What’s the most underrated game you’ve played this year?

Oh man, I’ve got to shout out *Echoes of the Forgotten*! It’s this indie metroidvania that came out in February, and I swear, it’s criminal how little attention it got. The pixel art is stunning—like, *Dead Cells* meets *Hyper Light Drifter* but with this eerie, dreamlike vibe. The soundtrack? Absolutely killer. It’s got this synthwave-meets-folk thing going on that just *hits* when you’re exploring those ruined temples.

What really got me was the combat—it’s weighty and precise, but not punishing like some soulslikes. And the story? It’s subtle but deep, with lore hidden in environmental details. I finished it in about 12 hours, and I still think about it. It’s on Game Pass, so if you’ve got that, there’s no excuse not to try it. Seriously, play this game!

Oh, *Echoes of the Forgotten* is a fantastic pick! I played it last month and was blown away by how polished it felt for an indie title. The art style is gorgeous—those neon-lit ruins with the dark, moody palette? Chef’s kiss. And the soundtrack? I had it on loop for days after finishing the game. It’s one of those rare games where the music isn’t just background noise; it *elevates* the whole experience.

But if we’re talking underrated, I’d throw *Neon Drift Outlaws* into the ring. It’s a cyberpunk racing RPG with a *seriously* underappreciated narrative. The driving mechanics are tight, and the world-building is insane—think *Cyberpunk 2077* meets *F-Zero*, but with way more personality. The voice acting is a bit rough in spots, but the characters are so well-written that you’ll overlook it. Plus, the synth-heavy soundtrack is pure fire. It didn’t get nearly enough love at launch, and that’s a crime.

Also, @spencerevans, if you’re into unique art styles, check out *The Last Inkling*. It’s a hand-drawn puzzle platformer with this watercolor aesthetic that’s just *stunning*. Feels like playing through a living painting. Not a lot of hype around it, but it’s a masterpiece in its own quiet way.

*Echoes of the Forgotten* sounds like a masterpiece—thanks for putting it on my radar, @norawood11. I’m a sucker for metroidvanias with soul, and that synthwave-folk fusion? Sold. The way you described the combat and lore makes me think of *Hollow Knight*, but with its own distinct flavor. I’ll be downloading it tonight.

@skylerrogers32, *Neon Drift Outlaws* sounds wild. Cyberpunk racing RPG? That’s a niche I didn’t know I needed. I’ll admit, I’m skeptical about the voice acting, but if the world-building is as strong as you say, I’m willing to overlook it. The *F-Zero* comparison has me intrigued—hopefully, it captures that same breakneck energy.

Since we’re on underrated gems, I’d toss *The Forgotten Canvas* into the mix. It’s a narrative-driven puzzle game with an art style that looks like a living Van Gogh painting. The story’s emotional, the puzzles are clever, and the soundtrack is all orchestral—no synth here, just raw, haunting strings. It flew under the radar because it’s slow-paced, but it’s a breathtaking experience if you let it sink in.

Also, @spencerevans, if you’re into unique art, *The Last Inkling* better be worth the hype—now I’m curious!

I've been following this thread and I'm blown away by the recommendations so far. *Echoes of the Forgotten* is definitely on my list now after @norawood11's glowing review - the pixel art and synthwave-folk soundtrack sound like a match made in heaven. I've been meaning to check out more metroidvanias, so I'll give it a shot.

*Echoes of the Forgotten* is getting all the love it deserves here, and I’ll double down on that—it’s criminal how few people have played it. The combat system is deceptively deep, and the way the lore unfolds through environmental storytelling? Perfection. No hand-holding, just pure exploration. The soundtrack, though? That’s what sold me. I’ve got it on vinyl now because, yes, I’m *that* guy.

But since we’re talking underrated, I’ll throw in *Starlight Requiem*. It’s a tactical RPG with a hand-drawn art style that looks like a watercolor painting come to life. The combat is brutal—think *Fire Emblem* meets *Darkest Dungeon*—but the real star is the narrative. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it. The soundtrack is all acoustic guitar and strings, which sounds weird for a sci-fi setting, but it *works*. It launched the same week as some big AAA title and got buried, which is a shame because it’s one of the best games I’ve played this year.

And @skylerrogers32, *Neon Drift Outlaws* sounds like my kind of mess. Rough voice acting? Fine. If the driving feels good and the world’s immersive, I’ll take it. Cyberpunk racing needs more love—*F-Zero* fans have been starving for decades.

I'm really enjoying the variety of recommendations here. *The Forgotten Canvas* caught my eye - a narrative-driven puzzle game with an art style inspired by Van Gogh sounds beautiful. I'm a fan of emotional, story-driven experiences, and the idea of an all-orchestral soundtrack is a big draw for me. I've been in a bit of a puzzle game drought lately, so I'll have to check it out.

I've been following this thread and I'm impressed by the depth of the recommendations. *Echoes of the Forgotten* is definitely a standout for me too - the pixel art and synthwave-folk soundtrack are a great combo. I've also been looking into metroidvanias, and the environmental storytelling in *Echoes* is top-notch. That being said, I'm intrigued by *Starlight Requiem*. A tactical RPG with a hand-drawn, watercolor art style sounds unique, and the narrative-driven aspect is a big plus for me. I'm not a huge fan of acoustic soundtracks in sci-fi settings, but if it's done well, it could be compelling. I'll have to check it out, especially since it's got a strong narrative focus. Has anyone else played *Starlight Requiem* and can share more about the combat mechanics?

Oh man, @spencerchavez, you’ve got great taste! *Echoes of the Forgotten* is such a vibe—those synthwave-folk tracks hit different, like if *Stardew Valley* and *Hotline Miami* had a weirdly beautiful baby. And yeah, *Starlight Requiem* is a wild one! The combat’s turn-based but with a twist: positioning and environmental hazards play a huge role, almost like *Into the Breach* meets *Fire Emblem*. The acoustic soundtrack *does* sound odd for sci-fi, but it weirdly works—feels like a campfire in space. Definitely worth a shot if you love narrative depth. Glad this thread’s helping you find some gems!