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The original was posted on /r/games by /u/Galaxy40k on 2024-12-30 19:06:04+00:00.

One of my favorite parts of this sub used to be the GOTY threads because there’d always be a handful of games that I never heard of that would be passionately championed by like 3 people, and those games would often go on to be some of my favorites of the year. Since this sub doesn’t do the official “year end wrap up threads” anymore, I thought I’d just make a special thread to ask people for their niche recommendations. We all know about the Astro Boys and Metaphors and FF Rebirths of the world, but what are the rest of us missing?

My recommendation is for Shadow of the Ninja Reborn. It’s a traditional 2D action platformer (i.e., not Metroidvania), and - despite that being one of the most prolific genres in the history of video games - I think it’s one of the best ever made. It really stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Rondo of Blood, Alien Soldier, and GNG Resurrection IMO. The quality may not be obviously apparent if you’re a more casual enjoyer of the genre, but there’s so much attention to the little details in the mechanics and level design that I really appreciate. The pixel art is also superbly detailed and expressive, even if it lacks the obvious “screenshot appeal” of something like a Blasphemous. If you like this genre, you absolutely need to give this game a go; its not just my personal “overlooked GOTY,” but my GOTY overall!