Many people who play games tend to go for the big games. But many creative and interesting games go unnoticed. When I share these lesser-known gems, I hope to help people in the gaming community discover something new and support the developers who put forth these ideas. This piece will take a closer look at four titles available on Steam. Each has less than 100 reviews and are very unique. They deserve a spotlight, so let’s take a closer look!
Why Review Counts Matter for Indie Games
Game visibility on digital platforms often depends on the quantity of user reviews present. Although not the only site for discovering indie games, Steam’s review system carries a lot of weight for players and developers alike. The more reviews a great game gets, the more audiences it reaches; the more reviews a game gets, the more encouragement the developers receive.
Surmount: Climbing with a Twist
Surmount is a climbing video game that takes a unique approach. The game allows you to customize a climber who is able to rotate his whole body at hyperspeed and double-jump thanks to an oddball accident, rather than aspiring for precision or realism. This strange mechanic makes the ascent up the world’s largest (and randomly generated) hill a rather hectic yet thrilling experience. You will find yourself launching the character across massive gaps, grabbing onto outcrops at the last moment. If the ever-changing mountain is losing its charm, the hand-crafted levels offer an experience that advances the narrative and helps players learn new skills like walking on ice or using a jetpack. Only around 96 Steam users reviewed it despite an entertaining experience, Surmount.
Stop Dead: Relentless Speedrunning Action
Stop Dead offers fast-paced first-person speedrunning where standing still is deadly. As a player, you will control a telekinetic agent who has fallen victim to a rogue AI. And you will keep on running because of the deadly implant inside you. In every mission, players soar through the air throwing things at enemies, smashing glass, and racing against the clock to set ever-faster times for those elusive S-ranks. You’re not satisfied by beating your levels, but by playing them over, finding new shortcuts, and refining it little by little. The game is in early access and hasn’t seen updates for over a year, but the developers say the full release is coming, at least according to them. This game’s dedicated community is what makes it competitive and more engagement may just kickstart development again! Although there have only been 73 reviews, Stop Dead is a diamond in the rough with overwhelming positive reviews.
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Coolra and the Dead of Limbo: A Paper Mario-Inspired Adventure
With a colorful visual style and a heartwarming presentation, Coolra and the Souls of Limbo takes obvious cues from Paper Mario. In Limbo—a colourful world where spirits are stuck because they have regrets—players control Calbra, a snake-like skeleton. The day and night cycle not only improves the aesthetics of the game but also creates new opportunities for exploration. The goal is to help these spirits move on through simple yet poignant puzzles. These puzzles often involve some light problem-solving or just eavesdropping on a chat. Every interaction is filled with humour and warmth as you make your way through Limbo. I like how the game is unique in its own way, but it has only 54 reviews so far on Steam. I guess it is still good for a certain group of people. If you enjoy a narrative-focused soul-like adventure, Coolra and the Souls of Limbo should be great for you to have fun.
Before the Green Moon: A Gritty Reflective Farming Sims
Before the Green Moon is very different from other farming simulator games. Around the game, we realize that aiming for the maximum yield is not the target but merely enjoy the routines and randomness in the world that seems lived-in. The hero wants to reach a green moon but cannot reach there with traditional farming, which makes it hard to reach. The fun is built around connecting with each other, finding meaning in mundane tasks and uncovering gems underneath muck! There is a realism and emotional weightiness created by the town’s limited daily energy and erratic rhythms. Whether it’s eating a local chef’s meal or teaching the neighbour’s child a lesson, it is an action that reveals layers of need and community. Before the Green Moon is a great example of how compelling small personal stories are in games.
Every Review Counts for Indie
With such a low number of reviews for these innovative titles, it goes to show that many great games do not get noticed. Although review counts are not the best indication of quality nor popularity, it nonetheless has a key role to play in how games get surfaced and recommended. The gaming community can help by leaving reviews with a decent amount of depth, even if they are brief, on the games they love in a timely manner. Early feedback regardless of its length and depth increases visibility and helps creators to reach a wider audience.
If you found a game that isn’t getting as much love as it should, just taking the time to share your thoughts, no matter how simple, can help someone find their next favourite and ensure creative voices continue to get made.
Check out more gaming tips and hidden gems at Winspirit.