• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Underrated Games

KàIRóS

Member
What games make you think "Wow why is nobody ever talking about this game? It's so good" here are some games that make me think that:


kkX3paO.jpg
7DrufaM.jpg
g0ynQjA.jpg
X4eK3YD.jpg
UkzXJfr.jpg


Metal Gear Acid (Acid 2 also): The weirdest TRPGs I've ever played, I find the card system to be a lot of fun and missions can have a lot of outcomes depending on your deck.

Sudeki: The best non-japanese JRPG I've ever played, out of all the games I chose this is the one that makes me think "why no one ever talks about this" the most, it's a real hidden gem.

Binary Domain: IMO the most underrated TPS ever, really good story, characters, controls and dialog system. . . what? made by the Yakuza team.

Folklore: This game is a surreal experience it has a good story, combat is addicting and it's probably the game with the best use of the Sixaxis motion controls in the PS3.

Alundra: The best Zelda clone I've ever played, some puzzles can be a real bitch to solve and IMO the combat is also better than in the 2D Zeldas, the sequel is also really good.

Any other games you guys think are underrated af, to the point no one ever talks about them?
 
Last edited:

IKSTUGA

Member
Picross 3D. It's a great puzzle game with a lot of content and a unique control style. I think I ended up beating all the puzzles like 3 times before I got rid of my 3ds (started playing the game already during ds era)
Phantasy Star Online Episode 3: C.A.R.D Revolution. Not very highly rated anywhere, but I enjoyed the unique combat and angle it brought to the PSO universe. Really enjoyed the story and card collecting aspects of the game.
Time Splitters 2 and 3. These games are just classics. I really loved playing them with friends, because of all the different customization options and goofy characters. We actually played TS2 on dolphin just last year, still as fun as ever!
Sin and Punishment (N64 and Wii). I freaking loved both of them. I'd love to get a sequel for the Switch, or re-release... Just give me more S&P!!!
 

Husky

THE Prey 2 fanatic
jJQs7Mj.jpg

Prey
Only the hecking coolest FPS out there. Its intro is out of this world, and the high never comes down till the credits roll. A fuckin thrill. GAF should be all over this masterpiece.
A mindbending setting with gravity-defying wall-walks and living alien weapons, built with id Tech. Still waiting on that sequel.




vpn4OcH.jpg

Mad Riders
One of my favorite racing games, an arcadey off-road experience from Techland and Ubisoft. Great speed, neat tricks. Techland had previously released a similar game with Nail'd, but I found that one boring as hell, and easy to the point where I never even saw my opponents once I left the start line. Mad Riders, this is where they nail'd it.



ujah6ET.jpg

I Am Alive
One of four games that I've ever pre-ordered. Was real pissed when Ubisoft cancelled the PC version, and thrilled as heck when they brought it back, and with added content. A digital-only post-apocalyptic adventure, featuring dangerous climbs and limited supplies. One of the primary mechanics of the game is to intimidate enemies with an unloaded weapon, something I believe The Last of Us also marketed itself off of, though never delivered on.
 

DunDunDunpachi

Patient MembeR
Espgaluda 1 or 2

espgaluda2-8.png
espgaluda2-4.png
espgaluda2-1.png


The series was literally designed as a casual-player shmup. The "kekusei" mode allows players to slow down all the bullets on screen at any time, with the only limit being your green gems. As long as a player can kill enemies and stock up more gems, they can get pretty far into the game by using the turbolaser + kekusei.

Or, like a true CAVE game, expert players can abuse kekusei mode for huge bullet cancels, granting screenfulls of bonus medals.

To most, it appears to be yet another one of "those weeb bullet hell games" but it's one of the best games for a beginner to try the shmup genre and one of CAVE's best shmups if you like chasing score. Those bullet cancels... 🤤

 

stranno

Member
I agree with Metal Gear Ac!d (the second one could have been the first 3D polarized game of all time, i think) and The Saboteur (another Pandemic masterpiece). Excite Truck was a fantastic game but it is not underrated at all, it has good scores overall, it sold well and it received the best racing game award of E3 2006.

Talking about PSP, i'd say:

78FJJxz.jpg
R0cczmp.jpg


Rengoku: Tower of Purgatory and Rengoku: Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. The first game was considered the worst PSP game back in the day and, imo, it was pretty good. Good level of character customization, *real* different play styles, good mechanics and tons of addons in an Armored Core vibe. The second one is like a "remastered" version of Tower of Purgatory. It has a new tower and the same tower of the first game with new graphics and randomized bosses. If you need to choose one of both, Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. is the way to go.

IvoDD6B.jpg
3FRm0k2.jpg


Death Jr. and Death Jr. II: Root of Evil. Considering Medievil: Resurrection was a crappy remake, these are the real Nightmare Before Christmas games for PSP. The second one has a creative level design in the same vibe of American McGee's Alice series. Great control, good graphics, fun action-platforming. Not really underrated but not as popular as they should be. The first one is also on Wii and there's a third game in DS.

Fun fact: Death Jr. was the first real game ever shown running on PSP hardware, back in CA GDC 2004. This was the trailer.

I6MFWqH.gif


I6jGNA3.jpg


Metal Slug (2006). The wrongly called Metal Slug 3D (that was going to be the name of the cancelled european version). It is one of the very few great games of SNK Playmore. The 3D version of original Nazca 2D art is pretty good, fine control and lot of action. Imo it is a far better 3D re-imagination than Maximo: Ghosts to Glory.

dRGJ6Kv.jpg


Treasures of the Deep. Absolutely wonderful underwater Colony Wars clone from Black Ops Entertainment. Probably the best underwater environment ever seen until Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, released three years later. Great graphics, gameplay and the best fog use ever seen in Playstation (with Silent Hill, of course).

zJ6j4zR.jpg


Dead in the Water.. ok, it is not a good vehicular-combat game but water physics are out of this world and i'm a water physics bitch.
 
Last edited:

Husky

THE Prey 2 fanatic
4a76Dhc.jpg

FUEL
A post-apocalyptic racing game with sick vehicles choices and a massive, fucking massive open world, with a variety of post-collapse biomes. Makes me wonder how the world actually ended.
A thrill in its races, and a great chillout in the sandbox. Forever one of my favorite racing games. Love it.


rHaDWPh.jpg

Afterfall InSanity
A *Polish post-apocalyptic action adventure told through three incredibly different acts. The first I didn't find particularly enjoyable, as the player escapes from a high tech vault in which folk held out after the collapse. The real fun starts immediately after, as the player adventures through the vast underground. The third act wasn't as fun, but still, I love me some post-apocalypse.


IwkFIWJ.jpg

Everything
A casual game in which one can play as anything and everything, from ladybugs to continents, street lights to planets. As oxygen atoms and black holes literally sing and dance, Alan Watts' philosophical musings add to the fun. Great guy to listen to. It's on Switch now!
 
Last edited:

-Arcadia-

Banned
Xenoblade 2 on Switch.

I picked it up on sort of a lark, never really hearing much about the game outside of some passionate fans insisting it was amazing, but was shocked to find, myself, that it was an absolutely fantastic game.

I’d consider it one of the best on the system, if you have the patience, as always, for how deep these systems go.

I was hooked to the story instantly, the setting is magical, the visuals (as long as you play on Docked, lol) and running around on moving, living, massive sky island continents are jaw-dropping, and the RPG battles are the most satisfying and deep I’ve ever personally played.
 
Last edited:

DunDunDunpachi

Patient MembeR
I need to find this game since I have a Dreamcast. I do love fighting games.
A good friend introduced it to me a few years ago. I had/have no interest in UFC so I wasn't expecting much, but the combat system is so good. :messenger_weary: :messenger_ok: You have some characters who are great at blocking/punching/kicking whereas others are really good at tackling/pins/grabs/counters.

I wish I had a review to link you, but it's not a very well known title.
 

cireza

Member
A good friend introduced it to me a few years ago. I had/have no interest in UFC so I wasn't expecting much, but the combat system is so good. :messenger_weary: :messenger_ok: You have some characters who are great at blocking/punching/kicking whereas others are really good at tackling/pins/grabs/counters.

I wish I had a review to link you, but it's not a very well known title.
Pretty sure I played the game in a demo disc and it was indeed very interesting. I will check it out thanks for the reminder.


My pick for the topic is SVC Chaos :
snk_vs_capcom__06644.1548052746.jpg

I love this fighting game, definitely in my top 5. It had pretty negative reviews though. Really don't understand why, the game is awesome and plays very well. Gameplay is fast, and the impacts don't feel that strong, but this can't be the reason ? Excellent game, much better work than what Capcom did in the Capcom VS SNK games in my opinion.
 
Last edited:

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
7DrufaM.jpg


Sudeki: The best non-japanese JRPG I've ever played, out of all the games I chose this is the one that makes me think "why no one ever talks about this" the most, it's a real hidden gem.

Just wanted to say that this game is great but that cover really makes me laugh every time I see it.
  • Woman in traditional "sexy pose"
  • Armor leaving very little to the imagination
  • "Five out of Five Stars" says Maxim magazine
  • Rated M for Mature
  • Developed by Climax
  • "Only on Xbox" (when, at the time, Xbox marketing was heavily catering to the male demographic)
It's like one of those things that just keeps getting funnier the more I see it
 

Dr.Morris79

Member
Liberation for the Amiga CD32
Another game I feel is vastly underated and never talked about. It allowed a lot of freedom to do what you pleased, a brilliant game for it's time.
ZWzEHJr.png
 

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
Starlight Lotice Starlight Lotice

Fantasy Life was such a low-key gem.

The DLC made it the nigh perfect time while[r].
I'd say out of everything here, Fantasy Life has my vote as being perhaps the most underrated game of all time. It is legitimately my favorite 3DS game and it seems like nobody I know outside of GAF has ever even heard of it - even back when it was released and still relevant. 73 on Metacritic and didn't even crack their "top 25 3DS games of 2014", such a shame.

Level 5 really knocked that game out of the park. MMO-like class system, fun crafting and merchant jobs (in addition to fighter/magic classes), TONS of side-quests with good rewards, a progression system that had a huge amount of weight to it, an interesting (though slightly cringey at times) main story that was family-friendly, Animal Crossing-like housing system - and the DLC island world added a huge post-game area and new monsters and more stuff to do. Weird to think that this game is over 5 years old now, but I've played it fairly recently and it still holds up extremely well.
 
Starlight Lotice Starlight Lotice

Fantasy Life was such a low-key gem.

The DLC made it the nigh perfect time while[r].
I'd say out of everything here, Fantasy Life has my vote as being perhaps the most underrated game of all time. It is legitimately my favorite 3DS game and it seems like nobody I know outside of GAF has ever even heard of it - even back when it was released and still relevant. 73 on Metacritic and didn't even crack their "top 25 3DS games of 2014", such a shame.

Level 5 really knocked that game out of the park. MMO-like class system, fun crafting and merchant jobs (in addition to fighter/magic classes), TONS of side-quests with good rewards, a progression system that had a huge amount of weight to it, an interesting (though slightly cringey at times) main story that was family-friendly, Animal Crossing-like housing system - and the DLC island world added a huge post-game area and new monsters and more stuff to do. Weird to think that this game is over 5 years old now, but I've played it fairly recently and it still holds up extremely well.

I actually bought it after watching the Nintendo Treehouse stream! It looked interesting and I wanted to try the Multiplayer with someone (which never came to be).

I enjoyed it a lot, although the Plot was basic and the crafting ended up being repetitive. It was a very well crafted game that sadly no one ever bought really. :(
 

Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
XC2 isn't underrated.
In sense of it got good reviews and sold well, you are right but they way most people talk about XC2 as if it’s worst game in the series. To me it’s not, in fact it’s my favourite Xenoblade game.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Isa
S

SLoWMoTIoN

Unconfirmed Member
In sense of it got good reviews and sold well, you are right but they way most people talk about XC2 as if it’s worst game in the series. To me it’s not, in fact it’s my favourite Xenoblade game.
Those are the unironic weebs that call it a anime game despite it being a fucking Japanese game. Don't pay those idiots any mind.
 
To me games like Pandora’s Tower and Folklore pretty underrated.
They were rated correctly at 73 and 75, that's the problem with number scoring it's useless to gauge if a game is fun or not, both are filled with major issues of repetitive combat and average writting but good music/setting.
I enjoy a lot of games people call mediocre/average or a "relic" of a different era, this thread should've been titled games mainstream consumer/media don't get or dislike.
I'm huge fan of Falcom but i would never say thier games are flawless even if my GOTY 2019 will be going to Trails of Cold Steel 3.
 
S

SLoWMoTIoN

Unconfirmed Member
They were rated correctly at 73 and 75, that's the problem with number scoring it's useless to gauge if a game is fun or not, both are filled with major issues of repetitive combat and average writting but good music/setting.
I enjoy a lot of games people call mediocre/average or a "relic" of a different era, this thread should've been titled games mainstream consumer/media don't get or dislike.
I'm huge fan of Falcom but i would never say thier games are flawless even if my GOTY 2019 will be going to Trails of Cold Steel 3.
Games can be underrated for some people and not for others!
 

ruvikx

Banned


Dead Space 3.

Seriously underrated. Certain survival horror fans (especially the most vocal) decided they'd hate the game before release due to the optional co-op & really optional micro transactions. Also, some rather dishonest gamers with a complete lack of objectivity decided to hate on the game because of the plot (like seriously... game scenarios have such high standards? I think not). It's a rollercoaster ride, long, fun, action horror with some pretty cool weapon mod tools & levels with semi open areas (including a great exterior space section). Guess what @ Dead Space 1 fans: that first game was also action heavy & turned into a shooter half way through the story (waves of necromorphs didn't just suddenly happen in the second & third games, no, the first game was also an action title).

People who claim Dead Space 1 was "real" survival horror whilst the second & third were "action" games are some of the most dishonest gamers out there who should take a long, hard look in the mirror & replay Dead Space 3. Because it's fun.
 

Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
They were rated correctly at 73 and 75, that's the problem with number scoring it's useless to gauge if a game is fun or not, both are filled with major issues of repetitive combat and average writting but good music/setting.
I enjoy a lot of games people call mediocre/average or a "relic" of a different era, this thread should've been titled games mainstream consumer/media don't get or dislike.
I'm huge fan of Falcom but i would never say thier games are flawless even if my GOTY 2019 will be going to Trails of Cold Steel 3.
It just not about the score, it’s more about not many people play them, to me they are pretty damn good games and more people should give it chance. Thats really what I mean when I said “underrated”.
 
Top Bottom