I have a fascination with games that go unnoticed or underappreciated, a common occurrence when you reflect on what an amazing year it's been for software. The following list is by no means definitive nor does it necessarily reflect games that underperformed critically or commercially. This is merely a list of those titles that I feel were not afforded the accolades or attention they deserved. If you feel the need to add to this list I would only ask that you write a brief description as to why you feel the game cited is underrated or underappreciated.
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
The original Call of Juarez was a solid and divergent entry into the FPS genre hampered by some poorly executed platforming elements. The sequel, released unceremoniously last summer, corrects just about every problem found in the original while upping the ante considerably with some truly exciting western shootouts replete with realistic, authentic weapons of the era, a separate dueling mechanic that simulates the tension of a close quarter gunfight, and a decent story arch that acts as a prequel to the original game. The entire endeavor is propelled by a technically solid engine that at times looks flatly gorgeous with a brisk framerate to boot. This is probably the best Western on the market currently, at least until Red Dead Redemption hits in April.
Mad World
The anemic sales of this game aggravate me because such paltry numbers suggests that not only did casual gamers steer clear of this blood soaked title but the so-called hardcore crowd didn't bite either, an unfortunate fact considering how good the finished product is. Mad World is an ultra-violent brawler that that manages to accomplish two very important things: it uses a simple but artistically rendered black, red and white color palette to create some of the absolute best visuals on the Wii and it also manages to implement motion control in such a way that playing this title on any other console would harm the integrity of the gameplay. While certainly not to everyone's taste, Mad World is an inventive title that does a fantastic job of mixing over-the-top brutality with a playful sensibility that makes it one of the best games on the console.
Bionic Commando
Earlier this year I wrote a lengthy critique on why this game was misunderstood by much of the gaming press and I stand by those statements. Despite some rough edges, this is one of the most interesting, unique and enjoyable games I've played this year and what impressed me the most about this long awaited follow-up was just how much of the fundamental spirit of the original GRIN managed to capture in this fully 3D sequel. This game and BC: Rearmed made me lament the loss of GRIN as a developer.
Wanted: Weapons of Fate
I walked away from the demo indifferent but when the opportunity to nab this game for a cheap price came my way I picked it up, discovering a solid experience despite some obvious flaws. While Wanted doesn't quite reach the top tier of movie-related games, what GRIN created was a brief but exciting simulation of the physically fantastic gunplay found in the film, with a unique bullet curving mechanic and some of the best use of slow motion this side of F.E.A.R.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
This isn't a GOTY candidate by any means but what is here is surprisingly good and a considerable improvement over the first game, which was turgid and completely devoid of entertainment value. This sequel smartly keeps the proceedings simple and offers up a fun shooter with an actual learning curve and a decent multiplayer component. This is easily the best Transformer game out there and my only hope is that the same development team gets a shot at doing another installment without the constraints of a movie tie-in deadline.
Wolverine: Origins
Referring to this game as a movie tie-in isn't entirely accurate; Ravensoft was already hard at work on this game before Activision foisted the film license upon them, which is why we got a relatively polished and incredibly well-made Wolverine action game. Simply put, this is the ONLY wolverine game worth a damn and by the miracle of providence this game is ultra-violent and strewn with the gore and viscera of Logan's many enemies. Limbs fly, heads roll, and blood flows freely as you make your way through the game. It plays well enough and certain additions, such as the leap mechanic, imbue this title with a personality sorely lacking in most movie-related titles. The real star of the show however is Logan's healing ability, which allows him to get stripped down to a tattered skeleton and regenerate gradually over time, all the while cutting a nasty, gore-filled swath through his adversaries. This is among the best comic book games out there and I sincerely wonder how much better it could have been without Activision's interference towards the end of the development cycle. Regardless, it's a fantastic hack n' slash and the ability to unlock Wolverine's classic outfits means you can wash away the tendrils of the lukewarm film adaptation almost entirely.
Punch Out!
For a game that was supposedly wanted by every gamer on the planet, the reception for this title seemed incredibly subdued. The muted reception is even harder to comprehend considering how brilliantly well executed this game is; a slick, charming retro dosage of classic gaming that manages to be simultaneously nostalgic and fresh. I was incredibly skeptical that a relatively unknown developer could capture the magic of the original (or the sequel) but they delivered one of the Wii's best titles.
Red Faction: Guerilla
I actually think this game received a fair amount of attention earlier in the year when it was released but nearly six months later it's easy to overlook what an amazing game this turned out to be. Volition managed to create their own unique sandbox game with solid shooting mechanics, fun vehicles, and a destruction engine that is practically unrivaled. The ability to destroy almost any structure, regardless of scale, is a tremendous and heady experience that never gets tiresome. Add to that some genuinely clever destruction challenges and a robust multiplayer and you have one of the true sleeper hits of 2009.
The Wheelman
Midway's swansong, like so many of their later efforts, missed true greatness by a hair or two but nevertheless The Wheelman is a fun little romp through the sandbox genre that borrows copiously from various other titles including GTA, Burnout, and even Just Cause. This jack-of-all-trades never manages to completely master any of them and yet the whole experience comes off as fun, breezy and most certainly eclectic, with Vin Diesel lending his voice and likeness to a story that is as derivative as it is harmless. It's easy to dismiss this game and to be honest I nearly did but the Burn Out-like chases and the ability to leap from moving vehicles and jack other vehicles won me over. Again, not a mind-blowing title by any means but one that manages to deliver something fun and occasionally, fresh.
Kill Zone 2
In gaming, ten months is an eternity and in the time since the release of this hotly-anticipated shooter much of the fervor has dissipated. From a technical standpoint I think KZ2 dropkicks even Uncharted 2 with a visual quality that is unmatched in the genre save for Crysis. Not everyone was entirely open to the game play but I found the more methodical, weighty feel of the weapons and combat to be a refreshing change of pace from most FPS where gravity doesn't seem to affect soldiers lugging around heavy equipment and armor. The massive leap in quality from the original to the sequel also amazed me, as I had serious doubts that a developer could improve that much in the span of a single iteration.
Fight Night Round 4
For whatever reasons, the popularity of this title waned rapidly which is a true shame because this is the most accurate simulation of the sport to ever grace the medium. As deep and technical as you want to make it, FNR4 captures many of the fundamentals missing from past boxing games including the importance of counterpunching, the necessity of footwork, and finally, after all these years, the ability to shove an opponent back to set up an offensive barrage or to get some much-needed distance for defensive purposes. The game itself is a technical marvel, offering an almost photo-realistic presentation that moves at a blistering 60 frames per second.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh
The genre of the beat em' up isn't merely dying; it's dead and lying on a slab, cold to the touch. Generally, when an entry does come along it is so incredibly uninspired and clings so fervently to pre-established paradigms that it feels stale and tasteless. Despite being pushed aside and in some cases completely lambasted, Watchmen: The End is Nigh is a pretty good brawler that looks terrific and sports a decent combo and counter system that is deeper than most of its brethren. Unfortunately, the second part of this game was rushed and seemed far more glitch-filled when contrasted with the first segment, which I found to be fairly polished.
GTA: The Lost and the Damned/ Ballad of Gay Tony
Both of these episodes are a steal for their respective price tag of twenty dollars and now that they have been made available on a disc without the need to own the original GTAIV it is my sincerest hope that everybody gets a chance to play these incredibly well-made expansions, each feeling like an entirely separate game and in some cases rivaling the length and content found in many full retail titles. Even those who found GTAIV too vanilla generally agree that what's available on these expansions gives the entire franchise a serious injection of vitality, with a bevy of new weapons, increased mission variety, and two very compelling narratives that tie in snugly to the overall story found in the original.
God of War Collection/ Metroid Collection
I'm a sucker for any collection, especially when said collection offers definitive versions of games already widely considered to be classics. Both of these collections contain games that in some cases have been available for years but both collections give the gamer a serious bonus. The God of War Collection allows PS3 owners to play both the original and the sequel in 720p, with absolutely no screen tearing and a stable frame rate of 60fps throughout. These games have never looked or played better and even though I owned and played through the originals I find myself eager to revisit these masterpieces by playing them in an optimum resolution. Metroid's additions are just as significant, with the first two GameCube titles getting a complete interface overhaul, allowing for the same Wimote controls found in MP3. Arguably the best gaming value since The Orange Box.
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