10 Hidden Gem Video Games Of 2023
1. Against The Storm
In a year that celebrated creativity in gaming - whether it was Baldur's Gate 3's endlessly malleable story or Tears of the Kingdoms physics-fuelled playground - its fitting that 2023 closed with one of the year's most inventive games.
Against The Storm's December release date meant that it may have slipped under the radar of the mainstream gaming populace, but to let developer Eremite Games' efforts slink into obscurity would be a grave injustice. A mash-up of two extremely unlikely genres - roguelikes and city-builders - Against The Storm is an act of alchemical magic that would make Nicolas Flamel green with envy.
Like a digital Captain Planet, each part of Against The Storm combines to form a greater whole. The roguelike aspects prevent the end-game drudgery that dogs most city-builders, as the randomization factor prevents the possibility of creating a perfect formula for each city. And the city-building aspects are complex enough that, when combined with the randomness inherent in the roguelike genre, it feels like there's always a new problem to solve or disaster to survive even after dozens of playthroughs.
A delightful treat to end 2023 with, Against The Storm is deep enough - and enjoyable enough - that you'll likely still be dipping into it throughout 2024.
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