Recommend a game or two from the last few years that most people have never heard of...

[ZedClampet]

The recommendation is not for me but for gamers in general.

My two would be Colony Survival and Astro Colony. I'll just let the game descriptions describe them:

Colony Survival on Steam

Colony Survival is a unique first-person strategy game developed by a two-man team. Build your own colony in a voxel world. Command guards, farmers, miners and other colonists. Defend your colony against the horde of monsters that attacks every night!

store.steampowered.com

Astro Colony on Steam

Explore endless Universe and create the most efficient constellation of colonies. Build conveyor systems to automate production. Take care of Astronauts and their needs! Establish new colonies as part of intergalactic simulation.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Frindis]

A fun game you can play against friends.

Circle of Sumo: Online Rumble! on Steam

Use your belly to your advantage! Challenge players all over the world and climb the leaderboards. Fight into the arena: charge, hit, dodge and defeat the opponents. Let's have some good old fun!

store.steampowered.com

 

[neogunhero]

Helheim Hassle, from the creators for Manuel Samuel. At first glance you may think it’s just another silly physics based puzzle game for YouTubers to monetize off of, but you’d be greatly mistake. Unique controls, hilarious voice acted dialogue, and a story that is actually interesting and makes you want to finish the game. Although not a direct sequel (prequel?) to Manuel Samuel, it is in the same “universe” with many references and throwbacks to that game. I recommend checking out the bundle with both games as they are both very great indie puzzle games with hilarious stories and dialogue.

Helheim Hassle

 

[Brian Boru]

War Robots Planet Defender

Steam Store

Steam is the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.

store.steampowered.com

This is a neat RTS / Tower Defense hybrid, where you use mechs to clear out 3 series of attack waves on 18 planets. So 54 different fights, each fight v endless waves of enemies until you march up the map and destroy their base.

Mech parts and weapons are customizable, and you also get a super-tank as your command vehicle. Your mechs are produced endlessly as long as your tank stays alive. Enemies vary between fast light infantry, heavy slower armored guys, airborne… the main problem is their number rather than their type.

The interesting part is how you spend the points you accumulate in battle. Stronger mechs, or better armor or weapons for your current mechs, or special powers like a bombing run, or upgrade your super-tank, or… or…

Each level is a small map, 1 screen wide and maybe 3-4 screens high—you start S, their base is N. Good fun, more for TD than RTS fans I guess, altho I much prefer RTS over TD—good valus @ $7, a steal on sale.

You have to figure the game out on your own, there's very little help or docs.

 

[Zloth]

Given all the gamers that just play LoL, Counterstrike, or a sports game of some kind, I could probably say Skyrim. But I won't.

Outer Wilds on Steam

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

store.steampowered.com

It's fun, it's smart, it's cheap, the music is great, and the only violence is the possibility of getting yourself killed. Plus, not knowing much about it is a plus, as it's a game about discovery.

Subnautica on Steam

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.

store.steampowered.com

Similar to Outer Wilds in that discovery and exploration are the main points of the game. This one is also about survival, so you'll be hunting little fishies and big fishies will be hunting you. There's some base building, too.

 

[Colif]

Must be a big rock to not have heard of last two.

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Typically most games I play are pretty well known, but heres a couple of the lesser known ones that maybe people havent heard of. I've mentioned them on here before though, so regulars probably saw me talking about them at some point.

Suzerain was a really good little political choose your own adventure style game I've been meaning to go back to for another run.

Suzerain on Steam

Assume the role of President Anton Rayne and guide the nation of Sordland. Amidst brewing international conflicts, need for reform, deep-seated corruption, and economic recession, you must make the decisions in this political drama. How will you lead?

store.steampowered.com

Urtuk: The Desolation was a really good run based hex tactical game with a pretty nice art style.

Urtuk: The Desolation on Steam

Urtuk is an open world, tactical turn-based RPG in a low-fantasy setting. Guide your band of adventurers through the ruins of an ancient world. Recruit new followers, loot the corpses of your fallen foes, and do your best to survive in this harsh and unforgiving realm.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Colif]

I haven't played many games in the last few years

Most obscure was this - https://www.eyezmaze.com/sp/2002/02/growPlanet.html

GROW (series) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

but I have played those in the past... long ago. Its not a very big game but getting it right is another thing. They have other puzzles too.

guess more game like would be https://store.steampowered.com/app/1455840/Dorfromantik/

 

[ZedClampet]

Given all the gamers that just play LoL, Counterstrike, or a sports game of some kind, I could probably say Skyrim. But I won't.

Outer Wilds on Steam

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

store.steampowered.com

It's fun, it's smart, it's cheap, the music is great, and the only violence is the possibility of getting yourself killed. Plus, not knowing much about it is a plus, as it's a game about discovery.

Subnautica on Steam

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.

store.steampowered.com

Similar to Outer Wilds in that discovery and exploration are the main points of the game. This one is also about survival, so you'll be hunting little fishies and big fishies will be hunting you. There's some base building, too.

Those are pretty famous games. I think even Fortnite kids have heard of those

 

[neogunhero]

I haven't played many games in the last few years

Most obscure was this - https://www.eyezmaze.com/sp/2002/02/growPlanet.html

GROW (series) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

but I have played those in the past... long ago. Its not a very big game but getting it right is another thing. They have other puzzles too.

guess more game like would be https://store.steampowered.com/app/1455840/Dorfromantik/

Just went down a rabbithole about those Grow games and the creator. They seem so familiar to me but I don’t know, maybe I played one of his Flash games as a kid. Thank you for showing them to us, I think I’ll try to play the browser games tonight when I’m off.

 

[JimmyRecard00]

Unmechanical was a really fun, beautiful, evocative 2.5D Puzzle Platformer.
Just peaceful and enjoyable in a way that a lot of games aren't.

It's not perfect, but it's definitely worth playing right through to the end.
I came back years later and enjoyed playing it through a second time just as much.

It's pretty cheap as is - but maybe even more of a bargain on sale.
I really hope someone discovers this gem as a result of this thread !


Unmechanical on Steam

Unmechanical on Steam

A carefully created world with unique environments and an engrossing atmosphere, Unmechanical offers over 30 unique puzzles of exploration and adventure!

store.steampowered.com

Trailer

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6KVvb2JFoA

 

[Brian Boru]

Unmechanical

Hmm, 91% Positive from ~300 ratings—and it has a demo! Thanks for that one Jimmy

 

[Hitobat]

I quite enjoyed Tin Can, although I recognize it's probably of niche appeal.

Steam link:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1315980/Tin_Can/

 

[Brian Boru]

Tin Can … probably of niche appeal

It has a demo too!

Not for me tho, acc to 'fieryace' review:
"This is 30 minutes of panicked plate spinning.

Every system in the ship will fail, and the challenge isn't about prioritization or diagnostics or resource management but pure speed. As another review said, if you ever have to consult the manual you've already lost."