2011's hidden gaming gems

[captaincabbage]

There were many games last year that were brilliant which everyone has played. Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Arkham City, Minecraft, most of us have played at least one of these games since their release.

In this flurry of releases, many games get missed out on, either by lack of advertising, or being overshadowed by the bigger releases of the year.
So Escapists, what awesome games have you played from 2011 that you have loved?


My Choice:
My personal choice is EDF: Insect Armageddon. It's a bloody retarded game, to be sure, and definitely don't get it on PC thanks to a shoddy port, but it's a batshit crazy game about shooting giant bugs with friends, Starship Troopers style.

 

[jackpackage200]

Sonic Generations. I feel like not enough people played it because they were too busy playing big titles like battlefield and call of duty

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Rayman Origins.

Ubisoft done fucked up releasing it this fall.

Other nomination goes to Driver: San Francisco, but it didn't sell too bad, actually.

 

[endtherapture]

The Witcher 2 was completely overshadowed by Skyrim. But it deserves just as much praise.

Nonlinear storyline, amazing graphics, a difficulty comparable to Dark Souls, one of the most intriguing plots ever, deep characters? It's everything that Dragon Age 2 should've been.

 

[Madaxeman101]

Dark souls would have to be my choice.

 

[shimyia]

Bastion is rarely to be seen in people's GOTY

but it is mine

 

[DustyDrB]

Rayman Origins.

Ubisoft done fucked up releasing it this fall.

And then they tried to guilt fans into buying it, saying Beyond Good and Evil 2's future is somewhat tied to the success/failure of Rayman Origins. That's low. Imagine Valve saying they won't release Half Life 3 unless a side-scrolling shooter version Left 4 Dead sells well (nevermind the fact that Valve has much more loyal fans than Ubisoft and that the game would probably sell amazingly well anyway).

OT: Rayman Origins is mine as well. I'm a pretty boring mainstream gamer, though. Some less popular games I did enjoy this year included Alice: Madness Returns (though it has a giant flaw in that the gameplay doesn't evolve any from the start to the finish), Catherine, and Outland.

Did Okamiden do well? That was a good game.

 

[Gabanuka]

Bastion is rarely to be seen in people's GOTY

but it is mine

Spoiler

I actually brought 4 copies to give to my friends as gifts just so the played

 

[Behazard]

My Choice:
My personal choice is EDF: Insect Armageddon. It's a bloody retarded game, to be sure, and definitely don't get it on PC thanks to a shoddy port, but it's a batshit crazy game about shooting giant bugs with friends, Starship Troopers style.

I loved the game as well, can't really remember the reason for buying it, but had tons of fun blasting the dozens of insects around a city.

Also, Dungeon Defenders is a very fun game

 

[Paul]

I'd say Driver: San Francisco. It was a lot of fun to play and I really enjoyed the online multiplayer portion as well. It's a fun game but the last time I played it, there weren't many people online which leads me to think that it might not have sold as well as I would have hoped. As a fan of the Driver franchise I was very pleased to see that it made a return though, so I'm hoping Ubisoft continue with it.

As for a downloadable game, I'm thinking Toy Soldiers: Cold War. It's good value and there are plenty of side activities in it. Plus, the final fights are rather intense because of some of the enemies you wind up facing. It's a challenge to achieve everything in, which is why I haven't, but it is a very fun challenge at the same time.

 

[Shockolate]

Dark souls would have to be my choice.

I disagree. Or rather, I wouldn't call it "hidden".

Dark Souls had tons of hype because of it's predeccesor Demon's Souls, possibly the biggest hidden gem of 2009.

It wasn't really a surprise finding out it was good.

 

[lRookiel]

TERRARIA!!!

It is still one of my favourites

 

[ZombieMonkey7]

Shadows of the Damned, I have posted SOOOOOOOO many times about how underated this game is. Gameinformer gave it a 9.5 Destrucoid gave it an 8.5 and it sell 24,000 copies world wide, wtf

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile, Definitely the best arcade game of the year, and one of my personal favorites. It's got great combat, incredibly violent, a good soundtrack, beautiful visuals, co-op, and zombie robot sharks...ON LEGS!
[youtube=c1NJoEJQ7RE

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Binding of Isaac is probably the least known game I've played this year, but it is really good. It's hard as hell, but it's so rewarding to play and succeed.

Other than that... the Bastion, I guess? That game that has been appearing on GOTY lists for a reason - and I bet that Yahtzee will put it on his on Wednesday - because it is just damn good.

Calumon: Minecr...

Jack: JUST BECAUSE IT'S INDIE DOES NOT MEAN IT'S OBSCURE!

Calumon: : ( Meanie.

 

[Iron Lightning]

2011 was a good year for me as both of my favorite game studios released new titles.

I'd say Cargo! The Quest for Gravity and Rock of Ages. Cargo! is a unique title that, while below the standards set by the rest of Ice-Pick Lodge's games, is still miles ahead of 90% of the games out there. Rock of Ages is probably the funniest game that I've ever played, and I'm not even that big of a history buff although in total it was also a bit sub-par for ACE Team.

 

[Obhraonian]

Shadows of the Damned, I have posted SOOOOOOOO many times about how underated this game is. Gameinformer gave it a 9.5 Destrucoid gave it an 8.5 and it sell 24,000 copies world wide, wtf

seconded I love shadows of the damned (and all suda 51's game) yet no one else seem to have heard of this gem it's criminal I say

P.S ½ γ2(ω really captch fuck you

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Sonic Generations. I feel like not enough people played it because they were too busy playing big titles like battlefield and call of duty

Second. I was completely ready to once again be disappointed with the blue blur. It was relieving to see Sega finally get it again, taking what worked in the old 2d platformers and the Adventure games, and dumping all the superfluous stuff. It's not a perfect game by any measure and it's shameless fanservice. But it works and leaves you hopeful that the next Sonic game will be the one that really nails it.