Underrated Games You Think are Pretty Good

Abe Sargent · 12-27-2010, 08:08 PM

One of the things I've noticed over the last few years is that I've encountered these solid games that I don't see or read a lot of good press for. Have you noticed that? Have you found some good, underrated games? What are they? Let us know!

MJ4H · 12-27-2010, 08:14 PM

Square Logic on Steam. If you like Sudoku style number puzzles, this game is really, really good. My wife likes these kinds of games and she has nearly 20 hours played on this game in about 5 days time.

Abe Sargent · 12-27-2010, 08:16 PM

Let me give you an example. I know its released as a "Casual Game", and you can find it on sites like bigfishgames.com for 7 bucks, but there is more game play in Westward IV that you would think. I easily spent around 23 hours in playing the game through once, and I could have given it more. Plus, there is a decision you make at the beginning of the game that changes the maps in the game. If I make the other choice, I can replay it it through again but with new maps.

So I'd totally say that Westward IV is underrated by gamers, as an example.

Izulde · 12-27-2010, 09:11 PM

I'll have to check that out.

Personally, I always thought The Guild was an underrated game/series in the US.

Sgran · 12-28-2010, 06:40 AM

my daughters got me playing Bratz Babyz Fish Tanks
http://y8.com/games/Bratz_Babyz_Fish_Tanks

spleen1015 · 12-28-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgran

my daughters got me playing Bratz Babyz Fish Tanks
http://y8.com/games/Bratz_Babyz_Fish_Tanks

U serious, homie?

Peregrine · 12-28-2010, 07:50 AM

I have gotten a lot of good playtime out of Academagia - despite a lot of bad reviews. It does need a much better tutorial but it's a pretty fun game - right up my alley.

path12 · 12-28-2010, 08:14 PM

I will loudly attest to the greatness of the game engine of The Racing Breed forever.

However, I will also agree it's ugly. But so so good.

RainMaker · 12-28-2010, 10:46 PM

Earth Defense Force for the XBox 360. Amazing fun.

thesloppy · 12-29-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrine

I have gotten a lot of good playtime out of Academagia - despite a lot of bad reviews. It does need a much better tutorial but it's a pretty fun game - right up my alley.

I had a lot of fun playing that. I was also angry as hell to discover it's only the first year, and ended rather unceremoniously, to say the least.

Icy · 12-29-2010, 05:33 AM

Battlefield Accademy

Really fun tactical level turns wargame, graphics are comic's like, what makes some people think that is too simple, but while it's so easy to pick and play, it has complex calculations of impacts etc.

Think on a modern version of Steel Panthers in 3D or combat mission, see the images and videos for gameplay samples:

NOTE: there are $20 discount coupons available, so the game + expansion cost is around $30, PM me for them.

http://www.slitherine.com/files/bbc_ba/AAR/start.jpg

http://www.slithdata.net/files/bbc_ba/AAR/turn-7.jpg

Ramzavail · 12-29-2010, 08:35 AM

Definitely subscribing to this thread - great idea.

Westward IV and the Racing Breed are interesting me, slightly.

Qwikshot · 12-29-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icy

Battlefield Accademy

Really fun tactical level turns wargame, graphics are comic's like, what makes some people think that is too simple, but while it's so easy to pick and play, it has complex calculations of impacts etc.

Think on a modern version of Steel Panthers in 3D or combat mission, see the images and videos for gameplay samples:

NOTE: there are $20 discount coupons available, so the game + expansion cost is around $30, PM me for them.

http://www.slitherine.com/files/bbc_ba/AAR/start.jpg

http://www.slithdata.net/files/bbc_ba/AAR/turn-7.jpg

I would be interested...it reminds me of close combat...

Icy · 12-29-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

I would be interested...it reminds me of close combat...

Main difference is that this one is turn based instead of real time.

mckerney · 03-08-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

Let me give you an example. I know its released as a "Casual Game", and you can find it on sites like bigfishgames.com for 7 bucks, but there is more game play in Westward IV that you would think. I easily spent around 23 hours in playing the game through once, and I could have given it more. Plus, there is a decision you make at the beginning of the game that changes the maps in the game. If I make the other choice, I can replay it it through again but with new maps.

So I'd totally say that Westward IV is underrated by gamers, as an example.

For anyone who was interested in this one, the first game in the Westward series is currently available for free from Direct2Drive

JAG · 03-08-2011, 01:59 PM

Knights of the Chalice: Heroic Fantasy Games - RPGs for Windows

A fun turn-based party RPG, stripped down in some respects (only three races and three classes to choose among for a four person party), but does a nice job using some open source tactical system similar to ad&d 3.5 rules. Functional but not at all great graphics, very similar to the old gold box d&d games but with more enjoyable character building, better tactical options, and quite impressive AI. Guy is working on a sequel that will probably be smaller in scope for the main game but more modular for people to create their own adventures based on it (a la NWN).

Ramzavail · 03-08-2011, 02:10 PM

just bought Westward. Thanks.

muns · 03-08-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramzavail

just bought Westward. Thanks.

+1 thanks for letting us know!

moriarty · 03-08-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by path12

I will loudly attest to the greatness of the game engine of The Racing Breed forever.

However, I will also agree it's ugly. But so so good.

Is this even available anymore? The website looks dead.

path12 · 03-08-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriarty

Is this even available anymore? The website looks dead.

I noticed the site was down a couple weeks ago. Doesn't bode well.

CrimsonFox · 03-08-2011, 10:32 PM

The most underrated game I think is also my absolute favorite.

Thief: The Dark Project. Was highly praised and still is by a cult following but I never see it pop up on any best of lists or classic lists. Both it and Thief 2: The Metal Age hold up very well. It really startred the whole First Person Sneaker thing. I am grateful there is a voice for games like this in Yahtzee Crenshaw at Zero Punctuation who also likes stuff like this.

Tasan · 03-09-2011, 08:59 AM

Can't get the Westward code to work. It applies, and then when I hit Continue Checkout, the code disappears and it wants to charge me. Put in the code again, and the cycle happens again. Kinda frustrating.

Thomkal · 03-09-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

The most underrated game I think is also my absolute favorite.

Thief: The Dark Project. Was highly praised and still is by a cult following but I never see it pop up on any best of lists or classic lists. Both it and Thief 2: The Metal Age hold up very well. It really startred the whole First Person Sneaker thing. I am grateful there is a voice for games like this in Yahtzee Crenshaw at Zero Punctuation who also likes stuff like this.

PC Gamer Magazine just did a top 100 Games of all time list a couple months ago. You'll be happy to know that Thief 2 made the list at #54.

jeff061 · 03-09-2011, 09:56 AM

Putting out torches with water arrows will always be near and dear to my heart.

mckerney · 03-09-2011, 10:03 AM

For anyone who hasn't played Thief or lost their boxed copy it's on sale for $5 right now (NOTE: System requirements say it's not compatible with Windows 7).

muns · 03-09-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasan

Can't get the Westward code to work. It applies, and then when I hit Continue Checkout, the code disappears and it wants to charge me. Put in the code again, and the cycle happens again. Kinda frustrating.

lol the same thing happed to me my friend, however I noticed at the bottom that my credit card was out of date. I fixed that and then it let me do it. Take a look to see if that was the problem with you

12-27-2010, 08:14 PM	#2
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Square Logic on Steam. If you like Sudoku style number puzzles, this game is really, really good. My wife likes these kinds of games and she has nearly 20 hours played on this game in about 5 days time. __________________ My YouTube channel My Twitch channel My Sharona

12-27-2010, 08:16 PM	#3
Abe Sargent Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Catonsville, MD	Let me give you an example. I know its released as a "Casual Game", and you can find it on sites like bigfishgames.com for 7 bucks, but there is more game play in Westward IV that you would think. I easily spent around 23 hours in playing the game through once, and I could have given it more. Plus, there is a decision you make at the beginning of the game that changes the maps in the game. If I make the other choice, I can replay it it through again but with new maps. So I'd totally say that Westward IV is underrated by gamers, as an example. __________________ Check out my two current weekly Magic columns! https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/?action=search&page=1&author[]=Abe%20Sargent

12-27-2010, 09:11 PM	#4
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	I'll have to check that out. Personally, I always thought The Guild was an underrated game/series in the US. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

12-28-2010, 08:14 PM	#8
path12 Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA	I will loudly attest to the greatness of the game engine of The Racing Breed forever. However, I will also agree it's ugly. But so so good. __________________ We have always been at war with Eastasia. Last edited by path12 : 12-28-2010 at 08:15 PM.

12-29-2010, 05:33 AM	#11
Icy Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo - Spain	Battlefield Accademy Really fun tactical level turns wargame, graphics are comic's like, what makes some people think that is too simple, but while it's so easy to pick and play, it has complex calculations of impacts etc. Think on a modern version of Steel Panthers in 3D or combat mission, see the images and videos for gameplay samples: NOTE: there are $20 discount coupons available, so the game + expansion cost is around $30, PM me for them. http://www.slitherine.com/files/bbc_ba/AAR/start.jpg http://www.slithdata.net/files/bbc_ba/AAR/turn-7.jpg __________________ Last edited by Icy : 12-29-2010 at 05:33 AM.

12-28-2010, 06:40 AM	#5
Sgran High School Varsity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Budapest	my daughters got me playing Bratz Babyz Fish Tanks http://y8.com/games/Bratz_Babyz_Fish_Tanks __________________ What the hell is Mike Brown diagramming for them during timeouts? Is he like the guy from "Memento" or something? Guys, I just thought of something … what if we ran a high screen for LeBron?

12-28-2010, 07:50 AM	#7
Peregrine Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cary, NC	I have gotten a lot of good playtime out of Academagia - despite a lot of bad reviews. It does need a much better tutorial but it's a pretty fun game - right up my alley.

12-28-2010, 10:46 PM	#9
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	Earth Defense Force for the XBox 360. Amazing fun.

12-29-2010, 08:35 AM	#12
Ramzavail College Starter Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Strong Island, NY	Definitely subscribing to this thread - great idea. Westward IV and the Racing Breed are interesting me, slightly.

03-08-2011, 01:59 PM	#16
JAG Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: St. Paul, MN	Knights of the Chalice: Heroic Fantasy Games - RPGs for Windows A fun turn-based party RPG, stripped down in some respects (only three races and three classes to choose among for a four person party), but does a nice job using some open source tactical system similar to ad&d 3.5 rules. Functional but not at all great graphics, very similar to the old gold box d&d games but with more enjoyable character building, better tactical options, and quite impressive AI. Guy is working on a sequel that will probably be smaller in scope for the main game but more modular for people to create their own adventures based on it (a la NWN).

03-08-2011, 02:10 PM	#17
Ramzavail College Starter Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Strong Island, NY	just bought Westward. Thanks.

03-08-2011, 10:32 PM	#21
CrimsonFox Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2009	The most underrated game I think is also my absolute favorite. Thief: The Dark Project. Was highly praised and still is by a cult following but I never see it pop up on any best of lists or classic lists. Both it and Thief 2: The Metal Age hold up very well. It really startred the whole First Person Sneaker thing. I am grateful there is a voice for games like this in Yahtzee Crenshaw at Zero Punctuation who also likes stuff like this.

03-09-2011, 08:59 AM	#22
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Can't get the Westward code to work. It applies, and then when I hit Continue Checkout, the code disappears and it wants to charge me. Put in the code again, and the cycle happens again. Kinda frustrating. __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

03-09-2011, 09:56 AM	#24
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Putting out torches with water arrows will always be near and dear to my heart. __________________

03-09-2011, 10:03 AM	#25
mckerney Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	For anyone who hasn't played Thief or lost their boxed copy it's on sale for $5 right now (NOTE: System requirements say it's not compatible with Windows 7).

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