We try our best here at Push Square to lend as much coverage to as wide a range of games as possible, but even then, so many titles slip through the cracks. It leaves us playing catch up at the end of the year playing all these wonderful recommendations that passed us the first time. Maybe you're exactly the same, prioritising the latest and greatest and forgetting about a sweet indie game released just seven or so days ago. That's where this new Talking Point comes in.
We've got our own PS5, PS4 hidden gems to recommend, and we're hoping you do too. These are titles that you think didn't receive enough love or attention at the time of release, and so those interested may have forgotten about them. Our picks will likely lean into indie titles, but maybe you feel a bigger game has been overlooked. Either way, these are the hidden gems we think are worth taking a look at.
Sammy Barker, Editor
Tokyo 2020 has come and gone – albeit, bizarrely, a year late in 2021 – and now all eyes are on Paris and its iconic Eiffel Tower for a French event that’s on a faster turnaround than Adam Peaty in an Olympic pool. SEGA’s blue-skied take on this year’s summer games originally released in 2019 in Japan, as part of the build-up to the main event, but only arrived on Western shores a few months back.
And I feel like, in an era where vintage hits like NFL Blitz and Virtua Tennis no longer exist, it’s a real palette cleanser among the more involved sporting simulators that dominate the market. Some of the minigames are rudimentary and repetitive, but its vibrant, ostentatious presentation – which harks back to SEGA’s arcade origins, complete with sneakers that set on fire and an irritatingly enthusiastic announcer – capture everything I loved about sports games on the SEGA Dreamcast.
Play it if you haven’t already, it’s a rare Gold Medal of a game.
Robert Ramsey, Deputy Editor
Humour is an incredibly difficult thing to get right in video games. There's a very fine line between amusement and obnoxiousness in our most beloved medium, and that's why I heartily recommend The Procession to Calvary to anyone looking for a laugh. It's a point-and-click adventure made almost entirely out of collaged renaissance art, packed with stupid jokes, witty quips, and deliciously dark undertones. It tells the tale of a sociopathic warrior who's on a medieval quest to kill a despot named as Heavenly Peter — and that's all you really need to know.
It's just great fun, and it's a game that feels so unique in tone — a perfect palate cleanser between bigger releases. The Procession to Calvary is only a couple of hours long at most (shorter still if you decide to murder anyone who stands in your way), but its bite-sized format ensures that its Monty Python-esque humour never outstays its welcome.
A genuinely refreshing, funny, and weirdly haunting experience.
Stephen Tailby, Associate Editor
I've played a good number of smaller games throughout this year, but one in particular has stayed with me more than the rest. Toem, a PS5 adventure game about a travelling photographer, is a little treasure.
Armed with your trusty camera, you visit various locations on your way to the top of a distant mountain, and this journey is full of memorable moments. There are lots of objectives to complete and collectibles to find, and it all revolves around taking pictures. This might sound repetitive, and the simplistic art style probably doesn't help, but Toem is stuffed with imaginative and entertaining things to see and do. I don't want to spoil what is quite a short game, but rest assured it's a feel-good experience from beginning to end.
If you want to play something that'll make you smile, lets you go at your own pace, and packs its run time with fun ideas, Toem is a truly refreshing excursion.
Liam Croft, Assistant Editor
The hidden gem I recommend you play is Last Stop. Released for PS5 and PS4 back in the summer, it's a story focused game all about three different characters all of wildly varying backgrounds that are somehow linked together. The narrative is what you play it for, and it's a consistently fascinating tale throughout. You could finish it inside seven hours, which is perfect for either a weekend or over a few nights of play.
Gameplay is fairly simple, but it's just engaging enough to keep you occupied. Plus it has an easy Platinum Trophy, and that's always nice. The cast of characters is great, dialogue is full of English comedy, and even the quick-time events manage to stay enjoyable throughout. If the story in games matters to you, take Last Stop for a spin.
What were your favourite PS5, PS4 hidden gems of 2021? Share your recommendations in the comments below.
Comments 42
The Pedestrian!!! Technically came out 2021 for PS5. Won’t stop recommending this to everyone I meet 😂
My pick is Ascendshaft and Endless Shaft. It's two games in one. First Ascendshaft, a hardcore shmup where you're on a journey to rescue a frightening digital artifacty representation of a woman. Second Endless Shaft, where you fall to your death.
Very useful, thanks guys
Chicory: A Colourful Tale was lovely.
I’ve just had a look back at all the games I’ve played this year. I don’t think there have been any exceptional games this year but there have been a lot of fairly good ones. No standouts.
Sammy doesn't even mention the name of the game!
This has been a great year for old school shooters, especially the Cotton and Darius releases. R-Type Final 2 was also a blast, terrible pun intended.
I also enjoyed the two Atari Recharged releases, Centipede and Black Widow, and hope that the series continues. Just really well done arcade style goodness. Finally, a few not so hidden gems that didn't seem to break through to the mainstream: Atelier Ryza 2 and Scarlet Nexus. They couldn't be more tonally different, but both really worked for me.
Fuga Melodies of Steel full stop.
My hidden gem of the year is Portal Reloaded, but it's PC exclusive. For Playstation... Procession to Calvary was pretty great. I also really liked Rain on Your Parade, but that's not on Playstation either... Procession to Calvary was pretty great though!
@Kidfried Haha, Tokyo 2020!
Procession to Calvary is outstanding game, and exactly, if you like humor of Monty Pythons you will *hit bricks. 😀
Sackboy was defo a hidden gem. Hired Gun too when they finally patch it
For me it's either Kena Bridge of spirits or In sound mind
@Kidfried first 2 words he starts with is the title of the game, but can be confusing because it's not highlighted like everyone else's.
@Sakisa I still need to play through this properly, heard nothing but good things.
@Kidfried
I'm sure his editor will fix the issue . . .
My hidden gem is so obscure it wasn't even nominated for The Game Awards - a special little formerly indie game called Returnal. You may not have heard of it but it's stellar.
I have to agree that Tokyo 2020 was a hidden gem. I had so much fun with that one, though it was pretty arcadey, button-mashy and control stick twisty at times.
@KippDynamite I just beat the hidden gem Returnal. Time for the secret ending
Forgotten City is the ultimate underrated gem this year for me. I’ve seen such little press about the game and I loved every minute of the game. Sure, the combat was wonky, but the game’s writing was a cut above the rest. What a fully realized game and vision.
I feel like Cyber Shadow was surprisingly forgotten about as well, despite being the first great game this year. There’s maybe a couple more hidden gems this year, but I feel like a lot of games that would’ve been hidden gems any other year got thrust into light because of the lack of AAA titles.
I agree with Procession of Calvary, even if it was a relatively brief experience. Good humor throughout.
Only thing I can really think of is Horizon Chase Turbo with the Senna pack. For £5 on top of the base game (which is great fun) the F1 side of things takes it to another level.
I loved all the suggestions here, despite thinking the Olympic games could be way better than what it was but still enjoyable.
But I've gotta say, Toem and Last Stop have me super interested now!
Also, anyone knows if the Procession game has an easy plat? I have it on Xbox but I do prefer the PS experience overall!
This is probably not a Hidden Gem, but the Hot Wheels game is super fun imo!
@nessisonett give me a brief synopsis ive been looking for recommendations
@alexbolton2 It’s a puzzle game where you play as a stick figure within street signs and the like. The real fun comes from the interactions between what you’re playing and the world surrounding you. Feel free to look at a trailer!
@Anke Chicory for goty.
Sayonara Wild Hearts, an absolute blast of a game, great soundtrack and just so enjoyable. Really interesting platinum as well.
@Kibinaaru I'm a dummy and didn't read 2021 🤣🤣
Chernobylite, other then the minor issue of the save file corrupting every time you slept I had a great time sneaking through Chernobyl
Hi there fellow gamers.
My hidden gem 2021 game is Cris Tales. Maybe not so hidden 😉
A traditional rpg with unique art style and game mechanics, that was clearly made with passion from it´s creators. A solid choice.
Cheers, stay safe good people and happy gaming to us all
@Tsushima @KippDynamite Hi there friends.
I also played, finished and got the secret ending of that game called Returnal. It´s quite a good game isn´t it?
Shame that it is so hidden from the audience that it failed to be nominated for GOTY this year....
But it will always be my GOTY of 2021.
Amazing game in every way!
Cheers, stay safe and both of you have a good one
F.I.S.T. for me. Was a good surprise imo. Definitely China Hero's best title so far. Procession to Chivalry is great as well, and highky recommended for Monty Python fans.
@Sakisa this. Really sad neither the playstation or xbox version were reviewed.
Spiritfarer is a masterpiece. I'm not even that far into the game and I've already cried several times and grown to love every character I've met so far. I have to be careful of when I play this game because I lose all sense of time while I'm playing it.
And yes, I know this came out last year, but I didn't get around to playing until this year, so it's a 2021 game for me.
exactly why we always needed a wish list, absolutely pathetic that it took so long to incorporate into the store
@AFCC Calvary's got a very easy Platinum. May need a quick look at a guide to get one or two of them, but you get the majority from just playing the game.
@ShogunRok thanks! I will probably get this one, it's on sale!
Ultra Age. It's a fast paced hack/slash that plays like a cross between DMC and Nier Automata. Level design is a bit bland and it's very linear but it absolutely nails the combat. Great little game.
@MyThoughts31 sackboy was hidden!? It was a big title release, no?
@fR_eeBritney yeah, you just have to look at the 'game of the year' nominees to see it's not been the most memorable year we've had for releases
If you like survival horror games, specially Resident Evil, try Tormented Souls. The voice acting and characters animations are very poor but what a fanastic environment and puzzles. Really old school. Again in terms of puzzles it gives a lesson, like haven't seen anywhere in a long time. Puts to shame recently AAA on that department, yes including RE Village
The plot was also crazy!
Not sure that it came out this year but I picked up The Last Campfire in the summer sale and really enjoyed it. Great change of pace from my normal games, sweet protagonist, lovely artwork, relatively simple puzzles, a pleasing laid back platinum.
Narita Boy and The Eternal Castle both get my vote. Both of them are on sale at the moment too.
@UltimateOtaku91 Same here, Kena was an amazing game!
I'm on my second playthrough now, trying to beat the game on Master Spirit Guide difficulty.
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