Sometimes, critics and everyday gamers just don’t agree. This isn’t only true for big AAA games—it happens a lot withindie titles, too, especially with so many coming out every day.
Many indie games might get overlooked for a few reasons. They might have some flaws that lead critics to give them low scores but they still manage to connect with players. Or maybe the initial issues that hurt their reviews get fixed later on, giving the game a fresh start.
No matter the reason, there are plenty of games that fans love, even if they didn’t get great reviews at launch. Here are 10 of those hidden gems.
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10Time on Frog Island
A Leap Into Frog Bliss
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring freely a beautiful island populated by a community of cute frogs, Time on Frog Island has you covered. Don’t let some early negative reviews scare you off.
This cozy sandbox allows you to explore freely a vast island and all its amphibian residents. Solve puzzles, find items, and trade them with the frogs to repair your wrecked ship.
When it first launched, the game got some criticism for technical glitches, repetitive tasks, and insufficient depth, overshadowing its charming parts. Still, plenty of players fell in love with itsunique art style and relaxing gameplay.
The developers quickly rolled out updates to fix major bugs and improve the overall experience. Now, Time on Frog Island is a vibrant and enjoyable game, perfect for anyone wanting to escape into a peaceful, frog-filled paradise.
9Deadly Premonition
Where Weird Wins
Deadly Premonition
Deadly Premonitionis the perfect example of a game that’s “so bad it’s good.” When it first came out, critics weren’t too kind, pointing out its technical glitches, clunky gameplay, and a storyline that felt all over the place. Even regular players echoed these complaints in their reviews.
But despite all that, Deadly Premonition built a passionate fan base that absolutely loves its unique vibe. The game mixes horror, humor, and some surprisingly heartfelt moments in an open world that invites you to explore and experiment.
Sure, it can feel like it was designed during an acid trip at times, but a lot of players would argue that it’s part of the charm.
Deadly Premonition might not be a “good” game, but there’s nothing else quite like it out there.
8Session: Skate Sim
Skate Through the Snags
Session: Skate Sim
There was a time in the early 2000s when skateboarding games were all the rage, with titles likeTony Hawk’s Pro Skaterand theSKATEfranchise leading the charge.
After that initial influx, skating games suddenly disappeared from the industry, only to reappear 20-something years later with a vengeance. Session: Skate Sim is an indie title that appeared following this resurgence.
At launch,Session: Skate Simreceived low review scores due to its steep learning curve, lackluster tutorials, and some technical bugs sprinkled on top. Critics felt the game was difficult to get into and not polished enough.
However, many players appreciated thedeep gameplay mechanics and numerous customization options, which quickly earned it a dedicated fanbase. Additionally, the developers were quick to respond to feedback, releasing numerous updates that fixed bugs and introduced new features.
7Five Nights at Freddy’s
Survive Freddy’s Shift
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Few games in recent memory have made as big of a cultural splash asFive Nights at Freddy’s. It not only launched a new wave of horror games but also broke into mainstream media with a movie adaptation.
This explosive growth was fueled by a passionate community that loved digging into the game’s hidden details, secrets, and references—hallmarks of the franchise.
When it first came out, the original game was pretty simple mechanically, focusing on survival horror with minimalistic gameplay. While it received generally favorable reviews for its originality, critics didn’t find it particularly groundbreaking.
However, the community response was off the charts. Players were obsessed with the concept and the hunt for lore, making the straightforward gameplay secondary.
This enthusiasm transformed Five Nights at Freddy’s from a small indie project into a massive intellectual property almost overnight, showcasing the incredible power of a dedicated fanbase.
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6Pathologic
Mystery at Every Step
Pathologic
Pathologicis one of those games that you just don’t “get” right away. When it first launched in 2012, it was slammed for itsinsanely tough difficulty, frustrating gameplay, and subpar presentation.
Critics and players alike found it more maddening than enjoyable, making it a tough sell for mainstream audiences.
But as time went on, people started to see Pathologic for what it really was—a bold, experimental art piece rather than a conventional game. The very challenges and frustrations that initially turned people off were actually intentional, designed to immerse you deeply into its unique and eerie world.
There’s a lot of talk and analysis of Pathologic’s intricate design, which is way too complex to cover here. However, the game’s reputation took a major turn in time, which led to the release of the HD rerelease of the original game, which earned much better reviews than the original, andPathologic 2, which received universal acclaim.
5E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy
Divine Powers, Digital Dangers
E.Y.E.: Divine Cybermancy
E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy is infamous for its sheer complexity, which is both why critics gave it low scores and why a dedicated fan base loves it so much.
At its core, the game is an immersive sim heavily inspired by the original Deus Ex. You dive into a captivating cyberpunk world sprinkled with magical elements, experimenting with a wide variety of tools and weapons. The combat system is all about customization and rewards creative strategies, allowing you to tailor your playstyle to your liking.
Of course, this depth comes with its challenges. The game has numerous complex systems, a steep learning curve, and sometimes clunky controls that frustrated critics.
But for those who pushed through the initial hurdles (and quite a few bugs) and got used to the quirks, E.Y.E: Divine Cybermancy offers gratifying gameplay and a richly detailed world to explore.
Stealthy Success
When Shadwen first launched, it received low review scores due to uneven pacing, underdeveloped characters, and technical glitches that disrupted gameplay. Critics felt the story didn’t live up to its ambitious vision, leaving them disappointed.
However, Steam users saw something special. They love Shadwen for its stunning art style and immersive world, which create a captivating atmosphere. Theunique hitman-inspired stealth gameplay and emotional storytellingresonate deeply with the community.
Additionally, the developers quickly addressed initial issues with updates, enhancing performance and gameplay. This commitment helped Shadwen build a loyal fan base, turning it into a beloved title despite its rocky start.
3Rain World
It’s Raining Fans
Rain World
PlayingRain Worldtoday and then going back to its initial reviews makes it seem like the critics played a completely different game. And, in a way, that’s exactly what happened.
When Rain World first launched, it received low scores because of a bunch of issues. The gameplay demanded precise controls, but the main character often got stuck in the terrain, making movement really frustrating.
Plus, the game required careful resource management, but there weren’t enough resources available to handle it effectively. While the game had great potential, these frustrations made it hard to enjoy at launch.
The main problem was that most players never got to experience the game in this state. The developers acted quickly, releasing a patch just a few days after launch that fixed many of the initial problems. This update made Rain World much more enjoyable and less frustrating, while still keeping it pretty challenging.
Now, after countless updates,Rain World has become an indie darlingbeloved by many gamers who still wonder why it received such low scores initially.
2Hello Neighbor
Sneak, Peek, Repeat
Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighboris the poster child for beloved games that had a rough start.
When it first came out, people criticized it for having repetitive puzzles, a limited design, and lots of bugs. Even though the idea was cool—a creepy stealth game where you sneak into your neighbor’s house to uncover dark secrets—the execution didn’t live up to expectations, leaving both critics and early players disappointed.
But things turned around after the devs released numerous updates that fixed bugs and added new content, making the game finally playable.
Over time, the community began to love the neighbor’s AI that learns from your actions, making each encounter with the neighbor different, and loved the thrill of discovering the mysterious story behind the enigmatic neighbor.
Delivering Chaos
Postal 2, even more than its predecessor, intentionally pushed boundaries with its extreme violence, edgy humor, and provocative themes.
Critics argued that the excessive brutality couldn’t make up for a shaky storyline, feeling the game went too far without the necessary depth to justify it.
However, fans saw things differently. Many playersloved the dark satirical humor, the open-world chaos, and the freedom to make morally questionable choices.
This unique blend resonated with a dedicated community, transforming Postal 2 into a cult classic despite its lukewarm reception from critics at launch.
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Even fans of indies would be hard-pressed to recommend this batch. Several indies that had potential but utterly failed to realize it.
