Hey everyone! I'm super excited because I'm finally building my first PC on Feb 7th after dreaming about it since I was a kid. I've saved up from my student job, and I'm ready to dive into gaming! I'm looking for some recommendations and I have a few specific criteria:
1. **Release Date:** Must be released before 2024.
2. **Vibe:** I'm in search of underrated games, cult classics, or hidden gems—not the big mainstream AAA titles.
3. **Specs:** My setup includes an **i7-4790** and a **GTX 1660 6GB**, so I'm hoping for games that will run smoothly on this hardware.
4. **Genre:** I love narrative-driven experiences, but I'm open to any game that's genuinely fun and has a unique atmosphere.
I'm genuinely excited to play these after finals and once my build is complete. So, what games do you think are must-plays that people might overlook?
8 Answers
If you're looking for something different, try *Signalis*. It's got a unique vibe and would definitely run well on your setup.
Here are some free gems to check out:
- [Applewood](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1107470/Applewood/)
- [Electronic Super Joy 2](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1113940/Electronic_Super_Joy_2/)
- [The Knobbly Crook](https://store.steampowered.com/app/378300/The_Knobbly_Crook/)
And a couple of not-free ones:
- [LevelHead](https://store.steampowered.com/app/792710/Levelhead/)
- [Octahedron: Transfixed Edition](https://store.steampowered.com/app/434660/Octahedron_Transfixed_Edition)
*Mount & Blade: Warband* is a personal favorite of mine! I spent a ridiculous amount of hours on it, especially with mods. It's such a fun sandbox experience.
Check out *Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight*! It’s a simple yet captivating metroidvania that runs beautifully on your configuration. The atmosphere is fantastic, even if the story is minimal.
If you enjoy JRPGs, every Atelier game from *Atelier Rorona DX* to *Atelier Lulua* is fantastic. Also, check out the **r/lowendgaming** subreddit for further suggestions!
Have you tried *Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines*? It's a classic if you're into that genre! Definitely underrated.
You might want to check **r/patientgamers** for some more hidden gems! Also, if you like classic shooters, the original *Doom* is always a must-play.
For narrative-driven games, I recommend:
- *Analogue: A Hate Story* and *Hate Plus* (play the first one first). They dive deep into character writing and have dark themes.
- *AI: The Somnium Files* is a fun detective game, kinda like *Phoenix Wright*. It's actually on sale right now, grab it!
- *VA-11 HALL-A* is another great one focused on bartending with lots of character depth. You'll want to replay it for sure!
Same here! I think I logged over 400 hours too, just in the vanilla version. The mods really make it even better!