New Games That Feel Like They Will Become Cult Classics

With so many games released each year, from small independent titles to massive blockbusters, it’s easy to miss some excellent ones. These games might get noticed at first, but they often get overshadowed by newer, bigger releases. Luckily, many gamers have a list of games they want to play eventually, and sometimes these forgotten gems find a dedicated audience and become beloved cult classics when people finally discover them.

It’s hard to say exactly when a game becomes a ‘cult classic,’ so we’re focusing on titles released in the last two years – 2024 and 2025. While those years saw many great games, the ones listed here haven’t fully gained the recognition they deserve. They’re not quite cult classics yet, but they’re definitely gaining a following and could become them soon.

Blue Prince

A Brilliant Roguelite Puzzler

Despite receiving critical acclaim and several Game Awards nominations, Blue Prince didn’t get the attention it deserved. This was mainly because Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 came out just three weeks later and quickly became the focus. Clair Obscur is a great game, but it overshadowed Blue Prince.

Players of Blue Prince understand just how unique and wonderful this roguelite puzzle game is, but the idea might seem a little daunting to newcomers. It’s actually best experienced knowing as little as possible – spoilers can really diminish the impact. Despite this, it’s consistently been one of the most celebrated games of 2025, and as more people discover it, its reputation will only continue to grow.

Absolum

A Fantasy Beat-‘Em-Up With Incredible Lore

2025 saw a huge number of roguelite games released, including popular titles like Hades 2, Ball X Pit, Megabonk, and Blue Prince. One game that didn’t get as much attention was Absolum. It launched shortly after Ghost of Yotei, just two weeks after Hades 2, and a week before Ball X Pit. With so many other games competing for attention, Absolum unfortunately got overlooked.

Expect things to evolve, because Absolum is shaping up to be one of the most original roguelike games this year. Developed by Guard Crush Games – the team behind Streets of Rage 4 – it’s a beat-’em-up with a clear pedigree of quality. Beyond that, Absolum boasts a surprisingly captivating story. It quickly draws you in with a mix of familiar fantasy and unexpected science fiction, and there are many deeper layers to uncover as you play.

1000xRESIST

A Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Narrative Adventure

There’s always space for a memorable story-driven game, and 1000xRESIST delivers just that. It doesn’t rely on fast-paced action or difficult challenges; instead, it captivates with a truly original story and a wonderfully creative world that will stay with you long after you finish playing – often more so than big-budget action games.

In a distant future, a devastating plague has nearly wiped out humanity, leaving only a handful of clones of the same person. You play as one of these clones in 1000xRESIST. A complete game usually takes around 11 hours – easily finished over a weekend. It’s a thought-provoking story with excellent writing and a meaningful message. While its unusual title and visual style might suggest a massive, lengthy RPG, it’s actually quite manageable. Now that it’s on consoles, more people are likely to discover this hidden gem.

Animal Well

A Revolution In Player-Driven Exploration

Animal Well is remarkably effective despite its simplicity. It features a minimalist pixel art style and focuses solely on exploration – you can only jump and interact with the world. The game deliberately reveals little at first, encouraging players to carefully observe and piece together details as they explore.

Though it appears simple, Animal Well is surprisingly full of secrets. It’s so expansive that two players could each spend five hours exploring and still have different experiences. The puzzles are cleverly designed, requiring you to observe the environment instead of relying on typical game rules. Like Blue Prince, it’s a rich and rewarding game, and its small but passionate community is expected to grow as more people discover it.

Skate Story

It’s The “Story” Part That Makes This One Truly Special

You might wonder what makes a skateboarding game stand out, but Skate Story delivers. It’s a game where you perform inventive skateboarding tricks and navigate increasingly strange environments. As you complete challenges, you’ll unlock new boards, wheels, and moves.

Unlike games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Skate Story focuses on narrative. You play as a glass demon tasked by the Devil with an incredible journey: skateboard your way out of the Underworld, across the Emptylands, and all the way to the moon. Eating the moon is your ticket to freedom! This unique goal completely changes the experience – the gameplay, the world, and even the art style – giving you a much different reason to succeed than in other skateboarding games. Plus, you’ll encounter puzzles, side quests, and some simple combat, all accompanied by a great, atmospheric soundtrack. Skate Story is truly one-of-a-kind, and that’s why it’s poised to become a classic.

Despelote

A Pristine Example Of Why Indie Games Are So Important

Okay, so this game, Despelote, is seriously unique. It’s set in Ecuador back in 2002, and it’s not just a random choice – it’s when Ecuador was trying to get into the World Cup! The story is actually based on the developer’s own childhood. You play as eight-year-old Julián Cordero, and it feels really personal because it’s his life they’re putting you in. It’s a pretty specific time and place, but the game really leans into that, which is cool.

This game lets you wander the city of Quito, using a soccer ball to interact with everything around you. Kicking or passing the ball causes different things to happen – you might trigger events in the environment or even unlock scenes with the characters you meet. It’s a story-focused game, and it creates such a believable world that you’ll feel like you’re really there. If you enjoyed games like Gone Home or What Remains of Edith Finch, you’ll probably love Despelote, which aims to be just as memorable.

Dead Take

A Top-Tier Cast Given Top-Tier Performances

Dead Take is a creepy psychological horror game that mixes live-action video with traditional gameplay. You play as Chase, an actor who’s trying to find out what happened to his friend at a remote mansion in the Hollywood Hills. While sneaking into a party at the mansion, Chase uncovers dark secrets and realizes the guests will do anything to stay famous.

Dead Take is a concise game – you can finish it in around four hours – but it’s a memorable experience. A huge part of that is the incredible voice acting cast, featuring Neil Newbon (known as Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3) as Chase, and Ben Starr (from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Matt Mercer (of Critical Role), Laura Bailey (Abby from The Last of Us Part 2), and Sam Lake (game director on Control and Alan Wake 2) in other roles. Playing Dead Take feels a lot like watching a fantastic movie, except you get to make choices and affect the story. Because it’s relatively short and features such a talented cast, it’s a game that will likely gain popularity over time as more people discover it.

Lorelei And The Laser Eyes

Horror, Puzzles, And Surrealism In One

Developed by the creators of Sayonara Wild Hearts, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a strange and unsettling puzzle game set in a creepy old mansion. You play as a woman involved in a mysterious project, and you must explore the mansion and solve its difficult puzzles to uncover the truth about what’s happening and the mansion’s past.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes stands out with its unique look. The game is mostly in black and white, with detailed characters contrasted by environments that intentionally resemble older PlayStation 2 and Xbox games. This makes each location and object really stick in your mind. The story is unusual, but it ultimately works, and it’s worth figuring out. It’s a strange game, but it leans into that strangeness, and like Sayonara Wild Hearts, it’s likely to gain a bigger following as more people discover it.

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown

Potentially The Last Epic Gasp Of A Classic Franchise

Despite being a high-quality game and a standout Metroidvania title, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown might unfortunately be the last single-player story-focused Prince of Persia game. This is especially disappointing given how good it is, and considering the recent organizational changes at Ubisoft.

Despite being a fantastic game, The Lost Crown didn’t get the attention it deserved. It skillfully blends the traditional Prince of Persia gameplay with improvements to the way you progress, making the experience smoother without sacrificing challenge. The combat is precise, the platforming is excellent, and the boss battles are among the best of 2024. While it may have been overshadowed by negative perceptions of its publisher, Ubisoft, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a game that deserves another look.

I Am Your Beast

The Fastest Game Of 2024

If you enjoy fast-paced action games like Neon White or Hotline Miami, I Am Your Beast is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss. Levels are short – around three minutes each – but incredibly replayable as you strive to beat your best time, much like in Neon White. The satisfying and precise combat makes even small improvements to your strategy feel impactful and rewarding.

Whether it’s guns, knives, everyday objects, or even your fists, this game gives you a huge range of ways to eliminate enemies. While the story – about a secret agent on the run from his former colleagues – is decent, the real fun comes from the freedom to improvise. Like a Jason Bourne movie, the environments are packed with potential weapons if you know where to look. Each level unlocks new, creative ways to cause mayhem. The challenge isn’t just how to eliminate threats, but which method to use and who to target first. I Am Your Beast excels at presenting this challenge, then letting you solve it in the most stylish, powerful, and brutal way possible, all while striving for the fastest time.

2026-01-30 07:07