10 Games Better Than They Have Any Right To Be

Highlights

Sometimes, games that seem destined to fail end up surprising everyone with their success.
Budget limitations don’t always dictate a game’s success – Undertale’s $50k budget resulted in a hit RPG.
Against all odds, some games, like Prey and Dead Island 2, manage to overcome development challenges and become hits.

As a seasoned gamer, I’ve witnessed my fair share of development hell stories, but some stand out like beacons in the night. One such game that left me utterly astounded is the enigmatic tale of Fallout: New Vegas.

In the realm of video gaming, there are certain projects that seem destined for success, with their hype almost guaranteeing high sales. Every game produced by Rockstar Games is anticipated to push the boundaries of world design, and Valve’s releases often gain immense popularity, sometimes even before they’re officially announced. Yet, there are games that many predict will flop, but somehow manage to defy expectations and delight us all instead.

Regardless if a game is small-budget, overly ambitious, or seemingly trapped in development purgatory, there are some games that miraculously reach the finish line and deliver an extraordinary experience beyond expectations. In light of these underdog triumphs, let’s toast to these inspiring stories of resilience and innovation, shall we?

10 Spiderman 2

Come for the web-swinging, stay for the pizza delivery missions

10 Games Better Than They Have Any Right To Be

Back in the day, it was quite frequent for video games and movies to be created simultaneously, a practice that’s less common today due to the extensive time required for blockbuster game production. These films would play in cinemas worldwide.

Most of these games were as good as you might expect, essentially serving as quick cash grabs from the respective studios. But occasionally, one would buck this trend and produce something spectacular, and one such game was the movie tie-in for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.

It’s widely believed that this particular game laid the groundwork for the popular Spider-Man franchise from Marvel we appreciate now. This title had thrilling web-swinging movements and intense combat sequences, making it a delight to play. Furthermore, some of its missions, particularly those involving Mysterio, are noteworthy and could be considered the game’s best moments.

As a lifelong gamer, I’ve played countless games that promised immersion and excitement but often fell short. However, this particular game has managed to captivate me like no other. Despite its seemingly ordinary premise of swinging around New York City, it has become an unexpected sanctuary where I can escape from the daily grind and lose myself in its vibrant world. The sense of freedom and joy it provides is truly unparalleled, making it a game that has found a special place in my heart.

9 Undertale

A Game Truly Fueled By Determination

As a gaming enthusiast, it’s clear to see that creating today’s high-quality games doesn’t come cheap. It’s not only the big AAA studios that bear this financial burden, but also many mid-sized and smaller ones who struggle to amass enough capital just to launch their game projects.

Given that Undertale achieved such remarkable success being a one-person production with an estimated budget of around $50,000, it becomes clear what an extraordinary indie gem Toby Fox has created.

Despite having a modest budget, the game Undertale made a significant impact in the crowded realm of role-playing games (RPGs). It stands out with innovative mechanics, witty and humorous writing, an exceptional chiptune soundtrack, and visually stunning graphics that echo classic RPGs like Earthbound, thanks to its pixel-precise design.

To underscore the point more clearly, the game titled “Star Citizen” has already invested a staggering sum of $656 million, and it remains unlaunched as of now. Reflect on this fact for a moment.

8 Untitled Goose Game

Honk, Honk!

Occasionally, understanding a game’s backstory can provide insights into its eventual conclusion during development. However, in the case of Untitled Goose Game, it seems more accurate to say that the final outcome might not be easily predicted by knowing its origins.

The game was inspired by a humorous office tradition where employees attached a stock image of a goose to all their emails and communications as a joke. Despite appearing trivial, this office-wide prank served as the foundation for the game’s initial release. The developers incorporated elements such as stealth mechanics reminiscent of Hitman and chaotic puzzles into the game, giving the Goose character various ways to cause mischief.

Regardless of its somewhat absurd backstory, it is the laughter and mayhem that have made “Untitled Goose Game” beloved among fans. The unbridled joy of causing mischief in a tranquil Shropshire village remains as fresh today as it was when first introduced, and the game’s open-ended puzzle design quickly struck a chord with players.

7 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Do A Kickflip!

According to Tony Hawk, who shared this insight in multiple platforms such as his appearance on The Nine Club Podcast and during his collaboration with Activision for the creation of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, he had no idea that the game would become as successful as it did.

His goal was simply to build a game that skaters would enjoy, but as it turns out, he had a hand in creating a skating game that practically revived the sport and brought skating back into the cultural zeitgeist.

By the year 2001, this game had surpassed sales of 3.5 million units, and it’s not hard to understand why. It provided short, engaging 2-minute gaming experiences, captivating arcade-style gameplay that was difficult to tear oneself away from, authentic skateboarding icons and techniques, and a soundtrack that has significantly influenced the musical preferences of many gamers, myself included.

Currently, the series seems to be eclipsed by the popularity of EA Skate, yet for some time, the Birdman reigned supreme without competition.

6 Prey

This Could be Prey. Let’s Call It Prey!

Many video games appear to be bound for failure as they linger in a phase often referred to as “development purgatory.” The Prey franchise, in particular, became quite accustomed to this hotbed of delays and challenges.

2006 saw the announcement of the sequel to the initial Prey game, but it didn’t leave the development phase until 2014, when unfortunately Prey 2 was ultimately canceled. Yet, in 2016, Bethesda brought the project back to life, transforming it into a fresh start for the entire Prey series.

hidden from public view, Arkane Studios found themselves discontented when they were instructed to name their game ‘Prey’, as the new title had no apparent connections to the 2006 release. However, amidst this creative turmoil and questions about links to the previous game in the series, as well as an eleven-year gap between releases, Prey managed to emerge as one of the most exceptional immersive sims in recent years. It remains a game that I believe did not receive the recognition it truly deserved.

5 Palworld

Pokemon With Guns

It’s safe to say that when people learned about PocketPair’s upcoming game, which essentially sounded like Pokémon but with guns, there was a collective sigh of disbelief. This wasn’t just because the concept seemed unoriginal or problematic, but also because we expected Nintendo, known for their legal vigilance, to swiftly send them a cease and desist notice.

I’ve been following PocketPair closely, and it seems that while they have a knack for initiating game development projects, they often find themselves unable to see them through to completion. Craftopia is a clear illustration of this pattern.

Nevertheless, although monster models in Nintendo games aren’t always clearly differentiated from a legal standpoint, they chose not to interfere with this particular model. Consequently, Palworld made a big impact and flourished when it launched through early access.

The game felt remarkably like an open-world Pokémon game that GameFreak could aspire to create, though it remains uncertain if PocketPair will see it through and launch the final version. Nevertheless, they have undeniably made Palworld a massive hit from the start.

4 Sonic Mania

Sonic Fans To The Rescue

It’s fair to say that Sonic as a franchise has faced significant challenges in its modern releases, and this struggle might even be an understatement for the devoted Sonic fanbase who have endured these hardships throughout the years. For over a decade, SEGA seems to have released one disappointing game after another, worsening the franchise’s reputation, with games such as “Sonic the Hedgehog 06” and “Sonic Boom” being particularly dismal failures.

The situation became quite dire that Sega ultimately sought input from their devoted fanbase, who played a significant role in creating Sonic Mania – a game that truly revitalized the Sonic series.

As a diehard Sonic fan, I was thrilled to learn that this game boasted SEGA’s backing and financial support. However, what truly piqued my curiosity was the fact that it was being meticulously developed by a team of passionate indie developers like Christian Whitehead, who are known for their love for the classic Sonic series. Many were doubtful that this band of ROM Hack developers could bottle the essence of the timeless retro Sonic games we all cherish.

However, it has become clear that not only did they accomplish that task, but they also revitalized the traditional titles, evoking a wave of nostalgia among Sonic fans. This serves as a testament to the fact that sometimes, the fans themselves understand what’s best for their cherished video game series. We’re happy Sega was open-minded enough to heed their wisdom.

3 Disco Elysium

Sunrise, Parabellum

Among all the games out there, none seems more remarkable to me than Disco Elysium – a game that feels like a miraculous creation. I won’t delve into the hardships faced by Za/Um Studios during its development, but trust me, it was no walk in the park.

Primarily, I find that People Make Games’ documentary offers a more comprehensive explanation about this subject than I can. Essentially, the story goes like this: Initially, it was an unsuccessful Dungeons & Dragons-inspired board game. Subsequently, it was transformed into a novel which also failed to capture the audience’s interest. However, after that, it gained worldwide recognition as a video game.

However, there’s much more to the story behind this game. The primary developers overcame alcohol addiction, worked tirelessly in a makeshift home (a squat) during its initial stages, and faced an allegedly harsh environment marked by excessive work hours and stressful conditions.

Somehow, against odds, this role-playing game (RPG) made it to market and has since become one of the finest, most daring, and most distinctive RPGs in gaming’s extensive timeline. Whether or not those who developed it feel their efforts were justified is uncertain, but what can be stated with certainty is that we, as gamers, are incredibly grateful they persevered.

2 Dead Island 2

Much Like The Zombies, Dead Island 2 Rose From The Dead

In discussions about projects that have faced prolonged delays, it’s often the upcoming sequel to Dead Island, Dead Island 2, that comes up most frequently. Following the triumph of the initial game in the series, Deep Silver promptly ordered a follow-up, with Techland initially assigned as the developers. However, they opted to work on another zombie saga, namely Dying Light, rather than proceeding with Dead Island 2.

I had the pleasure of witnessing the journey of this game, which initially was entrusted to Yager Development. Later on, it found its way into the hands of the talented creators at Sumo Digital, who are renowned for their work on LittleBigPlanet. In the end, Dambuster Studios became the proud recipients, marking another exciting chapter in this game’s development.

At this stage, the highly anticipated Roller Skating E3 announcement had become a burden for the franchise, as it was difficult for anyone to foresee how the efforts from four separate studios could be harmoniously combined into a single, understandable game. (Dambuster being tasked with the coordination.)

Despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, Dead Island 2 finally saw the light of day in 2023. It provided a well-structured, thrilling pseudo-open-world adventure that unexpectedly became a profitable venture for Embracer Group amidst a difficult year marked by studio closures. The game was long awaited, but its delayed release proved to be worth it in the end.

1 Fallout New Vegas

Ring a Ding, Baby!

Following the triumph of “Fallout 3”, Bethesda was eagerly preparing for “Fallout 4”. To bridge the gap between releases and sustain interest in their rejuvenated intellectual property, they hired veteran role-playing game developers Obsidian to work on a temporary project within this universe.

Nevertheless, Benny put it this way: The game was set up for failure right from the beginning. You understand, they had to create a Fallout game as good as Fallout 3, but using an engine that was already quite outdated, and were only granted 18 months to complete it.

Despite seemingly unfavorable circumstances, Obsidian defied expectations by crafting a Fallout experience that left many fans believing it surpassed Bethesda’s previous work, demonstrating a deeper grasp of the original Fallout source material as seen in earlier Interplay games, and showcasing superior writing compared to anything Bethesda has produced thus far.

Many consider it the finest Fallout game ever made, and I’m among them. This underscores the extraordinary job done by Obsidian, even with the limited resources they had at their disposal.

2024-08-19 15:09