STEAM Hidden Gems discovery

Dungelot: Shattered Lands. I got this one in a bundle and was pleasantly surprised. Minesweeper with a fantasy setting and a lot more of strategy involved. Pretty addicting.

ill vote to sang froid

Not sure of how hidden are these gems (specially for SG) but they're not mainstream either:

• Refunct: short first person platformer that's all about the flow of movement and getting a good time, just be warned that when I say short I mean it, you can beat the whole game in around 20 minutes.
• NaissanceE: this game really is its own thing, a mixture of platformer and exploration with no combat (there's some light puzzle elements tho) and a unique world that kinda resembles the movie "Blame!". It's pretty experimental and some sections are kinda frustrating but I found the overall experience to be good.
• Rex: Another Island: a solid precision-platformer with one map but distinct sections, I wasn't able to find a single flaw when I played it. Quite nice for a win here :)
• Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight: great metroidvania with gorgeous pixel art, it leans into the harder side of the difficulty spectrum.
• Blade Kitten: quirky and janky combat-heavy platformer that thankfully compensates its flaws with a peculiar approach to level design to suit its climbing mechanics and a likable cast of characters and comedic story. Be warned that you NEED the "episode 2" DLC since the base game has an incomplete campaign without it.

This list ended up being entirely made of platformers of various kinds, I guess that speaks pretty clearly of my taste and bias XD

Battle for Blood - Epic battles within 30 seconds! https://store.steampowered.com/app/384980/Battle_for_Blood__Epic_battles_within_30_seconds/ Criminally underrated puzzle game.

Wow! You people want to increase my already cyclopean backlog.

Wanted to add this little hidden gem that I finished on my mobile device. So this port is a very light game to run

WAKING MARS

It is an exploration/platformer/metroidvania, with a superb atmosphere. You are an astronaut exploring martian caves, and a mystery unfolds very slowly. I love this game, it has a gorgeous artstyle and a story that grows on you. It really captures the sense of discovery and awe.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/227200/Waking_Mars/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/437250/A_House_of_Many_Doors/

A House of Many Doors: If the game looks like Sunless Sea, it's because it was created in the same office and time frame as said game by a single person. The game has the same feel, writing and art style are very simillar. The great improvement comes in the combat, you would have to experience it for yourself. Lucklily the game goes on sale for less than $3

Ascender
Why have I never seen anyone talking about this game? It's fascinating, the controls are great, the puzzles are really well-done and it's fun to play! Enjoying it VERY much!

First of all, thank you for the interesting thread. A lot of games that I didn't know about before (including DROD, definitely I need to try).
I saw this discussion a few days ago, but I needed to think what to write about. Perhaps these games don't fit the definition of "hidden gems" (besides, I saw some of them in your library), sorry if I made a mistake. I tried to choose games with not too many reviews on Steam or indie games. All this games have a small system requirements (they are already quite old).

Osmos - before I played this, I haven't seen games with a similar gameplay. Interesting masterpiece with addictive gameplay and excellent ambient soundtrack.

NightSky - a nice puzzle-platformer with a beautiful level design.

Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood and other game from this developers Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive - real-time tactics games, similar to Commandos series.

Armadillo Run - not steam game with gameplay, similar to The Incredible Machine or Crazy Machines games.

I also want to mention two games, which once won Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the IGF: Gish (one of the first game by Edmund McMillen) and Aquaria (a brilliant underwater metroidvania).

https://store.steampowered.com/app/362090/Siralim/

perfected this game, earned all achievmenets, i loved it.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/464620/Siralim_2/

just started second game yesterday and its even more awesome as first was. Button smash a bit removed, now all exp earned displays on one message and dont need spam E button to get over with texts.

There is a siralim 3 already but not purchased yet, probably will once done with siralim 2.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/324650/Gemini_Heroes_Reborn/

Cheap, unique combat and a very nice game. its a fine example of hidden gems.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/296490/GemCraft__Chasing_Shadows/

not that hidden gem, but perhaps not mainstream tower defense game and definetly the best one. The most complex, most challenging and most combinative. Its a must to play for anyone who like tower defense games and not just cartoony graphic simple tower defense games.

Return of the Obra Dinn is finally out. Looking forward to play it. Seems like Lucas Pope (Papers Please) did it again.

The Return of Obra Dinn is a first person adventure-mystery game, with a very interesting artistic retro feel and a time bending game mechanic.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/653530/Return_of_the_Obra_Dinn/

I'm not sure if these would be a hidden gem for many people but here goes my list!

Tormentum - Dark Sorrow. I played this in one sit (Family Share with a friend that owned it), it was one of a few point-and-click games (Only other being The Cat Lady) I have ACTUALLY enjoyed - despite hating the genre itself! Amazing art, and story line. Definitely give it a try!

Angry Arrows, not sure how I would define this, but it's a great game to use a short break, enter, play a few rounds, and leave!

Space Pirates and Zombies auto-generated universe to fight against various enemies, build ships, upgrade/equip with weapons, destroy bases, and all that fun stuff! Met it as a free weekend, loved it, and bought it.

ORION: Prelude fun survival in a dinosaur era! More fun if you online co-op! Also met it on it's free weekend!

BloodRayne and BloodRayne 2 was a Devil May Cry rival hack and slash, though it has a new game and more people know it with it nowadays!

Runestone Keeper fun for a short break!

More to come, gotta hop off for classes! :(

https://store.steampowered.com/app/250600/The_Plan/
It's a relaxing short game

Anima Gate of Memories and Anima: Gate of Memories - The Nameless Chronicles - really good 3d action with strange world and intresting story, similar Drakengard/Nier.
A Vampyre Story - good quest, but probably dont work on modern OS.
Figment, The Gardens Between and /Another_Sight - intresting puzzle-qusts
Tardy - story-driven quest with intresting tematic.
WILL: A Wonderful World - game have many positive reviews, but I dont see any information of this gam on game-sites.
Skylar & Plux: Adventure On Clover Island - good 3d platformer
Heaven's Hope - Special Edition - classic point and click quest with intresting story.
Kelvin and the Infamous Machine - classic point and click quest with humor.