Hidden Gaming Gems

[josemlopes]

The first thing that sprang to mind was Action Man: Operation Extreme for the PSX. Yes that's Action Man as in the toy. I can't remember how old I was when I played it, this is going back some years, but I remember being pretty damn hooked on it. The vehicle levels weren't really anthing to shout about but the rest of the game was pretty solid. One of the few games I actually completed when I was much younger.

I remember that game, it was quite cool, I spended a lot of time on the second level, I was still to young to figure out to finish the level, after some time I came back and found the boss, then I managed to finish the game. The music of the second level still haunts me

 

[Rabish Bini]

Big Rigs: Over The Road Racing was a high quality game that didn't receive the mainstream attention it deserved.

 

[Blue Horn]

Galerians for the PS1. You play as a kid who wakes up in a hospital with psychic powers and no memory of how he got there. Its a very dark and creepy game, any one who's into Silent Hill or the similar type should definitely look it up.

 

[Llil]

I remember Boiling Point having some pretty serious problems. At some points, it was really frustrating to play because of that. I still had fun with it. It just could have been so much better.

My choice would be The Dark Spire. It's one of my favourite games, but almost no-one's played it. It's one of those first person dungeon crawlers with turn based combat, where you control a party of four. The art style and music are great, it has a dark atmosphere, but at the same time, it's not taking itself too seriously. And it's really challenging. Unless you're clearly overleveled for the floor you're in, every enemy encounter is potentially lethal. It does have its problems (slightly clunky and inconsistent interface and some "guide dang it" quests), but it's still one of the best games on the DS.

 

[Gukiguy]

Well Not sure if it counts but The Kyle Hyde Games, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 & Last Window: The Secret of Cape West are IMO up there with the like of the Layton & Ace Attorney Games, their difficult to describe hell the second one has you going from door to door selling crap to get your job back, it sounds stupid but it's really fun and the soundtrack is just incredible. it's my Hidden Gem and it's just an amazing series.

 

[Kurai Angelo]

The first thing that sprang to mind was Action Man: Operation Extreme for the PSX. Yes that's Action Man as in the toy. I can't remember how old I was when I played it, this is going back some years, but I remember being pretty damn hooked on it. The vehicle levels weren't really anthing to shout about but the rest of the game was pretty solid. One of the few games I actually completed when I was much younger.

I remember that game, it was quite cool, I spended a lot of time on the second level, I was still to young to figure out to finish the level, after some time I came back and found the boss, then I managed to finish the game. The music of the second level still haunts me

Aaaaawesome Yeah I think I probably spent a fair bit of time on it too.

I find it quite funny how they call the weapon a longbow when it's clearly a crossbow xD

 

[Sp3ratus]

Big Rigs: Over The Road Racing was a high quality game that didn't receive the mainstream attention it deserved.

Excuse me, good sir, I think you forgot this before you left. Just thought I'd remind you!

Anyway, as for my own recommendations, I'll say Lode Runner 2. It's a fantastic little isometric platform puzzler(I think), but I haven't met many other people who have played it, let alone heard of it.

Also, Desert Strike and Fate of the World are worth mentioning. I know the last one is a very recent title, but other than the EC episode, which mentioned it a while back, I haven't really heard any mention of it, which is a shame, because it really is quite fun, once you get the hang of it.

 

[baddude1337]

Body Harvest for the N64 came to mind. I loved the crap out of that game, but everyone else hated it. It was so cool to blow up giant bugs in a 1910's car with a big ass canon on the back.

 

[DanteLives]

WWF War Zone was absolutely amazing. Shame i rarely see anyone else with it though.

 

[The Madman]

Not terribly unknown, but I absolutely love Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic. It's one of my all-time favourite strategy titles and probably the best fantasy themed strategy game out there, period, yet it's barely mentioned or remembered... ever. I picked it up from GOG when they got it and it hasn't left my hard drive since, probably played it more than any modern game bought in recent years.

 

[Aean]

Gladius. Probably the best game of its time, and most people have never heard of it.

 

[Generic_Username]

I don't know how obscure they are, but I liked Gray Matter and the Black Mirror series. Both of them are point-n-click games with kind of occult/paranormal themes.

 

[ecoho]

phantom crash best console mech game ive ever played

 

[BristolBerserker]

Sheep, dog 'n' wolf on PSX. It was a sweet game.

 

[kyogen]

Nier (Square-Enix/Cavia)

It's an action rpg that references huge swathes of gaming history in its very peculiar blend of mechanics, narrative, and graphics: Zelda, Shadow of the Colossus, Resident Evil (the first one), Zork, etc. The story is complex, the characters all put a nice twist on "troubled" anime stereotypes, and the dialog is solid and often funny. The soundtrack was written specifically for this game, and it's excellent. The graphics are not the shiniest, but the design is good, and there are in-game reasons for it to look the way it does if you're paying attention. This game rewards people who want to spend time with it and appreciate the layers. It is not for people who want a quick little hack-'n-slash although there is plenty of hacking and slashing to be done.

 

[RoyalSorceress]

Muramasa: The Demon Blade for the Wii. A side-scrolling fighter that is thick with Japanese mythology. It also happens to have the most beautiful scenery of any 2-d game I've ever seen.

 

[CityofTreez]

Dynasty Warriors 3. Yes yes, I know they're all copies of each other, but #3 was fun IMO.