Preface: If a discussion isn’t wanted, I’ll happily delete this post.
I haven’t played every game in this list, so perhaps I can’t be entirely comprehensive. But my picks were Teahouse of the Gods, NOLA is Burning, and The Martian Job.
Teahouse has such a delightful, meditative atmosphere. There’s a sense of mystery and wonder that is very well executed, and the characters pop out of the page. From a bemusing setup to the interplay of ancient traditions and hypermodern trends, this story and its invocation of time and fate made me think about my own.
NOLA also has such a unique storyline. We start almost at the end of a narrative arc, left to write the conclusion - except it’s only the end of the first act. As the description says, death is just the beginning, and our hardboiled Mafia enforcer very quickly ends up in situations that the initial chapters don’t even begin to hint at. The way that characters react to you, the dialogue, and the tonal shift in this story stand out to me.
And The Martian Job is a work that has always been a favorite, and not just for my fascination with the Red Planet. It deftly threads between noir and sci-fi, and the way the writing flows is out of this world. The different plotlines and options so elegantly packed into its wordcount make it a game with great replay value, even despite the relatively small length.
How is The Play’s the Thing on this list? It’s just such a good game! Okay, it’s true that I’m a history buff who loves Shakespeare and has long dreamed of having an active role in the magic of making stories happen, and this is a game that might as well have been dreamed up in a lab for the express purpose of taking my money. But you don’t have to know a doublet from a codpiece, or Titus Andronicus from Timon of Athens, to appreciate this story about curses, corruption in high places, and the thrill of artistic creation.
If you love magical academia stories as much as I do and you haven’t played Atlantis Academy yet, you need to remedy that. Beyond the fun of studies and friendships, there’s a world of lore to uncover, a complex and morally gray mentor figure that people on Reddit have attacked me for describing as complex and morally gray, and a water dragon who is the main character’s best friend. (Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure this one was also dreamed up in that lab dedicated to taking my money.) I’m surprised this game doesn’t have more fans - it’s a lot of fun and packs a surprising emotional punch.
Teahouse of the Gods isn’t the easiest game to get into - if you aren’t deeply familiar with Chinese language and culture, the first couple chapters are meant to give you a taste of culture shock. But hang in there, and you’ll find yourself caught up in a strange and wonderful narrative of mystical energy, timeless devotion, mythology, nature, and food. So. Much. Food.
Oh I’d missed that Weyrwood’s come off this list, that’s nice to see - I voted for it a bunch on previous years.
Obviously Asteroid Run is always my go-to for people in the mood for some found-family and rebellious (or corporate) space exploration. I think filling out the rest of my top three has to be The Play’s The Thing and Lies Under Ice, although I’m very fond of Nikola Tesla: War of the Currents as well.
I’m honestly surprised that Nikola Tesla is considered in the running for underrated choice, I recall it being received really well on release and having all the required elements to really appeal to the CoG playerbase.
That’s what these votes and sales are for: there are many wonderful games that we’ve published that people just haven’t given a shot. Here’s an opportunity to spotlight some of those amazing games.
