10 Amazing Games With Concurrent Players In The Single Digits

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As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always drawn to new games that capture my interest from multiple angles. Be it through friends or streamers I follow recommending them, or even catching a sneak peek during game shows.

Currently, I’m someone who gets deeply focused on specific topics; once something catches my attention, it stays there until I fully understand it. This propensity has led me to explore a wide variety of intriguing and sometimes unconventional games throughout the years, not because they were necessarily popular, but because I found their atmosphere or fundamental gameplay appealing.

It’s true that not all people play games based on their ‘feel’, and because of this, many games I believe are excellent often go unnoticed. Regardless of my personal affection for them, a quick glance at their current active player numbers shows minimal interest.

To put it frankly, I believe that’s not quite right, and if I may indulge myself, I’d be delighted to introduce you to some extraordinary games that, at the moment, seem to have captured my attention more than most others.

At the point when this information was written, all these games were being played by a small number of people, less than ten, as reported by SteamDB. If you find out later that there are more players, then we can consider our goal achieved.

10.
Arzette: The Jewel Of Faramore

Like A CD-I Game That Doesn’t Stink

Back in the mid-to-late 2000s, if you ever dabbled with YouTube, you likely encountered a phenomenon known as YouTube Poop. This humorous video style often featured the poorly made Legend of Zelda games released for the Philips CD-I in 1993.

In spite of being criticized for poor gameplay, their unique and quirky cinematic sequences created an unbreakable reputation throughout history. Surprisingly, a team of developers chose to develop a game inspired by these titles, but contrary to expectations, it turned out to be surprisingly well-made.

The Radiant Gem of Faramore is a dynamic blend of action and platforming, incorporating hints of Metroidvania-style exploration, reminiscent of the eccentric style often seen in CD-I games.

The gameplay is quite like other games, but with one key difference: the elements have been carefully adjusted and organized for easy play by average players. There are no overly complex levels, strange collision boxes, or nearly useless power-ups; instead, it offers a smoother gaming experience overall.

Accompanying this is a sequence of hand-drawn cutscenes that share the same charmingly low-budget and eccentric feel as the CD-I games, though with a more deliberate intention. I used to eagerly anticipate conversing with each new NPC, as I knew they were hiding amusing dialogue and odd proportions just waiting to be discovered.

9.
Battle Chef Brigade

Cooking Is Basically A Puzzle

I seldom play simple puzzle games such as Tetris, mainly due to my lack of ability in anticipating how to move the pieces effectively.

If you want to pique my interest in such puzzle games, one effective method is by blending them with another type of game. Consequently, we arrive at Battle Chef Brigade, a unique fusion of action platforming and match-three puzzling.

In Battle Chef Brigade, you’re tasked with exploring the wilderness to hunt monsters which you later use as ingredients in your kitchen. This is presented as a match-three style game. It’s an engaging concept for casual gaming, but it offers more than meets the eye. The game features a deep narrative campaign, complete with mini-games and progressively harder mechanics that will truly test your skills.

As a passionate gamer, I affectionately refer to Battle Chef Brigade as a game that’s got a delightful “snap” to it. On its own, the monster-hunting and puzzle-solving might seem somewhat leisurely paced. However, by weaving these elements together and placing you in situations where you need to navigate both under pressure, the overall experience becomes not only more cohesive but also incredibly enjoyable.

Also, you don’t need to know how to actually cook to play it, which is nice for me.

8.
Dungeon Munchies

Weaponized Gastronomy

Regarding the topic of cooking-themed games, I came across an unexpected title one day – Dungeon Munchies (distinct from Dungeon Meshi). This game appears to have appeared on my desk mysteriously.

It’s uncertain whether someone suggested it or I stumbled upon it myself during its early access phase. Regardless, it somehow found its way into my life. I’m thankful for that, as I haven’t encountered a game quite like it in my gaming experience.

In simpler terms, Dungeon Munchies is a relatively soft game that falls under the category of Metroidvania, with a major focus on resource collection. The creatures you defeat and the edible plants you forage can be transformed into dishes that boost your abilities as well as various types of weaponry.

This game’s crafting guides are enormous, offering a vast array of possibilities to blend skills and weapons in unimaginable ways. It resembles a roguelike game but without the repetition aspect.

This game unexpectedly resonates with a wide range of emotions, offering both uproarious laughter and deeply touching scenes. It’s remarkable how a game centered around a spectral girl wearing a chef’s hat can evoke profound feelings; life indeed has a peculiar way of doing so at times.

7.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage

The Best Parts Of Games Past

Games with an off-beat action style flourished during the early 2000s. This period, much like adolescence, was marked by a surge of exuberant violence and a humorous tone that bordered on irreverent. If you yearn for that unique gaming era but prefer not to play vintage games, you might find yourself appreciating Gori: Cuddly Carnage.

This game is audaciously charming in its design and layout, casting you as an adorable feline on a spinning hoverboard, decimating menacing unicorn stuffed toys drenched in a rainbow of gore. It’s the sort of game that confidently understands its identity and objectives, and I must admit, I admire it for that.

It’s definitely enjoyable that the battles are thrilling, as your hoverboard allows for great agility and versatility, and your moves pack quite a punch. If you appreciate games where building the longest combo is part of the excitement, you’re sure to love Gori: Cuddly Carnage!

6.
Headlander

Getting A Head In Life

In my college days, Double Fine was undeniably among my preferred game developers. They not only created several games that I adored, such as Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, but also dabbled in unique, innovative adaptations of traditional gaming themes and narratives.

Among the less recognized outcomes of these endeavors emerged a game called Headlander, which radiates an appealing retro-sci-fi ambiance.

In essence, Headlander is a game that falls under the Metroidvania genre, where the main resource consists of headless robot bodies. Being a detached flying head in this world, you have the ability to insert yourself into any idle body and leverage its capabilities for both combat and exploration purposes. Alternatively, you can choose to link up with a robot dog and let out barks instead!

Initially, the quirky design of the game – featuring bright orange chairs and glowing neon lights – caught my attention. However, what kept me hooked was not just its unique charm but also the cleverly devised puzzles that are surprisingly found in games like this one.

Sometimes, things aren’t as straightforward as “retrieve the body and bring it here.” More often than not, you have to maneuver through labyrinths and overcome various hurdles just to locate the correct body, and once found, figuring out how to transport it with limited mobility becomes another challenge.

5.
Chroma Squad

Sentai Squad Simulator

Among the early favorites in pop culture that captured my heart is the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, along with its various follow-up shows. What drew me to these series was their abundant use of real-world effects and action sequences, a trait that Power Rangers consistently delivered.

If you’re either a longtime fan of Power Rangers or a recent enthusiast of the tokusatsu genre, or simply someone who enjoys it, you’ll find Chroma Squad’s TV-style fight simulation highly entertaining.

In Chroma Squad, you’ll find yourself juggling two distinct roles: a tactical RPG and a business management simulation game. When the scenes aren’t being filmed, it’s up to you to gather your team of talented actors, negotiate advertising deals, scavenge for bargain costumes and props from the hardware store clearance section, all while managing your squad like a real-life TV production team.

During filming sessions for each episode, your ranger squad will collaboratively sprint and clash with the rubbery monster adversaries, traversing the playing field together.

Although I’m not particularly skilled at strategic Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and don’t get to play them often, I absolutely love Chroma Squad. The fact that it’s based on something I enjoy is certainly a plus, but what makes it even more appealing is its accessibility, making it an excellent choice for those who are new to the genre.

4.
The Wonderful 101: Remastered

They Went To The Trouble Of Remastering It

When it comes to Power Rangers, it’s no secret that Hideki Kamiya, who has worked with Platinum before, is deeply passionate about tokusatsu shows.

Among the games he directed that weren’t part of the Resident Evil or Devil May Cry series, one notable example is Viewtiful Joe, which was inspired by Kamen Rider. This shows that he has a penchant for action featuring men battling monster-like characters in rubber suits. However, none of his works expressed this fondness more explicitly than The Wonderful 101 did.

Initially, The Wonderful 101 wasn’t the best decision for the Wii U. However, it was re-released on contemporary systems in 2020, following a successful crowdfunding campaign that I supported. Many thanks!

This game resembles many productions by Platinum Games, blending elements of its style with a touch of Pikmin influence. You assemble a team of heroes and rescue civilians, which expands your squad. With a larger group, you can combine forces to create powerful structures for defeating enemies effectively.

101 Wonderful is a testament to Platinum Games’ creativity when given free rein. The entire experience is nothing short of absurdly entertaining, featuring over-the-top, endearing characters and some of the most pulse-pounding Quick Time Events ever seen in video games.

3.
The Magic Circle

The Meta Impact Of Development Hell

When a game is said to be stuck in development limbo, it can be challenging to truly grasp the situation. After all, one might think that creating a game wouldn’t be that complex, wouldn’t it?

Indeed, it becomes quite challenging when your development team harbors intense dislike for one another, a valuable insight I gained from experiencing The Magic Circle.

In the storyline of The Magic Circle, you play as a game tester who’s been stuck in an endless cycle of development for almost twenty years within this game. One of the non-player characters (NPCs) has grown weary of the prolonged development process.

He hires you to sabotage the project secretly since he’s tired of the developers constantly arguing over an unfinished game world. The game’s narrative and voice acting are among its greatest strengths, with standout performances by James Urbaniak and Ashly Burch, to put it simply.

From a gameplay perspective, it offers an innovative form of puzzle-solving that allows you to manipulate object and NPC attributes using custom functions. I was thrilled by the challenge of devising distinct solutions for these puzzles, and the added fun of experimenting with the system, like transforming a rock into a playful pet.

2.
Later Alligator

Assassination Has Never Been So Goofy

As I grow older, I increasingly value quirky, cozy visual novels. It’s refreshing at times to engage with a game that doesn’t demand high-level skill from you, especially when it’s not only imaginative but also laugh-out-loud funny. Among my top picks for adorable and whimsical games are those featuring anthropomorphic alligators, and one of these standouts is the delightful “Later Alligator”.

In this game, it appears that the main objective is to solve a mystery. Specifically, you’ll be trying to identify which member of Pat the alligator’s family might have arranged for harm to come to him.

Practically speaking, it consists of a series of amusing mini-games and delightful character exchanges. The script and graphics in this game are of high quality, given that the same studio responsible for its creation is known for producing one of my favorite online series, Baman Piderman.

Growing up as a native Northeasterner, I find the game’s portrayal of my hometown, New York City, absolutely captivating. Despite the odd presence of alligators, it still manages to resonate with me on a personal level, striking a perfect balance between depicting serene cityscapes and showcasing the eccentricities of our unique extended families.

1.
Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse

The Freelance Police’s Biggest Adventure

Back in the day, I was totally hooked on those point-and-click adventure games, and it was mainly Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People by Telltale that drew me in, being a fan of Homestar Runner.

After discovering that thread, I developed a strong fondness for the serialized Sam & Max games, joining in just before the third season, known as “The Devil’s Playhouse.

The first three seasons of Telltale’s Sam & Max games have been updated by Skunkape Games, but the initial season doesn’t make this list and is improved if you’ve played it first. So, we’ll focus on Devil’s Playhouse, which happens to be the most expansive Sam & Max game yet, except for the VR version I can’t access.

Devil’s Playhouse skillfully combines humorous character development, intricate puzzle solutions, and unexpected plot twists. Though it may seem light-hearted, the conclusion manages to tug at my heartstrings a bit, thanks to its poignant emotional moment and the long-awaited return of Sam & Max games after many years.

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2025-06-03 16:12