Hidden Gems Overlooked by Major Game Awards

16 August 2025

When it comes to video games, we all know the big names that sweep the stage at awards ceremonies—titles like The Last of Us Part II, Elden Ring, or Breath of the Wild. These games are undeniably masterpieces, but let's be real. Sometimes, the hype around award-winning games overshadows some absolute gems that get sidelined. You know the type—those games that quietly steal your soul but never get a spotlight at the major gaming awards.

So today, let’s give those hidden gems the stage they deserve. Buckle up, because we’re diving into some of the most underappreciated games that should’ve had their moment in the spotlight.

Why Do Hidden Gems Get Overlooked?

Before we jump into the list, here’s a burning question: why do some exceptional games never get the recognition they deserve? Well, there are a few reasons:

1. Timing is Everything - If your release date coincides with a blockbuster game, your chances of making waves drop like a lead balloon. Imagine releasing a great indie platformer the same week Elden Ring drops—ouch.

2. Marketing and Budgets - Let’s face it, indie developers and small studios often don’t have the same PR budget as AAA game studios. No massive ad campaigns, no sold-out billboards.

3. Genre Bias - Certain genres like independent puzzle games or experimental RPGs just don’t have the mass appeal that award shows tend to favor.

But hey, awards or not, these games are worth your time. Let’s break down the most memorable hidden gems that major gaming awards criminally overlooked.

1. A Plague Tale: Innocence

Release Year: 2019
Developer: Asobo Studio

If you’ve never played A Plague Tale: Innocence, man, you’re missing out. This hauntingly beautiful game takes you on a journey through 14th-century France during the Inquisition. You play as Amicia, a young girl protecting her little brother Hugo from both soldiers and an ominous plague of rats.

The narrative? Absolutely gripping. The visuals? Stunning. And yet, despite its emotionally charged storytelling and unique mechanics (rat tornadoes, anyone?), A Plague Tale didn’t quite rack up the accolades it deserved. Sure, it snagged some smaller awards, but it was largely overshadowed by bigger names like Sekiro in 2019.

2. Disco Elysium (Pre-Final Cut Edition)

Release Year: 2019
Developer: ZA/UM

Okay, hear me out. Yes, Disco Elysium eventually got the love it deserved with the Final Cut edition, but the original release was shockingly underappreciated by big-name award shows. If you’ve ever wanted a deep, dialogue-driven RPG that feels like a mix of True Detective and classic pen-and-paper RPGs, this is your jam.

What makes Disco Elysium incredible is its absurd level of choice. You can shape your protagonist’s psyche into a sad, drunk philosopher—or something much, much worse. It’s a game that rewards introspection and creative problem-solving. Sadly, its niche appeal meant it didn’t dominate award stages upon its initial release.

3. Hollow Knight

Release Year: 2017
Developer: Team Cherry

You ever stumble on something so good you wonder why more people aren’t screaming about it? That’s Hollow Knight. This indie Metroidvania is a dark, atmospheric masterpiece with tight controls, challenging combat, and a layered story tucked inside gorgeous hand-drawn visuals.

Some might argue that Hollow Knight won its fair share of indie awards, but let’s be honest—this game deserves Game of the Year nomination level recognition. Instead, it was mostly eclipsed by the AAA heavyweights of its release window, like Breath of the Wild.

4. Outer Wilds

Release Year: 2019
Developer: Mobius Digital

If you’re the kind of person who loves exploration and mind-bending puzzles, Outer Wilds might just ruin every other game for you. It’s hard to describe this game without spoiling it, but here’s the gist: you’re stuck in a 22-minute time loop, uncovering the secrets of a doomed solar system.

The game oozes creativity and curiosity. It’s the type of experience that lingers with you long after the credits roll. But despite its brilliance, Outer Wilds didn’t rake in major awards—possibly because it flies under the radar of mainstream gaming tastes.

5. Celeste

Release Year: 2018
Developer: Maddy Makes Games

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Celeste did win some awards, right? Yes, it did. But let me ask you this—did it win as many as a game this groundbreaking deserved? Probably not.

Here’s the thing: Celeste is so much more than a pixel-art platformer. It’s a raw, emotional story about mental health wrapped in a challenging and rewarding gameplay loop. Every death in the game feels like a step forward, encouraging you to keep trying. It was an indie darling, but it didn’t get a fair shake against the industry titans of the year (God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2).

6. Firewatch

Release Year: 2016
Developer: Campo Santo

Imagine spending a summer in the Wyoming wilderness, unraveling a mystery that’s as emotional as it is eerie. That’s what Firewatch is all about. This narrative-driven game puts you in the shoes of a fire lookout named Henry as he navigates isolation, heartbreak, and a mysterious subplot.

It’s beautifully written and visually stunning, but since Firewatch doesn’t fit neatly into the “traditional gaming” mold, it slipped through the cracks at major awards. A shame, because few games nail emotional storytelling quite like this one.

7. Slay the Spire

Release Year: 2019
Developer: MegaCrit

Card games and roguelikes don’t always get the praise they deserve, but Slay the Spire is proof that this genre mashup can be pure gold. What starts as a simple deck-building game quickly becomes an addictive spiral of decision-making and strategy.

It’s the kind of game you pick up “for just 10 minutes” and then suddenly realize it’s 2 a.m. Despite its tight gameplay loop and endless replayability, Slay the Spire didn’t sweep the big awards. Meanwhile, players who’ve discovered it will vouch for its greatness any day.

8. Return of the Obra Dinn

Release Year: 2018
Developer: Lucas Pope

If a black-and-white murder mystery sounds intriguing, Return of the Obra Dinn will blow your mind. Created by the same guy who made Papers, Please, this indie detective game challenges players to piece together what happened aboard a cursed ship.

Its unique art style and gameplay mechanics are brilliant, but because it’s a slower, more methodical game, mainstream audiences (and award shows) didn’t give it the love it deserved. Still, it’s a must-play for anyone who wants to flex their brain.

9. GreedFall

Release Year: 2019
Developer: Spiders

While it’s not perfect, GreedFall is an RPG that punches way above its weight. Imagine if Dragon Age and The Witcher had a love child—it would be this game. With a deep, branching narrative and a colonial fantasy world, GreedFall offers a lot more than it got credit for.

Unfortunately, it was released in a year dominated by blockbusters like Death Stranding and Control. This buried GreedFall under a pile of hype for other games, which is a shame for fans of creative, smaller-budget RPGs.

The Legacy of Hidden Gems

What’s funny is that these overlooked games often have a unique staying power. They might not win big awards at the time of their release, but they gain cult followings and become beloved by communities long after the fact. Think about it: when’s the last time a random AAA game from 10 years ago popped into your head? Now compare that to how often people still rave about Hollow Knight or Firewatch.

Final Thoughts

The gaming industry, for all its glitz and glamour, isn’t always fair. Sometimes, great games get buried under the weight of marketing budgets and release schedules. But that doesn’t make them any less worthy of our attention. If anything, it makes them all the more special—they’re like little treasures waiting to be discovered.

So next time you’re browsing for something new to play, why not skip the flashy AAA releases and give one of these hidden gems a shot? Trust me, you won’t regret it.