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The Most Underrated Games of 2009: A Personal List

Grammaton-Cleric · 2009-12-11 08:16:50

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 BloodThe 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 WorldThe 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 CommandoEarlier 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 FateI 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 FallenThis 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: OriginsReferring 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: GuerillaI 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 ...

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#51 190586385885857957282413308806

Member since 2002 • 13084 Posts

[QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]

[QUOTE="UpInFlames"]

Ah, now I remember some other games that came out that year. Yeah Civ IV owns, but face it, sites aren't going to name a PC-only title as GOTY, as I'm sure you know. This and GoW were great though, and now I recall that they split my vote.argianas

GOTY? Dude, three words - Best Graphics, Technical. :P

Three more words - Expansions dont count. :P

Then why would they include them?

15 years ago

S0lidSnake

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#52 S0lidSnake

Member since 2002 • 29001 Posts

[QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]
[QUOTE="UpInFlames"]
GOTY? Dude, three words - Best Graphics, Technical. :P
smerlus

Three more words - Expansions dont count. :P

Then why would they include them?

what do u mean?

15 years ago

SteelAttack

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#53 SteelAttack

Member since 2005 • 10520 Posts

I've been wanting to pick up Call of Juarez Bound in Blood for a while now. It'll be the last game of my christmas list.

15 years ago

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#54 190586385885857957282413308806

Member since 2002 • 13084 Posts

[QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]

[QUOTE="smerlus"][QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]

Three more words - Expansions dont count. :P

Then why would they include them?

what do u mean?

They included it in the nominations also the expansion did a lot of things to the graphical engine such as make it stable on more systems and lowered some of the requirements.

15 years ago

S0lidSnake

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#55 S0lidSnake

Member since 2002 • 29001 Posts

[QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]
[QUOTE="smerlus"] Then why would they include them?smerlus

what do u mean?

They included it in the nominations also the expansion did a lot of things to the graphical engine such as make it stable on more systems and lowered some of the requirements.

lol, it was nominated? well that doesnt make any sense then.

lol, again, so It went up against Crysis Warhead and won? WOW. GS is losing it! :lol:

lol, just checked and yeah, I dont know why I dont remember that Crysis Warhead was nominated as well. The nomination list itself is a wreck. Where is Gears 2? What is Dead Space doing on a Best Graphics Technical list? Gamespot's love for Burnout is also something i'd never understand! :lol:

15 years ago

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#56 190586385885857957282413308806

Member since 2002 • 13084 Posts

Just wait until Uncharted 2 wins best Racer of the year for it's truck level.

15 years ago

Spirit_of_87

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#57 Spirit_of_87

Member since 2003 • 2423 Posts

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]
Wet
Grammaton-Cleric

Wet is a great game and vastly underrated in every sense of the word.

Hell yeah! WET is so awesome. I absolutely love the free falling air plane wreckage stage. I also agree with Mad World and House of the Dead: Overkill. All three games have the best soundtracks of 2009.

Have you guys played Blood Will Tell? Hunt it down, you will enjoy it.

Blood Will Tell Boxshot

15 years ago

The Most Underrated Games of 2009: A Personal List

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