In the past, the gaming industry focused its attention simply on games that looked the most appealing and fun, allowing for more balanced and well-distributed media coverage. In the current climate, it's all too easy to develop tunnel vision on the fan and media side, leading to an element of 'over-coverage' on a few particular games, resulting in fewer titles getting much-deserved coverage.
Besides, even if a massive company like EA is sponsoring a new IP (like one of the games on this list), that new IP needs all the marketing power a publisher like EA can offer in order to get any attention whatsoever (spoiler alert: even that didn't pan out).
Regardless of the reasoning behind why these games got overlooked, it's about time they got some love and promotion sooner rather than later. These are 10 Subtly Brilliant Video Games You Wrongly Overlooked!
10. The Wolf Among Us
It's hard to deny that Telltale Games may be taking on too many different IP's and projects at once (although their Batman series has been great so far), but when they put their best effort forward, it's hard not to find yourself immersed in their multi-episode narratives. The Wolf Among Us was no different, as the overarching mystery present throughout the season was both engaging and full of intrigue.
Why it was overlooked: Unfortunately, TWAU released shortly after the immensely successful Walking Dead game, and the Fables IP (that TWAU is based on) is far more obscure than The Walking Dead. This led to far less immediate pre-orders, along with the much lower amount of hype and anticipation that TWAU had in comparison to TWD.
Why you need to check it out: Even if you're not a big fan of the point-and-click adventure style gameplay, TWAU has such a unique setting, great characters, and an interesting plot line that actually does take your decisions into account without trivializing or ignoring them. Besides, who can resist the chance to fight old fairy tale characters while controlling the Big Bad Wolf?
9. Bulletstorm
Did you know that the studio responsible for the Gears of War trilogy made a first-person shooter?
Epic Games, along with co-developers People Can Fly, created an FPS that commits to male stereotypes just like Gears, offering greatly satisfying combat through a game-changing "energy leash" and plenty of varying enemy types to shoot and eliminate in bloody fashion.
Why it was overlooked: Bulletstorm faced a heavy amount of controversy from Fox News psychologist Carole Lieberman due to its graphic violence and sexual content. She stated the game was responsible for the increases in rape cases and sexual assaults due to its sex scenes. Even beyond these ridiculous allegations, Bulletstorm simply wasn't given a chance to thrive.
The marketing for it was minimal, with the only real selling point (from the perspective of EA and Epic Games) being the included Gears of War 3 beta code. When the publisher doesn't even believe in a game (especially one that was a new IP), it's difficult to succeed.
Why you need to check it out: The unabashedly crude and brutal approach to both characters and gameplay may not be for everyone, but it allows for gameplay that is immensely gratifying and rewarding to particularly creative players.
The points-based arcade shooting on display gives players a campaign with plenty of cheesy lines, but a plentiful amount of great gameplay to sweeten the deal. If that doesn't convince you, this game is basically a first-person version of Gears of War with a Samus-like energy whip and infinite chances to kick enemies into sharp landing spots.
8. Mad Max
Movie tie-in games have earned a poor reputation in many gamers' minds due to the many half-hearted products in the past. However, in the last couple years, there has been a renaissance of sorts with licensed games that have thought and care put into them, leading to great experiences like South Park: Stick of Truth and Shadow of Mordor. Mad Max continues this trend with a game that had engaging car combat and a story that feels fitting within the film series.
Why it was overlooked: Either Warner Bros or Avalanche Studios made the decision to release Mad Max the same day as the highly-anticipated Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain, leading to much lower sales compared to what could've been had the release date been a little less competitive. There was also the mediocre critical reception that criticized the game's repetitive structure and scrap-collecting system (which doesn't help MM's ability to lure players to play).
Why you need to check it out: The car combat alone is enough of a reason to try the game out, as it offers plenty of hard-hitting, brutal moments that typically lead to a hardy amount of explosions to culminate your victory. The ability to strategically take down each part of the car also allows for plentiful thought being put before hopping into a fight.
There's also plenty to explore in the gorgeous open world with a story that may not last for too long but has plenty of moments that are surprisingly artistic and very cinematic. Also, you simply haven't lived until you put an explosive harpoon in a War Boy, kicked him into his fellow goons, and watch the fireworks.
7. Furi
There are certainly plenty of indie titles that use extreme difficulty as a way of including "challenge" within their game. Many of them don't do it properly, but Furi finds a way to use precise, reactionary movement and player offense for a game full of great boss battles, amazing music, and a story with intriguing themes and characters.
Why it was overlooked: The marketing for this game was also minimal, with the most exposure coming when it was a free game for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Outside of that, there's just hasn't been a lot of attention paid to it by the media or players.
Regardless of the quality of a game, it cannot succeed financially if it's not given any time in the spotlight. Furi has suffered from a lack of exposure due to very few even discussing its existence (not us, though!).
Why you need to check it out: Furi earns an A for its anime-like art design and immensely enjoyable soundtrack (that is, if you enjoy EDM-like music). The combat relies purely on the player's ability to adapt and learn from the boss's movements and attacks in order to progress through the campaign. Although extremely challenging (my playthrough was full of vocal expletives), it rarely feels like the game intends purely to mess you up and force you to replay the same levels repeatedly. The challenge feels purposeful, appropriate, and most important of all, rewarding.
6. Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
A re-interpretation of a 16th-century novel, Odyssey to the West sees the player-controlled character Monkey (played by Andy Serkis) and Triss (played by Lindsay Shaw) navigating a post-apocalyptic world after a global war that occurred 150 years prior. The gameplay consisted of melee-focused third-person combat, puzzles, and platforming sections in a vast and tremendously unique world.
Why it was overlooked: Something about re-interpreting 16th-century novels just didn't seem to click with gamers. It's unclear what exactly kept players away, but minimal advertisement on Namco Bandai's part may have led to the game falling well-below sales expectations, as well as it being a new IP from a relatively new developer (Ninja Theory) that didn't have any major titles under their belt prior to that point
Why you need to check it out: Andy Serkis shows once more in Enslaved that he's the king of mo-cap with a great performance that would've easily been one-dimensional in anyone else's hands. Lindsay Shaw also provides a great three-dimensional character with Triss, who you will both love and want to protect as the game progresses.
The story is fascinating throughout thanks to the writing of Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Dredd) and the gameplay is hard-hitting thanks to Monkey's awesome electricity-infused pole weapon. Odyssey has the story-quality of a novel, with the gameplay to combine for a memorable experience.
5. Quantum Break
After another typically-lengthy development cycle from Remedy Entertainment, Quantum Break released in 2016 to positive reviews that praised the game's performances, visuals, and time-based combat mechanics. The story was also particularly engaging thanks to a well-paced story and plenty of Hollywood talent, including Aiden Gillen and Shawn Ashmore.
Why it was overlooked: The long development cycle may have proven to be necessary for Remedy's vision, but it seems that many interested players lost interest by the time it finally released. The game, according to Microsoft, was their most successful new IP for this console generation, so it seems that it did somewhat well, but it still became quickly forgotten a few months after its released by fans and media (evident by its one nomination at the VGA's).
Why you need to check it out: For the time manipulation abilities alone, this title is worth checking out. The story is engaging throughout, doesn't drag on too long, and has plenty of impressive moments that'll stand out in every players' mind. The game has an extremely polished feel, whether it's the combat or the visuals (this is Remedy after all), so there's no accusing this game of being a rushed job.
The TV show that connects with the game's story is also interesting and provides an intriguing difference in perspective, as the show focuses on the villains rather than the heroes. Considering that QB is now available on Steam, Windows, and Xbox, your options are the most plentiful they've been to pick up Quantum Break and be amazed at how much fun there is in messing with time.
4. Dying Light
ANOTHER zombie game? Seriously? It may sound like a cliché, but I swear that this one is different from the others. In Dying Light, players have some of the best maneuverability I've seen in any first-person game (on-par with Mirrors Edge), as well as brutal and detailed combat that gives players a great sense of satisfaction with perfectly timed hits to the head and plenty of opportunities to kick zombies off of cliffs.
Why it was overlooked: Dying Light seemed to be overlooked because many gamers had the same perspective as the first sentence of the previous paragraph. They felt that the zombie genre was already over-saturated so Dying Light would prove to just be another game to ignore as it seemed to have few new concepts to offer.
The game also came from Dead Island developer Techland so genre fans and gamers overall may have been concerned that the dev made another disappointingly-average game.
Why you need to check it out: The mix of parkour and combat is honestly superb and the combat is far smoother than Techland's previous efforts with Dead Island. There is still some repetition, but the amount of ways players are able to improvise and try new tactics is refreshing and allows for plenty of inventive ways to take down any zombie horde.
The nighttime gameplay maintains a massive amount of intensity regardless of what level you are and the progression system is based on what you do in combat and around the map, making it feel natural and well-designed. You may have played zombie games before, but you haven't lived until you dropkick a zombie off a mountain.
3. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness/Time
A Pokémon game? Overlooked? Yes.
The Mystery Dungeon series has always been somewhat overlooked, dismissed as another typical Pokémon spinoff that's simply enjoyable with little else to offer. However, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (specifically Explorer's of Darkness/Time) proved to hit an unexpected level of depth (unlike other spinoffs) in its characters, story, and RPG gameplay.
Why it was overlooked: The series has always had its fans, but it never quite extended to anywhere near the levels of the mainstream series. I think many also assumed that the game simply isn't as in-depth as a normal Pokémon game (as Pokémon spinoffs can be hit-or-miss), regardless of whether or not they actually give those spinoffs a chance.
Why you need to check it out: The deep concepts being tackled within the story and dialogue is surprisingly well-executed and emotional with discussions on the importance of using the time that's available in any lifetime and the importance of being a hero, even if it doesn't always equate to a happy ending. The combat is also improved from the original game, allowing for the randomly-generated dungeons to be challenging, unpredictable, and a fun way to progress your character.
Sure, it's not the typical Pokémon game, but it's a new perspective that any true fan can appreciate.
2. Rise Of The Tomb Raider
A sequel to the greatly successful 2013 reboot, Rise of the Tomb Raider improves on every aspect of the original while adding in side missions, more open areas to explore, more tombs, and more in-depth crafting and resource management to keep you playing for 30+ hours.
Why it was overlooked: ROTTR came out in the dreaded release date of November 11th, 2015, the same day as Fallout 4 and a week before Battlefront. At that time, it was also an Xbox One exclusive, substantially closing off the potential audience for the game (although it proved to be an impressive console exclusive for Xbox at the time).
This, mixed in with the confusion of when the game would actually release on PC and PS4, led to far lower sales than developer Crystal Dynamics likely had anticipated.
Why you need to check it out: If you played the reboot and loved it, there's no excuse to let this one pass you by. Every system from the first installment has been deepened and improved without losing its accessibility. Combat is just as fun now with more weapon choices, including more arrow types and silencers to equip those who wish to go for a stealthy approach.
Lara Croft's latest adventure may have been exclusive originally, but now it's available to experience for everyone, so don't miss this latest installment in the outstanding new Tomb Raider series.
1. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Personally, I feel that the Paper Mario series (the first two installments at least) is extremely underrated by itself, but Thousand-Year Door edges out the original based on the expanded roster, improved combat mechanics, and its absolutely charming and clever writing that gives the entire in-game world plenty of personality.
Why it was overlooked: This, unlike others on the list, is an example of the company that published the game overlooking the extreme levels of praise the game got from fans and critics. After TTYD, Nintendo strayed away from what made Paper Mario exceptional and the series hasn't been the same since.
Also, considering TTYD was on the low-selling GameCube, the game only sold 1.25 million units total, so the critical success likely wasn't all that impressive to Nintendo without the financial success to accompany it.
Why you need to check it out: TTYD sees the return of the turn-based combat from the original and it's better than ever. Adding in an audience to play up the theatrical combat makes it even more engaging and enjoyable. The extremely varied locations and the memorable companions and villains are also noteworthy aspects.
There may be a few too many Mario games in circulation, but this Mario game is one that, quite honestly, may be one of the best in Nintendo's history.
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What games would you add to this list? Are there any games you disagree with here? Let us know in the comments below!
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