Summary
- Disney Universe was a fun platformer akin to Kingdom Hearts, offering co-op adventures across Disney worlds.
- Dragon’s Dogma Online and Dynasty Warriors Online were MMO spinoffs that Western fans likely missed out on.
- Fracture from LucasArts attempted innovative combat mechanics using environmental manipulation.
Following the triumph of the PlayStation 1, the PlayStation 2 served as a triumphant celebration for Sony, swiftly establishing itself among the top-selling consoles ever made, until the Nintendo Switch reached its peak. This success, therefore, might have led Sony to feel overconfident when they launched the PlayStation 3, but as we all recall from that period, that console got off to a bumpy start.
Over time, things got better, but due to some uncertainty on the publisher’s part, several PS3 games were overlooked, particularly when compared to the Xbox 360 during their head-to-head competition. So, let’s take a look back and see if these once overlooked PS3 games are still worth mentioning today.
8. Disney Universe
A Smaller Kingdom Hearts
| Platforms | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC, Amazon Luna |
|---|---|
| Released | October 25, 2011 |
| Developer | Eurocom |
| Genre | Action-Adventure |
Kingdom Hearts made a significant impact by merging multiple Disney worlds into a single epic journey. On the other hand, Disney Universe took inspiration from this concept and shifted its focus away from role-playing games (RPGs) and Final Fantasy, instead emphasizing platform gaming.
This destination offered a selection of several planets to explore, among them themes inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Aladdin”. While the number of planets was limited, there were numerous Disney movies represented through costumes. Additionally, players had the option to personalize their characters for this cooperative journey.
7. Dragon’s Dogma Online
The Hidden Interquel
| Platforms | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC |
|---|---|
| Released | August 31, 2015 (Japan) |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Genre | MMO |
Back in the gaming days of 2012, I stumbled upon a gem called Dragon’s Dogma that quickly became a cult classic among us gamers. We patiently waited for about a decade to get our hands on its sequel in 2024. Now, here’s a fun fact: not everyone may know this, but there was indeed another installment released in between – Dragon’s Dogma Online. This one hit the gaming scene in 2015, available for both PS4, PC, and even its older sibling, the PS3 version.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Dragon’s Dogma Online. It managed to keep the same thrilling action gameplay as the original, even though it was an MMO setup. Unfortunately, it had to close shop in 2019. Another MMO spinoff that deserves a shout-out is Dynasty Warriors Online. Interestingly, Japan has produced numerous MMOs based on well-known properties, and many of these might be unfamiliar to Western gamers like myself.
6. E.X. Troopers
A Forgotten Lost Planet Spinoff
2007 marked the North American release of Lost Planet, a year behind its initial Japanese launch. It was a popular title during the first generation of high-definition gaming, leading to several sequels. However, its spinoff, E.X. Troopers, which debuted in 2012 on PS3 and 3DS in Japan, did not receive a full Western release despite initial previews.
Although the core mechanics of the game involved eliminating insects on a frozen world, the experience was significantly enhanced by its stylish presentation due to cel-shaded graphics and manga-esque special effects.
5. Fracture
A LucasArts Original
LucasArts was recognized for creating adventure games such as “The Secret of Monkey Island” and numerous “Star Wars” titles. They occasionally dabbled in original action games too, with “Fracture” being one of their final ventures before undergoing restructuring following the Disney acquisition.
In the third-person shooter game, players can interact with the environment by elevating or depressing the terrain using unique weapons such as grenades. This feature was useful for solving certain puzzles, but primarily served an exciting combat purpose. Although its implementation wasn’t flawless, Fracture is worth noting for its innovative approach in a genre that had become quite crowded when it debuted in 2008.
4. Gotham City Impostors
Vigilantes Of Vigilantes
In the digital realm, there existed a game titled “Gotham City Impostors,” where two opposing groups took part. Ordinary Gotham residents, finding themselves in an unusual predicament, sparked a war. They donned costumes mimicking either Batman or Joker for a team-based shooting experience reminiscent of the popular game “Team Fortress 2” from that time, which was highly acclaimed.
The quirky elements of the gameplay, costumes, and gadgets made
3. Kamen Rider: Battride War
A Musou For Tokusatsu Fans
| Platforms | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|
| Released | May 23, 2013 (Japan) |
| Developer | Eighting |
| Genre | Action, Musou |
Despite the West’s effort to match the popularity of Power Rangers with Kamen Rider, it failed to gain the same traction. However, in Japan, Kamen Rider is just as renowned, boasting a variety of games, including an intriguing Musou concept called Kamen Rider: Battride War.
Players can select characters hailing from the series to engage in grand battles reminiscent of Dynasty Warriors. Although it didn’t bear the seal of quality or affiliation with Koei Tecmo’s Musou games, Kamen Rider: Battride War served as a satisfactory alternative for fans, spawning numerous sequels throughout the years.
2. Natsuiro High School: Seishun Hakusho
Pokemon Snap For Weirdos
| Platforms | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 |
|---|---|
| Released | June 4, 2015 (Japan) |
| Developer | Tamsoft |
| Genre | Adventure, Open-World |
Gal*Gun is a less common video game, but it might be recognizable to some gamers because it eventually became available in the Western market via a console remaster beyond the PS3. Essentially, this game was an on-rails shooter where the players had to fend off teenage girls from overwhelming them with their affection.
The video game titled “Natsuiro High School: Seishun Hakusho” from 2015 presents an even more outrageous premise, as it offered players the chance to explore an open city and secretly take photographs of characters in their underwear – a twist on the popular “Pokemon Snap,” infused with stealth elements and anime fan service. While not the strangest concept for the PS3, this game, filled with humor and suggestive content, isn’t one many players would openly admit enjoying.
1. Vandal Hearts: Flames Of Judgement
One Last Tactical Battle
In terms of PlayStation 1 tactical RPGs, “Final Fantasy Tactics” is often considered number one, but gamers fondly recall “Vandal Hearts”. There were only two games from this series on the PS1, and for many fans, that’s where it ended.
A game titled “Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement” was launched over a decade after the original, in 2010. Unlike its predecessors, this game could only be downloaded and not physically purchased. It retained the grid-based tactics from its earlier versions, but unfortunately, PlayStation fans might find it hard to access due to its digital release. However, Xbox users can enjoy it thanks to backwards compatibility on their systems. Although it may not match up to the PS1 games in terms of quality, it can still satisfy that tactical craving effectively.
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2025-05-18 16:41