Great games that have gone 'under the radar'

[Captain Bland]

I made a topic earlier about how I believed that the general standard of reviews have gone down(only to be proven wrong) but, I found something interesting in that discussion that id like to bring to the table;

Can anyone recommend a game/s that has gotten an 'average' (or 7/10), or has been pigeonholed but is actually quite fun? I feel a bit stupid asking this, but I just have to know(or I cant really call myself a 'gamer' here)

 

[josh797]

well psychonauts for one. its been said, i know but still it deserves to be said again

 

[neems]

Practically every vaguely decent game will get some good reviews, but games I particularly enjoyed despite some middling scores would include -

Sega Rally Revo - deformable tracks for the win.

Call Of Juarez - some of the sneaking levels are annoying, but the dual wielding, bible toting bullet time abusing psychotic preacher is an absolute blast to play.

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic - nothing extraordinary, but certainly an enjoyable first person hack and slash fest.

Condemned: Criminal Origins? Not sure if this qualifies, I've seen some good reviews for it, but at the time it certainly seemed to get a mixed response, at least on pc. Amazing atmosphere, well worth a play.

 

[Copter400]

Assassin's Creed got a 7 from ign. Poop was flung because of this. Penny Arcade made comics.

 

[captainwillies]

I'm not sure if you can still get it on PC but back when i had a Mac there was this awesome game called "Escape Velocity Nova" by Ambrosia Software. it was the bomb, a full galaxy exploration, trading between planets, and fighting pirates. It also had some of the most kick ass story lines ever. There where three main factions the The Auroran Empire, Polaris, and The Federation; each had there own distinct ships, weapons, and society.

The Auroran's were war like and divided their politics into mafia type "houses". their weapons where mostly guns but they had some awesome laser turrets near the end, and they preferred armour over proper shields.

The Fed's were kinda like the enforcers of the galaxies, you know acting like jerks *cough* America *cough*. they had cool startrek like cruisers and their elite carriers where like something out of starwars. they where basically the middle children but had access to the most powerful missiles in the entire game.

Then come the mysterious Polaris with their trippy ships made out of organs, this leads to funky looking stuff (imagine if the Covenant from halo made a ship out of Flood then painted it purple and blue). They by far have the best Shields and their end ship (The Raven) had the second most powerful weapon in the entire game(in my opinion).

but you don't have to play the main time lines there is still the elite trading community Sigma, There is a Pirate story line where you become a pirate, there is the Rebellion time line for those who hate the Fed's, The Bureau missions which are kinda like the FBI, and the Velos story (the Velos where a race of psychics that where wiped out ages ago....or were they! dun dun dun) and there is still more.

plus when you get strong enough you can demand taxes of an entire planet. which does causes the planet to send its fleet at you, but if you win that planet forever sends you its money each day.

the only bad criticism i can find on this game is that the stories are continually thrust upon you, which is no big deal you can decline anyone of them (if you decline by accident it will probably reappear latter on). In short EVN is epic in size, gameplay, and story. i guess the graphics are a little outdated but that doesn't really matter.

 

[Singing Gremlin]

Pirates of the Caribbean for x-box. Just pirates of the caribbean, released before the second movie. Got very poor reviews, but I loved it. It was only losely based on the PoC storyline (the black pearl turning up occasionally, and having a part in the storyline, none of the characters involved) but it is one the the best nautical games I've ever played, with all the various countries, combat FAR superior to Sid Miere's Pirates! (both on sea and sword fighting), RPG elements, allowing skill progression and ability unlocks, such as a 180 degree turn (a la movie), instant cannon reload, etc. Wide variety of ships, and more to the point realism within the ships, for example a spanish ship is tougher with more cargo space, whereas the english version of the same chasis is faster. Ability to choose cannon weight, affecting damage, range and reload times, different ammo types, realistic boarding (you don't just ram them, you have to get close and use grappling hooks), crew hiring and morale, the ability to hire officers to aid you on your ship, or assigned to their own ships, which will help you in combat, the ability to join in with large fights (picking a fight with two full squads of four ships, both from countries who don't like you, duking it out is fun.. just don't sail between them), attack ports by shooting out the cannon emplacements then attacking on foot, pistols that pack a real punch but slowly reload, different sword types, and the ability to explore islands for treasure. (And undead monkeys. Which drive you nuts.)

Bloody marvellous, pick it up if you see it, can't be expensive now.

Might be on the computer as well. Box looks like this:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PNHSKEM5L._AA280_.jpg

And it's Bethesda. That gets it brownie points for any free-roaming game.

 

[Irrok the Wide]

Rygar: The Legendary Adventure
Tecmo (PS2)

This game has some of the most beautiful enviroments I've ever seen before. Fountains of sparkling blue water trimmed in gold with rainbows stretching in the mist. I loved this game, and can't wait for the sequel coming this year.

Predator: Concrete Jungle
Sierra (PS2/XBOX)

This game is gory. It feels like Shinobi but with more freedom. You can turn invisable, scan "a'la metroid", leap over rooftops, skin ppl, and custumise. Hell you can mimic ppl's voices.

 

[Akirasfriend]

Might be on the computer as well.

It is! I saw it in a supermarket near me for a fiver! MUST. GET.

Also, if you're a fan of Dynasty Warriors games, I haven't seen many reviews for DW Gundam for PS3, and haven't heard much mention of it about. Take my word on this, though: from the demo, I can tell you that it's crackin' good fun. I know that I'm buying it ASAP. Second Sight is such a worthy Game That Time Forgot. Third-person shooter/psychic powers action-adventure thingy. Like Psi-Ops, but better (sadly lacking Pyrokinesis D. Oh, and although it's now pretty big in the cult-circuits, Killer7 was pretty unappreciated by many of the bigger reviewers, but if you haven't already, BUY IT.

 

[qbert4ever]

Sniper Elite for PS2, X-Box, and PC.

You know that sniping mission in Cod4 that has been getting sucked off by everyone and their Grandmother?

Picture that, but it's the whole game. Plus, instead of just "point and shoot", you have to take into account things like the wind, your breath, and sound that you can use to cover your shot. If you play it right, it's a very slow paced game, but there is also the option to "run and gun" for those of you that hate waiting.

 

[General Ma Chao]

Onimusha series. Power Stone 1 + 2

 

[Clownilingus]

I second that Rogue Trooper mention. Sure it's ugly, but otherwise it's pretty well put together. It has absolutely no challenge on some of the lower difficulty levels. You won't need to use anything other than the standard gun for most of the whole game if you play on a low difficulty setting. (In case you just like to blast through games real quick like I do, pick normal or harder). I know there was never much of an add campaign behind it (in the US at least) because it's based of a UK comic book. There appears to be a PS3 sequel on the way too.

Metal Arms: Glitch in the System.

That game is awesome. Another third person shooter. I believe it was on all 3 last gen systems. I'd say it was better than Rogue Trooper. The first half of the game is better than the second. You're basically a robot on a robot garbage planet. You shoot other robots and hilarity ensues. You can shoot off the other robots heads/legs/arms. This game is a blast even if it loses steam down the stretch.

If you like platformers:

Scaler. It's obviously not as good as Ratchet/Jak/Mario/Sly cooper but after that it's pretty much better than all the rest. Controls well, has a pretty good variety of gameplay and levels to explore. You almost never have to deal with crappy camera angels or unfair challenges or other types of bullshit that lots of second rate platformers are full of.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

I second that Rogue Trooper mention.

Thirded.

Jagged Alliance 2 : Stunning Turnbased Mercenary Combat.
X-Com/X-Com: Terror From The Deep
Master of Magic
No One Lives Forever
War of the Worlds
PSychonauts/Grim Fandango/Day of the Tentacle/Sam and Max Hit The Road
Paradroid
FAKK 2

 

[Terramax]

Klonoa: Door to Phantomile for the PSX. Was considered average because it was pretty short (unless you went back for collectables) but everything about the game oozed quality. Probably the last great 2D platformer. I didn't like the sequel.

Psychonauts got rave reviews so that shouldn't apply here. Yes, it's a great game, but surely the point of this thread is where 'professional' reviews have underrated games?

Though far from a classic, I resent people who underrated Beach Life as I consider it the best casual sim game around.

Many underrated Discworld Noir for its cheaper graphics but forget to mention the game actually makes you smile, something most don't do these days.

 

[Erwin Rommel]

Death To Spies. Most fun I've had in a long time; sneaking around and stabbing,choking, and theres nothing quite as satisfying as shooting someone in the head with the silenced nagant. The game is incredibly challenging (the last level is literally impossible)which makes you think before you make every move, and gives you a great sense of worth once you've beaten a level. It's really hard for me to get into a game and beat it, but I was completely sucked into this one.

 

[Captain Bland]

Thanks for all the replies-ill look them up

 

[monodiabloloco]

I second that Rogue Trooper mention.

Thirded.

Jagged Alliance 2 : Stunning Turnbased Mercenary Combat.
X-Com/X-Com: Terror From The Deep
Master of Magic
No One Lives Forever
War of the Worlds
PSychonauts/Grim Fandango/Day of the Tentacle/Sam and Max Hit The Road
Paradroid
FAKK 2

FINALLY! Someone else who has played Master of Magic! I have lost sooo many hours to that game. X-Com too. STILL a ton of fun the both of 'em. Each had an unofficial remake (Age of Wonders and the UFO games) but they just weren't as much fun.
There was a game I was going to toss on here that I played on Game Tap, but saw for sale on the cheap rack at Target.. but I forgot the name! Gun Metal, I believe. Somewhat like robotech a bit.. You fly a jet that transforms to a mech and back. Pretty simple controls, Meh story, but lots of fun and I found it to be pretty decently challenging with a good pace, and it makes you use both aspects of your ride to full effect.
Also, even though it is now all about now, Puzzle Quest seemed to escape notice for a bit but can suck your life away like little else.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Hidden and Dangerous is stunning but I think that hit the Radar.

MDK 1 and 2 were also criminally under-rated.

I believe if you google underdogs, you might find MOM on abandonware as well.