

The innovative time powers in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown encourage players to thoroughly explore the rich world of Mount Qaf. This game is a true hidden gem, boasting beautiful graphics and cleverly designed gameplay that feels balanced and enjoyable. It’s simply fun to play, with well-crafted puzzles and rewarding platforming, making it a diverse experience you might find yourself wanting to fully complete.

2. South of Midnight

With stunning stop-motion animation, South of Midnight is a visually captivating action-adventure game set in a truly unique location: the American South. It feels like stepping into a playable folktale, where you take on the role of Hazel and learn to harness an ancient power to heal broken connections within the land. You’ll explore a Southern gothic world brimming with living memories, each one carrying the stories and burdens of families and past generations.

This game blends rich folklore and mythology with exciting third-person action. While it features familiar combat, it’s elevated by a truly exceptional soundtrack – one of the best in recent gaming. The sound design is particularly impressive, with music dynamically enhancing each new encounter. Gameplay mixes fast-paced combat and parkour with platforming sections reminiscent of classic games like Jak and Daxter, contributing to a strong sense of nostalgia.

1. Mouthwashing

Despite being relatively short, Mouthwashing is a deeply unsettling horror game that will stay with you long after you finish playing. It’s a hidden gem and a must-play for fans of psychological horror like Silent Hill. This first-person sci-fi adventure puts you in the shoes of two crew members whose ship, the Tulpar, becomes lost in deep space. The game tells its story from a unique perspective, shifting between time periods and using an isometric view to reveal the truth behind the disaster and the crew’s descent into madness.

Gameplay isn’t just about completing tasks; even small changes in the world build a growing sense of dread. This game tackles difficult and complex subjects, encouraging players to deeply consider the characters and the impact of their actions. The story is deeply unsettling, and best experienced knowing as little as possible beforehand. The unique atmosphere and storytelling create a truly distinctive horror experience, drawing you in and refusing to let go.

With so many indie horror games relying on cheap scares and familiar environments, Mouthwashing is a genuinely refreshing experience. It’s packed with thought-provoking ideas and truly deserves to be called a hidden gem.

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2026-05-21 21:16