Most underrated video games

[Stephen]

World of Warcraft.

And Metal Gear.

[Fish and Chips]

Battletoads is underrated.

[goldenspines]

I don't play many video games, but I think Pong is very underrated. No one ever discusses that game anymore. 8(

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I have a feeling a lot of people in this thread are using underrated to mean "really awesome games that everyone who has played them loves but you probably don't know about it."

Which isn't what underrated means. I mean, come on, practically EVERYBODY who's played Okami loves it. It's sold quite well. Earthbound? Who DOESN'T love Earthbound? That's not underrated in the least. Trauma Center? Densetsu no Stafy? PLEASE. I haven't seen a bad review of those anywhere.

People. Underrated. Emphasis on RATED. If a game gets glowing review scores, it's NOT underrated! Here's a good example of an underrated game:

Wild Arms: Alter Code F.

Which didn't do very good with the critics at all.

Come on, I know you guys can do it! Use words for their intended meaning! Quit posting games that everyone praises and loves but are just not well known! There's already a thread for that. This thread is for underrated games.

Ooooo. I gotcha!

Okay. In that case, I think that Call of Duty 4 is pretty underrated. =)

[Robin Firedrake]

I don't play many video games, but I think Pong is very underrated. No one ever discusses that game anymore. 8(

Cause there isn't anything to discuss. White padels knock white ball back and forth. That's just about it.

[Peanut]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

[Radical Dreamer]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

You. You are well on your way to "post of the year." XDD

[LadyRushia]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

This.

And Tetris is communist propaganda that tells us to conform only so we can suddenly disappear when we're all lined up. Deep stuff.

Lulz aside, I love Road Rash, Bust-a-move, and Side Pocket for Game Gear, XD. No one ever talks about their awesomeness!

[Nate]

Gears of War is pretty underrated.

[goldenspines]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

This.
This is brilliant.

[Fish and Chips]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

And yet, regardless of the score, the game does not change. The chief scenario remains in fixed equilibrium, despite any dexterity or luck on the part of one or both of its key players. Whether 50 to 50 or 100 to 0, the game simply recycles its environment in a crude homeostasis, never concluding, never finally rewarding the success or failure of those involved, but continuing, completely indifferent to them. In this light the game can easily be considered a satire of the futility of material achievement, and arguably a deconstruction of the American Dream. The darkest (and most popular) interpretations border on a dismissal of any conscious effort to succeed in life, even on a personal standard of the self, as everything inevitably returns to the zero point with no consideration for the alleged progress or competition of either party.

Several scholars cite these subliminal nihilist undertones as the central reason preventing Pong from taking a more prominent place in the comparably optimistic gaming culture of the modern era.

[ich1990]

Come on, I know you guys can do it! Use words for their intended meaning! Quit posting games that everyone praises and loves but are just not well known! There's already a thread for that. This thread is for underrated games.

What about "Nate's Life: The Game", would that count? It was blasted by critics, and is, admittedly, unpolished. Nonetheless, when you get used to its quirky style it grows on you. It is a shame it isn't very accessible because its has some interesting social commentary. I am afraid most people throw out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak.

[ADXC]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

And yet, regardless of the score, the game does not change. The chief scenario remains in fixed equilibrium, despite any dexterity or luck on the part of one or both of its key players. Whether 50 to 50 or 100 to 0, the game simply recycles its environment in a crude homeostasis, never concluding, never finally rewarding the success or failure of those involved, but continuing, completely indifferent to them. In this light the game can easily be considered a satire of the futility of material achievement, and arguably a deconstruction of the American Dream. The darkest (and most popular) interpretations border on a dismissal of any conscious effort to succeed in life, even on a personal standard of the self, as everything inevitably returns to the zero point with no consideration for the alleged progress or competition of either party.

Several scholars cite these subliminal nihilist undertones as the central reason preventing Pong from taking a more prominent place in the comparably optimistic gaming culture of the modern era.

Wow you guys are very intellectual. I can't even begin to say how glad that I am able to read two such well learned and educational posts. Never will this ever happen again, well at least not for another decade.

[goldenspines]

What about "Nate's Life: The Game", would that count? It was blasted by critics, and is, admittedly, unpolished. Nonetheless, when you get used to its quirky style it grows on you. It is a shame it isn't very accessible because its has some interesting social commentary. I am afraid most people will throw out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak.

While on that subject, I rather liked that game. Interesting plot line, cleverly thought up, but the boss battles were a headache. :p



Hopping back on topic, a rather underrated game(in my opinion) was Sonic Shuffle for the Dreamcast. Sure, it was exactly like a toned down version of Mario Party, but I still liked it. It wasn't received the best though.

[Htom Sirveaux]

While on that subject, I rather liked that game. Interesting plot line, cleverly thought up, but the boss battles were a headache. :p



Hopping back on topic, a rather underrated game(in my opinion) was Sonic Shuffle for the Dreamcast. Sure, it was exactly like a toned down version of Mario Party, but I still liked it. It wasn't received the best though.

The Dreamcast was a goldmine of underrated games, mostly because the console itself was destined for failure. It didn't really have the chance to realize its true potential before it died, but there were some really good games for it.

[KagayakiWashi]

Speaking of the Dreamcast, I'd like to throw Tech Romancer and Project Justice up there. Great, great fighters that no one seems to know/care about. Ugh. Poor Dreamcast!

[ST. Attidude]

Riviera: the Promised Land and it's 2 spin-off games. Mostly overlooked, but incredible gems. I've never seen any other games like them.

yeah, I was thinking about getting those games.

I personally think that Jak 2 and 3 are both quite underrated...

[Gabriel 9.0]

I say that the Punisher game for the Sega Genesis is underrated, I mean that game is awesome, especially in co-op.

[ich1990]

Wow you guys are very intellectual. I can't even begin to say how glad that I am able to read two such well learned and educational posts. Never will this ever happen again, well at least not for another decade.

http://xkcd.com/117/

[Monkey J. Luffy]

Clearly you haven't taken the time to discuss it with intellectuals at the college level. While just yesterday Ryan and I had a nice chat about the symbolism within the game of pong. You see, each of the paddles represents their respective player and the ball represents a question or idea which they are contesting. But the ball doesn't just represent any idea or question, but the central idea and question that all men wrestle with in life and that's a question of meaning. What are we supposed to do? Are we meant for greater things? When a person scores it is symbolic of them achieving something that brings meaning to their life at the cost of someone else's failure. And they recieve a point which symbolizes the climb to higher goals. It's really a very deep and thought provoking game. If I had time I would seriously consider writting several books on it and even then I wouldn't be able to touch on all the intricacies of that game.

and here I was thinking the game was simply for entertainement! It seems that everything has meaning know. I bet that frogger represents one's thoughts trying to achieve the goal of spreading thoughts to other people while going through life's troubles... Peanut you take the fun out of philoFUNsophy. Wait a minute

[ilikegir33]

Games with unanimously bad review scores that I like (updated version of my list that shows the true meaning of "underrated"):

Red Steel, Escape from Bug Island, Castlevania: Judgment, Furu Furu Park, theresia, Tron 2.0 Killer App, Gungrave, Kuon, Unlimited SaGa, Ephemeral Fantasia, Nanobreaker, Dance Dance Revolution X.

[ST. Attidude]

Final Fantasy 7 is the most underrated game in history.

I dunno if I would call that game underrated tho...

To me, it seems that people constantly praise it, but not to the point of it being overrated (yet).

[Nate]

Unlimited SaGa

Wait...you LIKED Unlimited SaGa?

I thought...I thought it was just a rumor that anyone could like a game so universally horrible. Oh geez...I think I need to sit down...seriously...my world has just been shattered.

Maybe ghosts are real too, and Bigfoot, and psychics...this changes EVERYTHING. ><

[ilikegir33]

Wait...you LIKED Unlimited SaGa?

I thought...I thought it was just a rumor that anyone could like a game so universally horrible. Oh geez...I think I need to sit down...seriously...my world has just been shattered.

Maybe ghosts are real too, and Bigfoot, and psychics...this changes EVERYTHING. ><

I like challenge in my RPGs. There's nothing wrong with Unlimited SaGa except for the voice acting and difficulty level. I don't care about difficulty! Oh, another very underrated game: Flower, Sun, and Rain. One of Goichi Suda-san's masterpieces, critically panned by most reviewers due to its ambition.

[Tarnish]

Despite universally negative reviews, I really enjoyed Monster Madness for the cheesefest it was. I had to set it on "little old granny mode" to make it past level one, but I'd hardly call it a bad game.

[Nate]

There's nothing wrong with Unlimited SaGa except for the voice acting and difficulty level.

And the lack of freedom, the craptacular combat system, the wandering, meandering, useless plot, the poor excuse of a world map, the poor excuse of dungeon maps...

I like challenge in my RPGs.

Then why are you playing Unlimited SaGa? The game is so futily ridiculously easy, and the computer AI is total crap. Enemies won't attack you if you don't attack them, gee, awesome enemy strategy there!

I could go on about how the SaGa series is a blight on humanity but eh, not worth it since everyone who's even remotely familiar with games knows they're garbage.

[ilikegir33]

I could go on about how the SaGa series is a blight on humanity but eh, not worth it since everyone who's even remotely familiar with games knows they're garbage.

Not all SaGa games suck, though. Romancing SaGa, SaGa Frontier and the Final Fantasy Legend series are all criminally underrated. There's nothing wrong with the SaGa games. It's just that they're not linear, so people who like straightforward RPG's (like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest which are also by Squenix) are usually extremely frustrated and confused at the unlinear 7-character gameplay. If you have enough patience, then the SaGa games will reward you. In my opinion, these games are great, and criminally underrated. But that is just my opinion.

[Whitefang]

And yet, regardless of the score, the game does not change. The chief scenario remains in fixed equilibrium, despite any dexterity or luck on the part of one or both of its key players. Whether 50 to 50 or 100 to 0, the game simply recycles its environment in a crude homeostasis, never concluding, never finally rewarding the success or failure of those involved, but continuing, completely indifferent to them. In this light the game can easily be considered a satire of the futility of material achievement, and arguably a deconstruction of the American Dream. The darkest (and most popular) interpretations border on a dismissal of any conscious effort to succeed in life, even on a personal standard of the self, as everything inevitably returns to the zero point with no consideration for the alleged progress or competition of either party.

Several scholars cite these subliminal nihilist undertones as the central reason preventing Pong from taking a more prominent place in the comparably optimistic gaming culture of the modern era.

Indeed, one could posit that the simulation is indeed a representation of the world. The agents playing the game are free to devise their own strategies and goals to achieve to produce meaning into the environment. This meaning is not inherent in the game, but rather inherent to the agent itself, much in the way humanity cannot impose meaning on the world around itself, but must instead produce the meaning and keep it within itself.

[Shiningmonk_e]

I'm not sure if I would consider Earthbound/Mother to be underrated, I think NOA just hates us and won't bring it here. Okami is definitely underrated and sadly didn't sell well. And where is my new Viewtiful Joe?!

[Rocketshipper]

underrated? hmmm. *evil grin*

Heavenly Sword
Sonic Adventure 1
Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Unleashed
Enter the Matrix
Final Fantasy VIII and X-2 (Yeah, I know. they're FF games. They both sold a ton and got good reviews in mainstream publications. But they're possibly the least popular of the series from the hardcore fan perspective. But I love them)

*goes and hides*