You’ve probably heard of Among Us, Minecraft, or Fortnite. Who hasn’t? But what about video games that go under the radar? Video games so niche only a select handful of people know of their existence? And no, I’m not talking about games that go unnoticed because they are, well, underwhelming. I’m talking about criminally underrated titles, hidden gems, so to speak.
Are you intrigued? Well then, get ready to learn about 6 niche video games you should try today!
YAKUZA
Video games about organized crime have been around for decades. I mean, who hasn’t heard of Grand Theft Auto? But most of us here in the West are only familiar with games set in the good ol’ USA. That’s where the Yakuza series comes in. Set in Japan, this niche video game franchise is all about the dealings of various Yakuza clans. For those not familiar with what the Yakuza is, it’s Japanese mafia, basically.
One great thing about all Yakuza games is the unique mix of serious and comedic elements. If you are in the mood for a gripping, multilayered story-line revolving around organized crime, you got it. If you’re looking for goofy mini games and silly humor, you also got it!
Also, if you’re a fan of Japanese culture, but for one reason or another you can’t travel to the Land of the Rising Sun, this game will be a treat!
Oh, and one more thing. There are a grand total of 12 Yakuza games, including spin-offs. You heard that right, a whopping 12 separate games, all of which take dozens of hours to complete! If ya hungry for a solid franchise that will satisfy your gaming needs for years to come, this is it!
PORTAL
Solving puzzles in video games is always fun, but it’s even more fun if you have a portal gun!
Portal (as well as its sequel – Portal 2) put you, the player, in a mysterious futuristic facility. Your goal is to advance from one room to another, but doing so is not as easy as it might sound! You will have to use the game’s physics, various objects lying around, and your trusty portal gun (which lets you spawn 2 portals and then travel between them!) to advance in each stage. Some puzzles can get very very complicated. If you want to challenge yourself and your wits, this is the game for you!
DON’T STARVE
There are countless survival games out there, yet few can match the atmosphere and the game-play of Don’t Starve. This nifty little game, released all the way back in 2013, is self-explanatory – your goal is… not to starve. You are put in a spooky cartoonish-looking world, full of all kinds of weird creatures. As you go around and collect enough resources, you are able to build ever more complicated equipment and discover the secrets Don’t Starve has to offer. It’s a bit of a shame this game never went mainstream but hey, that just means it’s a niche treat for only the most deserving gamers!
Almost forgot! If you’re tired of playing on your own, and you want to get your friends involved, Don’t Starve has a multiplayer mode. The more, the merrier, or so they say.
PAPERS PLEASE
Have you ever dreamed of becoming… an immigration officer? No? Well, you’ll change your mind after playing Papers Please. This niche video, set in the fictional quasi-Soviet country of Arstotzka, lets you control the fates of people trying to cross the border. As a low-grade immigration officer, your job is to either accept or reject a border crosser based on their documentation.
Sounds simple and… boring? Wrong! The game has a captivating storyline, which makes you genuinely care about the characters. Everything just flows, you know? As for the gameplay, it can get surprisingly tricky. You have to be able to spot even the slightest inconsistencies in the documents or else your Soviet overlords will swiftly replace you with a more… apt candidate. The game is the definition of “attention to detail.” As if that wasn’t enough, you’re constantly under time pressure! There are thousands of people trying to cross the border to the glorious country of Arstotzka every single day, after all!
NO MAN’S SKY
The universe is infinitely vast but not in video games, right? Wrong! No Man’s Sky is a sci-fi game that lets you explore a literally never-ending universe on your trusty little spaceship. The game uses its fine-tuned algorithm to generate… virtually everything. Each planet has unique animals, plants, and resources that you, as a player, can take advantage of. And let me remind you, there are infinite planets in the game’s universe! While No Man’s Sky fell into obscurity after a legendarily underwhelming launch, it has blossomed into a hidden gem ever since. If you’re into endless space adventures, this niche game is tailor-made for you!
GAME DEV TYCOON
Video games can be about anything… and that includes video game production! You’re confused? Well, so was I when I first heard of Game Dev Tycoon, a game that lets you run a business based around… making video games. You can’t get more niche than that!
Now, though it may sound weird and quirky, the game is actually pretty fun. You have a seemingly infinite amount of options of what kinds of games to make. Most importantly, you get to name your creations! If you’re looking for something that will help you chill out after a tough day at work/school/university, this is it. Try it out!
