Gaming has grown dramatically within the last few years and has boosted the video game culture into a global phenomenon. With the undeniable boom comes a horde of titles that may become overwhelming, as many gamers will admit. However, lost in the loads of games that hit our store shelves on a weekly basis, are some of gaming’s gems which are neglected, even though they possess some of the greatest moments you’ll find in video games. These are some of the most overlooked and underappreciated video games in recent years.
AirBlade (PS2)
With the Playstation 2 still fresh on the scene, AirBlade hit the little black console and made an immediate impression on those who played it, unfortunately it wasn’t too many who did actually play it. With gorgeous graphics (at the time), a fresh concept, and tricks which will make your head spin, this futuristic sports/action title is still one of the most stylish and interesting games around. Get your hands on it if you can.
Red Steel (Wii)
Ok, everyone knows of Red Steel, but have you actually PLAYED Red Steel? This Wii launch title was groundbreaking to say the least. Being one of the first motion-controlled FPS’s, while also shedding the ‘child-like’ perception of the Nintendo’s little console, made Red Steel an intriguing number. Unfortunately, a couple bad reviews skewed away many interested Wii owners and many missed out on what Red Steel had to offer. It’s not the best game ever, but man is it fun.
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts
Many old-school Nintendo 64 gamers were pretty bummed with the release of Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, as the series moved away from its platforming roots towards a more mechanical and problem solving ideal. As different as it is from its predecessors, it’s still a fantastic game where players can build vehicles to complete objectives, where their design choice is only limited by their own imagination. Not to mention how outrageously and ridiculously funny the story and characters are.
The Suffering (PS2, Xbox, PC)
One of the most scariest and action-packed games you’ll ever play. The Suffering has it all, from moral choices and awesome weapons, to freakish monsters and an unpredictable story. The Suffering has also been lined up as a future film adaption, so maybe it’s time you catch up on this nightmarish title.
Amped 3 (360)
With Shaun White Snowboarding being, well, a little bit of a letdown, gamers still require their fix of white powder, and no, not the illegal drug kind, the wintery snowy kind. Amped 3 is the perfect answer to this and it’s a surprise the series hasn’t continued since its third iteration. Awesome tricks, super-smooth gameplay, a rocking soundtrack and all the multiplayer mini-games you could imagine, makes Amped 3 a must-have for any adrenaline junky.
LocoRoco (PSP)
It did receive critical acclaim; however it lacked the attention and recognition it deserved from gamers. LocoRoco is the perfect game for the PSP and requires players to maneuver a fat yellow blob-thing across some extremely colourful levels by simply tilting the stage left or right. Probably one of the most charming and cute games around, LocoRoco is painfully overlooked.
Wanted: Weapons of Fate (360/PS3)
It may be short, but it has undeniable potential. Anyone who has played Wanted: Weapons of Fate can’t deny the incredible fun had with the bullet-bending mechanic and watching their shots curve around corners and penetrate an enemy’s heads all in slow motion. Don’t be put off by the movie license appearance, as Weapons of Fate takes place after the film and follows the plotline of the original comic-books.
Dark Sector (360/PS3/PC)
Some may see it as a Resident Evil 4 clone, but Dark Sector is one of the greatest games of 2008 regardless of the mixed reception it may have received. An incredible story of an unlikely hero is presented through some beautiful visuals. The protagonist, Hayden Tenno, also wields a glaive, which can be controlled by sixx-axxis or the 360 analogs after it’s thrown. The slow-motion dismemberment that follows is nothing but awesome, and the fact that players have to solve puzzles with the glaive only adds a whole bunch of depth. Dark Sector 2…please come.
What games do YOU think were underappreciated, underrated or were overlooked completely? Let everyone know what you think by commenting!
