Some of the best games this year that you (probably) never heard of.
Source: official game presskit

1. Dordogne

Dordogne is such an underrated journey: Mimi returns to her grandmother’s home, where she spent her childhood summers. She uncovers lost family secrets and the forgotten parts of her memory after her grandmother’s death.
As her younger self, Mimi fills her journal with memories and taps into her artistic spirit while exploring the lands surrounding her grandmother’s home in Dordogne, France.
Meanwhile, adult Mimi re-experiences the moments of her childhood by reliving her final summer in this quaint, beautiful town and reconnects with the spirit of family and the child she once was
Estelle and Kochi in “Season: a Letter to the Future” (Source: game website via developers Scavengers Studio)

2. Season: a Letter to the Future

Season: A Letter to the Future hit me emotionally in a way that I didn’t quite expect. Exploring the towns in the game will make you reflect on life and contemplate which memories you would want to keep, especially if all the world’s memories are about to be washed away.
How much time you play really does depend upon how long you choose to spend exploring. Help the remaining inhabitants and document the world around you to preserve it for future generations.
Source: Bramble The Mountain King Twitter

3. Bramble: the Mountain King

Bramble is a brilliant blend of Nordic fables and real-life horrors that does not shy away from dark themes. The game also features a host of characters with layers of complexity; they are often neither all good nor all evil.
The game represents the power of courage in the face of fear — the power that comes from loving someone so much that you are willing to face the beasts of your literal nightmares. A puzzle platforming adventure that is as heart-wrenching as it is heartwarming.
Decipher languages and unite the Tower in “Chants of Sennaar” (Source: in game screenshot by author)

4. Chants of Sennaar

Inspired by the myth of the Tower of Babel, you are a traveler who, legend has it, is destined to reunite the people of the tower who no longer speak with one another.
Play as a character tasked with deciphering ancient languages through observation, listening, and learning their languages through context. With each new language learned, a new translation can be made, and a new communication bridge can be built between people.
Source: official presskit

5. Smushi Come Home

Smushi is an adorable little mushroom who becomes lost far, far away from home and has to make its way back to its family. Gliding, climbing, swimming, and relying on cleverness, Smushi not only makes its way through the forest but also helps many forest creatures along the way.
Not only that, but you learn about real-life mushrooms as Smushi fills out a mycology journal. If you enjoy exploring, collecting, platforming, puzzle-solving, and quirky creatures, then you’ll love this little adventure.
The Traveler in “The Multi-Medium” (Source: in game screenshot taken by author)

6. The Multi-Medium

It can be tough to innovate in gaming these days, but The Multi-Medium does just that. Created by a talented artist, each level is hand-drawn using a different art medium and scanned into the game.
Each level has unique mechanics, but no obstacle is too challenging, which is good because you’ll be so busy taking in all of the artwork and the evolving story to be overly stressed with puzzle-solving. This is truly one of the more unique games released in 2023, and if you have a few extra bucks, the detailed art book is a very worthy addition to pick up.
Source: official website

7. Tchia

Tchia is an open-world game about a girl who can soul-jump into animals and objects, a power she must use to save her father from an evil force that has taken him away. Although fictional, it is inspired by the Kanak culture of the island of New Caledonia.
Tchia gives off real The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild vibes with its huge open world, temples, and spirit of exploration and discovery. Being able to soar through the skies, sail across the seas, and swim through underwater caves adds to the relaxed nature of this journey.
Source: official website

8. Jusant

My love for environmental storytelling is the reason why I decided to play Jusant. It centers around the game mechanic of mountain climbing, which is definitely a highlight of the experience. After all, it’s just you and your rope… well, and your tiny companion who has come along for the ride.
Sort through the remnants of the past to understand what life was like for the people who lived there. The actual story of Jusant is told through found letters and illuminated paintings, portraying the determination of the tower’s society’s fight against the elements that destroyed their past, as they search of a better future.
Fortuna and her divination cards in “The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood” (Source: Devolver Digital - publisher website)

9. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

A mellow game with an engaging storyline (and a great lo-fi soundtrack) that allows you to flex your creative muscles while making decisions that determine the outcome of the universe. You play as Fortuna, a witch with the power of fortune-telling through the use of her tarot cards, who has been exiled to live alone on an asteroid in space for 1000 years.
However, after a mere 200 years, she is tired of living alone and has summoned the behemoth Ábramar to help her out of her circumstances. With his help, she is able to craft a new tarot-like divination deck to tell the fortunes of those who come to her for requests… nothing can go wrong, right?
Our hero facing his fate. (Source: Geometric Interactive - developer Twitter)

10. COCOON

When I first saw the trailer for COCOON, I knew it was something special. Seeing that little beetle with the glowing world orb on his back, and then watching him jump in and out of that world, it had the whole Inception vibe — a puzzle mechanic that seemed new and intriguing.
Figuring out the traits of the world orbs, understanding how they work, and deciding when to stack them will leave you scratching your head at times. The interesting boss battles, each with their own unique mechanics, ensure that nothing ever stays the same for too long — keeping things interesting from start to finish.
Love in it’s most toxic form. (Source: in game screenshot taken by author)

11. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley

Ashley is charming, aggressive, manipulative, and fiercely possessive of her brother. Andrew is brooding, easily manipulated, and fiercely devoted to his sister. Know that this is NOT a game for everyone. It has themes of satanic rituals, cannibalism, and a brother/sister bond that becomes waaaaaay too close for comfort. However, despite their sociopathic tendencies, people seem to be quite drawn to them.
These two are the ultimate case study in unhealthy attachment styles, and their personalities become deeper and darker as the story progresses. This has led to numerous internet conversations psychoanalyzing them — for better or for worse.
Who is she? What is she? Is she as dangerous as they say? (Source: official presskit)

12. Slay the Princess

Slay the Princess is a psychological horror game that is hard to describe without spoiling it. The premise is simple: you are given the task to slay the princess, and if not, she will end the world. Decisions matter in this game. Nothing here is what it seems. Every choice you make and every route you take affect the outcome of the game. This intriguing ‘choose your own adventure’ visual novel just might leave you in the midst of an existential crisis that will linger with you long after the game is done. I can’t say more than that — just go check it out!
Use their end, to build a new friend. (Source: Birth’s Steam page)

13. Birth

A game about living alone and coping with loneliness by building a friend from… organs and bones? Birth is a physics-based puzzle game where you travel through a hand-drawn city to find the parts you need to create your friendship masterpiece.
It’s rare to find a game with an eerie premise that is surprisingly soothing to play. I’ve dubbed it ‘cozy horror.’ The soothing art style, calm music, and puzzles that are neither too easy nor too difficult mean you will be done in a couple of hours, but it’s a couple of hours well spent.
Jacob an Riley seeing the portal in “Oxenfree II” (Source: Night School Studio website)

14. OXENFREE II: Lost Signals

In Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, Riley has recently returned to Camena after leaving long ago, and she’s tasked with planting transmitters around the coast of Camena. Here she meets Jacob, who helps her navigate the forest and cliffs, and members of Parentage, who have a plan of their own.
Oxenfree II brings back all of the beloved features of the first game, such as the walk-and-talk format, the timed dialogue options, and characters that are flawed but relatable. Oh, plus talking to interdimensional ‘ghosts’ with the use of radio waves to tap into the portal.

Is. Leave. Possible?

A heartfelt adventure to save the world. (source: wallpapercave.com)

15. A Space for the Unbound

A story about two high school sweethearts at the end of the school year, and the end of the world. Slowly, the world starts to fall apart as Atma searches through the town for his girlfriend, Raya, who has the power to manipulate reality. A narrative puzzle adventure where you help heal the emotional pains of the townsfolk to progress the story.
Set in late ’90s Indonesia in a pixel art style, there are so many nostalgia-provoking references that call back to a simpler time. Armed with his determination to solve the mystery (and his magical book that allows him to ‘space dive’ into the minds of others), Atma must save his girlfriend and save the world. Oh, and pet a lot of cats… soooooo many cats.
Atma and Raya in love (Source: in game screenshot taken by author)