Steam Hidden Gems

Unlike generic lists, our game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated titles.
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Sherlock Holmes - Nemesis This new Sherlock Holmes game sends us to 19th Century London where Arséne Lupin, a young French burglar with an impressive track record, has just challenged Scotland Yard and the most famous of detectives - Sherlock Holmes.

Price -96% 0.45€
Rating 6.9
Release 07 Aug 2008
The Wonderful End of the World You can't save the whole world. It's going to be eaten by a mythological demon with the head of a fish. But as a puppet that absorbs all it touches, you can try to rescue as much of Earth's greatness as you can before the end arrives. In the beginning, you roam the Earth, capable of absorbing only the tiniest of objects.

Price 9.99€
Rating 7.4
Release 17 Jul 2008
Children of the Nile: Enhanced Edition Children of the Nile™ is a unique gem of a city-building game, unparalleled in both grandeur and attention to detail.As Pharaoh you will guide your people through thousands of years of history: from simple hunter-gatherers to the creation of an immortal civilization.

Price 6.99€
Rating 7.9
Release 08 Jul 2008
Insecticide Part 1 Enter the fast shooting world of INSECTICIDE as hot shot rookie Detective Chrys Liszt and help solve a crime of epic proportions. Lead your team on a bug hunt, collecting clues and solving puzzles. Use old-fashioned street smarts, unique insect abilities and an arsenal of ingenious bug weapons to confront your suspects.

Price -90% 0.43€
Rating 7.1
Release 01 Jul 2008
Precipice of Darkness, Episode One On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One is the first installment in the RPG-Adventure game series based on the web comic Penny Arcade. Create your character in the classic comic style, and join Gabe and Tycho in the alternate 1920s universe of New Arcadia, where you'll combat savage enemies, solve mysteries, meet bizarre new...

Price 7.99€
Rating 8.3
Release 21 May 2008
Death to Spies Smersh is Russian for "Death to Spies" and was the name of a set of counterintelligence agencies formed in the Soviet Army during World War II. Their mission was to secure the rear of the active Red Army by arresting traitors, deserters, spies and criminal cells.

Price -25% 3.77€
Rating 7.3
Release 12 Mar 2008
Act of War: High Treason The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed game Act of War: Direct Action picks up where the techno-thriller left off. On the eve of the U.S. Presidential elections, simultaneous terrorist attacks hit both candidates. Clues point to corrupt elements within the U.S.

Price -86% 0.42€
Rating 7.7
Release 12 Mar 2008
Act of War: Direct Action Tomorrow's War Is NOW Ripped from today's headlines, Act of War: Direct Action™ is a frightening tale of suspense, international intrigue and geopolitical military conflict. This real-time strategy experience puts you squarely in control of counterterrorist forces and delivers a first look at tomorrow's war.

Price -86% 0.43€
Rating 8.4
Release 12 Mar 2008
Darkstar One Darkstar One offers a fantastic amount of freedom of choice. The story-based missions gradually lead you deeper into the galaxy to new races, new technologies and ever stronger opponents. Explore a vast array of solar systems in search of hidden artifacts of ancient races, essential objects for upgrading your ship--the Darkstar One.

Price -94% 0.56€
Rating 7.8
Release 13 Feb 2008
18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul Your American Dream Starts Behind the Wheel of Your Own Big Rig! North America's open roads await! You ain't working for the Man any more! You're the owner of your own trucking business and you call the shots. Build your empire one rig at a time to dominate the roadways and outbid the competition. Can you handle the pressure?

Price -8% 9.20€
Rating 6.9
Release 29 Jan 2008
PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords delivers, for the first time ever, classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good vs. evil. Challenge your match 3 skills as you battle against computer opponents to save the Kingdom of Etheria from the evil Lord Bane.

Price 8.19€
Rating 8.3
Release 29 Jan 2008
Painkiller Overdose The critically-acclaimed and award-winning FPS franchise is back! Packed with tons of fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled single player and multiplayer action, Painkiller Overdose brings with it 6 innovative new demonic weapons, mind-bending physics, lightning-player maps, over 40 demented and sickly-twisted monsters from Hell and gigantic end...

Price -80% 1.00€
Rating 6.9
Release 30 Oct 2007
HeXen II The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse lurk in the shadows before you. They are Death, Pestilence, Famine, and War. They are the root of all that is evil, but the least of your worries. The last of the three Serpent Riders yet lives.

Price 4.99€
Rating 7.5
Release 03 Aug 2007
Nexus - The Jupiter Incident Ambitious megacorporations monopolize the conquest of space and the colonization of the solar system. At the very edge of the solar system, the companies make a discovery that will shift the technological advantage and upset the balance. And so a new conflict is born: "The Jupiter Incident."

Price -91% 0.99€
Rating 8.2
Release 03 Jul 2007
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is a old school style shooter, but remixed for the 21st century with next generation graphics and deep, modern gameplay. Playing is simple: you are a geometric "ship" trapped in a grid world, facing off against waves of deadly wanderers, snakes, and repulsars.

Price 3.99€
Rating 8.6
Release 18 Jun 2007
CivCity: Rome CivCity: Rome, an innovative city builder inspired by the world of Sid Meiers Civilization, and created by a collaboration between Firefly Studios and Firaxis Games, invites players to shift focus from building a multi-city empire and zoom-in on the great cities of the Roman Empire, culminating in Rome itself!

Price -97% 0.31€
Rating 7.0
Release 06 Apr 2007
Rogue Trooper Nu Earth: a poisoned planet where endless war rages between the Norts and the Southers. A futile struggle on a hostile planet with no end in sight. But there are tales of a lone warrior. A man who knows no allegiance, the Rogue Trooper!

Price -78% 2.23€
Rating 8.8
Release 29 Mar 2007
Project: Snowblind Experience the dramatic intensity of the frontlines of a war through the eyes of the first of a new breed of super soldiers in this gritty and epic first-person action game. An augmented super-soldier must stop a renegade regime from eradicating the civilized world. Hong Kong, 2065. 2nd Lt.

Price -84% 1.00€
Rating 7.2
Release 29 Mar 2007
Joint Task Force Joint Task Force is the real-time strategy (RTS) game where you command the frontline forces in tomorrow's most hazardous conflicts. Lead twenty dramatic missions in explosive war-zones including the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Balkans.

Price 6.59€
Rating 8.1
Release 27 Mar 2007
Runaway, A Road Adventure New York, 2000......Without knowing how or why, Brian, a student on the verge of graduating from college, is attacked by Mafia gangsters. During his desperate getaway, in the company of a mysterious striptease dancer, he ends up meeting a wide range of unusual characters.

Price -83% 0.85€
Rating 7.3
Release 14 Mar 2007
Making History: The Calm & the Storm <p>Making History® delivers the open-ended gameplay of strategy-game classics, but with compelling new economic, military, and diplomatic systems and deep research that lets you play with real historical challenges.

Price -85% 0.62€
Rating 7.5
Release 13 Mar 2007
Zen of Sudoku From the creators of Natural Selection comes Zen of Sudoku, a relaxing, easy to play version of Sudoku for your PC.Relax with hand-painted Japanese-styled backgrounds, no timer and lush natural soundscapes.Stimulates your brain to keep it healthy and alert.

Price Free to play
Rating 8.3
Release 14 Dec 2006
Heroes of Annihilated Empires Heroes of Annihilated Empires - is a fantasy-based game from GSC Game World in the genre of RTS vs RPG for PC. 4 unique races awaits for the heroes, who want to fight in an Epic scale battles!

Price -93% 0.60€
Rating 8.1
Release 22 Nov 2006
Fleet Command International waterways become theaters of war when the world's most formidable maritime powers exchange their fatal blows. With entire fleets at your command, you must strategically deploy vessels from every class - frigate to aircraft to nuclear submarine - to maintain the precarious balance of naval power and gain position for the...

Price -95% 0.51€
Rating 8.2
Release 26 Oct 2006
Space Empires V Space Empires V is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. This new chapter completely updates the UI and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles played out in glorious detail and realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, and Exterminate in a huge living breathing galaxy.

Price -93% 1.15€
Rating 6.9
Release 16 Oct 2006
Advent Rising A common legend pervades the galaxy-that of a powerful, highly intelligent ancient race that will one day deliver the universe. They are known as Humans. The Advent of Humanity Begins...

Price -80% 2.03€
Rating 7.4
Release 14 Sep 2006
Typer Shark! Deluxe Sink your teeth into an action-packed educational adventure. Hungry sharks and piranhas are on the hunt for food as you SCUBA dive into the deep blue unknown. But if you can type words fast enough, they'll be zapped before they can turn you into lunch.

Price -80% 0.99€
Rating 8.1
Release 30 Aug 2006
Heavy Weapon Deluxe It's shoot-'em-up arcade action at its best! Use an incredible assortment of heavy artillery to blast away enemy tanks and planes, and fight your way to victory. What are you waiting for? Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get into the action!

Price -80% 0.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 30 Aug 2006
Dynomite Deluxe It's prehistoric egg-blasting fun! Use your slingshot to match three or more dino eggs of the same color... and watch them explode! Can you blast all the eggs before Mama Brontosaurus tramples your game?

Price -80% 0.99€
Rating 8.7
Release 30 Aug 2006
Bejeweled 2 Deluxe With awe-inspiring planetary backdrops, explosive new gems and dazzling special effects, Bejeweled 2 is more wildly addictive than ever before.

Price -80% 0.99€
Rating 8.8
Release 30 Aug 2006
Xpand Rally Please note as of October 2024, the online features for this game will no longer be supported.Xpand Rally is a breathtaking game that gives you the true to life experience of driving powerful rally cars amidst photorealistic sceneries. Realistic weather effects, rolling hills, and animated scenery all add to game's visual perfection.

Price -83% 0.86€
Rating 7.9
Release 24 Aug 2006
Dangerous Waters S.C.S. - Dangerous Waters allows you total control over multiple air, surface, and submarine platforms in a modern-day naval environment. Take direct control of individual crew stations and also plan and execute combined arms naval strategies from a top-down 'Commanders Eye' perspective.

Price -95% 0.88€
Rating 7.4
Release 07 Feb 2006
Darwinia Darwinia blends real-time strategy, action, and puzzles with a unique gesture-based control system. Save the Darwinians, battle viruses, and restore order in a retro-inspired digital world. Winner of multiple prestigious  awards, including the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at IGF 2006.

Price -96% 0.55€
Rating 7.6
Release 01 Dec 2005
Geneforge 1 Geneforge is an Indie fantasy role-playing game, the first game in the five-part Geneforge Saga. It features an enormous world, the ability to create your own army of lethal, totally obedient creatures, and a cunning enemy AI with foes who can go on patrols, stalk you, and run for help. Geneforge has a huge and open storyline.

Price 19.50€
Rating 8.6
Release 01 Dec 2001
Carmageddon Max Pack Carmageddon is the original freeform driving sensation, where pedestrians (and cows!) equal points, and your opponents are a bunch of crazies in a twisted mix of automotive killing machines. The game features anarchic drive-wherever-you-like gameplay and over-the-top surreal comedy violence. It’s the racing game where racing is for wimps.

Price 7.99€
Rating 8.4
Release 30 Jun 1997

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Steam is home to a vast library of games, from indie titles to AAA blockbusters. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. That's where wasdland.com comes in.

We curate the most popular and highest-rated games on Steam considering factors such as player count, review score, and genre to give you a comprehensive overview of the best games that Steam has to offer.

Whether you're looking for a new game to play with friends, a single-player experience that will keep you entertained for hours, or something in between, we're sure you will find something you'll love.