RedRooster Posted October 10, 2022 Posted October 10, 2022 I've picked up loads of great games thanks to recommendations on this forum, so I wanted to create a thread to (hopefully) uncover a few overlooked gems. Plus it gives me the opportunity to gush about a few of my favourite games that don't get the attention they deserve, starting with... Omori Available on: PC, Mac, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series S/X, Nintendo Switch (NB. This is currently available on Game Pass) This is my favourite ever videogame. Seriously - I rate it that highly. The general design and gameplay is clearly inspired by Earthbound - modernising and improving on the formula somewhat - but don't be fooled by the visuals. This is not a light-and-fluffy game, although it may seem that way at first. Omori is genuinely disturbing and affecting, and I honestly don't think I've played a game that has made me feel real, powerful emotions in the way Omori did. It tackles difficult subjects such as depression, so take that as a trigger warning - but if you are in the right headspace, it's a must-play; particularly given that it's free on Game Pass. The storyline is incredibly strong, and the game is actually fun - which makes the darker elements of it all the more powerful. I don't understand why this game doesn't get more attention than it does - but if you take one thing from this thread, it's that you should play this game - if you are in the right headspace to deal with the subject matter.  Vampire Survivors Available on: PC/Mac This might be the most addictive game I've ever played. I bought a Steam Deck, expecting to use it to play Triple A titles - but nope, this has sucked up my time. Essentially, it's a reverse bullet hell shooter, where you are the bullet hell. A ridiculous number of enemies make their way towards you, you kill them, grab crystals, and gradually level up; becoming more powerful. The aim is to survive for as long as you possibly can. It's a bargain price too - only £3.99 on Steam - and is well worth taking a punt on. You won't be able to put it down.  Sonic Triple Trouble 16-bit Available on: PC/Mac A fan remake of the Game Gear game Sonic Triple Trouble, reimagined as if it was a 16-bit title. The quality here is outstanding, and I'm not even going to qualify it with "given that it's a fan game" - this could easily be a first party game. If, like me, you've been wishing for Sonic Mania 2, this will scratch that itch. The Sonic Mania team involved developers known for their work in the fan game community, and this more than lives up to that legacy. Being a fan game, it's free, and it works brilliantly on Steam Deck, if you own one.  Wiz 'n' Liz Available on: Amiga/Mega Drive We're going retro now - and very affordable retro at that, if you felt like picking this up on eBay. Wiz 'n' Liz is a fast-and-fun platform game that contains no enemies - you race through the level against the clock, collecting "wabbits", which then turn into floating letters, which you collect to spell out words. It's great fun multiplayer too, particularly if you have kids; but really, it's fun even if you don't. It's a great reason to break out one of your older systems. I personally prefer the Amiga version of this game to the Mega Drive alternative, but both versions are excellent - it's very marginal.  Tinykin Available on: PC, Xbox One/Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5 (NB. This is currently available on Game Pass) This is the best platformer I've played in years. It may look like another Pikimin clone, but it's far from it. Like Wiz 'n' Liz, it's completely free from enemies, so it's quite a relaxing game to play. You're an undersized character in a house, taking command of the Tinykin, who help you access new areas and solve puzzles/tasks. It's incredibly fun to navigate round this house, using your powers and surfing on a bar of soap as you discover new areas and meet new characters (typically the insect residents of this home). The game has a surprisingly strong storyline, and in addition the art style is stunning - it's like taking control of a Saturday morning cartoon. As a result, everything in this game world feels so full of life. If you have Game Pass, it's well worth downloading. Quote
Paid Members FLips Posted October 10, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 10, 2022 (edited) Great thread! I’ll have a think and post some later. Really wanted to like Omori but could not get into it at all. Found the dialogue to be similar to Life is Strange was in that it comes across as someone trying to write young people who have never heard young people speak. Never hooked me but there’s some solid ideas there. Heard nothing but good thinks about Tinykin so will get round to that eventually! Edited October 10, 2022 by FelatioLips Quote
Retro Red Posted October 10, 2022 Posted October 10, 2022 7 minutes ago, Mr_Danger said: The answer is Peggle, close thread. He said unappreciated, we all fucking love Peggle. Quote
Paid Members gmoney Posted October 10, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 10, 2022 Peggle is inextricably linked in my mind with the Nineteenth Century George Eliot novel Middlemarch because of a futile attempt to cram the audiobook while playing it, the day before an exam. Failed it. Quote
Keith Houchen Posted October 10, 2022 Posted October 10, 2022 2 hours ago, RedRooster said: Tinykin I think it was yourself who recommended this before and you’re right, it’s an absolute joy! Thanks again, will look at your other recommendations. Quote
Paid Members Egg Shen Posted October 10, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 10, 2022 20 minutes ago, Mr_Danger said: The answer is Peggle, close thread. Yeah, i have no idea if its underappreciated or not but Peggle is fanstastic. Quote
Paid Members Devon Malcolm Posted October 10, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 10, 2022 Would like to echo the Peggle love (don't forget Peggle Nights!) but would urge anybody not to try the mobile version, which is a travesty. Quote
Paid Members PunkStep Posted October 10, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 10, 2022 Top Ranking Tennis- Game Boy What a joy this game is. No frills, just a game where you climb the rankings- but it plays so well for a Game Boy sports title. A great way to kill some time.  Picross Probably my favourite puzzle game of all time! I played the original version to death on the Nintendo DS and a few months ago picked up Picross Touch for the Switch. Adding Mega Picross and Colour Picross modes over the years for the newer titles gave you more to sink your teeth into as well. Whenever I decide to sit down and throw some hours into a Zelda or a Pokemon game, I just end up playing Picross... Quote
Paid Members Fatty Facesitter Posted October 10, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 10, 2022 Not an underrated game in itself, but an underrated port - The PlayStation version of Doom is infinitely more frightening than it’s PC counterpart. I like the 8-bit rock soundtrack of the original PC version, but the PS version has really creepy, atmospheric sound. When monsters catch sight of you, the echo of their screams are haunting. Also, it’s ten times more scary bumping into one of them in the dark out of nowhere, with no music and no other sounds. Especially if you’re playing it after hours in the dark. Christ almighty. Quote
RedRooster Posted October 10, 2022 Author Posted October 10, 2022 4 hours ago, Keith Houchen said: I think it was yourself who recommended this before and you’re right, it’s an absolute joy! Thanks again, will look at your other recommendations. It was me, yes! If you want something similar, try A Short Hike; which is also A nice mix of exploration and adventure, without enemies or the risk of death. It has a nice story to it, and some really enjoyable side-quests/missions.  3 hours ago, PunkStep said: Picross YES! I love the Picross games. Have you ever tried Murder by Numbers? If not, I’d highly recommend giving it a try. It’s basically Phoenix Wright, crossed with Picross. It’s a combination that works incredibly well, and very addictive to boot. Quote
Steve Justice Posted October 11, 2022 Posted October 11, 2022 17 hours ago, Mr_Danger said: The answer is Peggle, close thread. My ex-wife wanted to try that. It's one of the reasons we're getting divorced. Quote
Paid Members Tommy! Posted October 11, 2022 Paid Members Posted October 11, 2022 1 hour ago, Chili said: Hogs of War. Someone on Kickstarter funded a tabletop version of that a few years back.  Quote
pitseleh Posted October 11, 2022 Posted October 11, 2022 (edited) Goof Troop (SNES) Zeldaesque action game with puzzle elements that's suitable for all ages. This game can be completed in 2-3 hours and it's not too tough, but it's worth beating in both single player mode and co-op mode to get the complete Goof Troop experience. Neo Turf Masters (NEO-GEO, PS2, PSP, Wii, Xbox One, PS4, Switch) You don't even need to like golf to appreciate this masterpiece. I don't and I've put tens of hours into this game over the years. The gameplay is incredibly easy to pick up, but hard to master. Toki (NES) I've always loved this game. It's a no-frills platformer that can be beaten in 20-25 minutes if you know what you are doing, but this is well worth a play if you've already played all the other big guns of the 8-bit generation and you fancy something new. It was remade recently for the current generation. The remake didn't add anything new apart from upgrade the visuals, so either version is worth playing. Metal Gear Acid 1 & 2 (PSP) When I was a kid, I was disgusted to learn that the Metal Gear game for PSP was a turn-based card game, but I finally went back and gave this go last year and I became obsessed with this spin-off series. Metal Gear Acid 2 is the more polished game, but I prefer the realistic visuals of the first game. Both games are well worth playing if you are a MGS fan. Edited October 11, 2022 by pitseleh Quote
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