from one metalhead to another, i think you woudl really dig Valfaris. Absolutely stunnign Metal AF artstyle challenging classic action platformer with some clever references to metal bands
Hardspace: Shipbreaker. You work for a company that dismantles retired spaceships. You are free-floating and have to deal with increasingly larger ships with dangers if you don't dismantle them correctly. Fun 0g physics, nice music, a decent story and interesting world.
Until Then, a Filipino visual novel. It was recommend to me by a dear friend after I finished Pentiment. A truly delicate, emotional and sometimes gut-wrenching dissertation about current social relations and growing up
Have you played Manifold Garden? It is absolutely delightful, like if a kaleidoscope was a maze and also a garden. It can be difficult to play if you struggle with motion sickness, however.
Trying to think about hidden gems that you might not know about: have you played A Story About My Uncle? It's a short first person platformer, mostly centered on grappling hook mechanics. It's not too difficult, and quite lovely.
Inkle recently released their latest game Expelled, which looks neat, but they will forever be in my good books for A Highland Song. A gorgeous exploration/platformer with a banger of a soundtrack which never fails to hit me right in the feels. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1240060/A_Highland_Song/
Without knowing what you've played before, I can't recommend "The Talos Principle 1 & 2" highly enough. 1 sets a high bar, and then 2 bound over it like Superman.
I'm a fan of Tonguç Bodur's games! The Nephise trilogy, the Drizzlepath games, Pluviophile and Chionophile, and others. They're weird and peaceful, mostly surrealist walking sims through natural environments interspersed with narration or poetry.
You ever played Tails' Adventure for the Sega Gamegear? That's my favorite game from when I was a kid. It's a slow-paced Metroidvania, but with Tails from Sonic the Hedgehog.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Raven was making a Wolverine game when the movie was announced so they quickly pivoted to get movie likenesses in, but Jackman does a find job voicing Logan and the combat is brutal
it's also abandon-ware so you can find it around
Because I want you to have a bigger backlog than I do with this black hole of time. (It's incredible but holy cow you go to do one small thing and wind up 30 hours later)
i didn't want to recommend it because i'm pretty sure i've crossed the 1000 hour mark in this game... but yes: not only is it an excellent factory game, but exploring feels somehow even more rewarding than in BOTW, and the movement is fantastic.
i was playing in a self-imposed hard mode: i would not complete a space elevator level until i had ramped up my production to the point that it would be running fast enough to do the whole level in less than two hours... it was a lot :D
it's got a striking visual style, was made by a single solo dev, somehow didn't get enough press when it came out
despite looking like a shooter game it's actually a puzzle game where you have to figure out how to line up your shot in a way that will let you strike every single target on the map
Dark Saviour for the Sega Saturn. It has branching timelines and stories depending on how you do on the very first mission. It’s the first game that truly gave me a reason to replay. Gameplay-wise, it’s a mix of isometric platforming and action JPG battles
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. If you miss the jet set radio vibe.
Citizen sleeper: the 3 objects dilema demolish me emotionally until this day. Also the second part is going out soon.
Fae Tactics: amazing story, amazing TRPG. Good pixel art.
Gato Roboto: a nice bit size GBC metroidvania inspired.
The las door series is short, old and everything but still a good bite size by chapters point and click adventure.
West of dead and weird west: a gunslinger supernatural western. Kind of clunky but good anyway.
Ikenfell: a LGTBQ+ paper mario inspired jrpg with a blast soundtrack.
We are the revolution, the best game about the french revolution period. Like it reflect mechanically very well the insanity of the period.
Monster Sanctuary a good monster catcher with a emphasys on combos and party composition. A LOT of QoL things btw.
West of loathing and subseries: hilarious one
Ark survival evolved probably one of the best survival games ever made it has great lore fun gameplay mechanics great diversity of biomes and a wide variety of creatures oh and one hell of a soundtrack composed by the legendary Gareth Coker
If you're looking for good games then ark is the one
If only to look at it and see the incredibly bizarre ways it plays with genre conventions, MadSpace: To Hell and Beyond. I don't know that I'd call it good, but I found it fascinating.
It's also the best chance I have to mention something you've not already heard of. Still not great odds. :P
I've got about a thousand hours between PC and Switch on A Robot Named Fight. Roguevania. Fairly self-explanatory. It's my preffed way to zone out lately.
Anything by RadCodex tbh.
Look Outside was also very enjoyable.
Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark DEFINITELY
And i never got to finish the last Shadow Hearts so i might be doing that soon, and invariably makes me recommend the series ro everyone.
The Wing Commander games (I’ve probably recommended these to you before but can’t remember). Especially 3 and 4. Just the right amount of intentional cheese and basic-yet-engaging story, and very fun gameplay, especially with a joy stick.
I didn't find Citizen Sleeper on your page, so I'm going to recommend that.
Lovely little narrative game, I'd say 15 hours max. If "The real personhood was the community we built along the way" sounds like your jam or you've never been emotional about communist mushrooms, this might be for you!
If you like the expressive platforming and impeccable vibes of Pseudoregalia I highly recommend Sephonie. Different style of platformer but lots of good shared DNA.
QOMP was a cool puzzle/navigation game about being a ball from Pong that can change its trajectory mid-flight; short and sweet.
Anthology of the Killer. It's a first person horror game with an art style done in mspaint and the backgrounds are liminal spaces. the writing is funny and its so charming
Imagine Earth is a very fun turn based resource seeking competition in space. you try to get more ~VICTORY POINTS~ which makes it feel more like a board game and I like those. if you dig it they just released a dlc that adds more connectivity between mission. good time innit.
OOH! Easy! Smack Studio! It's on Steam for $15, you get a pixel art editor with a really unique 3D rig system, which you can use to make custom characters and stages! It's an enjoyable fighting game, and a great avenue to network with other creatives!
I've been having fun with On Your Tail, a very charming blend of cozy life-sim and cozy detective adventure set in a lovely village on the Italian Coast.
Oh gosh. What haven’t you heard of? It’s like trying to stump Akinator. Let’s try it!
Legend of Legaia 1&2
Last Dream
Jimmy & The Pulsating Mass
Avernum series
Mari & The Black Tower series
Hadean Lands
Super Lesbian Animal RPG
Aviary Attorney
Open Sorcery
Princess Remedy 1&2
Cosmic Star Heroine
Bingo Simulator 4: El Forastero edition is my favorite cozy game, perfect for times when you want your thumbs to bleed from QTE gauntlets inspired by Indiana Jones
(Seriously tho the og and remake of RE4 are so fun, I have played them on repeat dozens of times lol send help)
Knowing you? Dust: an Elysian Tail. Played it over a decade ago now, so I dunno how it holds up, but it's a 2d ARPG where you play as a furry, and I'll be damned if that doesn't check some of your boxes.
The Captain is Dead. You (solo or co-op) are basically a Star Trek ship crew, aliens are attacking and damaging ship systems, so you have to manage tools and resources to fend them off, repair shields to stay alive, and fix your engines to escape and win.
Casey I think you would have a real fun time with Keep Driving. It's got a real relaxing atmosphere and the minute to minute play stays fun for a long time. Also would recommend Fading Afternoon and The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa. They're partially 2D fighting games, but so meditative.
Oh oh wait I've got some that are more niche. Neo-scavenger is the previous roguelike game by the Ostranauts devs and its inventory is RE4 to the max. Roadwarden is a beautiful pixel art adventure game about patrolling forest paths for city merchants.
In the off chance you haven't played it, The Cat Lady. One of the most impactful games about depression I have played. Probably helped save my life during a REALLY bad spot many years ago.
Comments
Obenseuer \o/ Apartment management sim in a quarantine zone!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1823390/Escape_The_Mad_Empire/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3351080/qualia/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/600130/Valfaris/
but to add one i haven't seen in here: Shadows of Doubt
FromSoft sleeper hit, was Otogi.
Fun combat, cool setting and aesthetic, interesting level design, destructible environments, and Raiko's hair... Raiko's hair.
https://thecatamites.itch.io/anthology-of-the-killer
Republic Commando
Wanted: Dead
Slitterhead
Raven was making a Wolverine game when the movie was announced so they quickly pivoted to get movie likenesses in, but Jackman does a find job voicing Logan and the combat is brutal
it's also abandon-ware so you can find it around
Because I want you to have a bigger backlog than I do with this black hole of time. (It's incredible but holy cow you go to do one small thing and wind up 30 hours later)
https://twitter.com/nicuveo/status/1842346843860017623
Suffer as I have (lovingly)
I'm a fan of Phasmophobia, Monster Hunter, and JRPgs
LUNAR is getting a multi-playform remaster soon.. so happy for that!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1049410/Superliminal/
I don't think you spoke about it before and I can't find it in your Steam Curator page
you play as a cult escapee wielding a strange rifle that lets you shoot one bullet which then changes course after striking its target
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1309950/Children_of_the_Sun/
despite looking like a shooter game it's actually a puzzle game where you have to figure out how to line up your shot in a way that will let you strike every single target on the map
very short too, you can finish it in one sitting (I mean that as a compliment)
Citizen sleeper: the 3 objects dilema demolish me emotionally until this day. Also the second part is going out soon.
Fae Tactics: amazing story, amazing TRPG. Good pixel art.
Gato Roboto: a nice bit size GBC metroidvania inspired.
West of dead and weird west: a gunslinger supernatural western. Kind of clunky but good anyway.
Ikenfell: a LGTBQ+ paper mario inspired jrpg with a blast soundtrack.
Monster Sanctuary a good monster catcher with a emphasys on combos and party composition. A LOT of QoL things btw.
West of loathing and subseries: hilarious one
Sumer - shared-screen multiplayer a bit like a German board game with some MULE-like mechanics
Atom Zombie Smasher - Zombie apocalypse constantly making you decide whom you can save. Cut scenes have a WTF kind of appeal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBuOXuIwPo4
If you're looking for good games then ark is the one
This game appsolutely slaps, and it's such an under the radar gem!
It's also the best chance I have to mention something you've not already heard of. Still not great odds. :P
I love that one, it's my go-to recommendation for anyone! 😁
It’s very good
https://store.steampowered.com/app/603530/A_Robot_Named_Fight/
Look Outside was also very enjoyable.
Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark DEFINITELY
And i never got to finish the last Shadow Hearts so i might be doing that soon, and invariably makes me recommend the series ro everyone.
Lovely little narrative game, I'd say 15 hours max. If "The real personhood was the community we built along the way" sounds like your jam or you've never been emotional about communist mushrooms, this might be for you!
QOMP was a cool puzzle/navigation game about being a ball from Pong that can change its trajectory mid-flight; short and sweet.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2842600/ASTROLANCER/
but anyway, Vagrant Story would be my recommendation.
i quite enjoy what you do, the games and people you highlight 💜
https://youtu.be/RCnFWDa8KFw
Read more about it here!
https://smackstudio.com
It’s in the same vein as Valheim.
You also get to adopt cats and dogs as house pets.
I forget, did I already recommend Invisible, Inc. to you? Secret agent turn-based tactics. Lots of fun.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/243970/Invisible_Inc/
Rimworld, if you enjoy losing
Shadow Empire if you enjoy reading manuals
dominions 6 if you enjoy reading manuals AND ALSO designing your own god from scratch
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2132560/
Legend of Legaia 1&2
Last Dream
Jimmy & The Pulsating Mass
Avernum series
Mari & The Black Tower series
Hadean Lands
Super Lesbian Animal RPG
Aviary Attorney
Open Sorcery
Princess Remedy 1&2
Cosmic Star Heroine
(Seriously tho the og and remake of RE4 are so fun, I have played them on repeat dozens of times lol send help)
-Severed Steel
-Echo Point Nova
-ADACA
-COVEN
-Zortch
-Roboquest
-Nightmare Reaper
Scratches the same itch as Minecraft, but also easier for me to understand than Terraria
https://store.steampowered.com/app/597760/Yuppie_Psycho_Executive_Edition/
you're some person sent to an isolated peninsula to, officially, keep the roads open & safe-ish for a while. unofficially? well.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1155970/Roadwarden/