The 20 Best PC Games You Might’ve Missed In 2017

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While blockbuster titles like Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds and Divinity: Original Sin II dominated gaming conversations in 2017, numerous exceptional games flew under the radar despite their innovative designs and compelling experiences. This comprehensive guide examines four standout titles that deserve renewed attention from discerning players seeking unique gaming adventures beyond the mainstream spotlight.

Understanding why these games remained overlooked provides valuable insights into gaming trends and discovery challenges. Many suffered from crowded release schedules, niche appeal, or unconventional premises that prevented wider recognition despite their quality execution and creative vision.

Licensed video games often carry justified skepticism regarding quality and originality, yet Capcom’s NES-era Disney adaptations demonstrated how skilled development could transform familiar franchises into gaming masterpieces. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Capcom exclusively managed Disney’s gaming license, producing remarkably polished platformers based on beloved animated properties that set new standards for licensed game quality.

The Disney Afternoon Collection brings together six classic titles: DuckTales, DuckTales 2, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2. Each game maintains impressive playability decades later, enhanced with contemporary features including time attack modes, save state functionality, and rewind capabilities. The rewind feature proves particularly valuable, transforming challenging retro titles into accessible experiences for modern audiences.

What makes this compilation essential for collectors is its preservation of extremely rare titles like DuckTales 2, which previously commanded premium prices on secondary markets. The collection serves as both entertainment and historical preservation, capturing an important era when Disney and Capcom collaborated to create some of the finest platformers ever developed.

Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator represents a surprising evolution in visual novel storytelling, developed by Game Grumps and focusing on a single father navigating romantic relationships with other fathers in his community. While initially gaining attention for its unconventional premise, the game’s true strength lies in its emotionally resonant exploration of parenthood, relationships, and personal growth.

The experience balances humor through extensive dad joke wordplay with genuine emotional depth centered around raising a teenage daughter. Its inclusive representation of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations feels authentic rather than performative, with character development arcs primarily focusing on fatherhood challenges rather than identity politics.

Advanced players should explore multiple narrative paths to uncover the game’s subtle character development and relationship dynamics. Common mistakes include rushing through dialogue options or ignoring secondary character interactions that reveal deeper narrative layers. Completion typically requires 8-12 hours across multiple playthroughs to experience all character routes and endings.

Forza Horizon 3 established itself as arguably the premier racing experience of its generation even before expansion content, but the subsequent DLC releases transformed an excellent game into an essential one. The initial Blizzard Mountain expansion delivered competent winter racing dynamics, but the Hot Wheels DLC represented a revolutionary departure from racing simulation conventions.

While the core Forza franchise emphasizes automotive realism, this expansion embraces childhood fantasy through classic Hot Wheels vehicles navigating elaborate track configurations featuring loops, massive jumps, and boost pads. The visual design brilliantly contrasts vibrant orange track elements against realistic island environments, creating a surreal yet cohesive aesthetic.

Optimization tips for advanced players include mastering boost pad timing and understanding how different vehicle classes handle the unconventional track physics. The expansion delivers unprecedented velocity sensations absent from the standard game, particularly during dramatic moments like chasm leaps or navigating past giant animated dinosaur elements.

Gonner stands as a masterclass in procedural generation implementation, combining tight action-platforming mechanics with constantly evolving level design. Its distinctive visual aesthetic features neon chalk-line art outlining abstract environments that dynamically assemble and disintegrate during gameplay.

Enemy artificial intelligence prioritizes numerical superiority over tactical sophistication, creating overwhelming encounters that test resource management within limited ammunition constraints. The difficulty escalates rapidly, shifting focus toward high-score pursuit and strategic ability customization with each attempt.

The procedural level generation demonstrates remarkable coherence, with environmental elements functioning synergistically rather than randomly assembled. This thoughtful design ensures that while players may never experience identical level configurations, each session maintains balanced challenge and engaging gameplay flow.

Advanced optimization strategies include mastering weapon reload timing and understanding enemy spawn patterns. Common mistakes involve ammunition mismanagement and failure to adapt ability combinations to specific level configurations. Mastering the game’s mechanics typically requires 15-20 hours of practice to achieve consistent high-level performance.

Little Nightmares immediately immerses players in a world filled with existential dread and atmospheric tension. Released during a crowded gaming season that included major titles like Persona 5 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this psychological horror adventure likely escaped many gamers’ attention. You embody Six, a young girl confined within The Maw—an underwater facility populated by grotesque, monstrous entities. While the narrative background remains deliberately ambiguous, your primary objective becomes clear from the outset: survival and escape. This straightforward adventure maintains a compelling aura of mystery, transitioning seamlessly between intense stealth sequences and heart-pounding chase scenarios as you navigate the ominous architecture of The Maw. With a completion time of approximately two hours, most players will finish Little Nightmares in one or two sessions, but its distinctive universe and unsettling characters justify experiencing this memorable journey.

For those unfamiliar with Housemarque—the developers behind acclaimed arcade-style titles like Resogun and Super Stardust—their catalog deserves your attention. Their newest release, Nex Machina, masterfully recreates the classic twin-stick shooter dynamics found in legendary games such as Robotron 2084 and Smash TV. This authenticity stems from the direct involvement of Eugene Jarvis, creator of those seminal titles, who collaborated closely with the studio. The game presents an electrifying spectacle of non-stop action that synthesizes the strengths of both creative visions into a relentless shooting experience. Cooperative multiplayer amplifies the chaos, allowing you to team up with a friend. While Nex Machina’s thrilling gameplay makes it time well spent, prepare for significant challenge—your reflexes and perseverance will face rigorous testing throughout the demanding campaign.

Picture a tranquil American midwestern town inhabited entirely by anthropomorphic animals—this is Possum Springs, the setting for Night in the Woods. As Mae, a feline-human hybrid, you navigate the complexities of returning to your hometown after dropping out of college. This manifests as a side-scrolling narrative adventure where dialogue exchanges, character relationships, and engaging mini-games drive forward a sophisticated and emotionally resonant story about contemporary young adult experiences.

Traverse the town’s electrical wires to access rooftops and encounter an amateur astronomer who reveals celestial wonders after dark. Reunite your former band members and attempt to play bass on unfamiliar songs. Engage in mischievous “crimes” with your energetic friend Gregg, or participate in shoplifting activities with your seemingly indifferent companion Bea. Every narrative development, concealed detail, conversation line, and optional engagement motivates thorough exploration of Night in the Woods’ exquisitely rendered world. While the game targets a specific audience, it achieves its artistic ambitions with remarkable precision. Through Scott Benson’s uniquely appealing visual artistry and Alec Holowka’s eccentric yet emotionally powerful musical score, the poignant narrative becomes enveloped in elements that distinguish it from numerous other releases this year.

The Sexy Brutale represents an inventive puzzle adventure co-developed by Tequila Works, creators of the visually stunning Rime. Essentially functioning as Groundhog Day: The Game, you repeatedly experience the same day, gradually uncovering more secrets about the mysterious mansion you inhabit. After witnessing one character fatally shoot another, you might locate the weapon and avert the violent death by substituting live ammunition with blanks. Multiple murder scenarios interconnect intricately—resolving one puzzle might prevent a killing, but this could alter another temporal sequence elsewhere in the estate. Preventing all murders simultaneously proves impossible initially, but the enjoyment emerges from experimenting with and manipulating the various timeline possibilities.

We’ve revisited it repeatedly—truly embodying the groundhog day concept.

Shovel Knight represents 8-bit gaming not as it historically existed—buggy and indistinct—but rather how we selectively recall it—sharp pixel art, vivid colors, and intelligently designed details. The expansion sequel, Specter of Torment, maintains similar retro action-platforming quality that appears equivalent to the original. The crucial distinction involves the protagonist—the character you now control is a former antagonist from the first installment: Specter Knight. His background naturally influences narrative progression differently than Shovel Knight’s story, but more significantly, Specter Knight possesses entirely new movement and combat capabilities.

This essentially means Specter of Torment provides justification to return to Shovel Knight’s delightfully nostalgic universe and confront fresh obstacles demanding an original skillset. The fundamental reason it merits playing stems from developer Yacht Club Games’ craftsmanship surpassing their inspirational sources, and ultimately our idealized recollections as well. If you appreciate classic 2D platformers whatsoever, Shovel Knight and Specter of Torment will almost certainly brighten your gaming sessions.

Initially, Snake Pass’ vibrant visual aesthetic might evoke memories of classic Rare platformers such as Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64. However, its core mechanics diverge dramatically from those titles; jumping is completely absent. You command Noodle the snake, twisting and coiling around environmental objects using his serpentine physique, overcoming complex obstacles to obtain collectibles, and solving numerous physics-driven puzzles. Each challenge encountered is carefully designed around Noodle’s atypical physical characteristics, requiring comprehensive understanding of his movement physics to achieve mastery. This stands remarkably distinct from most contemporary games, providing sufficient motivation to explore its charming and innovative approach to the platforming genre.

Functioning as an homage to 1990s first-person shooters, Strafe successfully replicates the rapid tempo and excitement of its source material. From the retro graphics and chunky blood effects to the diverse arsenal and plentiful hidden content, Strafe remains worthwhile even after completing the main campaign…assuming you reach the conclusion. Every playthrough delivers adrenaline as you aggressively navigate through twelve procedurally generated stages, with the roguelike framework intensifying tension as you advance further. You might remain trapped in the shadowy passageways of the initial zone before developing the expertise to efficiently eliminate goblins and robots, but each subsequent world expands to accommodate progressively chaotic combat encounters.

Sundered represents a significant evolution within the Metroidvania genre, blending traditional exploration mechanics with innovative procedural generation systems. Players assume the role of Eshe, a nomadic adventurer who stumbles upon an ancient monolith that transports her to a vast subterranean realm filled with cosmic horrors. Guided by the mysterious Shining Trapezohedron entity, you must navigate through ever-shifting environments while facing relentless enemy assaults. The game’s combat mechanics provide exceptional depth, featuring fluid movement and diverse ability combinations that reward strategic thinking. However, occasional difficulty spikes may frustrate players unfamiliar with the genre’s conventions.

The procedural room generation creates genuine tension during exploration, as you never know what threats await around the next corner. This design choice encourages adaptive playstyles and careful resource management. For optimal performance, focus on mastering dodge timing and understanding enemy attack patterns before committing to aggressive strategies. Many players underestimate the importance of environmental awareness, leading to unnecessary deaths that could be avoided with proper positioning.

Following the legacy established by Super Meat Boy, Super Rude Bear Resurrection introduces a revolutionary approach to difficulty by making every death meaningful. Your expired character remains as a physical corpse that can block hazards, create platforms, or alter level geometry. This mechanic provides natural difficulty scaling—struggling players accumulate helpful corpses while skilled players can challenge themselves by completing levels corpse-free. The game maintains a perfect balance between challenge and accessibility through this innovative system.

Beyond its signature corpse mechanics, the platforming fundamentals remain exceptionally polished. Each successful navigation through treacherous sections delivers immense satisfaction, supported by consistently introduced new enemies and mechanics that prevent gameplay stagnation. The boss encounters stand out as particularly memorable, requiring precise timing and pattern recognition that will test even veteran platformer enthusiasts. For those seeking maximum challenge, attempting levels without corpse assistance reveals hidden mechanics and alternative pathways.

Thimbleweed Park delivers a masterclass in adventure game design, crafted by legendary developers Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick. The murder investigation narrative featuring agents Reyes and Ray expertly blends nostalgic point-and-click conventions with contemporary design sensibilities. While occasionally adhering too strictly to genre traditions, the experience offers tremendous value for adventure game aficionados through its clever puzzles and engaging mystery.

What Remains of Edith Finch transcends the walking simulator label with its profound storytelling and innovative narrative techniques. The Finch family curse premise creates opportunities for diverse gameplay scenarios, each uniquely portraying the final moments of different family members. This structural innovation demonstrates how interactive media can convey stories impossible in other formats.

The narrative’s emotional impact rivals premium television productions, delivering a condensed but powerful experience within a manageable three-hour playtime. The game’s pacing ensures no moment feels wasted, with each scene contributing meaningfully to the overarching themes of family, legacy, and mortality. Players should approach this experience with an open mind, as the emotional payoff justifies any initial genre reservations.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap exemplifies how to properly revitalize classic games for contemporary audiences. This comprehensive remake of the Sega Master System original features stunning hand-drawn visuals and reorchestrated musical scores that enhance the original experience without compromising its core identity. The seamless switching between original and updated presentation styles allows players to appreciate both the classic design and modern enhancements.

Yooka-Laylee successfully channels the spirit of Banjo-Kazooie, delivering the expansive worlds and creative mechanics that defined the N64 platformer era. The lizard-and-bat duo’s abilities enable diverse exploration approaches, though the sheer volume of collectibles may overwhelm completionists. The game occasionally exhibits design quirks reminiscent of its inspiration, but these minor issues don’t detract from the overall enjoyable experience.

Tokyo 42 presents a distinctive isometric perspective on cyberpunk action, blending tactical shooting with strategic stealth elements. The dystopian setting combines vibrant surface aesthetics with underlying systemic violence, creating a compelling world worth exploring despite occasionally frustrating combat encounters.

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