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Pleasant surprise games
- Thread starter sn00zer
- Start date
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
Recently played through beyond out of curiosity, and while it has a lot of problems, it was really enjoyable the whole way through. I kept wanting to know what happens next and just when I thought the game couldn't do something to surprise me it did.
There are a lot of neat scenarios here.
Also it's easily the best hobo simulator ever made.
Seriously, good luck! I made it up to level 39 with perfects, but then I just had to stop trying. Spoiler:
Especially the levels when you have two ships on the screen, that just messed with my mind.
Most games I have bought have been due to recommendations (either friends or reading GAF comments) knowing my gaming preferences (games such as Dragon's Dogma for example) so they never really "surprised me". One game that did surprise me was Demon's Souls. I played Dark Souls on my 360 (over 100 hours on it), then again on my ps3 (again, over 100 hours). So when I started Demon's Souls, I was expecting a rougher version of Dark Souls and prepared myself accordingly. Turned out, I loved it more than DS. Yes, it had it's flaws, but the atmosphere, bosses and destinct worlds blew me away. I was really surprised by how much I loved it.
Dead Nation was also a surprisingly addictive game. Especially to co-op.
RespectThySole
Member
Crackdown.
johnsavage
Member
Pikmin 3. I never played the other two so I didn't expect myself to like it so much.
Deified Data
Banned
Bought Age of Wonders III expecting a fairly generic game to scratch my strategy itch - it has since become my game of the year. I hate that no one gives a shit about this game on GAF.
BenHargrove
Member
Knytt Underground. I didn't really know anything about the game, but tried it on a whim because it was free on PS+. I ended up really liking it, it's very atmospheric and the gameplay was pretty enjoyable. It also has the most obscure trophies I've ever seen in a game, it's easy to play through the whole thing and not get any.
Most recently for me: Wasteland 2.
It had ALOT stacked against it for me:
-never played the original nor any of the games it inspired (Fallout for example)
-disliked the drab looking environments; post-apocalyptic in general does little for me
-thought the animations looked janky in preview builds
-recently played Divinity OS and thought there was no way this could live up to that game
Despite all this, I played until nearly 2AM tonight and still didn't really want to quit. I'm kind of shocked aim digging it so much as someone who never played a classic CRPG (until Divinity OS earlier this year that is). But this game is genuinely great, despite some rough edges/quirky menu systems.
It had ALOT stacked against it for me:
-never played the original nor any of the games it inspired (Fallout for example)
-disliked the drab looking environments; post-apocalyptic in general does little for me
-thought the animations looked janky in preview builds
-recently played Divinity OS and thought there was no way this could live up to that game
Despite all this, I played until nearly 2AM tonight and still didn't really want to quit. I'm kind of shocked aim digging it so much as someone who never played a classic CRPG (until Divinity OS earlier this year that is). But this game is genuinely great, despite some rough edges/quirky menu systems.
Zeyphersan
Banned
I fully agree with this. Attack of the Friday Monsters wasn't perfect, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise
Catalix
And on the sixth day the LORD David Bowie created man and woman in His image. And he saw that it was good. On the seventh day the LORD created videogames so that He might take the bloody day off for once.
Outland. The generic name didn't inspire confidence at first, but I'm glad my cousin basically forced me to try it out.
Nice little metroidvania. Good platforming physics, tight controls, and sword combat that's simple yet satisfying (launchers!).
Not to mention all the frantic polarity shifting action puzzles. The whole package won me over very quickly.
BlueDogAnchorite
Member
For me it was Odin Sphere. I ended up loving it. Before I started the game I just thought i would find it enjoyable. One of my favorites.
PrinceOfWhatever
Banned
This f*cking piece of art over here.
It's here to represent the series for me because it was the first MGS game that I ever played (not counting MG Rising). I basically ignored the series the whole time, thinking that it was just another boring military shooter.
AND I WAS SO WRONG.
It was the day I saw the E3 2014 trailer. I thought "This looks fucking epic!". So I asked a friend of mine to lend me the HD Collection so I can get into the series.
Today, I'm loving the series and played every canon MGS game + Portable Ops.
It's here to represent the series for me because it was the first MGS game that I ever played (not counting MG Rising). I basically ignored the series the whole time, thinking that it was just another boring military shooter.
AND I WAS SO WRONG.
It was the day I saw the E3 2014 trailer. I thought "This looks fucking epic!". So I asked a friend of mine to lend me the HD Collection so I can get into the series.
Today, I'm loving the series and played every canon MGS game + Portable Ops.
#Brofist
Such a cool, underrated game.
TheFLYINGManga_Ka
Member
Well, I knew what I was expecting since I had the first one, but Theatrhtyhm Curtain Call is a pleasant surprise.
Why? Because I'm having more fun than I thought I would. And secondly, I thought the first was a waste of money at $40 especially with all the dlc. But Curtain Call is worth the $40 and I'm even thinking about getting the DLC!
Why? Because I'm having more fun than I thought I would. And secondly, I thought the first was a waste of money at $40 especially with all the dlc. But Curtain Call is worth the $40 and I'm even thinking about getting the DLC!
Damn this look really goodLovely Planet is one of my favorite games this year and zero people are talking about it. At first I thought it was some dumb half-assed fps game with katamari graphics, but i sure was wrong.
It's really an awesome game if you love twitch based shooters + speedrun/ time trials type games.
Oh and the soundtrack is REALLY GOOD too.
Here's an idea of how intense this game can really gets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHOLTlFcBx8
OP is wrong. Toki Tori 2+ *was* FUCKING AMAZING. As in, the best puzzle based metroidvania this side of FEZ.
My pick would be Syder Arcade. It looks like your average budget retro shooter but what it lacks in polish and content it makes up with a survival mode that's dangerously addictive if you're into Geometry Wars style experiences.
My pick would be Syder Arcade. It looks like your average budget retro shooter but what it lacks in polish and content it makes up with a survival mode that's dangerously addictive if you're into Geometry Wars style experiences.
SuperChoco
Member
I hate rogue-likes, but I like this one. Probably because of how tense it gets with maniac mode.
This one really surprised me, loved the combat scenarios, pacing and overall seriousness and realism of the action. I'll never forget placing my squad mates in a shitty location and being helpless while I watched an RPG come flying toward them, it was especially brutal after a long mission and engagement.
diggmcbadass
Member
Since I am playing Defense Grid II at the moment: The original Defense Grid fit this description for me. I bought the Potato Sack on Steam, and this game seemed so generic and was probably the one I tried last. Ended up spending close to 100 hours in it and supported the kickstarter for the sequel. It's not a revolutionary game in any way, but it does tower defense better than any other game I've tried. The perfect game to play while watching TV or listening to podcasts.
cosmicblizzard
Banned
That's a tough one. It's easier to think of games that fall under the "OMG I HAD NO IDEA THIS GAME WAS SO FUCKING AMAZING" category for me as opposed to the much more subdued "pleasantly surprised". Of the games I play, I usually go in expecting I'll at least enjoy them. It's the ones that go above and beyond that which surprise me.
Maybe the Trauma Center series?
Maybe the Trauma Center series?
FairFriend
Member
kickbeat, very good rythm game available on PSVita, PS3 and steam too. I think it's the perfect game for newcomers and it's often on sale on the PSN.
Sleeping Dogs, Dragon's Dogma, Nier, Anarchy Reigns, Darksiders, Asura's Wrath, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger, Binary Domain, Singularity, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds, Shatter, I Am Alive all pleasantly surprised me, didn't expect much and end up loving all of them.
Also this thread reminded me that I need to play Toki Tori 2+ & Zack & Wiki.
Also this thread reminded me that I need to play Toki Tori 2+ & Zack & Wiki.
Portal.
I played it before I saw any of the memes pop up, before I read any talk of GLaDOS. I was expecting a standard puzzle game with just a slightly quirky voiceover. I didn't expect the ending of the game at all, in my head this was just some proof of concept game to add extra value to HL2:Ep2 which I bought the orange box for. Was more then pleasantly surprised.
I played it before I saw any of the memes pop up, before I read any talk of GLaDOS. I was expecting a standard puzzle game with just a slightly quirky voiceover. I didn't expect the ending of the game at all, in my head this was just some proof of concept game to add extra value to HL2:Ep2 which I bought the orange box for. Was more then pleasantly surprised.
JensenBeeswax
Member
Beyond Good & Evil surprised me when I thought I had played every worthwhile GCN game. A sequel would be sweet.
Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate - I just love beating the crap out of a billion dudes.
PvZ: Garden Warfare - Have not raged once playing this delightful game. It's kinda relaxing compared to most online shooters ...
Akiba's Trip 2 - Apart from the awful framerate and controls on the Vita. It's actually not too bad of a game ... do enjoy the Anime/Otaku references in some of the dialogue. It also doesn't look too shabby either.
PvZ: Garden Warfare - Have not raged once playing this delightful game. It's kinda relaxing compared to most online shooters ...
Akiba's Trip 2 - Apart from the awful framerate and controls on the Vita. It's actually not too bad of a game ... do enjoy the Anime/Otaku references in some of the dialogue. It also doesn't look too shabby either.
McBradders
NeoGAF: my new HOME
Yes! Wonderful game. The sequel doubly so.
emperorspride188
Member
Dokuro (PS vita)
Malicious (ps3)
Zero Escape(PS vita,3DS)
Just randomly came across those games, and loved them so much.
Edit: oh how can I forget forget 'N'. Its a PC flash game about 1.5 mb and I was so hooked up on it for years trying to finish all the levels. Without a doubt, it surprised me the most.
Its been announced for ps4 as N++ can't wait to try it
Malicious (ps3)
Zero Escape(PS vita,3DS)
Just randomly came across those games, and loved them so much.
Edit: oh how can I forget forget 'N'. Its a PC flash game about 1.5 mb and I was so hooked up on it for years trying to finish all the levels. Without a doubt, it surprised me the most.
Its been announced for ps4 as N++ can't wait to try it
PrintedCrayon
Banned
I had absolutely no expectations for this game whatsoever and it wasn't until I grabbed it from a Steam sale for about £3 that I wished I had given the Yakuza Team more of my money (I know Devil's Details did the PC port, but whatever)
Binary Domain ended up being one of my favourite games of 2012. It's just so ridiculously over-the-top action fused with a decent story about robots!
The shooting is solid and blowing enemies limb from limb proved to be great fun. The shooting actually becomes more fun later on through the upgrade menu and I found the story to be pretty good.
The characters are charming. Especially with the response system.Where you can build relationships with your team-mates who will then act differently around you (it affects the story in multiple ways too!)
Oh, and Big Bo 4 lyfe.
MrAndySchneider
Banned
James Bond 007 - Blood Stone
This one had very mediocre reviews and it's very short. I really had no expectations, just bought it used on a whim when I was in the mood for some 007 game. Built by Bizarre Creations, I thought it couldn't be so bad like everyone says. I was right. The game is excellent*.
*(well, not "best game ever"-excellent, but "very fun sunday afternoon"-excellent)
You see, Bizarre made the PGR games, which are *really* excellent. Also, they made The Club, which has very competent gunplay. So we have driving, and shooting, which are more or less the essentials everybody looks for in a 007 game. And Blood Stone delivers.
There are some very memorable driving sections. Chasing a train through ice covered landscapes, while all hell is loose behind you, is one of my favorite gaming experiences ever.
The on foot sections are basically a GoW cover based shooter paired with CQC / Takedown mechanics from Splinter Cell Conviction, nothing special, but well executed (ha!). The game is very easy, you'd play it for the story, not the challenge. But the story is nicely done, there are some interesting locales and everything fits nicely together in a Daniel Craig Bond-style experience.
If you can get hold of a copy, and you have a lazy sunday to spend, you will be highly entertained by this game. I really like it.
This one had very mediocre reviews and it's very short. I really had no expectations, just bought it used on a whim when I was in the mood for some 007 game. Built by Bizarre Creations, I thought it couldn't be so bad like everyone says. I was right. The game is excellent*.
*(well, not "best game ever"-excellent, but "very fun sunday afternoon"-excellent)
You see, Bizarre made the PGR games, which are *really* excellent. Also, they made The Club, which has very competent gunplay. So we have driving, and shooting, which are more or less the essentials everybody looks for in a 007 game. And Blood Stone delivers.
There are some very memorable driving sections. Chasing a train through ice covered landscapes, while all hell is loose behind you, is one of my favorite gaming experiences ever.
The on foot sections are basically a GoW cover based shooter paired with CQC / Takedown mechanics from Splinter Cell Conviction, nothing special, but well executed (ha!). The game is very easy, you'd play it for the story, not the challenge. But the story is nicely done, there are some interesting locales and everything fits nicely together in a Daniel Craig Bond-style experience.
If you can get hold of a copy, and you have a lazy sunday to spend, you will be highly entertained by this game. I really like it.
BouncyFrag
Member
I got Defense Grid through Xbox's free games with gold. At first I was annoyed because I wanted a full retail game but the game proved me wrong and I ended up being grateful for getting it. I'd never played a tower defense game before and enjoyed the gameplay which worked well with the controller.
The narrator was terrific and his back story was surprisingly good and even touching. As you work though the game he gives you his life story about the war and most importantly his son. He actually made me give a damn about what was going on.
I just saw DG2 on the ps4 store for an upcoming release and it looks fantastic.
The narrator was terrific and his back story was surprisingly good and even touching. As you work though the game he gives you his life story about the war and most importantly his son. He actually made me give a damn about what was going on.
I just saw DG2 on the ps4 store for an upcoming release and it looks fantastic.
RadioHeadAche
Member
My favorite Bond game last gen. Very fun.
Fuz
Banned
Dark Souls. "Meh, generic console crap with terrible graphics."
Boy, was I wrong.
Also this. Very few tie ins are good, and I had a blast playing this. So damn fun.
Boy, was I wrong.
Also this. Very few tie ins are good, and I had a blast playing this. So damn fun.
BouncyFrag
Member
I've been looking for a driving game to tide me over until Driveclub. I love pgr so this should fit the bill.
mcz117chief
Member
remakes and reboots are usually bad, but this one is so DAMN GOOD ! GOTY 2013