Underrated Video Games

Seconding(thirding?fourthing?) all three Creatures games mentioned so far (Creatures, Deadly Creatures, Impossible Creatures), as well Silent Hill 3 and Phantom Brave.

As may become part of my MO here, I must say that Legend of Legaia is (I think) one of the greatest RPG's of the PSX era, with the unfortunate circumstance of being launched within a month of Final Fantasy VIII. If for no other reason that that Legaia has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard.

edited 2nd Aug '11 7:45:51 PM by DarkConfidant

Turok Evolution.

Seconding Turok Evolution. Add in Spartan Total Warrior—I play that one to this day and the biggest reason it bombed was the similarity to God of War, which came out around the same time—and Cubivore.

• Sonic And The Black Knight was pretty fun in my opinion; While the controls were inaccurate (hell, I swing the Wiimote with the exact same movement and Sonic does a different slash every time!) and the level design was pretty uninspired for the most part, the gameplay was really fluid, perfectly meshing combat and speed, the graphics and art are incredible, and the music needs no mention, it's Senoue at full power plus four Crush 40 songs.

• Wii Music. I admit it sucks on the sound department and repertoire, which is a greatly negative point for a music game, but it's still a really fun and creative game that lets you make your own arrangement of a song and play your own version, with your own rhythm. Haters tend to cite Wii Music as a game as an example of why Nintendo sucks hard, but I on the other hand cite Wii Music as a game that Nintendo should improve on, because its basic premise is amazing and could be incredible if only it were better worked on.

• While not much criticized, the Super Monkey Ball series is mostly forgotten by everyone. Now those are really fun games that most people should be interested in.

• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 was the first one with wacky physics, but it also was incredibly fun, and its "free world, no timer" system was IMO much better than the others' "do stuff in 2 minutes". And don't get me started on Pro Challenges, they are amazing.

I quite enjoyed the first Hitman.

I'll tell you what an underrated game is, and it's the game Oni! This game fell victim to Vaporware, had a number of cool-sounding features cut out, and the storyline leaves a lot unsaid. With that said, it's a game where you can punch, kick, and shoot enemies. Sorry, there's no lightsabers and any melee weapons in the game. Yes, it's a game that is pretty good as it stands, and it has a load of undeveloped potential.

edited 3rd Aug '11 1:11:40 PM by TiggersAreGreat

Personally, I found Oni to be depressing as it went on. It was fun, but I found the controls to get frustrating whenever platforming was involved, and the story just got darker and darker as it went on...

Besides Mega Man Legends apparently, there's also Tails Adventure. Arguably Sonic 2006 gets too much bad rep.

Has anyone mentioned Stargunner yet?

Everblue 2, sadly. If someone else here has played it, I'll be cheery for the rest of the day.

And by the same company, Endless Ocean 2.

edited 3rd Aug '11 2:56:27 PM by lolacat

Creatures is an amazing series, and I nearly fell out of my chair when I found out they're making a fourth one, for real, and it will be freeware. Mindbending, that's what that is.

Also, mmm Robopon.

x4 Yeah, but it's for good reason, a game shouldn't be that painful looking.

I think something like Black Knight or the Advance games would fit the underrated bill better.

Godzilla for Gameboy. It's not very well known, but when ever I see someone talk about it they seem to hate it. It's a puzzle game where you have to destroy rocks while other Toho monsters attack you.

It's a pretty fun game and a hell of a time-killer. I've had it since I was around 7 or 8 and I still haven't come close to beating it.

Seconding Digimon World and Turok: Evolution.

Star Fox Assault: Too much bad rep, especially for the first game in the series that allows you to play as Krystal and Wolf.

(I'm sure I could think of more...)

Not one game, but the whole Humble Indie Bundle. Currently you can get 11 friggin games and a free minecraft trial for 6 dollars. Thats 50 cents a game, people!!!!!!!

edited 5th Aug '11 8:35:15 AM by Jimmmyman10

Wow, I'm surprised I forgot that one! The multi-player was awesome!

Jet Force Gemini, Diddy Kong Racing (N64 version), Lemmings 2: The Tribes (or maybe it isn't underrated, i dont know much about lemmings fandom, i just dont ever hear people mention it), Startopia (SO much fun, and hilarious in an H 2 G 2 way)

The original R Type and R Type II seem to have lost their popularity, overshadowed by R Type III, Delta, and Final. I think they're some of the (if not the) greatest games of all time, with weird-ass and inspired levels, amazing level design, decent music, and a few of the most intense bosses of all time, if not the most challenging (Looking at you, Rios). No scrolling shooter have ever came close to their mastery.

Also, the American Castlevania III is also my favorite Castlevania of all time, with an amazing art style, challenging and fair level design (except for that one section of the 7th level in the Alucard path where you slowly climb up a series of falling blocks, that was inane), and wonderful music only rivaled by the likes of certain RP Gs. (Yes, I mean the American version, which I think is superior to the Japanese version) It also introduced the partner system and multiple paths, both done better than Rondo of Blood (Maria is just ridiculous, while CVIII's partners have their own strengths and weaknesses that at least keep the game from being broken).

edited 9th Aug '11 7:26:57 PM by RiosRider

Warning: Indie games ahead

Defense Grid The Awakening Really haven't heard the ravings BUT IT IS AN AWESOME TOWER DEFENSE GAME.

Beat Hazard: Anyone who is not epileptic would love this game

Plain Sight: Fun stuff the whole point of the game is to collect kills and then "Bank" points by self destructing.

Jedi Knight: Why this game is not considered the best fps before Half Life boggles me

Trackmania Nations seriously this game gets no love in the U.S.

Trine.

edited 10th Aug '11 1:20:15 PM by stevebat

Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy do make for some fun multi-player.

Seconding Stargunner. You can get it for free now too! (though I haven't been able to get it to run well with DOSBox)

Also, Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold and its sequel Planet Strike, which are basically Wolfenstein 3D IN SPACE with some additions/improvements to the engine.

^I'm surprised that Blake Stone hasn't been revived.

Eighthing Alpha Protocol. Also adding in Divinity 2 which, to be fair, did end up getting better recognition when it was patched up and rereleased with its expansion pack.

La-Mulana

It's a Metroidvania with Legend Of Zelda-style puzzle elements, a throwback to the games on the MSX, and it really deserves more attention.

This game is so frekkin' awesome, yet no one seems to have heard of it. (Though it is a gold mine of Guide Dang It! moments. It's definitely not intended for softer gamers, this game is tough.)

Seriously, if you have a Wii and an internet connection, buy the game as soon as it's released on the Wii shop channel. (The main game will cost $12, and when the DLC is released, it will cost an additional $3. The complete game will be $15)

If you don't have a Wii but have a PC running Windows XP, you can download the freeware version of the game and its English patch here.

Oh, and while you're at it, listen to the soundtrack. Your ears will thank you if you do.

edited 11th Aug '11 6:22:41 PM by Zennistrad