8 Underrated Games You Must Play Right Now

Amitesh Dhar
March 18, 2026

In the world of video games and digital entertainment, if you’re not flashy enough, there’s always a chance that you won’t be noticed. Over the years, games that have become popular have shown off gameplay, visual effects, and storylines from the get-go, and that’s the primary reason behind their popularity.

However, there are a lot of titles that fly under the radar because they don’t show off enough. And with so many options available in the market, if these games fail to catch the eye of the audience, they fade into obscurity, despite having some amazing offerings. So, here are eight absolutely underrated games that have faded from conversations.

Key Takeaways

Some of the most stunning games lack success because they weren’t promoted properly or had bad launch timings.
Most indie games fall into this category because they’re not discovered on release but later develop a cult-like following.
Some of these underrated games of all time also suffer from an identity crisis, and are overshadowed because they were compared to some other major title on release.

8 Most Underrated Games That Deserve Your Attention

The games on this list feature titles across different genres. Despite having interesting gameplay or even a good storyline, these games didn’t get the attention that they deserved.

Hi-Fi Rush

Hi Fi Rush is a rhythm action game, where the entire gameplay revolves around perfecting beats. The storyline is unique, and the combat has a distinct rhythm. It was available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and still a very underrated title. No, you don’t get to shoot guns or anything, but if you get the timing right, then you’ll unleash some devastating combos that hit the enemy like a massive truck.

Hi Fi Rush features a very addictive soundtrack, but even if you’re playing without any audio device, the protagonist keeps moving to a certain rhythm, which serves as a visual cue that you can follow, especially during combat. The sequel just dropped, so hopefully it’ll bring enough attention to the franchise.

The Wolf Among Us

The Wolf Among Us is an episodic video game released by Telltale Games back in 2013. It follows the characters that were seen in the Fable comics, which in turn are loosely based on popular fairytales and folklore. You play the role of Bigby Wolf, a Sheriff tasked with investigating a murder. The entire story is explored over five different chapters, and the visuals follow comic book aesthetics.

Despite popular reviews, the game is still underrated and faded into oblivion soon after release. It was supposed to receive a sequel, but following the acquisition of Telltale Games by LCG Entertainment, it was put on hold. The sequel was finally announced in 2019, but there hasn’t been any update about it since then.

Titanfall 2

Titanfall 2 was released at a time when Electronic Arts was at its prime, and is probably one of the best mech games in the market, even to this day. Not only could you pilot the mech, but you could also use various customization options to help you in combat. The story was exceptional, and the gameplay loop was very satisfying. While it would be wrong to say it flew under the radar, it didn’t get the recognition it truly deserves.

The reason behind this is that it was sandwiched between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and had a poor multiplayer mode. There are rumors about a Titanfall 3, but there’s no information about it yet.

Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs is basically what you’d get if Grand Theft Auto were based in Hong Kong and the protagonist used their fists instead of guns. This game was originally slated to be a part of the True Crime series, but then faced cancellation and was eventually picked up by Square Enix.

While most open-world games struggle to make their environments feel alive, Sleeping Dogs succeeds by making the city a character in itself. The world feels alive at every turn, from the open world combat to random purchases. Combat is very similar to the Batman Arkham franchise, but with more emphasis on martial arts. It felt way ahead of its time, and didn’t receive the recognition it truly deserved.

Earthworm Jim

In an era when Mario and Sonic were dominating the gaming scene, Earthworm Jim aimed to redefine the platformer genre. This run-and-gun platformer didn’t just push the boundaries of 16-bit animation; it leapt over them with a rocket-powered suit. Playing as an ordinary earthworm who stumbles upon a high-tech space suit, you’re thrust into a world of pure absurdity, fighting enemies like Psy-Crow and Queen Pulsating.

The game is a masterclass in surreal humor and creative level design. The learning curve was steep, and the title was borderline absurd. However, it’s a truly fun experience, and the only sad part is that it came at a time when not enough people learned to appreciate it. The animation, for its time, was top-notch, making it a title that truly deserved appreciation, but sadly, never received any.

Sunset Overdrive

Insomniac Games came up with Sunset Overdrive before they struck gold with the Spider-Man franchise and started working on Marvel’s Wolverine – most anticipated games. This neon colored punk rock game made apocalypse look fun rather than a harrowing experience, but sadly, no one paid enough attention to it. The weaponry that you had at your disposal was also pretty ridiculous, and is one of the elements that made the title fun.

The core gameplay loop focused on style and flair, so your character would constantly be grinding on rails while fighting infected enemies with TNT-laced teddy bears. Sunset Overdrive had a strong sense of humor, and despite its gritty setting, the aesthetic was quite vibrant. It’s a shame that the game struggled to make a mark on its audience, because the movement system is one of the most fluid ever designed, proving that sometimes the best way to handle the end of the world is with a grin, a skateboard, and a lot of orange soda.

Prey

Arkane Studios has always been the king of the “Immersive Sim,” but Prey is arguably their masterpiece. Often confused with the 2006 game of the same name, this 2017 reboot is a spiritual successor to System Shock that places you on Talos I, a space station overrun by a shifting alien threat known as the Typhon. The genius of Prey lies in its paranoia.

You can either focus on hacking and take a stealthy approach, or you can inject yourself with alien DNA to unlock psychic powers for yourself, but at the cost of the station’s security system tuning on you. Despite its brilliant level design and haunting atmosphere, Prey remained a niche hit. It’s a thinking person’s shooter that rewards curiosity and creativity in a way few AAA titles dare to do today.

SuperHot

SuperHot is probably one of the most innovative shooters to have been released in a long time. It’s a very simple game with very basic mechanics, and that’s exactly what makes it so amazing. The premise is simple; time moves when you move. So, if you’re standing still, then bullets freeze in the air, and the moment you take a step, everything jolts into motion. This turns every shootout into a high-stakes puzzle where you have to weave through a ballet of lead, snatching guns out of the air and shattering glass-like enemies with a katana.

The game doesn’t have any health bars, no inventory systems, and no reloading mechanics either. It’s a minimalistic experience with a red and white color scheme. While it gained some popularity in the VR space, it didn’t leave a mark on the PC or console platforms. It’s a very unique first-person shooter, but unfortunately, players weren’t paying enough attention to it.

Why So Many Great Games Go Unnoticed

It’s not a surprise to see so many great games go unnoticed. Take Titanfall 2, for example. Its release was so poorly timed that players didn’t get the time to try it. Additionally, it was sandwiched between Battlefield and Call of Duty, two franchises that stood the test of time, so naturally, they commanded the attention of the audience with ease.

Additionally, crazy expectations also force games to go unnoticed, and Sleeping Dogs is the best example here. Yes, it has a formula very similar to Grand Theft Auto, but it also has its own identity. Square Enix wanted it to be a commercial success, but it didn’t sell that well. Also, players weren’t patient with the game, so most dropped off before the fun mechanics were unlocked.

Some of the best underrated games offer more than most AAA titles, but unfortunately, they go unnoticed for quite some time. If you’re an enthusiast when it comes to video games, be sure to give all the titles time, unless of course they’re genuinely bad from the get-go! More often than not, some of the best indie games are sleeper hits, so always pay attention to what the game has to offer in terms of the storyline and the overall visuals.