With over 100,000 games available on Steam, it’s no surprise that many incredible titles often go unnoticed. In an effort to uncover a hidden gem, I embarked on an exciting mission: install and play five completely random Steam games. To select these games, I used a site called Game Gauntlets, which features a random wheel pulling from the entire Steam library. This means I could land on literally anything!

Game 1: Davey

Overview:
Davey is an addictive platform puzzle game released on November 6, 2022. It had only three user reviews when I found it.

First Impressions:
Upon launching, the game loaded immediately. As a 2.5D platformer, movement was limited to right, left, up, and down. The tutorial introduced basic mechanics like jumping, pushing objects, and pressing buttons.

Gameplay Experience:
By the third level, I discovered an ability to turn invisible, which helped in jumping farther. The puzzles started simple but became frustrating due to game-breaking bugs. A box needed to progress wouldn’t move, even after multiple resets.

Verdict:
In its current state, Davey isn’t recommended. The bugs significantly hinder gameplay, making it a disappointing start to the mission.

Game 2: The Fabulous Fear Machine

Overview:
A narrative-driven strategy game with pulp-style visuals, released on October 4, 2023, priced at $18.

First Impressions:
The game starts with a cinematic introduction, setting a mysterious tone. As the Master of the Machine, your goal is to spread fear through urban myths and conspiracy theories.

Gameplay Experience:
I appreciated the comic book visuals and intriguing soundtrack. The mechanics involved planting fear seeds, scouting territories, and playing fear cards to influence regions. While the tutorial was comprehensive, the gameplay felt overwhelming with complex mechanics.

Verdict:
Not bad, but the steep learning curve might deter casual players. Strategy enthusiasts may find it more enjoyable.

Game 3: Tactical Zone

Overview:
A cooperative third-person shooter designed for adrenaline-pumping action.

First Impressions:
Unfortunately, my friends and I faced connectivity issues. We couldn’t join the same game lobby despite multiple attempts.

Verdict:
Unable to play effectively due to server issues. It felt more like a “Loading Simulator 2025” than an actual game.

Bonus Game:
Since Tactical Zone didn’t work, we tried Bear Adventures 2, a parkour platformer playable solo or with friends.

Gameplay Experience:
We had fun kicking each other (literally, there’s an in-game kick feature), followed by genuine attempts at progressing. The levels became increasingly challenging, providing both frustration and laughter.

Verdict:
Surprisingly fun with friends. It gets rage-inducing but remains enjoyable.

Game 4: Destroy Simulator VR

Overview:
A VR game focused on stress relief through destruction, released on February 14, 2023, priced at $3.

First Impressions:
With no tutorial, the game thrust me into chaos with two axes. Initially fun, but the lack of variety and janky physics became apparent quickly.

Verdict:
Unoptimized for VR, causing motion sickness. While it delivers on destruction, it lacks depth.

Game 5: Vitamin Girl

Overview:
Released on October 11, 2017, priced at $8. A fast-paced platformer with a quirky backstory involving battles against sinister soda villains.

Gameplay Experience:
The game features multiple modes: hoverboards, motorcycles, and chase sequences. While the initial levels were enjoyable, the difficulty spike in later stages became frustrating due to the absence of checkpoints.

Verdict:
Fun and challenging but becomes excessively difficult, making it hard to recommend unless you enjoy punishing platformers.

Conclusion

After this rollercoaster of experiences, I wouldn’t label any of these games as hidden gems. However, Bear Adventures 2 stood out as the most enjoyable, especially when played with friends. If you’re looking for a simple yet chaotic multiplayer experience, it’s worth checking out.

Tags: Steam games, hidden gems, game reviews, indie games, random Steam games, VR games, cooperative games, platformers

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