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The past year saw the release of so many excellent titles across all genres. But there are, sadly, some games that didn’t see the success or popularity they otherwise deserved. The Siliconera staff has come up with our picks for the most underrated game of 2024 that you should pick up and play, especially over the holiday season.

Siliconera Speaks Up: Most Underrated Game of 2024 5shw

Arco is absolutely amazing. It's such a fascinating strategy game with unique combat system and gameplay. Plus the places it takes us, people we meet, and stories it tells feel unique. I loved seeing how it all came together in the end. Plus, it looks so different, but so gorgeous. -- Jenni

It's not the most revolutionary game in the world, but I'd still like to go to bat for Sand Land. It had that charming Toriyama style, fun vehicle customization and was just a cozy, fun time all the way through. Plus, I like that the stealth-takedown animation is just the prince making a scary face at some soldiers so they faint. -- Elliot

I found Isles of Sea and Sky truly wonderful, and I need more people to give it a try. It is a sokoban style puzzle game with open-ended world exploration and a progression system that borrows from Zelda and Metroidvanias. I usually struggle to fully get through most puzzle games, even if I like them a lot, but with Isles of Sea and Sky I could not get enough of it. It helps a lot that the pixel art graphics have a cozy SNES or Game Boy Color vibe and the music is a delight. Seriously, give it a try! -- Daniel

There are quite a lot of picks this year for the most underrated game of 2024. My overall pick has to be Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. This is a stunning visual novel that isn’t too difficult, with a solid mystery. Its ending is a bit weird, but if you stick with it, it balloons into a masterpiece conclusion everyone should check out. The other pick I have to point out is Ova Magica. It has some early access quirks about it, but this game beautifully blends farming sims and Pokemon together in a neat, colorful way. I just wish there was more content. -- Cody

The post What Is the Most Underrated Game of 2024? appeared first on Siliconera.

Ova Magica, a life and farming game like Harvest Moon with creature-catching elements like Pokemon, entered early access on Steam, and ClaudiaTheDev spoke about the possibility of multiplayer. While there is none in the base game, a note suggested that it is possible the team would consider it if the title “is popular enough.”

 In the statement, ClaudiaTheDev noted that the base Ova Magica game was only designed with a single-player farming and creature-catching experience in mind. The developer said in a reply on the Steam Discussion Forums, “Re-deg the code core is at this stage not an option anymore without risking to break the whole game.”

However, it was after that statement that ClaudiaTheDev noted other multiplayer elements could eventually be investigated for Ova Magica. However, these seem like they would be outside of the main gameplay experience and instead be supplemental options. The Steam forum comment continued, “But when Ova Magica is popular enough and there will be a high demand we consider adding new "modes" with multiplayer options.”

Ova Magica early access just began on Steam. People can already pick a starter Blob and begin collecting and raising them, however only 36 of the eventual 66 are available. Some Clover Town battles and Cup Tournament activities are available. The live-sim and farming part means all three seasons are available and 12 festivals can be experienced. However, while 13 characters are available to romance in Ova Magica now, you can only get to 3-4 of their seven Heart Events and marriage isn’t possible yet.

Ova Magica is now in early access on PCs via Steam, and a full 1.0 launch is expected in between 8-10 months.

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