This is going to be a simple list of games from all genres and all eras, that slipped under the radar.
Bear in mind that these are from my personal viewpoint of gaming (and I like games that are so bad they're good), so I will be detailing if the game is so bad it's good, or if it's just all around good. Some of these games may have had an interesting mechanic that wasn't fleshed out properly, so I may also recommend checking out a game if it has that. Again, I will be detailing if it's interesting because of that one mechanic, or all around good.
If you wish to talk about some games that slipped under the radar, please do so. Please make sure to go into detail on why you like that game, and why you think it deserves more attention. I love underrated video games, so I'll read every post and check out the games if you sell me on it or not.
There has been a small bit of confusion on whether or not to make this its own thread or not. If not, simply say so and I'll report this thread and ask it to me merged.
And now... Here we go:
Soul Blazer/Illusion of Gaia/Terranigma (SNES)
These 3 games are a part of a loosely based trilogy published by Enix (Illusion of Gaia was published by Nintendo). All three games are overhead action RPGs that has a lot of puzzle solving and requires some level of skill and problem solving to beat.
This game is often compared to the Zelda franchise, which is true in some cases but isn’t in other cases.
Did I also mention that the games use of actual history is outstanding, without overly distorting it?
But most importantly, it's a very fun game that requires brain, reaction time and strategy.
Thomas Was Alone (PC, PSN, PSVita)
Thomas Was Alone is a puzzle platformer that allows you to assume control of specific blocks so solve the puzzles.
The game gives names and personalities to all the blocks you can take control of. The game tries, and succeeds at making you care for faceless blocks.
It also has a very smooth learning curve too. Regarding the story, the narrator did a very solid job of telling the story and narrating Thomas's adventure.
It may sound like a boring platformer, but if you just give it a shot you'll want to see each simple block that is full of life reach the end of every stage.
Red Steel 2 (Wii)
This "first person beat 'em up" was much overlooked, which is very understandable since Red Steel was pretty bad. However, this game uses first person swordplay VERY well!
You are a sword slinger, so you can either shoot thugs from afar with your varied arsenal or use Wii Motion plus (which is done very solidly) to slash cowboy ninjas with style.
Let me play that back to you; you're a cowboy samurai using very flashy, effective powers, sword styles, and guns to kill gangster ninjas.
NEED I SAY MORE?!?
The boss fights are also very well done in this game. Not too hard, but you might die once or twice. I'd personally recommend this game; it's one of my all time favorites.
IMPORTANT NOTES: If you buy this game, turn the "Swing Sensitivity" to "Light".
If you overuse "The Tiger” power, the game will instantly turn you off. Make sure to use that power in moderation.
Starseed Pilgrim (PC)
This game has a design choice that I believe every game should emulate. I'm not sure if the design choice has a name, but I heard somebody call it "Implicit Game Design;" this is a VERY interesting mechanic and the main reason why it’s recommended.
Starseed Pilgrim explains how to move, jump and dig; that’s completely it. The game doesn’t tell you how to complete the game, move forward or how to win. But you learn how to play and understand the game as you confusingly poke at the games constantly moving world. It's also just a generally fun game.
The Binding Of Issac (PC)
It's a top-down shoot 'em up (kind of like Smash T.V.), but with a darker tone and a very interesting yet sad story. This game has a randomly generated basement that is different every time you play, every floor has rooms, and all the rooms must be cleared before you can continue down the floor to go deeper into the basement until you reach the end.
I love this game because you push a little further every time you play because you learn more about the game by playing. It's a simple game that has a deep story, simple to play yet hard to master, and is very rewarding. This game is recommended because of its simplicity, and because it subtly teaches you more about the game though playing.
Kane & Lynch 1 (PC, XBox 360, PS3)
The original Kane & Lynch is actually a good shooter that has a very good crime drama theme to it. It honestly seems like a crime drama movie, or TV show that you play.
The gunplay isn't accurate, which is the design choice. It adds to the intensity since you, or the NPCs cannot land clean shots on each other. The game also features Co-op, which is always a plus. The sudden outbursts of anger and insanity that come from both characters is very real, you might find yourself getting strangely attached to this duo of insane men.
This game is recommended if you even remotely enjoy crime drama, shooting games and psychological experiences in you games.
NOTE: If you play(ed) this game, DO NOT buy the second one. It's not a sequel. It's a cash-in.
HOME (PC)
This game has PLENTY of flaws, but also does a lot of things right. This is one of those games where if you talk about the story, it'll spoil the entire game. All I can say it that it does have problems, but for about 3 USD and about an hour, it's an amazing experience.
It's a 1 hour game that jams all it wanted to do, and nothing else. No bullshit, just what it wanted to do. It's recommended for it's great, nerve-racking story and its great variance in choices and consequences for those choices.
Kerbal Space Program (PC)
It's a sandbox game in its purest form. You can do whatever you want, however you want.
Do you wanna make a simple rocket and land on the Mün? Go for it.
Do you wanna make a fighter jet and bomb the shit out of Kerbal Space Base? Go for it.
Do you wanna make a hover boat and cruise the ocean? Go for it.
Do you wanna make a NUCLEAR BOMB AND BOMB THE SHIT OUT OF THE SUN ITSELF?!? Go for it.
Heads up, nothing is explained in this game, and much like actual space programs you'll have to do a LOT of testing to figure out how things work. In my mind, that adds to the game. It's kind of like exploring before you can explore space.
Mischief Makers (N64)
It's a 2D puzzle action platformer that is a good ol’ blast to play. The reason why it was overlooked is because games like Mario 64, Banjo & Kazooie and Zelda were moving with the times and going with full 3D models; this game sticks with 2D models.
The music is fantastic, with very colorful textures. "Shake Shake!" Anyone who has played this game remembers that. This game really sticks with you, and it's crazy.
One of the bosses, you have to catch a giant lava merman's fist to make him punch a floating wizard alligator wearing purple spandex. Yeah.
The Unfinished Swan (PSN)
This game is hard to describe. The screen is entirely white; you have the ability to throw ink balls, which adds a slash of life to the world around you... literally. It blends aesthetic beauty and interesting yet mysterious landscapes with simple, pleasant gameplay. The puzzles are logical and fun, yet challenging. The soundtrack is fantastic and really sets the mood.
If you loved the games Journey, or Flower, you'll love this game.
Vessel (PC, TBA on XBLA snd PSN)
Vessel is a puzzle-platformer that teaches and reveals its mechanics as the player progresses through the game. Using many different forms of liquid, such as water or lava, the player creates all sorts of things to solve puzzles (usually centered aroung cog, levers switches).
There isn't MUCH to say about this game, except that it's a very fun experience.
San Francisco Rush (N64, PSX, and arcades)
This is one of those "so bad, it's good" games. It's a simple racer with plenty of short cuts and great difficulty. It also (for some reason) makes a great game to play with other people. It's full of color, secret stages, easter eggs, and 90's.
"It's dangerous! Ahhhh!" If you know that, you get a high-five from me.
If you do play this game, don't expect a hidden gem. It's a silly, 90's racer with plenty of secrets and jumps (if you know where to go and explore). It's a dumb game, but it's a dumb game that's fun.
Dungeon Crawl: Stone Soup (PC)
This is a dungeon-crawling (name of a genre) rouge-like with plenty to offer. The goal is to get to the bottom of a dungeon that has a mind-blowing amount of floors, and crazy amounts of characters to make.
With 24 different species and 28 different classes, there's almost no end to the possibilities! Did I also mention this game is hard? Like, hard?
With its incredible amount of possible characters, very hard difficulty, great artstyle, and the fact that it's free, this game is very recommended.
Guacamelee! (PS3)
Guacamelee!: Is a beat 'em up that has a world full of life, and satisfying move set and combos.
It also centers around going though 2 different dimensions to solve puzzles, avoid battles, and to escape trouble.
It has very loveable characters, simple, yet complex gameplay, and a soundtrack that is great and sets the mood.
While it definitely has some shortcomings in its presentation and story, Guacamelee gives players a good time in a lively world with lively combat.
I Wish I Were The Moon (
PC Flash Game)
This game is really something different. You can only move things of interest around, and you have to decide the greatest ending for both of the characters.
One girl admires the moon, and wishes to be on it. One boy is on the moon, yet doesn't want to be.
Do you want to just swap their positions? Or maybe put both of them on the moon? or possibly give them the moon.
There is no download required, it's a browser game, but it's quite interesting. I'd recommend it for a quick hitter.
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