10 Best Hidden Gem Video Games Of 2022

In Distant Worlds, you take command of a space armada to chart the galaxy, explore worlds, and battle hostile extra-terrestrials. Fans fell in love with Code Force's 4X title, and were eager for a follow-up.

And after over a decade, Distant Worlds 2 is finally here. Although the previous entry boasted 1,400 star systems, this game's numbers are off the scale. This time, you can design your own galaxy, in terms of size, type, and nebula density. You can populate your realm of space with up to 2,000 stars, as well tens of thousands of planets, moons, and asteroids.

Now, cautious gamers know the dangers of sequels trying to go bigger and grander. By doing so, it's easy for the developers to lose sight of what made the original special.

Thankfully, the core gameplay here is the same, but sharper than ever. Although you still have to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate, Distant Worlds 2 offers a lot more customisability, giving you more options to perform missions the way YOU want to do them.

Because there are far more tasks, including protecting infrastructure, delegating duties, maintaining policies, and fuelling ships, it may sound tedious and overwhelming. But since the game doesn't rush you to pick up on these skills, it feels like you're always learning something, making the whole experience feel more rewarding, and less like a rigmarole.