58 Iconic Masterpiece Video Games That Shouldn’t Be Forgotten!

Ebenezer Idehen
September 23, 2023
6:15 am
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Have you ever played a video game that was so good, you couldn’t put it down? A game that made you cry, laugh and feel everything in between? Or a game that has since remained engraved in your memory to this day?

If so, then you’ve probably played one of the many masterpieces that exist in the world of gaming today. But, do you know that there are also many underrated masterpiece games out there? Games that are just as good and if not better than the big names in the industry but sadly never got the attention they truly deserved?

Well, I guess you had and would definitely pour out your experiences nonstop if ever asked by someone. And I have had mine too, and oh boy! I mean plenty of experiences that flood me with nostalgia whenever I come to think of it.

Hence, in this post, I’ll be revealing some underrated masterpiece video games that you may have never heard of. They are games that will blow your mind and leave you to marvel why no one cared to publicise them all these while.

Leave aside big names like Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA and The Witcher 3 because, in the post, we’ll be diving into the gloomy fogs of the gaming world and…

So sit back, relax, and maybe grab some popcorn because this is gonna be a long list!

Note

I only recommend products that I genuinely love. This post includes affiliate links, which means that you can make a purchase without incurring any additional cost, while I may earn a small commission. So feel free to explore the links provided. Thank you.

1. Legends of the East: The Cobra’s Eye

Number One on the list is a game that has gone under the radar for many.

If you were to scour through similar blogs online, you won’t find this game anywhere else.

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The reason you may ask? Well, this game is actually the MOST UNDERRATED masterpiece you’ll ever come across.

And seriously, I mean it.

Legends of the East is a hidden-object, puzzle and adventure game that follows the story of two lovers.

In the game, you assume the role of the protagonist as she battles to save the love of her life – Daniel, who somehow got himself entangled in a web with supernatural forces.

Now, you must find Daniel and uncover the truth behind the legendary Cobra’s Eye before the fate of the world is changed forever.

Your destiny awaits you in this thrilling Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game!

Can you save Daniel?

2. Kenshi

Kenshi is honestly a game that made me tear up upon discovery.

In fact, it is the main reason I became such a big fan of the RPG genre.

It hasn’t been more than a year since I discovered Kenshi, but I can tell you that this game stands among my top 5 favourites.

For real!

Do you know that the game’s development was initially led by a single person over the course of twelve years? Well, that simply demonstrates what true passion really is.

So, what is Kenshi?

Kenshi is literally all about discovery! It is a game that blends the RPG, adventure, and sandbox genres into one.

Play

Image Credit: Reddit & Steam

Set on a dystopian planet, you take on the role of your chosen character and begin your life’s journey.

There are several characters to choose from with their unique backstories and abilities.

With a vast world to explore, crammed with unique civilisations and breathtaking landscapes, you will wish you had discovered the game much earlier.

Plus, my best part about Kenshi is that you do not follow a pre-determined plot.

Yes!

Everything from the dialogues, missions and storylines are mostly dynamically generated.

Meaning that you’re in for a different taste with every playthrough.

3. Late Shift

Late Shift is sadly another game that no one cared to publisized.

It has been around for almost a decade now, and still remains obscure to many.

Well, now that’s over!

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Late Shift is among my top five favourite games.

The game, instead of being CGI-propelled like others do, chose to do things different.

Late Shift is an FMV Interactive Story Game that takes you on a thrilling adventure.

You play a young valet who got himself entangled in a brutal London heist.

Being witness to a crime scene, you are forced into the main course as it is your only option to stay alive.

Now, you must cleverly untangle your found fate because with each decision you make, comes a consequence.

With seven different endings and 90 minutes of pure thrill to wave through, you’ll be left yearning for more..

Honest fact!

In my opinion, Late Shift has one of the best plots ever.

It allows you to make tough choices even at the most critical of times.

It’s a game of love, betrayal, blood and sacrifice.

It is one that will leave a lasting impression on you.

4. Detroit: Become Human

Honestly speaking, Detroit: Become Human is my second favourite game.

Yeah, and it may even become yours also after today.

Play

Detroit: Become Human, is an adventure interactive story game that is set in the near future.

Well, 2036 to be exact.

The game follows the journey of man’s advancement in technology.

With a breakthrough in AI, mankind was able to develop the ideal humanoid bot.

One that looks exactly like us, behaves as we do, and even thinks like us.

But as the story unfolds, you get to witness how humanity’s inherent biases fostered animosity towards our very own creations.

They were treated as nothing but than slaves, void of emotions.

But with time into the story, things took a drastic turn.

Image Credit: MKIceAndFire (YT)

Get the game to find out!

And trust me, you won’t regret it.

5. Elden Ring

If you are an avid gamer, I’m quite sure you’ve heard of this one.

Elden Ring is another magnificent game that took home last year’s (2022) GOTY award.

This action RPG has captured the hearts of many and has solidified its place among gaming’s most notable entries.

Play

Elden Ring follows the story of an exiled warrior on his venture into the dark realm where he seeks to recover his powers and restore balance to the world.

Thus, you assume his role and sail through the perilous terrain of his bizarre world.

You will transverse through various kingdoms and encounter a wide cast of roadblocks on the way.

With cornerstone visuals, an epic storyline, and gripping action, Elden Ring is a must-have instalment for all action-RPG fans.

6. Papers, Please

Papers, Please is another underrated masterpiece.

It is also among my top five favourites and I think it deserves more attention than it currently receives.

Papers, Please takes a twist in the simulation genre by introducing new takes into it.

In the game, you play as an immigration inspector at the Arstotzka border post.

You are tasked with checking the papers of those seeking entry and detaining those who attempt to outsmart the system.

Easy you may think? Maybe not.

For with each step into the game, the seemingly mundane task turns into a moral dilemma as you dig deeper its story.

Image Credit: The Nctic(YT), Scott Manley(YT)

As with every decision that arises, you will be left questioning your morality.

Will you deny entry to a woman without a passport, potentially separating her from her husband forever?

Will you risk your job and family’s safety to help a refugee escape an oppressive regime?

Or will you refuse entry to a sick person in need of urgent medical aid?

The choice is yours!

With about 20 different possible endings to experience, your every decision have its repercussion.

With a thought-provoking plot, and soundtrack, Papers, Please immerses you in a world where the lives of your family and nation hangs on your neck.

One wrong decision, and you lose all!

7. Papa Louie Series

You won’t find much games quite like this one.

Papa Louie is the classic game series that has been around since the good-old Flash era, and I have been a fan since the beginning.

Back in the day, it used to be my sis’s favourite game.

And for your info, I am not just referring to a single game here, I’m talking about an entire gaming franchise.

Because they are all amazing.

8. Banished

To keep things short and simple;

Banished is a dream come true!

It’s one of the most respected city builders out there, and it’s easy to see why.

Banished, is a city builder and simulation game where you manage a small settlement in a beautiful, sprawling landscape.

From gathering resources to population control, hiring of labourers, constructions, trades, and agriculture; – they are your responsibility.

In fact, Banished offers a unique, compelling, and unforgiving gaming experience.

It’s a city builder that keeps the strain tense right from the start and will surely steal hours of your free time from you.

And it’s a game that I feel appeals to all classes of gamers. Irrespective of your preference.

Image Credit: Raptor(YT), SB Atomic(YT), Shenryyr(YT), SergiuHellDragoonHQ(YT), K3llus(YT)

9. Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure RPG that came second place in 2020’s GOTY award despite many claiming it deserved the first position.

Ghost of Tsushima is set in the pre-medieval feudal age of ancient-day Japan.

You step into the shoes of the brave samurai, – Jin Sakai, as he fights to protect his motherland from the first Morgan invasion.

It is a game with a heartfelt plot paired with gripping dialogues, quests, combats and two distinct endings.

You also get the chance to make decisions, especially during conversations with NPCs in the game.

Crammed with beautiful landscapes and a vast open world, the game remains one of my favourites.

So, if you’re a fan of action-adventure games, then, what are you waiting for?

Get the game.

Image Credit: MKIceAndFire (YT), PushSquare & Behance

10. Rimworld

A true survival masterpiece.

RimWorld is a sci-fi colony simulation game that puts you in control of a group of survivors stranded on an alien planet.

As the player, you strive to keep your colony alive by managing resources, building structures, and defending against threats.

The game features a dynamic storytelling system that creates unique scenarios for each playthrough, with randomised events and challenges that test your decision-making skills.

You’ll need to balance your colonists’ needs, skills, and relationships, while also dealing with climate changes, disease outbreaks, and raiders.

Also, another notable feature of RimWorld is its modding community, which has created countless mods that add new content, features, and gameplay mechanics to the base game.

These mods range from simple quality-of-life improvements to fullscale conversion mods that overhaul the entire game, providing players with a nearly limitless range of customization options.

So, whether you want to add new animals, weapons, factions, or even entire new game modes, there’s definitely a mod out there for you.

Thanks to its modding support and active community, RimWorld has remained one of the most popular and highly-regarded games in the simulation and strategy genres.

With its deep gameplay mechanics, immersive atmosphere, and endless replayability, RimWorld is a must-play for fans of simulation and strategy games.

RECENTLY ADDED!

+Disco Elysium

Play Video

Phew… what a close call it was for Disco Elysium!

While writing this blog, I felt I was missing something important. I knew the list was incomplete without it, but for the life of me, I just couldn’t remember the name of the game.

A few days after publication, I stumbled upon this YouTube video where Elysium was mentioned. Immediately, I remembered its name and knew it had to be included on our list.

Disco Elysium is an RPG-adventure game that is truly unique.

At the start of the game, a decaying corpse is discovered hanging from a looming tree in the backyard of a hostel and it’s up to you to work out how it got there over the course of the story.

In this mesmerizing 30-hour narrative, you experience a truly distinctive RPG venture that stands apart from the others.

As you progress through Disco Elysium, you’ll assume the role of detective Harry Du Bois.

Determined to piece together the truth, you paddle through a web of lies, mystery, and uncertainty where every step brings you closer to the truth.

And that is not all.

Image Credit: NeatPick (YT), & Steam

Elysium delves into the complexities of human nature and the fragility of the mind.

It challenges you to navigate intricate relationships, and face the consequences of your actions.

The game embraces a gloomy atmosphere, confronting you with morally ambiguous dilemmas that will wrack you off balance as you dig deeper.

And for the visuals? It is a feast for the eyes.

Elysium’s story is full of twists and turns that’ll keep you guessing until the very end. Its story is also thought-provoking making you question your morality from time to time.

So, if you’re in search of a challenging and immersive roleplaying experience, then Disco Elysium is the game for you.

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About the Author

Idehen Ebenezer

Ebenezer, aka "Johnwaxon", is a freelance writer, chess player, aspiring programmer, and CG Artist. His ardent love for video games is what compels him to write engaging content for others who share the same interest. He specialises in the gaming, software, film, and entertainment niche.

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