As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that I’ve come across some truly exceptional games that, for one reason or another, didn’t quite get the recognition they deserved. These hidden gems are like the unsung heroes of our beloved industry, and it’s always a pleasure to shine a light on them.
Have you ever come across an outstanding game that perhaps didn’t receive the attention it should have due to being released in an off-year or during a period when other popular titles were dominating the market? It doesn’t have to be a hidden gem, but rather a truly exceptional game that was unfortunately timed.
Here are ten underappreciated gems you shouldn’t miss out on when it comes to fantastic games that may not have been blockbusters in sales.
10 Ryse: Son of Rome
Are You Not Entertained?
Back in the day, I was hyped for “Ryse: Son of Rome” to be the standout title that would make me fall in love with my Xbox One. However, it didn’t quite live up to expectations, neither in sales nor critical acclaim, selling around 1.3 million copies after three years against a budget of 5 million dollars. Yet, today, it stands as one of the few games in its genre that still holds its ground.
As a gamer, stepping into the boots of a Roman soldier in Ryse is like living history itself. The combat system immerses you right away, offering an exhilarating journey through ancient battlefields. It’s not just about fighting; it’s about feeling the weight of a sword, the roar of a crowd, and the pulse-pounding adrenaline of survival in the heat of war.
As a gamer, I can tell you that the combat feels like it leapt right off the screen from the epic battle scenes in 300, and somehow they’ve managed to translate that intense, cinematic experience into a video game format – and they’ve done it with an impressive level of finesse.
The combat system is predicated on parrying, allowing you to precisely chop off enemies’ limbs with well-timed button presses. Even after more than a decade, witnessing this in action remains impressive.
The narrative is equally captivating, skillfully recounting a compelling war saga via flashbacks, culminating in a pulse-pounding finale and a suspenseful ending that leaves me with the bitter realization that it may never be resolved.
The product didn’t have great sales figures, partly due to its brief length. Yet, this doesn’t diminish its potential as a strong choice for a title.
Should you happen to have an extra $5, you might find that this option is available for purchase on Steam or Xbox, and I assure you, it’s a worthy investment of your time.
9 The Order: 1886
Werewolves in London
In my opinion, “The Order: 1886” is one of the most ingenious gaming concepts ever conceived. A fusion of the legendary Knights of the Round Table and a steampunk backdrop in Victorian-era London? Absolutely sold! No further convincing needed.
As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but feel that the recipe for a smashing success was within reach, yet somehow, the components refused to align, preventing this masterpiece from becoming the timeless classic it truly deserved to be.
It’s unfortunate that many people didn’t get to experience what could have been widely acclaimed, given The Order: 1886’s initial potential in the early days of PS4. Despite a substantial budget, it failed to live up to expectations as it managed to sell only 1.69 million units five years after its release.
The primary explanation for this could be that it shares a lot of similarities with Ryse: Son of Rome. However, it fell short in terms of depth and length. In the year 2015, we were accustomed to playing games like The Witcher 3, Metal Gear Solid V, and Skyrim, which are known for their expansive narratives and gameplay.
This game’s foundation is remarkable, immersing players with an atmosphere that hangs heavy on every turn, offering top-notch combat and pulse-pounding action sequences. All the elements necessary for it to live up to its reputation as a major PlayStation 4 exclusive were present.
The story, in particular, is just awesome, with a darkly serious tone, awesome voice acting, and an intriguing story about Werewolves, Vampires, and the Knight of the Round Table.
The lack of a superior, 6-10 hour gaming experience at this level is disappointing today, but with time, it’s received more appreciation. Perhaps, in the future, a sequel could be developed, wrapping up the game when it seems like the real adventure is just starting.
8 Quantum Break
Breaking the Mold
Instead of firmly reestablishing Remedy Entertainment as a prominent player in the gaming industry with Quantum Break‘s release in 2016, it could be argued that the game was perhaps too innovative for its time.
In contrast to other titles by Remedy Entertainment, Alan Wake 2 pioneered an innovative narrative approach that blended elements of television shows with gaming mechanics, and it succeeded in capturing the attention of many players in much the same way as a successful TV series debut.
Initially, the game didn’t sell as well as Remedy had anticipated, with only 200,000 copies sold in the US within two months after its release. This underperformance fell far short of their intended impact, and while sales improved later due to the successor of Alan Wake, it was ultimately labeled a failure.
In this intriguing tale of time travel and reality manipulation, you portray the character of Jack Joyce, skillfully acted by Shawn Ashmore, as it navigates unexpected turns and exhilarating surprises throughout its journey.
In this game, the combat shines particularly brightly due to its unique use of time manipulation abilities, which are transformed into effective tools for Jack to fight his adversaries. Consequently, it offers visually stunning scenes that have yet to be matched in terms of their impact.
This game is a typical third-person shooter, but with added abilities, it offers intriguing combat situations and scenes that serve as a foundation for the unique combat style later seen in Control by Remedy.
“The major point of contention was the inclusion of television show episodes during the storyline, which extended the duration and did not really contribute anything that couldn’t have been accomplished through interactive gameplay.
While engaged in the gameplay itself, it’s truly enjoyable, and Aiden Gillen portrays Paul Serene exceptionally well as a captivating villain with intriguing motives. Given that Jack has been introduced in the DLC of Alan Wake 2, there’s a chance Remedy might not have fully parted ways with this franchise just yet.
7 Days Gone
Open World Zombie Slaying
The video game titled “Days Gone” was intended as a major console-exclusive release, but it fell significantly short of recovering its production cost of $250 million.
At first, the product didn’t perform exceptionally well in the U.S., ranking 19th in sales during its early stages. However, as time passed, sales significantly improved, but they haven’t been sufficient to persuade Sony that a follow-up is worthwhile.
As a gamer, I can tell you that while there might be different views on the numbers, what’s clear is that Sony’s execs weren’t blown away by the new game. They were anticipating another masterpiece like ‘The Last of Us’, and it seems this one didn’t quite meet their expectations.
The film received widespread criticism across the industry, and it seemed that even die-hard fans were beginning to tire of the zombie theme when it came out.
It’s a pity that it requires some patience initially, but the content here is excellent once you invest time into the game. The beginning moves slowly, but the intricate world-building and character development of Deacon are crucial aspects worth waiting for.
The special bond between our protagonist and his closest pal, Boozer, forms the core of this distinct, post-apocalyptic narrative. Regardless of the escalating risks and challenges, their friendship remains a constant theme throughout the storyline.
As a fan, I must say, this tale isn’t about rescuing the entire world, but simply surviving in it. The story may be compact, yet it’s densely packed with intrigue. We’re not Earth’s heroes or saviors; we’re just ordinary folks, doing our best to make it day by day.
The combat is a standout, and it hits its apex during the massive horde attacks, where you will face off against 100s of Freakers in showdowns I can only describe as beyond terrifying and nerve-wracking beyond any gaming experience I can remember.
6 Spec Ops: The Line
An Experience To Remember
Despite being relatively unnoticed amidst the crowded 2012 gaming landscape, Spec Ops: The Line managed to fulfill its intended purpose nonetheless.
In this war narrative, you find yourself stepping into the footsteps of an ordinary soldier embarking on a quest to apprehend a renegade ex-colleague.
Initially, you might think this is just an ordinary shooting game, but as it progresses, it transforms into something surreal, delving into the very essence of what video games represent.
This meta commentary is truly remarkable to go through, and everything builds up to an ending among the finest for any game that I’ve ever encountered.
As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the battle sequences might not be extraordinary, but they sure pack a punch, making every clash feel intense and brutal. And let me tell you, the voice acting in this game is on point, creating a cinematic experience that surpasses my expectations for an IP of its caliber.
Despite not being a commercial success, this game holds significant value within the broader gaming world, as anyone who’s given it a spin can attest. Although it may not qualify as a classic, it’s an engaging game that leaves a lasting impression once the credits roll.
5 Titanfall 2
The Right Game at the Wrong Time
Despite being one of today’s top-tier first-person shooters, Titanfall 2 unfortunately didn’t receive the acclaim it merited because of its release timing.
The sales figure fell short of our anticipations, mainly because its launch coincided with the releases of Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.
As a devoted admirer, I must admit that going up against those colossal titans was an insurmountable task for our production. Despite garnering exceptional reviews, its performance in sales fell short of what we had anticipated, leaving us with a significant discrepancy between critical acclaim and commercial success.
This solo campaign stands out as the finest among first-person shooters, offering an exhilarating journey from beginning to end that employs captivating storytelling and scenes reminiscent of action movies, immersing you in the experience in the most enjoyable manner.
The multiplayer aspect is impressive too, featuring wall-running, leaping onto Titans for combat, and exceptionally responsive controls. It had all the elements necessary to become a standout success in a competitive genre, establishing its own identity.
Rather than losing its charm, it continues to rank among the cherished games in this genre, and that affection has been echoed in Respawn’s blockbuster, Apex Legends. However, we eagerly anticipate a revisit to the distinctive and exhilarating universe of Titanfall, so here’s hoping that such an opportunity arises someday.
4 Max Payne 2
Better Than The First In Every Way
In simpler terms, “Max Payne 2” is a sequel to the initial game, which generally outshone its predecessor in nearly every aspect, but unfortunately, didn’t fare as well in terms of sales.
This revised tale centers around Max and Mona as they delve into accusations against Mona for the demise of a prominent U.S. Senator. Compared to the initial story, this version is more expansive in various aspects, yet it preserves the distinctive noir ambiance that characterized the original so uniquely. Additionally, top-notch voice acting and writing are incorporated to enhance the overall experience.
Today, the game’s gameplay still stands strong, demonstrating its exceptional quality even after more than 20 years. The third-person shooting was exceptionally crisp, and the slow-motion action sequences were enhanced, resulting in some of the most exhilarating shooter experiences you can find.
It seems unclear what factors may have led to Max Payne 2 not selling as much as the original game, but it didn’t generate the same cultural influence as the first one did.
The game not only met all your expectations for a sequel, but it also excelled graphically, setting a standard for its time. However, it may have been slightly ahead of its era, as 2003 was still a period of growth in the gaming industry, and dark, serious games like Max Payne weren’t as widely accepted as they are today.
3 Onimusha: Warlords Remaster
Resident Samurai Evil
The Onimusha series by Capcom is often considered one of their stronger ones, but its sales figures wouldn’t necessarily reflect this. Spanning over four games, none of them were blockbuster hits, surprising given they were all high-quality titles.
In comparison, the initial installment of this series outshines the others, but its remaster failed to garner the same level of sales success as Capcom’s heavyweights such as Devil May Cry and Resident Evil during subsequent months.
Despite my best efforts, it’s not due to its lack of appeal; on the contrary, the game is exceptional. It serves as a fascinating retrospect into the annals of video gaming, making it particularly significant.
In an innovative blend, it introduced a new genre – a samurai action game merging Japanese history and horror, setting a standard yet unmatched in the gaming world at that time.
The experience was simultaneously chilling, captivating, and thrilling. In numerous aspects, it evoked a sense of Samurai Resident Evil and paved the way for what we now know as the “souls-like” genre in terms of its style and gameplay.
Samanosuke stands out as one of Capcom’s more outstanding main characters, and the overall ambiance of the game was simply exceptional, complemented by engaging combat elements.
If executed properly, the game could have generated significantly more success than it did and potentially sparked a resurgence of the series, similar to how Capcom rejuvenated the Resident Evil franchise.
2 Guardians of the Galaxy
A Galactic Hidden Gem
The game titled Guardians of the Galaxy, despite receiving positive reviews and being enjoyed by those who played it, struggled to sell and had low sales numbers. There are various factors contributing to this underperformance.
Initially, Square Enix didn’t garner much positive sentiment following the debacle known as Marvel’s Avengers, and their latest endeavor appeared to echo the same disappointing trends experienced in a previous project that fell short of expectations.
Then there was the Marvel fatigue, that has slowly gotten worse and worse since Avengers: Endgame.
The merger didn’t help sales as much as expected, and as a result, Square Enix had to put their superhero projects on hold temporarily.
The game offered an outstanding experience, allowing players to command Starlord and lead the Guardians of the Galaxy in a team-oriented action title. It boasted a humorous yet skillfully delivered narrative, top-notch voice acting, and impressive visuals for good measure.
Intriguing action sequences were a part of the game, although it might have been even more exciting if I could command every Guardian. Nevertheless, Star-Lord was enjoyable to handle, and both he and his allies gain new powers as the game progresses.
It seems the game’s title has all the makings of triumph, yet players appear uninterested in another superhero team game following the disappointment left by The Avengers.
1 Xenosaga
A Series Cut Short
As a devoted enthusiast, I’d like to share that Xenosaga stands as the pseudo-prequel to the captivating Xenogears, marking Monolith Soft’s significant debut following their separation from Squaresoft in the ’90s.
The game’s narrative is richer when one has previous understanding of Xenogears, but it also offers an extensive tale through traditional turn-based battles, antiquated feel, and an unusual blend of anime and 3D graphics.
This game is a grand, thought-provoking adventure that delves into profound philosophical dilemmas, touching on topics such as existentialism and the essence of existence, while presenting some truly captivating concepts.
The war against the alien form known as the Gnosis may start out straightforward, but it soon evolves into something much deeper, and there are some great characters involved in that story, none the least being the series mascot, KOS-MOS.
As a hardcore RPG gamer back then, playing that game on my trusty PlayStation 2 was an absolute blast! It offered a unique blend of thrilling combat systems and meticulously crafted level designs, not to mention some truly epic boss fights that really tested my skills.
Despite being somewhat modest in size, every character at the gathering was richly layered with background details and vibrant personalities, making the smaller number of attendees less significant.
Initially planned as a six-part series, it got reduced to three parts due to low sales. However, Monolith Soft rejuvenated their concepts in the Xenoblade Chronicles series, which has since proven to be much more popular.
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2024-11-28 20:40