5 Sleeper Hit Games That Were Overshadowed by Triple-A Releases

The gaming industry is competitive. How do we know? Each year, Steam launches over 5000 new video game releases. It's pretty easy to be overwhelmed by the overly advertised and impressive features that tend to choke other releases. Just when you're starting to learn the ropes of a new game, an alternate beta version is released by a competitor. And, of course, a gamer's thirst can never be quenched. As a result, overshadowed games get to realize their glory later on, after the new game craze goes down. Here is our top five sleeper hit games that were overshadowed by Triple-A releases.

5. Until You Fall

The epitome of hack and slash, Schell Games did put in the work to produce an epic masterpiece that will have you standing in the game….until you fall. The VR game didn't receive an outstanding reception as expected. However, thanks to the wide use of VR gear, the game is returning to its glory.

A Schell Games invention, the game features the main character as a runner with the objective of hacking and slashing away to victory. You take control of your destiny each time you advance to a new level. Until You Fall is a riveting virtual reality experience. Each encounter is a distinct and thrilling melee, with developers paying keen attention to details. Instead of your sword glitching when you clash with enemies, you'll hear the satisfactory sound of a clink.

What's more, the game infuses quality graphics and an epic soundtrack that make the power fantasy seem surreal. Aside from swinging swords, players must use strategy to beat the levels. Each weapon you use unlocks a set of abilities that may overpower your enemy. If you lose your weapon mid-combat, you can summon it to you. How Thor-rrific!

4. Anodyne 2:Return to Dust

A retro version of the classic and famous Zelda game, Anodyne 2: Return to Dust, received a better reception compared to its predecessor, Anodyne. The Analgesic Productions release is an action-adventure game that gives you a reality shift.

On the island of New Theland, a cloud of strange nanodust infects the inhabitants and distorts their feelings and emotions. Your character plays Nova, tasked by The Center organization to clear the infection. The game features a compelling storyline. As you clean up the town and save its inhabitants, you'll uncover deep secrets behind the nano dust.

The game's functionality features 2D and 3D imagery. In some cases, you'll be traversing through expansive 3D landscapes. In others, you'll have to shrink to crawl into 2D dungeons located inside the characters' bodies. Since the virus is airborne, your sole mission is to clear the infection inside the inhabitants' bodies. All this with a dust vacuum in hand. Talk of surrealism!

3. Sable

Away from the conflict, destruction, and combat comes a minimalist and peaceful game where players seek the meaning of life through their protagonist, a masked girl. A Raw Fury publishing and Shedworks development, Sable tells the story of a young girl going through a coming-of-age rite-retrieving a mask and returning it to her clan.

The mask signifies a moment of self-discovery where the young girl ventures to the bare land. The journey creates a chance for her to earn new badges through interacting with strangers. This will also involve doing a series of odd jobs. The more badges you make, the more masks you can unlock.

The game has no storyline, and it's up to players to decide on the character's fate. The open-world exploration game starts with a few options where you choose a journey point. You'll bump into some NPCs for dialogue as you traverse the open landscapes. Each conversation sets you on a different path that draws you closer to your objective. Sable's gameplay infuses discovery and picking up cues from your environment to guide you on your journey. Sable moves on her bike, which you can customize by picking parts along your route.

2. Alan Wake 

Put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and set off in this moody-Max-Payne remake as you uncover clues behind your wife's disappearance. The game follows Alan Wake, wandering through the dense and horrifying darkness while picking up clues along his path. A darkness has taken over the land, possessing humans and animals. The possessed beings turn into creatures that haunt Wake. These monstrous terrors await you in different corners. 

The dark creatures lurk around you, building tension and fear in the game. Armed with a flashlight and a gun, you delve deeper into the mysterious and moody adventure, using your flashlight to flash out the monstrosities. Bright light wards them off of your path. Also, it creates a moment of weakness in the creatures, which you can leverage by firing at them, killing them instantly.

The infusion of an excellent backdrop, thrilling game mechanics, and tension gives players a captivating experience. Furthermore, the environment features collectibles where players can pick up essential items such as batteries and ammo. The dark paths tend to have more collectible treasures, but you'll also encounter more possessed creatures. Can you take the risk of forging through the darkness in this mind-boggling cinematic game?

Now lets look at one number one pick of sleeper hit games that were overshadowed by Triple-A releases.

1. HotShot Racing

Road rage, carnage, speed, and plenty of drifting are just a few of the stunning features that Curve Games delivers in its captivating arcade racing game. The game brings life to arcade racing for those who believe the genre is dead. HotShot Racing features vibrant 3D graphics and a sharp lo-polygon aesthetic, which delivers on the edgy look. 

Players get access to four different cars, each with a distinct feature. The features are separated into four different classes-speed, acceleration, drift, and speed. You can customize your vehicle further by picking up parts along the routes. Put your drifting skills to the test and zoom past your competitors while skillfully turning corners. Drifts charge up energy bars, which, when full, give your car a nitro-boost. 

The game has different play modes. If you're not burning rubber on the track, step into the justice world and chase down criminals in the Cops and Robbers mode. Alternatively, you can be the elusive criminal and use your driving skills to escape the cops. 

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five sleeper hit games?Are there other sleeper hit games you'd recommend? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.