Everyone always talks about the greatest video games of all time and the 10/10 masterpieces that define the medium. From current sensations such as R
Everyone always talks about the greatest video games of all time and the 10/10 masterpieces that define the medium. From current sensations such as Red Dead Redemption 2 to influential classics like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, it’s demanding not to mention how spectacular and essential they are. However, those games take the spotlight away from near-perfect games that deserve more recognition.
Gamers have too high expectations nowadays, with nothing less than a 10/10 being satisfactory, but what about the 9/10s that are forgotten in history? That is why this list will feature ten near-perfect games that nobody talks about based on gameplay, narrative, design, originality, potential, obscurity, how much recognition they deserve, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality.
‘The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’ (2024)
The Legend of Zelda is a critically acclaimed franchise that has mostly strayed away from their 2D games, but after over ten years, they released a novel one, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. As mysterious rifts take over the kingdom of Hyrule, it consumes Link, leaving Princess Zelda alone to handle things. With her novel companion, she uses her wisdom and talent to defeat the scourge causing these rifts.
Maybe it feels disingenuous to put a game from The Legend of Zelda on this list, considering it is one of the biggest franchises ever, but Echoes of Wisdom is rather underrated in comparison. There aren’t many better games than Zelda, and this 2D adventure in particular is a charming masterpiece with one of the most creative mechanics. It may have some issues, but overall, Echoes of Wisdom is an imaginative journey of creativity and whimsicalness.
‘Inside’ (2016)
This list features a lot of indie games, which is natural, since they are some of the best that also aren’t talked about too much. Inside follows an unnamed boy in a strange dystopian world, and players don’t know much besides needing to escape. Running from armed guards, they must make their way through an ominous scientific facility to uncover its secrets and escape before they become a part of it.
Inside is a cult classic, and fans are still waiting for the studio’s next game after delivering this masterpiece years ago. Out of all the indie games, this underappreciated gem is one of the best, specifically for its inventive design that used lighting, darkness, and its eerie vibe to create a well-paced thriller. While highly praised, Inside’s brief length meant it faded into obscurity despite its haunting story, gorgeous animation, immersive sound design, and tense atmosphere.
‘Psychonauts 2’ (2021)
3D platformers are almost entirely dominated by Nintendo, but even Sony dazzled with its newest entry, so what about Xbox? Well, they did release Psychonauts 2 in 2021, a sequel to the renowned original game on the original Xbox. Razputin is a newly appointed mind spy, and his first mission is to enter the minds of the founding members of the titular organization to learn who the mole is.
Psychonauts 2 is one of the most innovative current games, and even if it is a sequel, it reinvented what made it perfect. Unfortunately, it didn’t have as massive an impact as fans wished, even though it was well-received. The brain-centric level design is clever and well-put together, not to mention it has an empathetic story and emotional design. Each of these near-perfect elements makes Psychonauts 2 the most imaginative current platforming video game.
‘The Battle of Polytopia’ (2016)
Some of these games are popular, others are hidden gems, and some are just not massive enough to gain traction, and The Battle of Polytopia is unfortunately less popular than it deserves. There isn’t any story, but this strategic game has players controlling their own clan, thrown into their territory of a randomly generated world. Then, players must conquer rival clans, expand their growth, and improve their civilization.
There are thousands of these types of games, and that is exactly why people don’t talk about The Battle of Polytopia, despite it being a gripping strategic experience. Whether players play with friends or the AI, there is so much fun to be had. With an extensive skill tree, gamers can choose what to specialize in and who to ally with, creating endless possibilities and fantastic replay value that prove The Battle of Polytopia is an underrated game.
‘Mad Max’ (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road brought the franchise back into the limelight, delivering one of the greatest current action movies of all time. However, fans might not have known that a video game was released alongside the film, simply titled Mad Max. After a warlord leaves the titular roadster out to die, Max is left without a vehicle, but with a novel mechanic and a drive for revenge, he plans to build his greatest car yet.
It may not live up to the standard of the big-screen juggernaut, which is one of the best action movies ever, but this video game is still a near-perfect experience. Mad Max was overshadowed by a few other games, but it still features a sprawling open world where players are allowed to roam freely. Not to mention it boasts the best vehicle combat and driving in video game history, making it one of the most unheard of masterpieces.
‘Oxenfree’ (2016)
Everyone loves a good mystery game, and Oxenfree is one of the most thrilling indie experiences fans can get. When a group of teenagers sneaks onto an abandoned island, their radio accidentally tunes into a frequency that opens up a mysterious rift, sending the group back in time to investigate supernatural anomalies.
Oxenfree is an acclaimed masterpiece in indie circles, but sadly, it hasn’t reached a wider audience. This near-perfect video game is a masterclass of dialogue and narrative structure, letting characters talk over each other and giving the player meaningful choices that shape the story and character dynamics. Plus, Oxenfree provides a blend of supernatural horror and coming-of-age prestige not seen often in video games.
‘New Pokémon Snap’ (2021)
In a similar situation to The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon is the largest media franchise in the world, but its spin-off games are significantly less popular, such as New Pokémon Snap. Traveling to the Lental region, players serve as an assistant, helping take photos of the Pokémon and landscapes while trying to learn about the mysterious Illumina phenomenon.
New Pokémon Snap may be a well-known game among the Pokémon community, but outside of that, no one will give it the time of day. However, for those wanting a cozy gaming experience while interacting with stunning scenery and endearing Pokémon, this one is the game for them. New Pokémon Snap became one of the best Nintendo Switch video games because of its charming style, spirited atmosphere, staggering depth, and replay value.
‘Shin-Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town’ (2024)
Crayon Shin-Chan is one of the longest-running anime series of all time, with over a thousand episodes. But it is more than just a show; this franchise also has some video games, including Shin-Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town. While on vacation, Shin-Chan notices his dog covered in soot, and then learns about a village frozen in time.
This anime may be popular in Japan, but it is unheard of in the West, which is partially why Shin-Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is never talked about. However, this relaxing title delivers the delights of a summer’s day and the daily mystery and adventure of childhood nostalgia. It’s cozy, niche, nostalgic, and melancholic, making players relax and catch bugs or collect objects to unlock areas. Either way, Shin-Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is an ambient, slow-paced, low-stakes, and slice-of-life adventure that is perfect to play over the summer.
‘Baba Is You’ (2019)
As mentioned, this list features a handful of indie games, and the final one on this list is Baba Is You, an underrated gem from 2019. Stripping out a narrative, this game is purely puzzle-based, with the character controlling the titular miniature creature to make their way through a series of puzzle rooms and obstacles to reach the win state.
Indie masterpieces usually find their niche, but with games such as Baba Is You, they are too good for only a miniature circle of fans to enjoy. Either way, this near-perfect, unheard-of title is among the most innovative games of all time. By pushing words around the level, players can create novel sentences that change the game’s rules, essentially rewriting the code in order to win. This imaginative mechanic is unique, bold, thought-provoking, and engaging, creating a stimulating experience that is one of the best video games of the 2010s.
‘Immortals Fenyx Rising’ (2020)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild birthed many clones trying to replicate its success, some great and others widely regarded as inexpensive knockoffs; Immortals Fenyx Rising is the former. The titular immortal is stripped of their power, needing to gain it back by exploring the novel world they washed up in.
Immortals Fenyx Rising is an entertaining and well-made video game that isn’t talked about as much as it should be. Embracing its Greek mythology roots, the game successfully updates those traditions and makes for a refreshing take on some of the world’s best-known stories. It doesn’t feature the typical bloat of current open-world games, delivering a tightly designed experience with compelling combat, intriguing puzzles, and a charming style that makes it a misunderstood gem.
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