Games that are amazing but relatively uncelebrated

[vampiricduck]

I've been thinking about this quite a lot recently. Between us, myself and my brother have seen virtually every console there is, and have noticed in recent years especially that there exists an entire branch of games that have become cult hits, but never hit the mainstream.

I'll start a tiny list here- and note, these are, imo, absolutely fabulous games that are deserving of huge honours. It might be interesting to see what others think of them, or indeed, to add to this list.

So, my list..
Okami on Wii. Apparently not been that popular, despite the rave reviews. I'm so impressed with it; it stuns me every single time I go back to it.

Battle of Olympus on NES. I will never, ever get over this game. At the time, I'm not sure of its popularity, but whenever I mention it today, people give me funny looks.

Shadow of the Collosus on PS2. Amazing. I just couldn't fault it, so clever and endearing. And still I've heard of no one else playing it, even though it is highly popular in Japan. Clever people over there.

Ico on PS2, made by the company that made Shadow of the Colossus, was just as clever, puzzle based and intelligent. The graphics in both are second to none.

Anyone have others to add, or can anyone tell me they have played any of the above?

[LewsTherin]

Full Spectrum Warrior (1 & 2) on PC - I know the first one was received very well, even winning a few game of the month awards, but after that I never heard of it again. It seems people just don't play it much, which is a real shame as it's a fantastic game. It's a great blend of tactics and action, and you have to think hard in some places to get through it. Maybe it was too cerebral for many people.

Lock On: Modern Air Combat for PC - Probably the best air combat simulator available today and I see heaps of them on the shelves. I also never hear of people who play it and those I've suggested it to just give me this half-smile and a 'maybe later.' The great pity is that, unlike most sims, it's easy to get into. The aircraft controls have been simplified, so you don't have hundreds of keys to memorize. The flight model can be set to easy, for those who don't want so much realism, as can radar systems. All this means it's easy to get into, easy to fly, and with a little practise, easy to blow things up. Once you've mastered the basics, you can increase the difficulty. And, you get 5 planes to fly, covering air-to-air and air-to-ground. It's a pity more people don't try it (other than the hardcore sim crowd).

As for Shadow of the Collosus, I would have loved to play it but I don't have a PS2 (it's always been to expensive for me). From what I saw of it, it looked fantastic. Maybe it was too cerebral for a mainstream audience, or too 'arty' or 'slow?' A pity, though.

[cardinalguy]

[AkiraTakahashi]

Shadow of the Colossus was amazing! The ending also bugged me for days. If you like it, check out its sequel ICO. ICO was made before Shadow of the Colossus and is darned near impossible to find for under $100! The story is so touching, the ending song is great, but like Shadow of the Colossus, the ending bugged me.

[canismajoris]

Rez

[Hysteria]

vampiricduck
Okami on Wii. Apparently not been that popular, despite the rave reviews. I'm so impressed with it; it stuns me every single time I go back to it.

Oh I agree. Beautiful game.

[SoulOfRebirth]

Shenmue, the masterpiece that killed the Dreamcast because nobody bought it and it was the most expensive game ever made at the time. It was absolutely brilliant. I wish I could've played the second one, but I'm not going anywhere near the Xbox, thank you very much.

[Wab]

The Total War series. I know of no one else who plays it even though it's in its fifth interation in March (plus assorted expansion packs).

[LewsTherin]

Originally Posted by Wab

The Total War series. I know of no one else who plays it even though it's in its fifth interation in March (plus assorted expansion packs).

I am happy to say that I have played Rome and Medieval 2. Both are phenomenal games. They really deserve more players.

[Hagrid442]

All except Shogun:Total War are awesome games. I should play Medieval 2 more.

Another game that is sweet, but very much unheralded is Baseball Mogul. I'm guessing the 2010 will be out soon.

This is all on the PC btw. Haven't had a console since Sega Genesis.

[Fiskekake]

Zelda: Majoras Mask is a great game, but sadly it was laid in the shadow if it predecessor(my engrish?) Ocarina of Time.

[Fantasy Moon]

I have Okami for the PS2. Love that game! I think it would be awesome to play on the Wii.

The Shadow Hearts series seems to be an uncelebrated set of games, I think. Or maybe I'm just not looking hard enough.

[Lil_G135]

I feel like a broken record, 'cause I'm always referring Alundra in these kinds of topics It's a PS1 game with a Zelda-style fighting system, 2D graphics, insanely long puzzles (unless you're really good at that sort of thing), and a really nice (yet pretty dark) story.

I admit back when I first played I was disappointed by there only being one town, but I think the world surrounding the it, as well as the dream world makes up for it (And for the story's sake it gives you the chance to really get to know [and get attached] to the characters).

I am a fan of the music too I'm still hoping they port this to the DS or PSP or something..



The One Who Hates Man - plays during minor bosses
Dream a Dream - Different places, but I remember most at the coastal cave

[FleurDeLaPointe]

I hate to the bearer of bad news but SOTC is celebrated. Ico is relatively uncelebrated yes...underrated if that's what the thread is going for, but SOTC? It's been one of the most referenced, celebrated and highly praised games of the past decade, so much so that it's beginning to be a bit redundent and overrated IMHO. Otherwise there wouldn't be such a huge anticipation for Trico/Project Trico/ The Last Guardian at this year's E3.

Anyways my selection is No More Heroes which also gotten a sequel that looks amazing and Suikoden 2 which has one of the most horrid and terrible antagnists of Luca Blight that makes Sephiroth look like an angel. Seriously...check them out.

[RageBeat]

Dark Cloud 1 for the PS2.
The second one wasn't even half as good, but I loved the first one so much! I lost my copy of it and I'll have to buy it again on ebay for about a million euro, haha.
Brilliant game, seriously. Love the soundtrack too.