The Underrated Game Thread

[TrigunX89]

Incredible Crisis (PS1)

This was a fun little Japanese game that miraculously made its way to the US and went pretty unnoticed. You follow this family one character at a time through one stupendously bad day. The game really consists of about 20 minigames, some of which contain a lot of button-mashing and even more frustration. But I love the game and it's wackyness. There are several noticeable parodies of movies and such as well. It's a fun -- though short -- game, with lots of laughs and a very catchy themesong. I would definately recommend picking it up if you ever come across it.

[SnoringFrog]

I've heard of Incredible Crisis. I looked for it on ebay awhile ago, but I couldn't find it or didn't want to pay that much for it, one of the two.

[Tommy]

Definately Chrono Cross. I always here people say: "The only fun you can squeez out of that game is using it as a frisbee." Well, apparently, by the condintion my pre-played copy was in, I wouldn`t be surprized if he played frisbee with his dog with it. Great game. The only problum I find with it is that the battle system isn`t the same as Chrono trigger. If it was, I qwould like Cross better, but instead they are tied.

Star Ocean II & III: Even though 3 made greatest hits and I got it used for 45$, it`s still underrated because of the whole
[SPOILER] plot twist at Disc 2. Most people return their copies because of it and complain:
" All that work in Star Ocean 1,2, and some of 3 for nothing. I didn`t save anyone`s lives, they were just in a videogame." Maybe we should tell those people they are just playing a videogame anyways and that it`s not real. [/SPOILER]

Star Ocean 2 IMO is a little bit better than So3 but even more underrated. It`s on my top ten list of RPGs. Get it for PS1. Probably on eBay since it`s rare- ugh, don`t you hate that-.

You thought Grandia II was underratec Mike? According to the mainstream of populairty, Grandia II on the DreamCast was NOT overrated. Grandia II on the PS2 however was. But even so, hate it alll you want, but Grandia Xtreme is definately the most underrated RPG I love. Grandia I was great also. PLAY ALL!

[Link Antilles]

Gladius (X-box/Gamecube/PS2)


Surprisingly, Lucasarts developed this Gladiator-theme RPG tactics game. The fact that Lucasarts developed it probably threw people off, not to mention lackluster trailer. This game just became one of those games you see on the shelf all the time and never bother to pick it. This is how I felt at least, however, one day I saw it on sale and bought it on impulse.

After playing the game for a good while, I was hooked. Not to mention, I was also quite surprised by the game's depth, length, and how involved it was. Sure, after playing for a while you can spot areas of the game that were unpolished or needed to be more fleshed out, but it add a great combat system which felt more active than others.

I would recommend this game to anyone who is looking for a RPG Tactics game to hunker down with for a long time. –In terms of gameplay that is.


Panzer Dragoon Orta (X-box)

This is an outstanding X-box game that no one ever bought. Down to its barebones this a rail-shooter where you ride on the back of a dragon defending against hordes of enemy and very unique (and large) bosses.

This premise mixed with the game’s work of art graphic is fun enough, but the best part of this game is it didn’t stop there. It was full nice surprises. From things like during battle you'll hear the enemies yell and discover they are just afraid of you as your character is of them to the interesting story to all of the unlockables.

[Godly Paladin]

Panzer Dragoon Orta has a sound effect from Microsoft's [archaic] Creative Writer series.

[kaji]

Suikoden III: PS2

While the first two Suikodens (PS1) can be very hard/expense to acquire (and so hard to be truly called underrated), they tend to over shadow the third installment in the series. Despite being an editors choice at Game Spot, and ranking high through the industry, Suikoden III still seams little known/played accept in small gamming circles. (though this has been changing)

Besides a vibrant cast of over 108 recruitable characters (skillfully illustrated by Ishikawa Fumi), terrific visual effects, and innovative 3-way story progression, the real value in Suikoden III is in the story its self. Unlike other games, Suikoden III starts with every day life, you aren’t flung into action like many other games. Rather it slowly surrounds you, and envelopes the story. The story telling is so well done that at times you cant help but feel the same anxiety/sadness/sillyness of your characters.

For me, I knew I had found a Gem when Sgt. Joe revealed the harsh realities of war to Hugo. No sappy death scenes, only its cruel truth.

All this, topped with witty bits of humor and an endless supply of side activities make Suikoden III my Underrated (or little known) game of choice. (Well, and Branky too… you cant forget Branky… ^_^ )