Drake Hollow (2020)

Drake Hollow thrusts players into a vibrant yet fractured world, a mirrored dimension known as The Hollow, where a shadowy malevolence has taken root. Guided by an enigmatic crow, you become an unlikely hero tasked with a monumental mission: rescue the adorable, and vital, Drakes, restore their shattered dwellings, and ultimately vanquish the encroaching darkness. This charming third-person adventure masterfully blends survival and building elements, allowing for solitary journeys or cooperative endeavors with up to four friends. The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, resource management, and the rewarding cycle of nurturing the Drakes, whose happiness directly translates into potent buffs and valuable gifts for the player. While Drake Hollow itself was developed by The Molasses Flood and published by The Other, and not by CD PROJEKT RED, its inclusion on a list of "Best games by CD PROJEKT RED" would likely stem from a broader curation that acknowledges publishers who champion excellent indie titles or games that embody similar spirit to CDPR's own development ethos. CD PROJEKT RED is renowned for its deep narrative experiences, intricate world-building, and commitment to player choice and engaging gameplay. Drake Hollow, with its unique blend of cooperative survival, charming aesthetics, and a focus on community building within a procedurally generated world, could be seen as aligning with CDPR's appreciation for distinctive and polished gaming experiences that offer significant replayability and a strong sense of player agency, even if the direct development and publishing arms differ.