Hidden Gem or Hot Garbage

What Is This?

Hidden Gem or Hot Garbage is a series where Zendigo plays game demos, indie games, retro releases, and random discoveries from across the gaming world.

Every game faces the same question:

Is it a Hidden Gem? Does it Need Polish? Or is it Hot Garbage?

The Rating System

💎 Hidden Gem

Worth your time.
Strong recommendation.
Would play again.

🔧 Needs Polish

Interesting ideas.
Not quite there yet.
Potential with more development.

🔥 Hot Garbage

Major issues.
Difficult to recommend.
The wheel strikes again.

Current Rating Categories

  • ⭐ First Impression
  • 🎮 Gameplay
  • 🎨 Style
  • ⚙ Polish
  • 🔄 Comeback Factor

Dev Submissions

Developers, publishers, and creators can submit games or demos for possible Hidden Gem or Hot Garbage coverage through the Zendigo Discord.

This is the best path for indie devs who want Zendigo to take a fair look at a game, demo, early project, or upcoming release.

Submitting a game does not guarantee coverage, review, promotion, or a positive verdict. If selected, the game may be judged as Hidden Gem, Needs Polish, or Hot Garbage.

Submit Through Discord →

Submission Info

  • Game/Demo Title: name of the project.
  • Playable Link: Steam, Itch, Newgrounds, demo page, or store link.
  • Developer / Team: who made it.
  • Genre: what kind of game it is.
  • Release Status: demo, early access, full release, or upcoming.
  • Estimated Playtime: rough time needed for a fair look.
  • Important Notes: bugs, spoilers, content warnings, or anything to know before playing.

Latest Review

IRON BIRD
EPISODE 001

Iron Bird

Episode 001 • Coming Soon

Verdict Pending

Full review, score breakdown, and final verdict will appear here once the episode is published.

READ REVIEW →

Upcoming Games

  • 🎮 Upcoming Demos
  • 🚀 More Steam Discoveries
  • 👥 Community Suggestions
  • 📩 Indie Dev Submissions
  • ❓ Wildcard Picks