When you recommend an obscure game, you're taking a risk. If the person doesn't like it, they might not trust your recommendations again. The game doesn't have a reputation to fall back on. It's just you and your judgment.
I recommend obscure games all the time. I've learned some rules for doing it well. Here are my rules for recommending a game most people haven't heard of.
Rule One: Explain the Game, Not the Genre
Genre labels are lazy.
"A puzzle game" doesn't tell you anything. "A roguelike" doesn't tell you anything. "A narrative game" doesn't tell you anything.
When you're recommending an obscure game, you need to be specific. You need to explain what the game actually is.
What do you do in the game? What's the core mechanic? What's the experience like? What makes it different from other games in the same genre?
If you can't explain the game clearly, you can't recommend it clearly.
Rule Two: Be Honest About What It Isn't
Every game has limitations.
Some games are short. Some are rough around the edges. Some have niche appeal. Some are strange. Some are hard to get into.
When you're recommending an obscure game, you need to be honest about what it isn't. Don't pretend it's something it's not.
If the game is short, say it's short. If the game is weird, say it's weird. If the game is demanding, say it's demanding.
The person you're recommending the game to needs to know what they're getting into.
Rule Three: Know Your Audience
A good recommendation is specific.
It's not "you should play this game." It's "you should play this game because you liked that other game."
Know what the person likes. Know what they've played. Know what they're looking for.
A recommendation that's tailored to the person is more likely to be successful than one that's generic.
Rule Four: Don't Oversell
Overselling is the enemy of good recommendations.
When you oversell a game, you create expectations that can't be met. The person plays the game, it's not as good as you said, and they're disappointed.
I've learned to undersell. I don't say "this is the best game ever made." I say "this is a good game that I think you'll like."
Restraint builds trust. Overselling breaks it.
Rule Five: Acknowledge the Friction
Most obscure games have friction.
Maybe the controls are clunky. Maybe the UI is dated. Maybe the learning curve is steep. Maybe the game has technical issues.
When you're recommending an obscure game, you need to acknowledge the friction. Be honest about what's going to frustrate the player.
If you don't acknowledge the friction, the player will discover it on their own—and they'll be annoyed that you didn't warn them.
Rule Six: Give a Clear Verdict
A recommendation should be a recommendation.
Don't just describe the game. Don't just explain the mechanics. Don't just talk about the context.
Give a clear verdict. Is the game worth playing or not? Should the person buy it or skip it?
If you're not willing to give a clear verdict, you're not making a recommendation.
Rule Seven: Offer an Escape
Sometimes recommendations fail.
The person plays the game and doesn't like it. They feel bad because you recommended it. They don't want to tell you they didn't like it.
I've learned to offer an escape. "If you don't like it after a couple hours, feel free to stop. It's not for everyone."
This takes the pressure off. It gives the person permission to not like the game.
Rule Eight: Don't Be a Snob
This is the most important rule.
There's a fine line between recommending an obscure game and being a snob about it.
Don't say "you've probably never heard of this." Don't say "it's better than the games you usually play." Don't say "this is real art."
Just recommend the game. Explain why it's good. Let the person decide for themselves.
An Example
Let me give you an example of a good recommendation.
"Hey, I think you'd like this game. It's a puzzle game called [Name]. You use a time-manipulation mechanic to solve puzzles. It's about 4-5 hours long. The art is beautiful and the puzzles are clever. The controls are a bit clunky at first, but you get used to it. It's not a masterpiece, but it's good. I think you'd enjoy it."
This recommendation is specific, honest, tailored, and clear. It gives the person everything they need to make a decision.
The Bottom Line
Recommending an obscure game is a skill.
It requires specific knowledge. It requires honesty. It requires restraint. It requires knowing your audience.
I've been doing it for years. I'm still learning. But these rules have helped me.
A good recommendation is a gift. It's someone sharing something they loved with you.
Not a masterpiece. Still worth your time.
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