Ours picks of the most underrated games are aimed at those who don’t quite like to miss out on anything. There are titles that get released, but are somewhat unable to grab attention owing to being overshadowed by other offerings, maybe shabby marketing, or also due to them receiving low scores from reviewers.
Now, the latter possibility is matter of perception, but as we know, a number of games usually end up clicking with players even though they grab mild scores. So let’s go down memory lane and have a look at some of the titles that didn’t manage to garner the kind of recognition they most rightfully were worthy of.
1 – Shadows of the Damned:
When two connoisseurs from the gaming business join forces to create a completely new IP, sparks are definitely bound to fly. Goichi Suda and Shinji Mikami have crafted Shadows of the Damned with utmost originality, and the title has the ability to delight anyone who has a fetish for psychological thriller action. The game didn’t exactly get slammed by critics and was praised, as a matter of fact, but the excitement around it died down too fast for it to receive considerable sales. This thriller, which is filled with humorous tidbits, can be enjoyed on the PS3 or Xbox 360.
2 – Payday The Heist:
The mere concept of this title makes you wonder why no other developer has tried to make such a game till date. We’ve seen bank robberies in movies and TV shows, but getting to actually plan them out and play them through a first-person perspective is without a doubt, an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. The four-player co-op fun that’s packed into this offering enables you to call on your friends for indulging in some long gaming sessions. Despite having so much potential, Payday: The Heist received flak for its graphical issues as well as poor AI.
3 – Homefront:
Now this one’s a no-brainer for sure. Homefront has entered our roster because despite grabbing average scores from reviewers, this war-based first-person shooter kicked in an engrossing story that was complemented with an equally absorbing gameplay. Its short campaign involves a bunch of revolutionaries fighting to gain back control of the U.S. from the hands of its occupants. And the game receives a whole new meaning with its multiplayer components that are addictive, to say the least.
4 – Bionic Commando:
We liked Bionic Commando when it came out in 2009, but we weren’t able to decipher why it was panned by so many people. The inferior nature of its story is understood, however the gameplay of Bionic Commando really does deserve some recognition. The combat system in this title is awesome and so are its visuals. Available now for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, this game deserves a go from everyone who has ever played and loved the earlier titles on their Game Boy and NES consoles.
5 – Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine:
Relic Entertainment’s latest offering delivers a decent amount of fun with its compelling gameplay and top-notch environments. This title from our list has received aggravation for its repetitive nature, and we agree with that. However, a superior combination of hack and slash and shooter combat is what breathes life into this iteration. And to add to that, there’s the riveting multiplayer mode that gets you addicted to it in no time at all.
6 – Mirror’s Edge:
Dice’s 2008 release had ‘innovation’ written all over it, and wasted no time in getting gamers excited about it. The bold use of the first-person perspective to give you the feeling of running and jumping through its environments, is something that other games seldom succeed in achieving. However, its combat falls a bit short of being remarkable and its campaign also counts on the shorter side. But Mirror’s Edge is a far high-class game that’s not to be missed owing to these factors. It can be purchased for the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well as PC.
7 – de blob 2:
Despite some gripes in its level designs, de blob 2 is an overall pleasurable experience. It contains versatile gameplay settings that keep you busy for hours. And there’s also a huge amount of co-op fun to be explored. The visuals are catchy and vivid, which is why this offering also found its place in our list of the best Wii games for kids.
8 – Alice Madness Returns:
The last title in our collection is Spicy Horse’s 2011 action-adventure platformer named Alice Madness Returns. This brilliantly imagined game definitely deserves more than it got. The art is sure to grab your attention from the word go, while its dark and spooky environments do well to complement the game’s platformer mechanics. You can now purchase Alice Madness Returns for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
That concludes our take on the most underrated games. And if you haven’t played any one of them owing their reviews, you might want to think again and treat yourselves to some missed out gaming pleasures.