Home
As the entire game industry crumbles under the weight of predictable, big-name hits, we can count on one gamer to bring us back from the dark. Stojan is that gamer. Someone has to stand up for the...well, these aren't exactly "little guys."
Interesting that a hugely marketed, big-budget title like Medal of Honor could use some defending, but Stojan makes some pretty good points! Let us know what you think about his list in the comments.
The games on this list have suffered poor critical review and even some player hate. Many of these titles are either misunderstood or are pieces of gold hidden under a lot of junk. I'm hoping many of you will share in my honoring the top 10 most underrated games of 2010!
10. Metroid: Other M
It was supposed to be the revival every Nintendo fanboy was waiting for (I could only imagine the massive amount of pressure the developers at Team Ninja must have felt): 3D (and 2D) gameplay, tons of exploration through various climates, fast-paced action, most of the old weaponry, and a voice and personal story for Samus herself.
Metroid: Other M, however, didn't receive the universal critical acclaim many expected. Reviewers chastised the voice acting, a lackluster and boring story, and the gameplay being too action-heavy with not enough exploration.
Others hailed it as a masterpiece, with Samus returning to true form. It just proves that with iconic franchises like Metroid, you can't please them all.
9. Singularity
At its core, Singularity is a solid first-person shooter with much to offer besides exciting gunplay. The "time manipulator" mechanism can deteriorate your enemies to dust or rebuild stairwells and other structures. It boasts other special attacks and features, too.
This game fell under the radar and was criticized for being a "BioShock clone." If anything, Singularity is more of a "Back to the Future clone," with your choices and decisions altering the reality your character is in. Very few games have really explored this concept.
Upon first glance, yes it could be considered a BioShock clone, but the storyline and plot twists are what set this game apart. In a sea of FPSes dominated by the likes of Call of Duty, Battlefield, BioShock, and Halo, it is hard to get attention, and that's ultimately what hurt Singularity. The game may not offer the same level of excitement as those other shooters, but it still has a lot going for it with a riveting tale and varied styles of gameplay.
8. Dead to Rights: Retribution
Whatever happened to all the beat-em-ups we used to know and love? Oh yeah, we grew apart from that style of play in favor of a more realistic, story-rich style of gameplay.
Dead to Rights reminds us how much fun just running around beating the snot out of people really is. Mix in a little gunplay and the best sidekick anyone could ask for (your dog Shadow, who I feel is the best video-game A.I. co-op character I've seen in a while), and you've got a great formula for a balls-to-the-wall action game. The combat is well-done, the finishing moves are brutal, and the graphics are as good as they come.
For those looking for a more mature and involved plot of intrigue and betrayal with well-written dialogue, well...don't look here. Dead to Rights is a classic cop drama, like the sort we used to see a lot in the '90s: As the entire city crumbles under the weight of violence and crime, we can count on one cop to bring us back from the dark. Is that a good thing? Yes and no. Just don't go into the game expecting a Law and Order episode.
Beat-em-ups can be frustrating at times, which this one is, no doubt. But we don't just play video games because they're easy, right?
7. Lost Planet 2
Storyline? Yeah, this game doesn't have much of one, I'll admit. Character development? None whatsoever. You might not even know who you're playing as (the game switches characters so many times that there is no point in even getting to know your avatar). But some of the best graphics you've even seen? Oh yes.
The problem with Lost Planet 2 is that it fell victim to pleasing the fan base, like Metroid: Other M tried to do. Fans screamed for a four-player co-op campaign, but LP2 barely delivered on that. People slammed the game for its design messes and interface issues (let's keep in mind the Fallout games have so many bugs and glitches, yet they've received better acclaim). And if you're playing by yourself, your computer-controlled teammates can be kind of stupid at times.
Versus multiplayer is really where it's at, though, with many maps, modes, vehicles, and mechs you can use against other players. For those who aren't into that, the campaign might not be enough to keep you interested, to be honest. Still, despite the design problems (though I rarely ran into any, so I don't know where these critics got that idea), it is a great, action-packed game to play.
6. Red Steel 2
When the first Red Steel originally came out, you could almost feel the potential. Who wouldn't want to wave their Wii-mote around like a samurai wielding a sword? It was, of course, ladened with design issues, but let's also keep in mind that it was one of the first true first-person shooters for the Wii, and it set the foundation for other games to build on.
Red Steel 2 abandons the Yakuza-style storyline for a more Western, steampunk theme. Being the last of your clan to survive, you grab your legendary sword and seek revenge on those who left you for dead. Taking advantage of the Wii Motion Plus, your sword swipes are more accurate this time around, allowing you to block more effectively and attack your enemies with more precision. Also, the graphics are some of the best on the Wii.
Many put it down as "too easy" or having "unremarkable level design." It's a shame that not a lot of people bought this game, though, as it was indeed a great title that every hardcore Wii owner should own.
