Here is a list of some games that didn't get the recognition they deserved, but blew me away. I'll most-likely end up adding to this list in a future post because I still have some candidates in my backlog. If only there was more time in a day. Anyways, here it goes:
Singularity: Raven did a really great job with this one and it's a shame that it didn't receive more advertising. I was blown away by how fun, well-made and interesting this first-person shooter was. Not only did it have a great campaign with quite a bit of content, but it also had a decent multiplayer mode. This one made it very high on my list of 'Best Games of 2010.' It may not be the most unique game, but it's well-made, fun, interesting and plays very well. Please check it out. I haven't heard or read a bad review.
Just Cause 2: Although the original game released to mediocre reviews and moderate interest, Just Cause 2 is a major improvement. It's just about everything you'd want in a sandbox game: more things to do than you'll ever have time for, great/fun gameplay, polished mechanics and some amazing abilities. Who cares about vehicles? The grappling hook and parachute are all I need. It's a blast to use those to get around or to free-fall from a mountain and then pull the parachute at the last second.
Vanquish: To be honest, I didn't think I'd like this game much at all when I first read about it and saw gameplay footage. It didn't seem like my type of game. Boy, was I wrong. Vanquish is an incredibly fast-paced, fun and frenetic experience that grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go until its conclusion. It borrows from other games in its genre, but adds some interesting new elements and some fun to use weapons. Fun is an understatement wit this one.
Metro 2033: I'm a huge Fallout 3 fan. It's my favourite release this generation. Perhaps that's why I liked Metro 2033 so much (as they're somewhat similar.) It was an interesting approach to the first-person shooter genre, with an amazingly engineered feeling of being alone in a dangerous world. It's not like the average first-person shooter you'll find on a rack at the local video game store, and I appreciated the fact that the developers were willing to take a chance with some of their ideas. I'm also very happy that they decided against an unnecessary, tacked on multiplayer mode. The game made me interested in reading the Russian novel it's based on.
Bully: Scholarship Edition: I still can't wrap my head around why this game is as under-appreciated as it is. I loved it. Sure, it's a different take on the Grand Theft Auto formula, but it's really well-made and designed. Not only is it unique in its setting, but its missions, modes of transportation, social aspects and minigames are also different from anything you'll find in another sandbox release - but in a good way, trust me. I don't know how I missed this one when it was released on the PS2, but I'm glad I bought it on the 360.
The Bigs: This game is for anybody who has at least a little interest in the sport of baseball. It's very accessible, fun and engaging. Not to mention competitive and fun. Create a rookie and help him earn his way through Spring Training and into The Show, in either the American League or National League. It's an arcade game in nature, so be prepared for flaming pitches, physical contact and explosive homeruns. The developers should be applauded for how they advanced the popular arcade baseball genre by implementing a very good career mode (where you can steal a player of your choice from your opponent if you win the game,) as well as the equally fun home run pinball mode, which sees you trying to hit balls at lights, signs and cars in Times Square.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West: One of the most engaging stories I've ever played through in a video game, Monkey and Trip's struggle for freedom and safety is a lot of fun. The game's story also features some of the most colourful and interesting characters in recent memory. It's the type of game you don't see very often (not nearly often enough in my opinion,) and it works very well, while looking beautiful. I highly recommend this one. Ninja Theory did a phenomenal job.
3 on 3: NHL Arcade: Another arcade sports game that I became incredibly addicted to. I've never played such a frenetic hockey game, or one that was as crazy as some of the games I played in 3 on 3. Think of Mario Strikers on ice and you'll have a good idea of what this three on three hockey game is like. It's a blast.
Condemned: Criminal Origins: This was the first game I beat when I first bought my XBOX 360. It was also one of the main reasons as to why I purchased the console in the first place. Early screens and gameplay videos blew me away, and the game did as well...once I got my hands on it. Condemned is a very scary game that pits you against deranged psychopaths and thugs who have been brainwashed. Featuring a unique new combat system that allows you to use weapons found in the environment, as well as your fists, to take guys out, it's a great experience. I haven't played another horror game like it.
No More Heroes: If you own a Wii, this is a must-play title. It's so uniquely interesting and engaging that it'd be a shame to miss out on it. I didn't know what to expect when I first booted it up, but I was blown away by how creative and fun it was. They also did a really good job incorporating the Wii's motion controls into the experience, without dumbing them down too much. Highly recommended. This is one of the titles that makes owning a Wii worthwhile.
Heavenly Sword: Despite its brevity, Ninja Theory's 'Ninja Sword' is a very fun action game. It's polished, beautiful, fun and mesmerizing to watch. Not to mention its colourful cast of characters and fast-paced rail sliding sections. If you're a fan of God of War or Devil May Cry, this one is definitely worth looking into. I was actually quite impressed by the inclusion of the Sixaxis controls. Being able to steer an arrow into an enemy was a blast and worked quite well.
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