The year was a blur but what we had to get ourselves through this trying time were video games. The video gaming industry experienced a boom as most of us cuddled up in front of our gaming computers and consoles during the successive lockdowns.
The lockdown is far from over since the pandemic is still here. We’re still being advised to remain indoors, work from home and observe social distancing which gives us the perfect excuse to indulge in more video games!
As we enter the first weeks of the new year, let’s pause to pay a tribute to some of the less-well-known and underrated games of last year. Some of these less mainstream video games you might’ve enjoyed but some of them you must’ve missed.
Regardless, here are some of the best and most underrated video games of 2020 that may have flown under your radar but are worth trying during this lockdown:
- Going Under
Going Under is a fun indie game by Aggro Crab Games that brings together satire, sharp jokes, and vibrant aesthetics. The video game is a dungeon crawler that begins in the basement of a failed start-up. The main character is Jaqueline, an unpaid intern who wants health insurance and is working in a city in the dystopian city of Neo-Cascadia.
Jackie is soon entrusted with the task of cleaning up the basement area of her company and getting rid of old caffeine-fueled employees who have turned into monsters. She can use everything available – from a colourful keyboard to a pencil and random pieces of stationary to smash the monsters and proceed in the game.
All in all a fun and witty dungeon game with many levels that make use of vibrant aesthetics to enthrall the gamer and keep their attention glued to the video game.
- Huntdown
If you are a fan of the cyberpunk shooter genre, this game is for you. This underrated retro game has a lot to offer that other shooter games don’t; amazing aesthetics, rich characters, and a side-scrolling blaster that is so much fun you won’t be able to get enough of it.
The classic arcade game is set in the future and crime has taken over the world. Cops fear to tread past their station and only bounty hunters can free the city from crime. Complete with refined late 80’s aesthetics, this game is an absolute nostalgia-packed joy for any millennial who adores video games.
There are four difficulty levels of this action game. Huntdown was rated one of the best co-op games of 2020 – and that says a lot!
- Wintermoor Tactics Club
Wintermoor Tactics Club is a wonderfully dynamic game with adorable art and fun stages that you would love to brave. The video game falls in the tactics game genre and each level is a test of your focus and mindfulness.
Wintermoor is set in Wintermoor Academy, a high school where a snowball tournament is being held. The stakes are high for the losers since they would have their club disbanded. You are to work with a group of high school misfits to prevent that from happening to your club.
With a riveting narrative-driven plotline, fantastical plot twists, and endearing aesthetics, this game is a delight for lazy winter days. Curl up under a weighted blanket, stay warm, and game away!
- Creaks
Creaks is a dynamic and interesting puzzle game that went majorly underrated in 2020. Creaks stands out because of its creative and rich artsy layout and very detailed visuals. Developed by Amanita Design, the short game is a major pioneer. That’s because the game developer usually sticks to point-and-click style games.
The adventure begins in a dark and surreal subterranean mansion where there are monsters that turn into an innocuous object when the light slanting from the windows hits them at an angle. You are to use these objects to complete an exciting puzzle.
Creaks is a short yet riveting game. It will not take too much of your time, but you’ll have to think to solve the puzzles that surface in the plotline. A rewarding game that is worth your time.
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Developed by the renowned gaming expert Vanillaware, 13 Sentinels is a game that gives you a bit of everything. A sci-fi storyline that weaves together mystery and adventure, nuanced plotlines, a side-scrolling adventure as well as fiery combat battles, this game succeeded in gaining the approval of game critics around the globe.
The game is set in 1980’s Japan where 13 high school students work together to build a greater narrative and engage in a real-time battle against the enemies. With its rich script and dynamic plotline, this game is definitely an underrated treat worth investing your time in.
Game Room Essentials
To get the most out of these mesmerising games and enjoy them to the fullest, have a proper gaming setup complete with a PC or Xbox gaming chair , gaming speaker and keyboard. You may also want to consider organising your games using our neat CD and DVD storage cases, boxes and wallets to make your space clutter-free.