I liked the game but felt it comes out more like a prologue to something else. It could have done with more branching paths, or by going a lot more into visual novel. By the time it ended i thought "só this ends where the actual story would begin" Would love it as a tabletop RPG and will keep an eye open for a sequel
@@alexandrewildfire6405 Thanks so much! Yes, we didn't have the budget to do the game we initially wanted (Victorian Steampunk Shadowrun style game with turn-based combat) so we started with something more attainable for us. I'm still really happy with how the game came out, but it is a prequel to the game we wanted to make, hopefully we get to do that for a sequel.
I like this kind of videos, more than "best of X genre" "GOATs" "GOTYs" etc. lists which are all games already talked about at length everywhere on gaming channels
Completely agree also. Those superlatively-titled and -topiced vids don't allow for diversity of tastes and preferences in their singular clickbait focus.
Me too... there's a reason for them to be called "hidden gems": we might overlook them on the stores or even promos if someone doesn't recommend us otherwise. Since even the cheap games are somewhat expensive nowadays, we usually feel less "experimental".
Sovereign Syndicate was a nice surprise to me. Isaac Otway gifted me a key for just following them on X, while my super small channel don't even have the requirements to ask for anything. A such small production with such confidence struck me, and the game was not bad at all. Narrative, limitations due to budget constraints, but with a sensible and down to earth take on life that AAA companies fail to get.
It would be really cool if you would reach out to these smaller TRPG studios and make an interview with them about their games. It would be so cool to hear some more about the people who make them and how they do it. And I feel you would be a great person to do this, because you have such honest appreciation for these games, and enjoy digging deep. And your calm presence would allow the interviewees to relax... I think this could be really cool content. :)
Sovereign Syndicate was really enjoyable. The world building and writing was absolutely top notch. Entertained me at all times, cracked me up a time or two, got me in the feels at one point.
Such good content on a consistent basis. I, honestly, don't play many RPGs, but I watch every video because I love the content and quality here. One of the best games channels on all of RUclips
I didn't know that Mimimi Games closed down. I'm definitely going to pick up Sumarisn Six to hopefully support the creation of more Stealth tactics games.
Just wanted to say have been enjoying your content for years. I first subbed for the lore videos for pillars of eternity and stayed for the reviews man. Hands down my favourite gaming channel by a long way.
Thanks for taking your time and putting these together. I think you do a great job communicating what you like in each game which lets me get a pretty good grasp on if any of these games would be for me.
Seems like the world of Sovereign Syndicate was heavily inspired by the show Carnival Row. I really enjoyed Zoria. It seemed pretty well done, all things considered.
Thanks! I actually haven't seen Carnival Row but heard the comparison more than once, I'll have to check it out. Was inspired by Shadowrun, Arcanum, Disco Elysium, and to an extent comic works like Lady Mechanika and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Victorian Science Fiction, Dickens, HG Wells, Jules Verne, etc.
I thought Classified France '44 was a lot of fun. I played through it twice this year because the decision making locks you out of recruiting certain characters. Definitely worth picking up next time its on sale.
CF44 has just such an elegantly designed combat in my eyes. It stays relevant for the whole campaign, and keeps evolving. This puts it far above Jagged Alliance 3 for example, where you just end up using a silenced sniper with almost all characters. I wish CF44 sold well enough for them to make a sequel, but Steam reviews seem to be too few. :(
Sanabi - I got it on 50% sale on Steam and it was magnificent. This was one of (if not THE) best looking indie games I've played in my life. Combat is fine but the story takes the cake. It's well written and makes You care about characters
Sumerian Six was a great game. I got all the achievements and uninstalled the game after 41 hours played. I always thought Shadow tactics was great but it was a little bit too difficult for all the challenges to be done on controller. Sumerian six was perfectly distilled without being too simplistic. I loved it and it motivated me to go back and finish shadow tactics and desperados 3.
All solid choices, but I have to say, a true hidden gem that you haven't covered yet (and I'd strongly recommend!) is Tactical Breach Wizards. I was really surprised by that game and how good it is.
These indie and AA games are the future of gaming. As the tools get better they can actually make these awesome games for what limited resources they have. Make creative fun games without the worry of needing to sell 8m copies.
Rogue Waters is definietaly one of those games that just scream mediocre when you look at it but when you give it a chance - you are so positively surprised 😊!
I love videos like this, looking back into memories to check how a game experience feels like after everything has settled a bit, I feel like these kinds of perspectives are valuable to consider if a game is worth buying, I always avoid buying games that just released anyway, so I quite enjoy "post-launch" reviews
Cat Quest III was a nice indie game that released a couple months ago. Cute action rpg with ship combat, set on an open 2D world. I hope more people give it a try.
Thanks for the video. Comment's kind of unrelated. BotW and Read Dead Redemption 2 both pursued minimalist themes to really bring depth and life to their respective open worlds. With the point and click nature of CRPGs, the same less is more approach doesn't seem like it would work. They usually are party-based, so solitude is not the goal, but being RPGs, one of the goals should always be depth. Onward to 400k. All glory to the algorithm.
Sovereign Syndicate is fantastic! I loved Zoria too, not a bad game from a team of 3 (reminded me of Solasta). RW was ok, but felt like i was playing a mobile game.. Now i just have to try the last two games on this list.. thank you.
Hey Mort! Genuine question here cause im blown away by how its even possible to put out the content you do and play all these games. Do you literally play games all day? Interested in what your schedule is like.
Sad to hear mi mi mi closed. I have never finished any of their games because they really becomes a slog after the first half with the guard count doubled and all of them always just stand around staring at each other. I can't deny being totally absorbed in those first 10 or so hours so I hope somebody keeps the spirit alive.
Any plans on covering Crow Country? Really good survival horror game with a PS1 inspired aesthetic. Bit on the easy side, but honestly might just turn it into my go-to rec for anybody wanting to try the genre for the first time. Think I personally 100% it in 8,4 hours or something like that, but genuinely enjoyed the ride except one REALLY stupid puzzle I genuinely got angry for a flash at just how dumb it was.
Why are games set in modern London called “syndicate”? Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, and now Sovereign Syndicate? Is London unique in its proliferation of massive gangs?
Yes lean into the indies and smaller games PLEASE, where I spend 99% of my gaming money…..haven’t bought more than maybe oneAAA per year for over a decade, on average, some yrs more some yrs none so please keep doing this and indie/aa etc reviews
Classified France was good gameplay etc. but even after winning all missions and doing great at all of them. I still lost the campaign for some reason and that really soured my experience with it and why I'll never recommend it
The only thing that kept me from Sovereign is the fact that I can't make my own weirdo character like New Arc Line would seemingly let me do, but I also have a hunger for a decent attempt at a Disco Elysium.
Megaton Mushashi W: Wired is actualy really good Mecha Customization Beat Em Up (Part Light novel because its basicaly 3 game story wrapped into 1 plus one 30 minute anime) Almost as good as GB4 and with even better skill customization It just that because its hidden no one play multiplayer anymore, combined with dev choice to make the post credit to endgame difficuly vertical just like library of ruina. You end up with this gem Seriously give it a try with your friend, guaranteed 30 hours of fun, will also reccommend to skip the story. Or god bless you and your friend if you treat it as visual novel
Thanks for the mention on Sovereign Syndicate! We're working on ports for consoles and localization so expect some announcements there too.
Thanks for making such a great experience for us!! ❤
studios like yours are the future of gaming, glad this kinda thing is finally getting recognition
Sovereign Syndicate was one of the best games I played this year! Looking forward to seeing what you make next :D
I liked the game but felt it comes out more like a prologue to something else.
It could have done with more branching paths, or by going a lot more into visual novel. By the time it ended i thought "só this ends where the actual story would begin" Would love it as a tabletop RPG and will keep an eye open for a sequel
@@alexandrewildfire6405 Thanks so much! Yes, we didn't have the budget to do the game we initially wanted (Victorian Steampunk Shadowrun style game with turn-based combat) so we started with something more attainable for us. I'm still really happy with how the game came out, but it is a prequel to the game we wanted to make, hopefully we get to do that for a sequel.
I like this kind of videos, more than "best of X genre" "GOATs" "GOTYs" etc. lists which are all games already talked about at length everywhere on gaming channels
agree fully. this is where I find new games I want to look into myself
Completely agree also. Those superlatively-titled and -topiced vids don't allow for diversity of tastes and preferences in their singular clickbait focus.
Me too... there's a reason for them to be called "hidden gems": we might overlook them on the stores or even promos if someone doesn't recommend us otherwise. Since even the cheap games are somewhat expensive nowadays, we usually feel less "experimental".
Just chiming in to say I agree
agree
Also Felvidek, Drova, Skald, Dread Delusion and Tactical Breach Wizards. Some incredible indies being released more and more frequently.
Fwiw he's featured Skald a ton in various videos
felvidek is sooo good
also judero and ufo50
Tactical breach wizard is such a sleeper ! I love that game
Sovereign Syndicate was a nice surprise to me. Isaac Otway gifted me a key for just following them on X, while my super small channel don't even have the requirements to ask for anything. A such small production with such confidence struck me, and the game was not bad at all. Narrative, limitations due to budget constraints, but with a sensible and down to earth take on life that AAA companies fail to get.
It would be really cool if you would reach out to these smaller TRPG studios and make an interview with them about their games. It would be so cool to hear some more about the people who make them and how they do it. And I feel you would be a great person to do this, because you have such honest appreciation for these games, and enjoy digging deep. And your calm presence would allow the interviewees to relax... I think this could be really cool content. :)
Drova is by far the best "little find" for me. Probably the game that surprised me the most this year.
Hell yeah, I just finished my first playthrough yesterday. It deserves a sequel.
The unga bunga goes to another world? Yeah, didn't expect much and they delivered more than i hoped.
Got that Gothic feel just about right 😊 One of the best RPG experiences of this year!
Sovereign Syndicate was really enjoyable. The world building and writing was absolutely top notch. Entertained me at all times, cracked me up a time or two, got me in the feels at one point.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.
Such good content on a consistent basis. I, honestly, don't play many RPGs, but I watch every video because I love the content and quality here.
One of the best games channels on all of RUclips
I didn't know that Mimimi Games closed down. I'm definitely going to pick up Sumarisn Six to hopefully support the creation of more Stealth tactics games.
Just wanted to say have been enjoying your content for years. I first subbed for the lore videos for pillars of eternity and stayed for the reviews man. Hands down my favourite gaming channel by a long way.
Thank you!
Thanks for taking your time and putting these together. I think you do a great job communicating what you like in each game which lets me get a pretty good grasp on if any of these games would be for me.
Kunitsu-Gami will be overlooked, dues to its "AA from a AAA publisher" nature, but I think it's a neat game. Deserves more attention.
Completely agree, this game that deserves more attention.
Man I've been hooked on Kunitsu-gami for weeks now lol 60+hrs. Definitely deserves more media attention
I downloaded it on gamepass a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love it
Seems like the world of Sovereign Syndicate was heavily inspired by the show Carnival Row.
I really enjoyed Zoria. It seemed pretty well done, all things considered.
Thanks! I actually haven't seen Carnival Row but heard the comparison more than once, I'll have to check it out. Was inspired by Shadowrun, Arcanum, Disco Elysium, and to an extent comic works like Lady Mechanika and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Victorian Science Fiction, Dickens, HG Wells, Jules Verne, etc.
Romancing Saga 2 Revenge of the Seven would be my pick. While backed by Square Enix, it gained far from as much attention as I felt it deserved.
I saw that game on PSN store recently i think. I'll give it a try.
Looks interesting.
I thought Classified France '44 was a lot of fun. I played through it twice this year because the decision making locks you out of recruiting certain characters. Definitely worth picking up next time its on sale.
CF44 has just such an elegantly designed combat in my eyes. It stays relevant for the whole campaign, and keeps evolving. This puts it far above Jagged Alliance 3 for example, where you just end up using a silenced sniper with almost all characters.
I wish CF44 sold well enough for them to make a sequel, but Steam reviews seem to be too few. :(
Sanabi - I got it on 50% sale on Steam and it was magnificent. This was one of (if not THE) best looking indie games I've played in my life. Combat is fine but the story takes the cake. It's well written and makes You care about characters
Sumerian Six was a great game. I got all the achievements and uninstalled the game after 41 hours played. I always thought Shadow tactics was great but it was a little bit too difficult for all the challenges to be done on controller. Sumerian six was perfectly distilled without being too simplistic. I loved it and it motivated me to go back and finish shadow tactics and desperados 3.
Tried the demo of Rogue Waters, and found it quite fun. Not a huge fan of roguelits/-likes, but this one I enjoyed.
Our adventuring guild. My hidden gem of 2024.
For me those would be:
Outcast: A New Beginning, Megaton Musashi W: Wired, Wantless: Solace at World's End, Terra Memoria, Space Prison, Anima Flux.
Solid. Wantless kinda makes me want to get back into Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children
All solid choices, but I have to say, a true hidden gem that you haven't covered yet (and I'd strongly recommend!) is Tactical Breach Wizards. I was really surprised by that game and how good it is.
He has covered a 100% on it already
I'm glad that you mentioned Drova, it's one of the best RPG I've played in recent years and I'd love to hear more of your thought on it
Yep, Drova is a very solid Gothic-like.
These indie and AA games are the future of gaming. As the tools get better they can actually make these awesome games for what limited resources they have. Make creative fun games without the worry of needing to sell 8m copies.
My man keeps on pushing
He's leveling up. Soon it'll be us thats trying to catch up with his upload speed
@newyou6210 i can see that happening already lol
Rogue Waters is definietaly one of those games that just scream mediocre when you look at it but when you give it a chance - you are so positively surprised 😊!
I love videos like this, looking back into memories to check how a game experience feels like after everything has settled a bit, I feel like these kinds of perspectives are valuable to consider if a game is worth buying, I always avoid buying games that just released anyway, so I quite enjoy "post-launch" reviews
Cat Quest III was a nice indie game that released a couple months ago.
Cute action rpg with ship combat, set on an open 2D world. I hope more people give it a try.
Rogue Waters and Sumerian Six really interest me. Classified France '44 was a really fun game.
Thanks to you I bought a copy of Classified France 44, never even heard of it
Thanks for the video. Comment's kind of unrelated. BotW and Read Dead Redemption 2 both pursued minimalist themes to really bring depth and life to their respective open worlds. With the point and click nature of CRPGs, the same less is more approach doesn't seem like it would work. They usually are party-based, so solitude is not the goal, but being RPGs, one of the goals should always be depth. Onward to 400k. All glory to the algorithm.
Sovereign Syndicate is fantastic! I loved Zoria too, not a bad game from a team of 3 (reminded me of Solasta). RW was ok, but felt like i was playing a mobile game.. Now i just have to try the last two games on this list.. thank you.
Added all to my wish list ! Thanks for the recommendations!
Great list! Steamworld heist 2 is another one ❤
My personal GOTY RPG is Drova, they completely nailed Gothic formula, and made it unique with 2d pixel-art and great combat!
Steamworld Heist (2) was received well... but by so few people unfortunately... fantastic title and series.
I know you don't play on consoles, but my Game of the Year is Unicorn Overlord, fantastic strategy RPG from Vanillaware / Atlus
I you like Lovecraft and a good roguelite deckbuilder, try menace from the deep :)
Rogue Waters is the FTL's spiritual successor we were all waiting for! I hope it also launches on consoles.
These were some my sleeper hits! 😊
Nice. Will you be doing a “top games of 2024” later on in the year too? Been enjoying the past few vids. May you wander in wisdom Mort.
Yeah probably later this month/December
rogue waters was a real surprise. and i very enjoyed classified france
Good stuff!
Need more lists like these
Steamworld Heist 2. I will always talk up this series when the opportunity arises.
Frogmonster, A cute fps with great boss design 🐸
Hey Mort! Genuine question here cause im blown away by how its even possible to put out the content you do and play all these games. Do you literally play games all day? Interested in what your schedule is like.
Like 10-12 hours of games most days
@@MortismalGaming dang keep up the good work , it must be draining😮
I have to say that Elin has been my favorite game this year
The mere words "what if Disco Elysium but Arcanum" caused me a special sort of pleasurable psychic damage.
Hidden RUclips Jazz 🎶
Looking forward to rogue waters
Sad to hear mi mi mi closed. I have never finished any of their games because they really becomes a slog after the first half with the guard count doubled and all of them always just stand around staring at each other. I can't deny being totally absorbed in those first 10 or so hours so I hope somebody keeps the spirit alive.
Any plans on covering Crow Country?
Really good survival horror game with a PS1 inspired aesthetic. Bit on the easy side, but honestly might just turn it into my go-to rec for anybody wanting to try the genre for the first time. Think I personally 100% it in 8,4 hours or something like that, but genuinely enjoyed the ride except one REALLY stupid puzzle I genuinely got angry for a flash at just how dumb it was.
No current plans
@MortismalGaming Fair enough! But thanks for the answer.
Should have included DA:TV just to stir the pot. Im personally enjoying it a lot. Has some obvious flaws, but its a fun time
you forgot " girls frontline 2" . game of the decade
Check out Elin. Early access game but I think you'd love it.
Sovereign Syndicate came out in January? How the hell did I miss that?
Are you planning on fully reviewing Drova before the end of the year?
Ideally, yeah
Drova is awesome!
Since the success of X-COM 2, TRPGs have become a common genre, previously it seems to me they were niche.
free comment because they can't stop me.
Moist.
Leaving your dividends here, sir
Why are games set in modern London called “syndicate”? Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, and now Sovereign Syndicate? Is London unique in its proliferation of massive gangs?
Tunguska the visitation!
what's everyone's favorite youtube jazz album?
I see xcom stuff and I'm interested
Yes lean into the indies and smaller games PLEASE, where I spend 99% of my gaming money…..haven’t bought more than maybe oneAAA per year for over a decade, on average, some yrs more some yrs none so please keep doing this and indie/aa etc reviews
I love hidden gems.
Ever since i played disco elysium i've been itching for anything similar. Damn shame what happened to that studio
Swag do a age of decadence playthrough pleasw.
I reviewed it quite some time ago
@MortismalGaming I saw that one already it was such a great video you gotta make a sequel! Please 🥺🙏
I have Sovereign Syndicate and Classified France '44 but haven't got fully into them yet, I think mostly because there has always been something else.
The backlog is real.
GronK!
Classified France was good gameplay etc. but even after winning all missions and doing great at all of them. I still lost the campaign for some reason and that really soured my experience with it and why I'll never recommend it
Any game can be a hidden gem if you've never played it!
drova review when?
Before the end of the year
Forgive me ignorance……what the heck is aTRPG? I understand Crpg, never heard T
Tactics, think games like xcom
Where is drova ?
gee I wonder if he likes tactical rpgs
The only thing that kept me from Sovereign is the fact that I can't make my own weirdo character like New Arc Line would seemingly let me do, but I also have a hunger for a decent attempt at a Disco Elysium.
No complete Wrath of the Righteous? Unsubscribe!!
In reality a very nice list
Megaton Mushashi W: Wired is actualy really good Mecha Customization Beat Em Up (Part Light novel because its basicaly 3 game story wrapped into 1 plus one 30 minute anime)
Almost as good as GB4 and with even better skill customization
It just that because its hidden no one play multiplayer anymore, combined with dev choice to make the post credit to endgame difficuly vertical just like library of ruina. You end up with this gem
Seriously give it a try with your friend, guaranteed 30 hours of fun, will also reccommend to skip the story. Or god bless you and your friend if you treat it as visual novel
Morrrrtiiiissssmaaaalllllllllllll Whooooo
checkout "katanakami"