6 Video Games That Surprised The Hell Out Of Us
Sometimes, a game comes along that completely blindsides you. Whether it's an under-the-radar indie gem, a sequel you didn’t expect much from, or a game in a genre you usually ignore, these titles sneak up and leave a lasting impression. On a recent episode of Good Playing With You, we reminisced about the games that shocked us—in a good way! Here are six games that caught us completely off guard.
1. The Surge – An Electrifying Sci-Fi Soulslike
When The Surge first launched, it seemed like just another attempt to replicate the Dark Souls formula. What we got instead was a mechanically unique, sci-fi-infused action RPG with an incredible limb-targeting system. The ability to slice off specific body parts of enemies to claim their weapons and armor added a fresh layer of strategy to the brutal combat. It might not have had the polish of FromSoftware’s best, but The Surge exceeded expectations in ways we never saw coming.
2. Divinity: Original Sin – A Blessed RPG
Before Divinity: Original Sin, most people hadn’t heard of Larian Studios, but this game put them on the map. What looked like a standard isometric RPG turned out to be one of the most innovative and deep role-playing experiences ever made. Its turn-based combat, dynamic environments, and freedom of choice made it a game unlike any other. If you liked Baldur’s Gate 3, you can thank Divinity: Original Sin for paving the way.
3. Picross Games – A Full-FILL-ing Time Sink
Who knew filling in little boxes could be so addictive? The Picross series takes a simple puzzle concept and turns it into a black hole of time. One moment you’re solving a basic pattern, and the next thing you know, you’ve spent hours building pixel art pictures of vases and animals. The way Picross taps into that part of your brain that craves completion is nothing short of genius.
4. Tetris 99 – A Blocky Battle Royale
When Tetris 99 was announced, it sounded like a joke. A Tetris battle royale? Really? But once we jumped in, we were hooked. The classic Tetris gameplay combined with the intensity of a last-player-standing competition created a nerve-wracking yet addictive experience. Who would have thought one of gaming’s oldest franchises would reinvent itself in such a brilliant way?
5. Remnant 2 – A Shooter That Leaves No Crumbs
If you described Remnant as "Dark Souls with guns," you wouldn’t be wrong, but that doesn’t do it justice. The sequel, Remnant 2, took everything great about the first game and expanded on it in wild ways. Procedurally generated worlds, deep customization, and fantastic co-op gameplay made it one of the most pleasant surprises in recent memory. If you haven't played it yet, you're missing out on one of the best modern action RPGs.
6. The Witcher III – The Hunt For The Perfect RPG
In hindsight, it’s easy to call The Witcher III: Wild Hunt one of the greatest games of all time. But before release, expectations were nowhere near as high. The first two games in the series were niche hits, but no one expected CD Projekt Red to deliver an open-world RPG masterpiece that would set the bar for the genre. With its deep storytelling, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible side quests (yes, we still think about the Bloody Baron), The Witcher III blew everyone away.
Great games don’t always come with massive hype trains. Sometimes, they quietly sneak up and become some of our favorites of all time. Whether it’s through unique mechanics, unexpected innovation, or just pure addictiveness, these six games proved that surprises can be the best part of gaming.
What games have completely surprised you? Let us know in the comments or hit us up on social media! And if you love conversations like this, be sure to check out our podcast, Good Playing With You, where we break down the best and worst of gaming every week.
Sound off below and let me know what you think!