Why High Ratings Don’t Always Mean High Popularity
Just because a game scores high with critics doesn’t mean it hits the mainstream. There’s a gap a real one between what gets praised and what gets played. You can have a 90+ Metacritic title that barely scrapes the surface of public consciousness. Meanwhile, a game with average reviews might dominate Twitch and rack up millions of players.
A lot of that comes down to visibility. Big publishers push their titles with million dollar marketing campaigns. Ads, influencer spots, platform exclusives it all adds up. These games get front page placement, trailer slots, and showcase time. Smaller or mid tier titles, even if they’re critically brilliant, just don’t have the same runway. If a good game drops quietly on one platform while everyone’s hyped over the latest franchise drop, it’s easy to miss.
Platform exclusivity also clouds things. A fantastic game on a niche system or stuck behind a subscription wall can limit who even sees it. Some titles are content darlings for reviewers, but never break out because the barrier to entry is too high or the buzz never reaches past a core audience.
In the end, some of the best gaming experiences are out there in the margins. They weren’t designed to go viral. They weren’t made to serve a trend. But they deliver in mechanics, in story, in soul. You just have to dig a bit deeper to find them.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
This one flew under the mainstream radar despite scoring consistently in the mid 80s on Metacritic. “A Plague Tale: Innocence” delivers a gripping story set against the grim backdrop of 14th century France. It’s not just the setting that pulls you in it’s the emotional weight, the sibling bond at its heart, and how it plays out across a collapsing world steeped in disease and fear.
Mechanically, it leans into stealth rather than action. You’re sneaking more than shooting, setting traps instead of throwing punches. The controls are tight, the pacing deliberate. Visually, it stood toe to toe with bigger titles even on older consoles and the atmosphere is layered and immersive.
It’s tailor made for players who want emotional stakes and narrative drive. If you’re done with cookie cutter shooters and want something that moves slow but cuts deep, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
Return of the Obra Dinn
Return of the Obra Dinn isn’t like other puzzle games it forces you to think, not follow. Set on an empty, ghost ship in the 1800s, it hands you a notebook and a magical pocket watch, then tells you to figure out what happened to every single crew member. There are no glowing arrows, no hand holding just sharp, deductive logic and a striking, minimalist art style that looks like it came off an old Macintosh screen.
Critics loved it. The game scored high across the board for originality and mental challenge. But it got crowded out by flashier indie releases that did more marketing and had prettier trailers. Obra Dinn doesn’t dazzle it digs in. It’s the kind of game that analytical thinkers replay just to fine tune their conclusions.
For gamers who want their mind stretched, not their fingers, this one’s a must play. It’s a quiet masterpiece and deserves more daylight.
Titanfall 2
Titanfall 2 is textbook underrated. Released in 2016, it came sandwiched between juggernauts Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare a scheduling misstep that almost guaranteed its obscurity from day one. Respawn dropped one of the best first person shooter campaigns ever made, and barely anyone knew about it.
The campaign wasn’t long, but it didn’t need to be. It was tight, inventive, and full of moments that still stand out years later, like the time shift level or BT’s dry humor. It redefined what an FPS story mode could feel like: fun without fluff, clever without being gimmicky.
Then there’s the multiplayer. Fast, fluid, and vertical it nailed movement and pacing in a way few shooters have since. But the fractured release window buried it. Players were split across too many titles, and Titanfall 2 didn’t get the marketing push to compete.
Today, it’s got a cult following and universal respect in the shooter crowd. The game deserved better back then, and still does now.
Prey (2017)
Prey didn’t shout when it launched it barely whispered. Released in 2017 by Arkane Studios, it dropped with minimal marketing and got lost in a sea of louder titles. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find one of the most carefully crafted immersive sims in years. Prey is all about systems thinking: whether you’re recycling junk into resources, manipulating alien powers, or turning into a coffee cup to sneak past enemies, the game rewards experimentation.
The Talos I space station is a maze of smart level design, built with care and layered with environmental storytelling that respects the player’s brain. Add in a genuinely compelling sci fi narrative and you get a slow burn masterpiece that’s earned steady praise over time. It’s now a cult favorite among immersive sim devotees people who love games where the answer isn’t handed to you.
It never reached mass market fame, but Prey didn’t need to. It just needed time.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade earned big critical recognition for doing something most games shy away from treating mental illness with empathy and precision. The sound design alone is a masterclass, using binaural audio to immerse you in the fragmented, haunting world inside Senua’s mind. The cinematics, the voice acting, the storytelling it’s all tight, grounded, and emotionally charged.
What makes it stand out is how it blends the indie mentality with near AAA execution. Developed by a small, focused team at Ninja Theory, the game punches far above its weight in polish and technical fidelity. You get a full circle experience that feels handcrafted but never rough.
Despite all that, it’s still not as widely played as it should be. Maybe it’s the heavy subject matter, or maybe it got lost in the flood of louder releases. But if you’re looking for a game that respects your time and challenges your perception, Hellblade deserves a spot on your list.
Where to Find the Next Hidden Gem
Big studios aren’t the only ones making great games. Mid budget developers and clever indie teams are delivering some of the most creative, polished, and emotionally resonant experiences out there you just have to know where to look. These aren’t the games with billboard ads or primetime trailers. They’re the ones quietly earning praise from those who stumble across them.
Platforms like Xbox Game Pass, PS Plus, and Steam sales are goldmines if you’re paying attention. Subscription models especially have opened the door for smaller titles to get real exposure without relying on huge launches. And with Steam’s discovery algorithm improving, more niche gems are finding their way into players’ libraries.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, tracking fresh releases is key. Keep tabs on sites that highlight underrated or surprise hit games, like this growing list of new underrated titles that updates often. That same page is worth bookmarking the next cult classic might already be on it.
Final Tip: Game Beyond the Hype
It’s tempting to follow whatever game is trending across social media or topping sales charts but some of the most rewarding gaming experiences come from digging deeper. If you’re tired of recycled AAA formulas or flashy trailers that overpromise and underdeliver, it’s time to shift your approach.
Rethink How You Discover Games
Break out of the mainstream feedback loop by changing how you discover and evaluate titles:
Read deeper, critical reviews: Go beyond just scores look for thoughtful analysis on story depth, game mechanics, and replay value.
Watch lesser known streamers and YouTubers: Indie focused creators often highlight hidden gems that fly under the radar.
Avoid relying solely on trailers: They rarely reflect the full in game experience.
Follow genre specific communities: Reddit threads, Discords, and forums can offer great insight into niche recommendations.
Step Away from the AAA Spotlight
Not every must play has a million dollar budget. Some of the most innovative and emotionally impactful titles come from smaller teams with bold creative visions.
Don’t be afraid to try games from developers you’ve never heard of.
Support mid tier and indie titles your attention helps them grow.
Remember that quality isn’t always rated by popularity; some of the best titles you’ll ever play may never have a massive fanbase.
Let curiosity, not marketing, guide what you play next.
Peggy Luotarez was instrumental in the growth of Jo Game Player, supporting both the creative and organizational sides of the project. Her dedication to quality, layout, and content coordination helped ensure the website developed into a polished and reliable destination for gaming news, reviews, and player-focused insights.