I can think of a handful of games that, despite being games that I’ve enjoyed, never really became part of a “genre”. Do you have any like this, and if so, which?
Are they games that you’d like to see another entrant to the genre to? Would you recommend the original game as one to keep playing?
Outer Wilds
If you’re a naturally curious person, the odds are you will probably enjoy Outer Wilds. No other game I’ve played has ever had quite the same blend of mystery, conquering the unknown, and semi-realistic space exploration.
Could someone make another game like it? Not impossible, I suppose, but I think you would be hard pressed.
Should you keep playing the original? You really can’t, one time through is all you get. Once you have discovered all the secrets and uncovered the mysteries, that is your journey through it. Still fun to visit every once in a while, though
Echoes of the Eye does at least give you a sort of second playthrough
I think Tunic is probably the closest feeling to Outer Wilds I’ve gotten so far. The moment-to-moment gameplay is quite different, but the broad scale feels close
You might like Fez and Animal Well too.
I reaallly need to play this game
Outer Wilds spoiler
Deathloop is the same genre