A Personal Unexpected Gem of Generation 7

[1080bitgamer]

Yeah... So, I liked MySims on the Wii for some sort of reasons... 17 paragraphs of them... Yeah...( http://1080bitgamer.blogspot.com/2012/12/mysims-most-unexpected-gem.html )

Really though, there have been surprises this generation, with cult classic status being written for some games even as we speak ( No More Heroes, anyone? ). So, what was yours? What game was the unexpected gem? Not the best game, not the favorite, but the game you liked, or even loved, and you could NOT of seen coming.

 

[tippy2k2]

Just to be clear...

Are you talking about a game I knew NOTHING about until it was praised all over the place or a "Diamond in the rough" type game where NO ONE knows anything about it?

Option A:
Spec-Ops: The Line
Sweet Zombie Jesus, this was an awesome and completely unexpected gem of an experience. Traditionally, this series has just been crap so I had absolutely no reason to follow it. Then it got praise...and a bit more...and then a lot more. This got me intrigued enough to go for it and I am so glad that I did. If you can go into it without having someone spoil it, I'd be tempted to call it "Game of the Year".

Option B:
Valkyria Chronicles
I knew absolutely nothing about this game but heard it was a strategy game for the PS3. Figured I'd give it a shot and I sure as hell am glad that I did. Great characters, great story, great mechanics, just about everything about a "Tactics" game that I would like is represented. The AI could use some work but other than that, I love this game. I love this game so much that I am considering picking up a VITA because the sequel is a downloadable game (and if 3 leaves Japan and goes handheld, it will probably end up there).

 

[Chester Rabbit]

Mass Effect. All I remember hearing when it first came out, mind you I didn't really have any real interest so I didn't go out of my way to get feedback on the game, I digress. All I heard at the time was how heavily derivative it was, how glitchy it was yet ambitious but it was an overall subpar game.
Then I decided to grind through it just to build my Shepard for Mass Effect 2. And Well I have said it before in here but to say the least I had my lid blown. And now this game has become probably my second favourite video game.

 

[1080bitgamer]

Just to be clear...

Are you talking about a game I knew NOTHING about until it was praised all over the place or a "Diamond in the rough" type game where NO ONE knows anything about it?

Option A:
Spec-Ops: The Line
Sweet Zombie Jesus, this was an awesome and completely unexpected gem of an experience. Traditionally, this series has just been crap so I had absolutely no reason to follow it. Then it got praise...and a bit more...and then a lot more. This got me intrigued enough to go for it and I am so glad that I did. If you can go into it without having someone spoil it, I'd be tempted to call it "Game of the Year".

Option B:
Valkyria Chronicles
I knew absolutely nothing about this game but heard it was a strategy game for the PS3. Figured I'd give it a shot and I sure as hell am glad that I did. Great characters, great story, great mechanics, just about everything about a "Tactics" game that I would like is represented. The AI could use some work but other than that, I love this game. I love this game so much that I am considering picking up a VITA because the sequel is a downloadable game (and if 3 leaves Japan and goes handheld, it will probably end up there).

Either or, but more B. Loved Valkyria Chronicles, has probably one of my favorite visual styles in all of gaming. That cel shading is just so smooth...

 

[1080bitgamer]

Mass Effect. All I remember hearing when it first came out, mind you I didn't really have any real interest so I didn't go out of my way to get feedback on the game, I digress. All I heard at the time was how heavily derivative it was, how glitchy it was yet ambitious but it was an overall subpar game.
Then I decided to grind through it just to build my Shepard for Mass Effect 2. And Well I have said it before in here but to say the least I had my lid blown. And now this game has become probably my second favourite video game.

Interesting. I still need to play the Mass Effects, and now that the trilogy has come to PS3 in collection format, that'll soon be a niche I've covered.

On the subject, what is your FIRST favorite game?

 

[krazykidd]

Alpha protocol . Always . Everytime a topic like this comes up i say Alpha protocol . Most underated game this generation.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Viva Pinata, and the follow up to it, Trouble in Paradise.

Like probably most people I'd just written it off as one of those kiddy games. But by god when I got round to playing it, not only is it beautiful to look at, but the depth to the game is unreal and kept me hooked for hours.

 

[Chester Rabbit]

Mass Effect. All I remember hearing when it first came out, mind you I didn't really have any real interest so I didn't go out of my way to get feedback on the game, I digress. All I heard at the time was how heavily derivative it was, how glitchy it was yet ambitious but it was an overall subpar game.
Then I decided to grind through it just to build my Shepard for Mass Effect 2. And Well I have said it before in here but to say the least I had my lid blown. And now this game has become probably my second favourite video game.

Interesting. I still need to play the Mass Effects, and now that the trilogy has come to PS3 in collection format, that'll soon be a niche I've covered.

On the subject, what is your FIRST favorite game?

That would be Spyro The Dragon.

 

[scorptatious]

Valkyria Chronicles
I knew absolutely nothing about this game but heard it was a strategy game for the PS3. Figured I'd give it a shot and I sure as hell am glad that I did. Great characters, great story, great mechanics, just about everything about a "Tactics" game that I would like is represented. The AI could use some work but other than that, I love this game. I love this game so much that I am considering picking up a VITA because the sequel is a downloadable game (and if 3 leaves Japan and goes handheld, it will probably end up there).

I LOVED Valkyria Chronicles.

The only real criticisms I have with it are that the loading times are too long, and I didn't like how the grading system favors speed over tactics.

Other then that, fantastic game.

Viva Pinata, and the follow up to it, Trouble in Paradise.

Like probably most people I'd just written it off as one of those kiddy games. But by god when I got round to playing it, not only is it beautiful to look at, but the depth to the game is unreal and kept me hooked for hours.

I also loved Viva Pinata. Trouble in Paradise eh... not so much. I felt the game was a little too copy and paste to really feel like a sequel. That and Professor Pester came EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Goddamnit. X(

If it was simply DLC or an expansion pack, I wouldn't have any problem with it. I just feel that too little was added and there was too much recycled content to really consider it to be a sequel.

That's just me though.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Viva Pinata, and the follow up to it, Trouble in Paradise.

Like probably most people I'd just written it off as one of those kiddy games. But by god when I got round to playing it, not only is it beautiful to look at, but the depth to the game is unreal and kept me hooked for hours.

I also loved Viva Pinata. Trouble in Paradise eh... not so much. I felt the game was a little too copy and paste to really feel like a sequel. That and Professor Pester came EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Goddamnit. X(

If it was simply DLC or an expansion pack, I wouldn't have any problem with it. I just feel that too little was added and there was too much recycled content to really consider it to be a sequel.

That's just me though.

I can understand that view. I think it may have been that both those games were bought by or for my little brother, so I hadn't paid for them. Therefore I just saw TiP as more of the same (so, like you said basically an expansion pack =P). I can definitely see what you mean. Especially about Professor Pester.

Also I can't believe I mentioned how nice it is to look at and didn't post an image!

I mean, look at all the colour there in that screenshot alone!

 

[recruit00]

Just to be clear...

Are you talking about a game I knew NOTHING about until it was praised all over the place or a "Diamond in the rough" type game where NO ONE knows anything about it?

Option A:
Spec-Ops: The Line
Sweet Zombie Jesus, this was an awesome and completely unexpected gem of an experience. Traditionally, this series has just been crap so I had absolutely no reason to follow it. Then it got praise...and a bit more...and then a lot more. This got me intrigued enough to go for it and I am so glad that I did. If you can go into it without having someone spoil it, I'd be tempted to call it "Game of the Year".

Option B:
Valkyria Chronicles
I knew absolutely nothing about this game but heard it was a strategy game for the PS3. Figured I'd give it a shot and I sure as hell am glad that I did. Great characters, great story, great mechanics, just about everything about a "Tactics" game that I would like is represented. The AI could use some work but other than that, I love this game. I love this game so much that I am considering picking up a VITA because the sequel is a downloadable game (and if 3 leaves Japan and goes handheld, it will probably end up there).

I have to go with A.

Viva Pinata, and the follow up to it, Trouble in Paradise.

Like probably most people I'd just written it off as one of those kiddy games. But by god when I got round to playing it, not only is it beautiful to look at, but the depth to the game is unreal and kept me hooked for hours.

Oh, Viva Pinata. How I wish I had a copy of that game. So awesome. Animal Crossing combined with SimCity combined with Spore combined with SimEarth. So great.

Alpha protocol . Always . Everytime a topic like this comes up i say Alpha protocol . Most underated game this generation.

My brother had gotten that game from Gamestop for like ten bucks. I played through it twice and was working on a third playthrough on veteran hard. A great example of Obsidian being screwed over by the publisher. Awesome gameplay with simple things to be fixed. Clever storyline and dialogue. Decent minigames (on console). The thing that sucks is the best version, the 360 version, can't be modded like the PC version, which blows huge chunks.

Finally, for my own. Something that many people will find out of left field.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for the Wii.

I was waiting for this game for years. Even when I saw the horrible reviews, I said screw it after the intro cutscene. The gameplay is actually pretty clever and has some tricks to it. Storyline blows but is hilariously bad at a MST3K level. Achievements are really cool idea and works really well. I spent over 50 hours on this game just exploring the well-designed world hunting achievements, collecting emblems, and just exploring. Yes, there were flaws but they were things that could have been easily fixed and the game is my favorite 2010 Christmas present, above Epic Yarn. And that game rules.

 

[crimson sickle2]

Rayman Origins, it's like dopamine, it numbs the pain of frustration and worldly tension. I played two Rayman games before, but I wasn't a big fan. Origins hit all the right marks for a platformer.

 

[Quadocky]

I tend to research games before I play them so there is no real feeling of unexpected gems in my mind.

Though, honestly there is one that really caught me off guard in terms of sheer design.

It being a Wii game does induce it with a sort of novelty in the first place but Opoona stands to be one of the most unique games I have ever played. The soundtrack is a bizarre mix of symphonic and electronic music, the game itself takes place on a planet with a government that functions like a meritocracy (I think). The game is controlled only with the nun-chuck accessory. The battle system involves directing your attack in order to hit enemies in certain ways (some enemies are protected in the front so you have to hit from the side).

The only game that one could possibly compare it to in terms of sheer novelty is something like Earthbound.

Overall though its not perfect by any means but there is an AMAZING amount of detail put into it that really really makes it feel special.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

One game I never thought I would like is probably Batman: Arkham Asylum. Never been into Batman, or stealth action games, or detective games, but my god it blew me away.

Just Cause 2 blew me away too, but I did play and enjoy Just Cause 1 so I was expecting number 2 to be good anyway.

More recently Xcom and FTL have surprised me too.

 

[AlbertoDeSanta]

The Walking Dead. I never really look up reviews and feedback on games, therefore I didn't know what to expect other then the few times I'd heard it's pretty good. I played it. Best game. I've played. In terms of Story. In a long time. I never really played adventure games, and it caught me so off guard. I loved every moment of it.

 

[Lucyfer86]

Final Fantasy XIII.
I have never been too into FF series, or jrpg's overall (i hate hate hate random encounters out of nowhere), so i didn't have much expectations for this one either. Only bought it because it was on sale, graphics pleased my eyes and trailers was just pure awesomeness.

Needless to say i got blown away when i got my hands on the game, sure there isn't any exploration to speak of, at least in the first half or more of the game, combat is streamlined or so others say. I felt it got quite deep and complex as the game progressed.
And the plot, characters, overall atmosphere? One of the best ones i've ever seen in my near 20 years of gaming, i know that many disagrees and feels like they're medicore at best but we all have our tastes and this game really hits the spot.

P.S before someone says "FF7/FFX is sooo much better", no, just no, i've played them and didn't really get the feel for them, 30 hours of constant random encounters alone was enough for me to realize that traditional jrpg's aren't for me.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

This is either going to be Alpha Protocol or Valkyria Chronicles; the former I bought with excess points from my GAME card and the other was supposed to have been a present. A friend was after Valkyria Chronicles, but there seemed to be a stock issue because she couldn't find it anywhere. So when I finally found it (on sale no less) I snapped it up and promptly decided to play it myself to see what it was all about. Best decision I ever made, even if I did have to make up an excuse as to why she didn't get it.

I don't know if it's the gameplay or the graphics, the great voice acting and sound track or the story. It just seems that every element of this game draws me in. Also Marina Wulfstan, "Sweet dreams."
As for Alpha Protocol, I played it and I could see the potential. It was a brand new IP and it was a little bit different to everything else I'd played, with the great conversation system and the unwinding story missions, optional objectives and the real impact you could have on future missions. I remember smirking a little when I got a mission and a rebel leader contacted me, remarking that since I used entirely non-lethal methods of taking down his men in a previous mission he would allow me safe passage to my objective. Sadly we'll never see how it could have improved, at least not yet.

 

[-Dragmire-]

My vote goes to Valkyria Chronicles as well.

Valkyria Chronicles
I knew absolutely nothing about this game but heard it was a strategy game for the PS3. Figured I'd give it a shot and I sure as hell am glad that I did. Great characters, great story, great mechanics, just about everything about a "Tactics" game that I would like is represented. The AI could use some work but other than that, I love this game. I love this game so much that I am considering picking up a VITA because the sequel is a downloadable game (and if 3 leaves Japan and goes handheld, it will probably end up there).

I'm not sure if you're implying the sequel is only on the Vita, it's originally a PSP game. If you knew that already I apologize, just looking to clarify.

2nd one was kind of shit though. Promising gameplay destroyed by poor thematic direction and contrivance. The third one sounds like it returned to form but sadly, it looks like we'll never get that one...

 

[Oly J]

I've had a few

Yakuza 3 (and by extension Yakuza 4)

as an obsessive Shenmue fan I cannot believe I didn't know about these until 4 came out, just completely awesome, especially 4, hell I even loved Dead Souls

Valkyria Chronicles,

I know this has been mentioned a few times but yeah, SO much win! it's like Wind Waker meets Hogs of War...ok maybe that's a bad analogy but Hogs of War was the last game I remember to use that style of turn-based gameplay, and the art-style was just beautiful, the soundtrack was awesome and the story really sucked me in, I wish they'd release 2 and 3 in some sort of collection but that's probably never gonna happen

Asura's Wrath,

controversial pick no. 1, I loved Asura's Wrath, ok the gameplay suffered a little because the game never really challenged you and the control scheme could've done with a bit of tweaking but other than that I loved the game, just unashamedly over-the-top cliche-ridden anime in videogame form, loved it

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

I went into this expecting it to suck, because, y'know, FF7 cash-in, but I actually really enjoyed it the soundtrack, story, characters, all very well done, with the side-effect that I now can't stand Cloud as a character, thought the gameplay was fun too,

Batman: Arkham Asylum

before watching The Dark Knight on DVD about a year after everyone else in the world had already seen it I never really cared for Batman, After seeing the Dark Knight, I felt a lot more open to getting into it, so I got Arkham Asylum, and I'm glad I did, such a great game, and I recently got Arkham City which was also great but that wasn't as much of a surprise

I could go on but...nah

 

[felbot]

league of legends, I hadn't actually heard about the game and just saw a random article on pc gamer one day, with a link, clicked it and than I downloaded it and played it, after a abysmal first game I eventually started playing fiddle sticks and everything was k.

fallout, i had only heard about fallout 3 at that point and was walking in the store just looking at stuff, and then i saw the fallout triple pack, my god was it good, after the frustrations of course.