Underrated classic games

Ok so I went on a bit of a nostalgia trip last week. I went searching for underrated games on PS2 and came across an article...

God Hand was a game that was at the top of the list (Never heard of it)
It was made by Shinji Mikami. (RE4).

Bought a 2nd hand copy and got it yesterday.

My God (No pun intended :pac:) I have managed to put in nearly 8 hours already, I'm hooked.

Anyone experienced this gem?

CastorTroy

I think it's on PSN. Heard good things about it and it's one of the games people have never forgiven ign for giving a bad score to. Though not as bad as Empire's review of Goldeneye on N64.

But I must pick it up at some point if it goes on sale on PSN

Duggy747

I played a small bit of it after seeing Game Informer do a Replay on it, it's a fun game that doesn't take itself seriously.

Doctor DooM

I love God Hand so much. Not enough games where you meet a gorilla in a luchadore mask off a bus then fight him.

Duggy747

Duggy747 wrote: »

I played a small bit of it after seeing Game Informer do a Replay on it, it's a fun game that doesn't take itself seriously.

Think you might be missing the point slightly, yes it's fun / non-serious (hilarious cut-scenes)

But the real reason I'm hooked is because there is so much depth to the fighting mechanics.

I love the way I can't block (unless there is?) and the right analogue is used to dodge, dodging ups your style which adds greater power to your attacks.

You can buy / find / win techniques and mix-match your style. No one setup was the same, I keep finding ways to tweak it.

Another great thing is every punch / kick feels great & there's amazing response when pressing the buttons on the controller, it's hard explain. (If I setup my first 5 attacks as quick punch for argument sake, the quicker I hit square the quicker he will punch a dude in the face).

CastorTroy

CastorTroy wrote: »

I think it's on PSN. Heard good things about it and it's one of the games people have never forgiven ign for giving a bad score to. Though not as bad as Empire's review of Goldeneye on N64.

But I must pick it up at some point if it goes on sale on PSN

****, didn't realise that it was on PSN sigh

I got a hard copy of the PS2 version (Still looks good running through component cable)

Doctor DooM

Doctor DooM wrote: »

I love God Hand so much. Not enough games where you meet a gorilla in a luchadore mask off a bus then fight him.

Class, but isn't this a spoiler?? Don't think I got that far yet

Robert ninja

I heard a lot about this game back when it was new among a forum community I used to chat with. I only got it when it came out on PSN, though - Definitely a hidden gem. Just pure, goofy fun. I got pretty good at betting right on the dog races.

Shame there was no sequel... it didn't sell very well from what I remember.

deathrider

This is one that I've wanted to play for a long time. I'm a big collector of PS2 games, and this one's really got my attention. Unfortunately though, it's very hard to find a good copy of in the wild.

Retr0gamer

While some developers like naughty dog try to create a great game about emotion, suspense and human drama Clover could effortlessly make one of the best games ever and all it was about was punching people. RIP Clover.

Retr0gamer

Retr0gamer wrote: »

While some developers like naughty dog try to create a great game about emotion, suspense and human drama Clover could effortlessly make one of the best games ever and all it was about was punching people. RIP Clover.

I thought they became another development group?

CastorTroy

They also made the excellent Okami.

Clover studio is more or less now known as Platinum Games

deathrider

CastorTroy wrote: »

They also made the excellent Okami.

Clover studio is more or less now known as Platinum Games

Really? I wasn't aware of this. I love Platinum's stuff, which just makes me want to to play God Hand even more.

deathrider

deathrider wrote: »

Really? I wasn't aware of this. I love Platinum's stuff, which just makes me want to to play God Hand even more.

Just looked it up; Clover disbanded and became the below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum_Games

Some Great games they have made.

I also just realised they made the Viewtiful Joe games too, another game I want to get my hands on. (Played it years ago but never completed it).

CastorTroy

Yeah seems they have the reputation of making more games like God hand which are considered great but not many people buy them.

I've got all Platinum games except Infinite Space on the DS. Though only played MadWorld and Anarchy Reigns so far. though will have to get the Korra game when it comes out

johnny_ultimate

CastorTroy wrote: »

Yeah seems they have the reputation of making more games like God hand which are considered great but not many people buy them.

I've got all Platinum games except Infinite Space on the DS. Though only played MadWorld and Anarchy Reigns so far. though will have to get the Korra game when it comes out

They're probably the two worst Platinum Games :pac: (although both have their virtues). Get some Bayonetta and Vanquish ASAP - the latter is a pure adrenaline boost, while the former boasts a combat system that borders on poetic. It's also one of the finest games of the outgoing console generation to boost - or any console generation at that.

krudler

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

They're probably the two worst Platinum Games :pac: (although both have their virtues). Get some Bayonetta and Vanquish ASAP - the latter is a pure adrenaline boost, while the former boasts a combat system that borders on poetic. It's also one of the finest games of the outgoing console generation to boost - or any console generation at that.

Can't disagree with that, Vanquish is absolutely brilliant, it runs so smoothly and is great fun to play. Plus it's a game where there's a button on the joypad dedicated to opening the hero's mask, lighting up a fag and taking a smoke then flicking it away mid firefight.

You can pick it up for next to nothing these days Tesco had a load of copies a while back for a fiver, Bayonetta too.

So in light of the title change (Thanks Johnny! )

Another title that slipped under my radar until now; Darkwatch

Only played the first couple of levels but a great FPS

calex71

Have to say I loved this one when it was released, would have loved to have seen another one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9e4fkop7CE

krudler

M!Ck^ wrote: »

So in light of the title change (Thanks Johnny! )

Another title that slipped under my radar until now; Darkwatch

Only played the first couple of levels but a great FPS

I'd totally forgotten about that game, was good fun, kinda had a Timesplitters feel.

Stone Deaf 4evr

I never actually finished vanquish, i think I got as far as the

sniping from the train sequence

and couldnt do it. or else i got distracted by something else. hmm. maybe I'll start it again from the beginning.

CastorTroy

krudler wrote: »

Can't disagree with that, Vanquish is absolutely brilliant, it runs so smoothly and is great fun to play. Plus it's a game where there's a button on the joypad dedicated to opening the hero's mask, lighting up a fag and taking a smoke then flicking it away mid firefight.

You can pick it up for next to nothing these days Tesco had a load of copies a while back for a fiver, Bayonetta too.

Oh I've got them both. It's just getting around to playing them. Bayonetta was gonna be played soon but now decided I'll just play it on the Wii U.

And I enjoyed MadWorld(great commentary) and Anarchy Reigns since both were just fun and over the top violent. Main complaint about them is the amount of grinding that had to be done in them.

As for Underrated games(in the sense that not enough people were aware or bought them), I have to nominate 2 Wii games - Zack&Wiki and Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands.

Zack & Wiki was a great point and click adventure with action added on.

The Wii version of PoP Forgotten sands was a completely different game than the PS360 versions. Original story, controls and powers. One of my favourite PoP games.

RFOLEY1990

Manhunt on ps2 (and psn now) best game I've ever played

Vyse

calex71 wrote: »

Have to say I loved this one when it was released, would have loved to have seen another one.

Shadow of destiny was a great game. Loved it on the XBox back in the day. Quirkey title that was a little bit strange. Could never understand the lukewarm reception it received.

Retr0gamer

Vyse wrote: »

Shadow of destiny was a great game. Loved it on the XBox back in the day. Quirkey title that was a little bit strange. Could never understand the lukewarm reception it received.

People just didn't understand it back then and it looked kind of naff. There was nothing to compare it to then or now. Most reviewers never gave it a chance.

RFOLEY1990

RFOLEY1990 wrote: »

Manhunt on ps2 (and psn now) best game I've ever played

Disturbingly violent at times but from what I remember great gameplay.

DARK-KNIGHT

battlefield 4 is such an underrated game

House of Blaze

Have to mention Kingdom Under Fire: Heroes in the underrated category.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRKhZlfDpJY

Never really come across many who've played it, but imo there hasn't been as good an effort at blending 3rd person action / hack & slash gameplay with RTS elements.

Bought a copy 2nd hand off amazon not so long ago to play on the 360 but it crashes about 5 minutes into the game without fail... even though the disc is spotless! Infuriating..

Muirshin Durkin

Anyone ever play the suffering? one of my favorites from the ps2.

House of Blaze

Jaysus, never even heard of that!

Looks decent enough though.

Retr0gamer

i have to admit I found the Suffering and Manhunt to be two of the worst games I've ever played. Shock value for shock values sake and then once you get over that the boredom sets in.

Retr0gamer

Retr0gamer wrote: »

i have to admit I found the Suffering and Manhunt to be two of the worst games I've ever played. Shock value for shock values sake and then once you get over that the boredom sets in.

What I should elaborate on is that it's not often that I get the sense of shock or sense of wrong doing from playing a video game.

Take GTA, it depicts similar types of violance but beating someone with a bat is laughable.

If however I carry out the same act in Manhunt it feels very disturbing.

When I rethink about the actual gameplay mechanics yes they are repetitive so I get where your coming from.

Muirshin Durkin

Its class, each boss in it is based on a method of death penalty (gas, lethal injection etc.), you should try find it, i think you can download it for pc as well.

Muirshin Durkin

good luck

House of Blaze

M!Ck^ wrote: »

What I should elaborate on is that it's not often that I get the sense of shock or sense of wrong doing from playing a video game.

Take GTA, it depicts similar types of violance but beating someone with a bat is laughable.

If however I carry out the same act in Manhunt it feels very disturbing.

When I rethink about the actual gameplay mechanics yes they are repetitive so I get where your coming from.

Yeah I remember the gameplay being a little repetitive alright, but I did think there was an element of tension to the game which kept it interesting for me at least.

The feeling of being alone, under armed and surrounded by the crazies kept you on your toes I found!

Benzino

Shenmue!

DARK-KNIGHT

buster busts loose was epic

Corholio

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

buster busts loose was epic

Spent hours playing that when I was younger I have to say. That train part was a pain to pass but euphoric when I did.

DARK-KNIGHT

Corholio wrote: »

Spent hours playing that when I was younger I have to say. That train part was a pain to pass but euphoric when I did.

yup excellent game... jesus i miss the golden gaming era

Retr0gamer

M!Ck^ wrote: »

What I should elaborate on is that it's not often that I get the sense of shock or sense of wrong doing from playing a video game.

Take GTA, it depicts similar types of violance but beating someone with a bat is laughable.

If however I carry out the same act in Manhunt it feels very disturbing.

When I rethink about the actual gameplay mechanics yes they are repetitive so I get where your coming from.

For me it was a game about sneaking up behind someone and holding a button, the longer you held it for the gorier the death. Once you'd seen all 3 deaths with each weapon it got old fast especially when said deaths weren't that interesting, the graphics were god awful and really gory videogames was old to me during the 90's. If the stealth mechanics were actually interesting it might have been a good game but it was a very poor stealth game. If this hadn't of been by Rockstar I feel it would have been well forgotten about by now.

So far in God Hand

I'm at the section where your on a boat and your firing cannon balls at Pirate ships (Random mini game :pac::pac:)

^^^
I think Shinji Mikami was off his head when he came up with some of the ideas for the game

Read an article about 2 games last night;
One is called Shadow of Rome the other is called Urban Chaos: Riot Response (Made by Rocksteady?????).

Apparently both are mega-underrated.

Retr0gamer

Shadow of Rome is awesome gladiator combat and terrible stealth. Well worth playing.

Riot Response is by Rocksteady. It's one of the dumbest FPS games ever but it's serious amounts of fun. Blocking rockets with a riot shield never gets old.

DARK-KNIGHT

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

yup excellent game... jesus i miss the golden gaming era

Never too late to get back into it Basher! :pac:

Benzino

Benzino wrote: »

Shenmue!

Was it really underrated though? I thought everybody loved it. (Never experienced it myself).

o1s1n

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Shadow of Rome is awesome gladiator combat and terrible stealth. Well worth playing.

Riot Response is by Rocksteady. It's one of the dumbest FPS games ever but it's serious amounts of fun. Blocking rockets with a riot shield never gets old.

I loved the gladiator sections in Shadow of Rome, nothing quite like beating someone with their own arms!

Its almost like they put the stealth half of the game in to piss you off.

Retr0gamer

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Shadow of Rome is awesome gladiator combat and terrible stealth. Well worth playing.

Riot Response is by Rocksteady. It's one of the dumbest FPS games ever but it's serious amounts of fun. Blocking rockets with a riot shield never gets old.

Sold! My next buy so.

Good price on EBay.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Shadow-Of-Rome-for-Sony-PlayStation-2-/131213589871?pt=UK_PC_Video_Games_Video_Games_JS&hash=item1e8cf07d6f

Adamantium

Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time.

Felt like a Star Trek real-time Final Fantasy Prime Directive breaking adventure. Played for close to a hundred hours, has allusions to atheism, religion and an amazing few view of where humans are in the galaxy 800 years from now

(though you do spend an inordinate amount of time getting swept up in war between two sides on a medevil planet)

You actually gein to wonder how does factor into the bigger conflict, and feel like you're starnded permanently for 40 hours straight with some crewmates and new buddies and you can't reveal your secret. Very fun and addictive, fantastic soundtrack, I'd advice you go through it without a guide or knowledge as it is one of the few times playing a story where I did not know what was going to occur next and you're not sure if it's going off on tangents or this it (the story). Very special in that regard.

That plot twist though turned it one of the most eerie thought provoking things I've ever played played besides the Metal Gear series. It might also be incredibly relevant and true in real life, incredibly unsettling.

Anybody who has played it knows what I'm talking about. Stunned.

I some people literally hated the guts of the series because of it. But jesuuuss!
It is one thing and becomes many different thing afterwards. A very melancholy experience.

It's the last JRPG that really got under my skin, and it's been 10 years since I played it. I was 15. A very cool cast, that while anime-ish looking are not remotely childish or wacky

It has a great sense of time or something, a sort of cerebal, meditative game, It's hard to explain. It's colossal in it's scope.

Has one of my favourite openings to anything to ever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuZzvRIj4Vw

Creeped the hell out of me, still does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N85mxgIDnIo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1fZci5lkvc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjZnrf9cBoM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vANRdqvvf6E

Maximus Alexander

Carrier Command and G-Police. Ah good times.

Benzino

M!Ck^ wrote: »

Was it really underrated though? I thought everybody loved it. (Never experienced it myself).

Nah, my comment was more in jest I'm still mourning it's loss

Kilgore__Trout

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.

Kind of like a steampunk fallout. Most of the bugs have been fixed by the community at this stage.

Gunmonkey

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Carrier Command and G-Police. Ah good times.

My face when Sony bought Psygnosis and continues to make more f*****g Wipeout games and no more G-Police :mad:


Dark Cloud 1 + Chronicle, such great games, so much gameplay. And Chronicle still looks gorgeous today.